17 Days of Cape Highlights - Garden Route Tour
Day 1: Cape Town - Start of your Garden Route Tour
ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN - Drive to the hotel (approx. 21km / 0:25h)
Depending on your booked flight connection, you will arrive in Cape Town, the dream city between two oceans, during the day. Upon arrival, you will pick up your rental car and drive to your booked accommodation. Relax for the rest of the day, take a stroll, and let the first impressions sink in. Enjoy the (mostly) beautiful weather and end the day at one of the many excellent restaurants with good food and an exquisite bottle of local wine.
Day 2: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
A full day in Cape Town! There's so much to explore and do. What takes your fancy? A good way to explore Cape Town on your own, for example, is a city tour with the "Hop On – Hop Off" bus. This way, you get an excellent overview of the city, can hop off wherever you like, and stay as long as you wish.
Also, a trip up Table Mountain is an absolute must! We recommend taking one of the first rides early in the morning. You should have purchased your tickets in advance. We can also gladly arrange that for you.
But also the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Botanical Garden of Kirstenbosch and the Bo-Kaap Quarter are waiting to be explored.
If you are interested in social projects, we recommend a visit to the 9Miles-Project . Here, children from the townships learn to surf after school – and much, much more for life! We would be delighted to organize a visit for you to False Bay, an experience you are sure to remember for a long time. You can find more information on our website ajimba.com under PROJECTS.
Day 3: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
Today would be a good day for an excursion to the Cape Peninsula. There is much more to see here than just the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. Unforgettable experiences await you: spectacular coastlines with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (only here can you swim with penguins), and of course, the wave-battered Cape. Leave early; you will need the time!
Day 4: Stellenbosch
CAPE TOWN - STELLENBOSCH/RAITHBY (approx. 65km / 1:30h)
Today you leave Cape Town heading towards the Winelands. The route isn't long, and we recommend taking a small detour via Tableview. From the beach there, you'll get that iconic view across the bay to Table Mountain, which is as famous as it is spectacular.
Afterwards, drive through the small but very beautiful Durbanville wine region to Stellenbosch and on to the small village of Raithby. Surrounded by rugged Helderberg Mountains and charming vineyards, this extremely picturesque town is nestled idyllically in the valley. Stellenbosch is an ideal starting point for exploring the region, and in Raithby, you can enjoy the tranquility of a wine and olive farm.
Day 5: Stellenbosch
STELLENBOSCH & WINELANDS
Another day for exploring and enjoying! Today, we recommend an excursion to Franschhoek, just over 30km away. You'll drive through charming vineyards with numerous wineries open for visits (and, of course, wine tastings). In Franschhoek, you can wonderfully stroll, hike, and dine at one of the exquisite restaurants.
Day 6: Hermanus
STELLENBOSCH - HERMANUS (approx. 130 km / 2:00 hr)
Today you leave Stellenbosch and head back towards the ocean. Along False Bay, you'll travel 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 these lively marine creatures. The journey continues along endless beaches to Hermanus, known as the whale-watching capital of the world. During the season from September to December, with a bit of luck, you might spot these peaceful giants directly below the cliff path. Your destination today is located in the heart of this small town.
Day 7: Hermanus
WHALE COAST
You'll spend the day in one of the most interesting places on Earth to observe the fascinating life in the open sea. Not only are the whales, some of which live here year-round and others seasonally, a highlight, but the area is also known for its Great White Sharks. Nearby Van Dyks Bay is one of the world's best places to get up close to these enormous predators. Various companies specialize in bringing tourists closer to these fascinating creatures while simultaneously fighting for their protection. Only through knowledge and understanding of these predators can people's fears be alleviated and these magnificent animals protected. We recommend you consciously experience this fascinating adventure and feel the adrenaline rush of coming face-to-face with these large sharks in a cage.
Day 8: Hermanus - Barrydale
HERMANUS - BARRYDALE (approx. 206 km / 2:18 hr)
Leave the coast and drive through breathtaking landscapes. Taking the slightly longer route via Montagu is recommended, as it will lead you past many wineries and farms, guiding you into the Little Karoo. A more arid landscape that transitions into a small desert-like environment in Barrydale.
The impressive Swartberg Mountains will be your constant companion.
At the Karoo Art Hotel, it's recommended to ask the owners, Rick and Sue Melvil, about the Karoo Art Swim Club. The next morning, you can join some swimmers on their way to the region's natural pools.
Day 9: Barrydale - Oudtshoorn
BARRYDALE - OUDTSHOORN (approx. 174 km / 1:50 hr)
From Barrydale, you'll join the famous Route 62, which leads through the Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn. Be sure to stop at the iconic "Ronnies Sex Shop," which offers nothing like what its name suggests.
Day 10: Oudtshoorn
OUDTSHOORN
A day to relax - or perhaps you'd like to visit the Cango Caves or one of the many ostrich farms in the region?
Oudtshoorn, which proudly calls itself the ostrich capital of the world, loves to showcase these largest birds in the world. Visit one of the many farms and discover fascinating facts about these wonderful creatures.
But the nearby Cango Caves are also well worth a visit!
Day 11: Oudtshoorn - Plettenberg Bay
OUDTSHOORN - PLETTENBERG BAY (approx. 176km / 2:35h)
In the morning, you could still take a tour to see the meerkats. It's a fantastic experience!
After breakfast, you'll leave the dry semi-desert of the Little Karoo and cross the coastal mountains. What a change in vegetation! Suddenly everything is green, subtropical rainforests stretch along the mountain slopes, and flowers bloom everywhere in all colors. You'll pass through the towns of George and Wilderness and can make a stop in Knysna, situated on a large lagoon connected to the sea only by a narrow cut through the cliffs. Don't miss visiting the 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 entire day to enjoy whatever you fancy in and around Plettenberg Bay. This could be a relaxing day on one of the many beaches. Or a walk along and through the Keurbooms River Lagoon. Or a hike across the Robberg Peninsula with its beaches, flowers, and animals, especially its huge seal population.
There are also a large number of attractions to visit here, for example, the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary or the excellent Birds of Eden. Active nature lovers can also explore the diverse coastal landscape by sea canoe.
Day 13: Plettenberg Bay - Cape St Francis
PLETTENBERG BAY - CAPE ST FRANCIS (approx. 146km / 3:00h)
Today's route takes you to the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park, known for its extensive rainforests with giant trees. Drive through the idyllically situated Nature’s Valley to Storms River Mouth. There is a lot to see and experience here. Hike along the rugged coast to a waterfall, walk across boardwalks and suspension bridges to the mouth of the Storms River, and book a boat trip into the canyon. Ideally, take 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 world's highest bungee jumps – or simply watch.
Today's destination is the relaxed Cape St Francis.
Day 14: Cape St Francis
CAPE ST FRANCIS
Today, you can simply leave your car parked and explore the wonderful area around Cape St Francis. There's plenty to do. We highly recommend Betty's Tour, where you can gain deep and lasting insights into local life. Alternatively, experience abundant nature on a romantic cruise on the Kromme River. Or simply enjoy the sun, beach, and waves with a good book.
Day 15: Cape St Francis - Sibuya Private Game Reserve
CAPE ST FRANCIS - SIBUYA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (approx. 236 km / 2:40 hrs)
This morning marks your departure for the final leg and a highlight of your journey. The next few days will be entirely dedicated to the wonderful African wildlife. At Sibuya Private Game Reserve, you can observe both large and small animals in their natural habitat on game drives. You should aim to arrive at the nature reserve by midday to comfortably embark on your first game drive in the afternoon.
Day 16: Sibuya Private Game Reserve
SIBUYA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Today means an early start! You'll be woken up even before sunrise. After coffee and the typical South African "Rusks" (hard biscuits), you'll head deep into the bush in open-top safari vehicles. At this time, there's a lot of activity: nocturnal animals are returning, while diurnal animals emerge from their hiding spots. In the light of the rising sun, the bush glows with wonderful light – a paradise for photographers! After the game drive, you'll return to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast awaits you. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax by the pool, read, or perhaps catch up on some sleep.
But there's always something to see: thirsty animals come to their own watering hole or the river where the Rover Lodge is located, colorful birds drink from the pool, and small antelopes roam around the accommodations, enjoying the safety of human proximity.
After lunch and often a "High Tea", you'll head out on another game drive in the afternoon, interrupted only by a sundowner in the bush. From now on, you'll also have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you'll search for the many animals not visible during the day. With a delicious dinner and a drink or two at the bar, an exciting day draws to a close.
Day 17: End of Journey
RETURN AND FAREWELL TO YOUR GARDEN ROUTE TOUR
Upon arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, you will return your rental car. If you haven't booked a connecting program, your Garden Route tour unfortunately comes to an end here. We are confident that you have experienced a great deal and gathered unforgettable memories.
