17 Day Cape Highlights - Round Trip Garden Route
Day 1: Cape Town - Start of your round trip Garden Route
ARRIVING IN CAPE TOWN - Drive to the hotel (approx. 21km/0:25 h)
During the day - depending on the flight connection booked - you will reach Cape Town, the dream city between two oceans. After arrival, pick up your booked rental car and drive to your booked accommodation. Relax for the rest of the day, go for a walk and let the first impressions sink in. Enjoy the (usually) wonderful weather and end the day in one of the many excellent restaurants with good food and an excellent bottle of local wine.
Day 2: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
A full day in Cape Town! There is so much to explore and do. What are you in the mood for? A good way to explore Cape Town on your own is, for example, a City tour with the “Hop On — Hop Off” bus. This gives you a very good overview of the city, you can get off wherever you like and stay as long as you want.
There is also a driveway onto the Table Mountain is an absolute must! Here, we recommend that you take one of the first trips early in the morning. You should have bought the tickets beforehand. We are also happy to do that for you.
But also the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the botanical garden of Kirstenbosch And that Bo Kap district waiting to be explored.
If you are interested in social projects, we invite you to visit the 9Miles-Project near. Here, kids from the townships learn to surf after school - and so much more for life! We would be delighted to organise a visit to False Bay for you, an experience that you will surely remember a long time ago. You can find more information about this on our website ajimba.com under PROJECTS.
Day 3: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
Today would be a good day for a trip to the Cape Peninsula. There is much more to see here than the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. Unforgettable experiences await you: Spectacular coasts with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (only here you can swim with penguins) and of course the waves roaring around the cape. Set off early, you'll need time!
Day 4: Stellenbosch
CAPE TOWN - STELLENBOSCH/RAITHBY (approx. 65km/1:30 h)
Today, you'll leave Cape Town for the Winelands. The route is not far and we recommend that you take a short detour via Tableview. From the local beach, you have the typical view across the bay to Table Mountain, which is so well-known and spectacular.
Then drive across the small but very beautiful Durbanville wine-growing region to Stellenbosch and on to small Raithby. Surrounded by rugged Helder mountains and lovely vineyards, this extremely picturesque little town is picturesquely situated in the valley. Stellenbosch is an ideal base for exploring the region and in Raithby you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a wine and olive farm.
Day 5: Stellenbosch
STELLENBOSCH & WINELANDS
Another day to explore and enjoy! Today we recommend a trip to Franschhoek, just over 30 km away. You'll drive through lovely vineyards with a variety of wineries that are open for sightseeing (and wine tastings, of course). Franschhoek is an excellent place to stroll, hike and stop off at one of the exquisite restaurants.
Day 6: Hermanus
STELLENBOSCH - HERMANUS (approx. 130 km/2:00 h)
You are leaving Stellenbosch today and heading back towards the ocean. Along False Bay, it goes via Somerset West and Gordons Bay on a spectacular coastal road towards Betty's Bay. In the local nature reserve, you can easily visit a large penguin colony and watch the lively sea creatures. Continue along endless beaches to Hermanus, the so-called whale watching capital of the world. In the season from September to December, with a bit of luck, you can watch the peaceful giants just below the cliff path. Your destination today is in the middle of the small town.
Day 7: Hermanus
WHALE COAST
You'll spend the day in one of the most interesting places on Earth watching the fascinating life in the open sea. Not only the whales, some of which live here all year round and some only seasonally, are a highlight, the area is also known for great white sharks. The neighboring Van Dyks Bay is one of the world's best places to get up close and personal with these giant predators. Various companies have specialized in bringing these fascinating creatures closer to tourists and at the same time fighting for their protection. Only through knowledge and understanding of predators can you alleviate people's fear and protect these magnificent animals. We recommend that you experience this fascinating adventure consciously and also experience the adrenaline rush of seeing these big sharks face to face in a cage.
Day 8: Hermanus — Barrydale
HERMANUS - BARRYDALE (approx. 206 km/2:18 h)
Get off the coast and drive through breathtaking landscapes. It is recommended to travel a bit further via Montagu, as you will pass many wineries and farms and find your way into the small Karoo. A barren landscape that flows into a small desert-like landscape in Barrydale.
The impressive Swartberg Mountains in particular are your companions.
At the Karoo Art Hotel, it is recommended to ask owners Rick and Sue Melvil about the Karoo Art Swim Club. The next morning, you can head out to the region's natural pools with a few swimmers.
Day 9: Barrydale — Oudtshoorn
BARRYDALE - OUDTSHOORN (approx. 174 km/1:50 h)
From Barrydale, you can take the famous Route 62, which leads through the Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn. Be sure to make a stop at the iconic “Ronnies Sex Shop”, which doesn't even offer what the name suggests.
Day 10: Oudtshoorn
OUDTSHOORN
A day to relax — or would you like to visit the Cango Caves or one of the many ostrich farms in the region?
Oudtshoorn, which likes to call itself the ostrich capital of the world, likes to show off the largest birds in the world. Visit one of the many farms and learn a lot of new things about these wonderful creatures.
But the nearby Cango Caves are also worth a visit!
Day 11: Oudtshoorn — Plettenberg Bay
OUDTSHOORN - PLETTENBERG BAY (approx. 176km/2:35 h)
In the morning, you should go on a trip to see the meerkats. A great experience!
After breakfast, leave the dry semi-desert of the Little Karoo and cross the coastal mountains. What a change of vegetation! Suddenly everything is green, subtropical rainforests stretch along the slopes of the mountains and flowers in all colors everywhere. You pass through the towns of George and Wilderness and can stop in Knysna, located on a large lagoon that is only connected to the sea by a narrow section of the cliffs. Don't miss out on a visit to Knysna Heads!
Just a short distance further and you'll reach the area around Plettenberg Bay, with its long beaches, excellent restaurants and many attractions.
Day 12: Plettenberg Bay
PLETTENBERG BAY
Today you have the whole day to experience the things you really want in and around Plettenberg Bay. This could be a relaxing day on one of the many beaches. Or a stroll along and through the Keurboomsrivier lagoon. Or a hike across the Robberg Peninsula with its beaches, flowers and animals, especially the huge seal population.
There are also a large number of attractions to visit here, such as the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary or the excellent Birds of Eden. Sports enthusiasts who love nature can also experience the diversity of the coastal landscape with sea canoes.
Day 13: Plettenberg Bay - Cape St Francis
PLETTENBERG BAY - CAPE ST FRANCIS (approx. 146km/3:00 h)
On your route today is the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park, known for its extensive rainforests with huge trees. Drive through the idyllic Nature's Valley to Stormsriver Mouth. There is so much to see and do here. Hike along the rugged coastline to a waterfall, walk across footbridges and suspension bridges to the mouth of the Storms River, and book a boat trip into the canyon. Preferably with canoes, which allow you to paddle far into the spectacular gorge.
You should make another stop at the Bloukrans Bridge. Here you can do one of the deepest bungee jumps in the world — or simply watch.
Today's destination is relaxed Cape St Francis.
Day 14: Cape St Francis
CAPE ST FRANCIS
Today, you can simply leave your car and explore the wonderful Cape St Francis area. There is a lot to do. We highly recommend Betty's Tour, where you can get a deep and lasting insight into local life. Or experience lots of nature on a romantic cruise on the Kromme River. Or simply enjoy the sun, beach and waves with a good book.
Day 15: Cap St. Francis - Sibuya Private Game Reserve
CAPE ST FRANCIS - SIBUYA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (approx. 236 km/2:40 h)
This morning is departure for your last stage and at the same time a highlight of your trip. The next few days will be dedicated to the wonderful African wildlife. At Sibuya Private Game Reserve, you can watch large and small animals in their natural environment on game drives. You should reach the nature reserve by noon so that you can relax and set off on your first stalk in the afternoon.
Day 16: Sibuya Private Game Reserve
SIBUYA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
It's time to get up very early today! You will be woken up before sunrise. After a cup of coffee and typical South African “rusks” (hard pastries), drive deep into the bush on the open-top off-road vehicle. There is a lot going on here at this time, the nocturnal animals return, the diurnal animals come out of hiding. In the light of the rising sun, the bush shines in wonderful light, a paradise for photographers! After the game drive, it's back to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast is already waiting for you. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax by the pool, read, or maybe catch up on some sleep.
But there is always something to see: thirsty animals come to their own watering hole or the river where the Rover Lodge is located, colorful birds drink in the pool, and small antelopes roam around the accommodation and enjoy the safety of being close to people.
After lunch and often a “high tea”, it's back on a game drive in the afternoon, only interrupted by a sundowner in the bush. From now on, you can also watch nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you can search for the many animals that are not visible during the day. With a good dinner and a drink or two at the bar, an exciting day is about to change.
Day 17: End of trip
RETURNING AND SAYING GOODBYE TO YOUR ROUND TRIP ON THE GARDEN ROUTE
When you arrive at Port Elizabeth Airport, drop off your rental car. If you have not booked a connection program, your Garden Route round trip is unfortunately over again. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and made unforgettable impressions.
