Car rental round trip South Africa: nature & culture around the cape

Day 1: Cape Town

ARRIVING IN CAPE TOWN

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 it to 'Africa's Greenest Hotel, 'the Hotel Verde near the airport. Here you can relax for the rest of the day 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. Cape Town's attractions are just a 15-minute drive away.

Day 2: Elandsberg Nature Reserve

CAPE TOWN - HERMON (approx. 120 km/2:20 h)

Today, we recommend that you discover South Africa on your own and at your own pace. Get closer to the people, because the first stage is just under 2 hours long. Through the city along Table Bay, drive north on the R27 to Bloubergstrand, the first important spot on your rental car round trip garden route. From here, you have the world-famous view of Table Mountain and can take the first important picture for your very personal South African album.

Drive through the parklands towards Durbanville — a suburb of Cape Town with around 50,000 inhabitants, which is characterized by wineries and wheat fields. Durbanville Wine Valley is one of the oldest wine regions on the Cape, home to the Diemersdal, Groot Phesantekraal, Meerendal, Nitida, Hillcrest, Altydgedacht, D'Aria, Bloemendal, Klein Boosboom, De Grendel and Durbanville Hills wineries. From here, take the R312 towards Wellington, where we recommend a trip to NorSA Community Care. The warm nature of Marietjie and her helpers, who have been taking care of Wellington's children for over 10 years, is wonderful. A great opportunity to get close to local people. (Please sign in at www.norsacommunitycare.org on!) Afterwards, we recommend a pizza or a good steak in Val du Charron just 5 minutes outside Wellington. With Cathy and her family, you will certainly be able to enjoy a good wine with it. Your destination today is the Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse near Hermon.

Day 3: Elandsberg Nature Reserve

THE SWARTLAND

Today, it's time to get closer to nature around the Swartland region, as Bartholomeus Klip is an exclusive destination in the Riebeek Valley. Discover them first on the active sheep and wheat farm in the Elandsberg Nature Reserve before exploring the wider area of the nature reserve. Spectacular mountains and well-kept farmland in this approximately 10,000 hectare nature reserve offer plenty of variety — ideal conditions for switching off from everyday life and turning the trip into a relaxing trip.

For sporting activities, mountain bikes are available for tours through the reserve or along country roads through the wheat fields. Hikes, whether on foot, in canoes or kayaking on the waterways on the dam, are also possible. And of course, today you can also visit the attractions of Riebeek Kasteel and Tulbagh and explore the up-and-coming wineries of Swartland or, further afield, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

Day 4: Oudtshoorn

HERMON - WORCESTER - BARRYDALE - ROUTE 62 - CALITZDORP - OUDTSHOORN (approx. 398 km/4:45 h)

Today, the stage is a bit longer but very attractive! Get up early because the journey is the destination! They drive through the small Karoo to Barrydale, a sleepy desert nest (all tourists stop here because 'Ronnie's Sex Shop” doesn't offer anything disreputable at all!). Here you get on the famous Route 62, which continues through the Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn - the capital of ostrich farming. You'll check in at deZeekoe Guest House later and should book dinner and also the 'early morning meerkat tour' in advance.

Day 5: Oudtshoorn

OUDTSHOORN

Today is dedicated to relaxation and recovery after the long journey the previous day. Visit the famous Cango Caves or take a guided tour of one of the many ostrich farms during the day. The Wildlife Conservation Center also offers an opportunity to learn more about cheetahs. Another option for the particularly brave and adventurous among you: dive with crocodiles.

Day 6: Plettenberg Bay

OUDTSHOORN - PLETTENBERG BAY (approx. 205 km/3:00 h)

There are two ways to get from the ostrich capital to the sea today: Either you stay on the R62 and thus in the mountains until you turn onto the R339 at Avontuur and then drive down the ocean towards Prins Alfredpas through the Kammanassie Nature Reserve (Attention: Make sure you have enough water with you beforehand — there is still a gas station in Avontuur!) Or use the approximately 30 km shorter route via George and Knysna and reach the sea early on. Both routes have their charm.

As soon as you take the direct route on the N12, you leave the dry semi-desert of the Little Karoo and cross the coastal mountains. You will experience the change of vegetation! Suddenly everything is green, subtropical rainforests stretch along the slopes of the mountains and flowers in all colors everywhere. You'll pass George and Wilderness, already on the Indian Ocean. You could stop in Knysna, located on a large lagoon that is only connected to the sea by a narrow cut through 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. This is where Hog Hollow Country Lodge is your destination today.

Day 7: Plettenberg Bay

PLETTENBERG BAY

Recovery is on the cards for the next two days. Explore Plettenberg Bay, the wonderful beaches, or even just the many opportunities to admire and learn from animals. At The Crag, you can get up close and personal with the pachyderms, or try to learn more from our immediate relatives in Monkey Land.

Day 8: Plettenberg Bay

PLETTENBERG BAY

Of course, the ocean also offers many opportunities to do sports. The sandy beaches of Central Beach and Lookout Beach offer wonderful waves for surfing. The Robberg Nature Reserve in the south is a rocky peninsula with hiking trails and the Nelson Bay Caves, caves dating back to the Stone Age. In the northeast, there is the Birds of Eden bird sanctuary, where birds can fly freely in the local forest. During whale migrations, whales come near the coast.

Or use the day to drive to Tsitsikamma National Park about 45 km east of your lodge. The spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park is 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 a stop at the Bloukrans Bridge about 21 km halfway. Here you can do one of the deepest bungee jumps in the world — or simply watch.

Day 9: Swellendam

PLETTENBERG BAY - SWELLENDAM (approx. 350 km/4:00 h)

After relaxing extensively on the beach, you're back on the road today. Enjoy the views and scenery that characterize the Western Cape so beautifully. On your route is Mossel Bay, a town of around 100,000 inhabitants that was a sleepy harbor nest until the second half of the 20th century. During the summer months, Mossel Bay has become one of South Africa's most popular holiday resorts and offers its holidaymakers the second-best climate in the world after Hawaii. As one of the few places on the Garden Route not shared by the N2, visitors will find dreamy corners and lots of sights. Particularly noteworthy are the beautiful sandy beaches of Dana Bay and Little Brak River, which invite you to take long walks. Today's destination is the Jan Harmsgat Country House near Swellendam.

Day 10: Cape Town

SWELLENDAM - CAPE AGULHAS - GANSBAAI - HERMANUS - BETTY'S BAY - SOMERSET WEST - CAPE TOWN (approx. 400 km/5:30 h)

Today it's time to set off early to be able to take in all the beauty of the coast and the many spots all the way to Cape Town. It starts in Swellendam, where early morning makes for a stroll through the city. Drive to the coast to the southernmost point of Africa - Cape Agulhas - from where you will then head northwestwards towards Cape Town. Nice spots can be found in Gansbaai, Hermanus (the whale capital, where you can see the animals from the coast, especially in November with a bit of luck), Betty's Bay and Gordon's Bay. In Cape Town, Hollow on the Square is then your destination.

Day 11: 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. A drive up Table Mountain is also an absolute must! Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, there is so much to experience! Or how about a “high-tea” in the afternoon on the roof terrace of the modern The Silo Hotel on the Waterfront? With a 360° panoramic view, you can celebrate a tea (please make sure to reserve in advance!). And don't forget: Robben Island is also a must see!

Day 12: End of trip

When you arrive at Cape Town Airport, drop off your rental car. If you have not booked a connection program, your rental car round trip Garden Route is unfortunately over again. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and made unforgettable impressions.

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