THE BEST EVER ROAD TRIP
Cape Town – Port Elizabeth
500 miles | 6 days
Two of the most iconic road trips in South Africa are joined together here for 6 days of intrepid travels. Start in the buzzing city of Cape Town, before exploring the famous Winelands for a taste of South Africa’s most delicious export. Following the famous Route 62 onto the lauded Garden Route, you’ll be treated to some of the finest roadscapes in the land, with a plethora of spectacular countryside to explore before finishing your trip
Cape Town
Start your adventure in mesmerizing Cape Town, a colourful city that is a true hub of creativity and style in South Africa. From the technicolour Bo-Kaap suburb to the design-forward, artsy neighbourhoods of East City and Woodstock, explore a diverse city shadowed by the enigmatic Table Mountain. The dining options are numerous, representing the many faces of the people that call the city home. Before dinner calls you could try your hand at surfing or hike the mountains for unforgettable views over the city, working up a healthy appetite before settling into a trendy eatery in the buzzing streets of Woodstock.
Cape Town is utterly captivating, but the wider region beckons. A stone’s throw from the buzzing downtown of the city lies an irresistible landscape known as Cape Winelands… It’s time to hit the road!
Winelands
From Cape Town – Route N1 2hrs 150kms
Discover some of the most famous vintners in the world. The road north out of Cape Town takes you into the heart of Cape Winelands, where the mountainous landscape offers a remarkable microclimate perfect for grape growing. Rolling vineyards grace this pretty region, with historic towns offering exceptional dining, luxurious stays and, of course, superb wines. The most famous are Dutch-founded Stellenbosch and French-Huguenot-founded Franschhoek. These origins give clue to each town’s historic charms, both offering quaint, colonial settings that paint a glorious scene for enjoying fine tipples. Paarl, Tulbagh and Robertson also make excellent stops along the way, where superb dining options compliment cellar-door tastings. An iconic outing from Cape Town, the Winelands are a perfect springboard for exploring the coast further north.
Mossel Bay
From Winelands – Route R60 & N2 3hrs 30min 315kms
With the Cape Fold Mountains as your guide, head to the start of the famed Garden Route with a stop at the gorgeous seaside town, Mossel Bay. It was the site of the first European landings in South Africa, a history told in the local museum. With the second mildest climate in the world, the long stretches of white sand beaches make for a replenishing stop. Plenty of hair-raising activities like skydiving are available locally, but if you want to take it easy check Seal Island – which, as the name suggests, is packed full of seals! Mossel Bay is a laid back port town that makes for a great stop before setting off to explore the picturesque Garden Route.
Wilderness
From Mossel Bay – Route N2 45mins 60kms
Surfers around the world head for Victoria Bay just outside of Wilderness, where a National surf competition is held annually. Along the irresistible stretch of coastline, the town of Wilderness is another coastal idyll that offers an array of activities and things to do – if you can tear yourself away from the stunning roads that take you there. Nestled amongst a lagoon, the ocean and a collection of rivers there is wildlife and activities like hiking, hang gliding, kayaking and much more. Ride a horse through the glorious forests that fringe the town or head out to Dolphin’s Point to try your luck at spotting the dolphins and whales that bask in the waters below.
Plettenberg safari
From Wilderness – Route N2 1hr 5mins 80kms
Head out on an adventure with a safari in Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. From jeep safaris to horseback rides, you’ll have a chance at spotting the famous Big Five, a bucket-list sight for most travellers to this glorious country. In certain reserves and parks you could also try a self-drive safari, or rely on the excellent guides at the game reserve for better chances of sighting the beautiful wildlife that call the area home.
Nature’s Valley
From Plettenberg – Route R102 & N2 35mins 35 kms
As the name suggests, this tiny hamlet lies relatively untouched by, well anything really. No big developments, no flashy shopping malls – just a small collection of homes that curve around a beautiful shoreline. It’s a perfect base from which to explore the wild landscape that surrounds the village, spanning Tsitsikamma National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. Discover the rainforests that offer sanctuary to a noisy collection of wildlife, best explored with canopy tours that zipline through the dense thicket.
For a truly adrenaline-fuelled afternoon, don’t miss the highest bungee jump in the world at Blourkran’s Bridge. Two out of every 10 people turn back from the edge – testament to how daring this jump really is.
Port Elizabeth
From Nature’s Valley – Route N2 2hrs 20mins 210kms
The final chapter of the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth is blessed with year-round sunshine and a collection of enviable beaches. It’s the perfect spot to reflect on the magnificent road trip you’ve just completed, sinking into the sands of the shoreline or trying some of the town’s new and hip eateries. Spot sharks, whales and dolphins just off the coast which, alongside the excellent local game reserves, offer the chance to catch not just the Big Five but the Big Seven. Walk Route 67, an art trail dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service with a piece to commemorate each year. For one last hoorah, head to the cool bars to catch the excellent music scene, witness the sun setting and wind down with a cold drink with locals in this up-and-coming city.
