South Africa’s Garden Route & Western Cape
Snapshot
David put together this custom-made adventure for some clients interested in visiting South Africa. David says:
“I’ve been to South Africa twice, and I love the country, I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. When most people think of South Africa, they think of lions and elephants and safaris, and while those are definitely available there (and I specialize in them!), not as many people think about some of the other scenic opportunities available in the country. In particular, this itinerary focuses on the Garden Route and the Western Cape Region, and highlights some of the must-see sights along the way. This is a blend of the sights I saw on two different trips, organized as one complete itinerary. This is a perfect add-on either before or after a safari trip, or also works well as its own standalone trip.”
This itinerary visits Port Elizabeth, Addo National Park, then a drive along the Garden Route (Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna), Stellenbosch, Gansbaai, and Cape Town - all within South Africa (10 nights total)
Highlights
Meeting elephants inside the Addo National Park
Spotting whales, dolphins, and seals up close on an Ocean Safari in Plettenberg Bay
The dramatic scenery of Knysna’s sheltered lagoon and sandstone cliffs
Exploring the epic and beautiful Cango Cave system, carved into the side of the Swartberg mountains
Cage diving with great white sharks in Gansbaai!
Visiting the country’s finest wineries in the scenic Stellenbosch region
Seeing the largest African penguin colony in the world at Boulders Beach
Riding the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy breathtaking views
Touring the sites of Cape Town, including the lovely V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, the colourful Bo-Kaap district, and more
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is an historic port town along South Africa’s coast, and its location makes it a natural starting point for your journey. Fly into the Port Elizabeth airport and then pick up your rental car, many international rental agencies are well represented there.
Most flight itineraries will have you arriving here around midday (if you’re coming from Europe), giving you ample time to explore the small downtown area or lounge on the beach for the remainder of your day. Or just rest off the jet lag if you’re still feeling it.
Check in to your hotel, where you will stay for 2 nights.
Addo National Park
The next day is set aside for visiting Addo National Park, one of the best wildlife preserves in the region.
The main attraction there are the elephants - the park is home to over 600 African elephants, along with plentiful buffalo and zebra neighbors too. You may catch a glimpse of a lion or leopard if you’re lucky, but they are quite rare!
You can drive your car there if you wish, but I’d recommend booking an organized small group tour from Port Elizabeth in advance, so that you can relax and just focus all your attention on the wildlife (not the roads). This will also give you a more in-depth tour of the park, with local insights and stories as well.
Return back to Port Elizabeth for the night. Get a good night’s sleep, because you will set out the next day along the Garden Route.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a 300-km scenic stretch of road that winds along the south-eastern coast of South Africa, from Mossel Bay to Stormsriver. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, you can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty along the way.
This is one of those places where it’s all about the journey, not the destination.
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.”
Make your first stop along the Garden Route in Stormsriver, located within the Tsitsikamma National Park. The area is incredibly scenic and full of natural beauty, so I would recommend taking the opportunity to hike along the many scenic trails of the Park. The trails vary wildly in terms of distance and difficulty, but the easiest ones can be done in less than two hours. You’re sure to enjoy some spectacular views and breathtaking spots - like the Stormsriver double suspension bridge (pictured, above).
After some hiking, you’ll probably be hungry - go for lunch at a local spot, such as The Cliffhanger. This local spot is where you can sit in comfort, order a drink, and watch people bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge. It’s a lot of fun, and they serve great woodfire pizza’s too.
Continue driving to Plettenberg Bay, and take advantage of an afternoon Ocean Safari! (pictured, left)
This is an ideal opportunity to see whales, dolphins, and seals up close, but from the comfort and safety of a boat. It’s only a two-hour trip with an all-local crew, and they take you to some of the best spots along the rugged coastline for animal spotting.
If scuba diving is your thing, you get an even more up-close encounter with these sea creatures in Plettenberg Bay.
In the late afternoon, continue on to Knysna to check in at your next accommodation, and relax after a busy day.
Knysna
Knysna is a beautiful town on the Knysna River, with a sheltered lagoon surrounded by ancient forests. It’s no surprise that it’s known as the Jewel of the Garden Route.
The area is protected from the Indian Ocean by dramatic sandstone cliffs on either side of the river mouth, known as the heads (pictured, right).
Knysna has a very “cottage-country” feel to it, and anyone familiar with the Muskokas or Kawarthas of Ontario will feel at home here. There are plenty of guesthouses and self-catering cottages; I can personally recommend the Under Milkwood Cottages, which is located right along the banks of the river.
Spend a day or so in Knysna at your leisure, perhaps kayaking in the river/lagoon, or hiking up the Heads for some gorgeous coastal views.
Alternatively, you could take a day trip to Wildnerness, located just 1 hour’s drive from Knysna. It is home to the Map Of Africa, a scenic lookout spot where you look down upon a river that carves a path in the shape of the African continent through the lush jungle wilderness. It’s quite a spectacular sight.
Knysna is also known as a hot spot for seafood, so make sure to try some local oysters while you’re there!
Oudtshoorn
After your stay in Knysna, make the drive up to Oudtshoorn, a town in the hills north of George. The forests of the garden route will quickly give way to drier mountain roads.
If you’ve ever been curious about ostriches, Oudtshoorn has plenty of ostrich farms to visit, and several restaurants offering their local delicacy, ostrich steak!
Pass through the town and continue north to Cango Caves, one of the most spectacular cave systems in Africa (pictured, left).
Spend a couple of hours exploring; take in the jaw-dropping beauty of these caves carved into the side of the Swartberg mountains.
If you’re still looking for a thrill, keep driving to the Swartberg Pass (pictured, below). Here the road changes from paved to uneven dirt, so you will need to take it slow, but once you reach the pass, the views from the top and along the way are truly epic.
Continue on to Mossel Bay for the night.
Cape Agulhas & Gansbaai
You’ll want to start your day early, as you will cover the most ground en route to Stellenbosch.
First stop is Cape Agulhas, home of one of the oldest lighthouses in Africa that’s still standing.
David & friend at Cape Agulhas
More significantly, it is the southernmost point in all of Africa, and the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. A modest monument marks this point (pictured, above) and the view of the ocean currents crashing on the rocks of the shore is spectacular.
You won’t need to spend too much time in Cape Agulhas; continue on to Gansbaai where you’ll take part in one the most unique and thrilling activities you can have in South Africa: shark cage diving! Gansbaai is known for its dense population of great white sharks, some of the largest populations in the world live here.
Head out into the open water with one of the many diving companies in town, and descend into the cold ocean to meet the great white sharks up close & personal! Of course you’re safe inside the metal cages, but the thrill of watching the sharks is unparalleled.
Being right on the sea, Gansbaai also has excellent fresh seafood, so make sure to enjoy a delicious seaside lunch or early dinner before moving on.
Finish the drive to Stellenbosch (about 2 hours from Gansbaai), and check in to your home for the next two nights. As you approach Cape Town from the east, the hills and coastline of the Western Cape give way to the green hills and rolling valleys of Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch
Between Gansbaii and Cape Town lies Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town and an inspiring wine, food, and art destination.
The scenic Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of the most popular destinations for local and international visitors alike. You can do tastings at award-winning wine estates, enjoy meals at celebrated restaurants, and experience Stellenbosch’s unique laid-back lifestyle - all within a stunning natural scenery. Wine tours that visit multiple wineries in a day are especially popular.
I recommend that you find your way to Fairview Wine & Cheese Farm. With a wide variety of wines and cheeses to sample, there’s something for every taste.
Don’t forget to check out the famous goat tower (pictured, left) and try to snap a selfie with one of their photogenic goats!
If you’re a golfer, there are lots of golf courses in the Stellenbosch area as well, all of which come with exceptional scenic views. You can play 9 or 18 holes, though watch out for the Cape winds - they seem to have their own ideas about where your ball should end up!
The downtown of Stellenbosch is charming and historic, a wonderful area to enjoy a leisurely stroll. You can visit the museum and other important landmarks that recall the town’s Dutch history. And of course, the rolling hills and valleys make for very picturesque scenery in every direction.
There are plenty of resort-style accommodations scattered throughout the countryside around Stellenbosch, or more conventional hotels in town. I can personally recommend Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate just north of Stellenbosch, with excellent dining and golfing available at a reasonable price for a 4-star resort. And every room gets a complimentary bottle of wine - a welcome extra touch of hospitality.
Stellenbosch
Cape Peninsula
Wake up early to get a head start on a full day around the Cape Peninsula, a rocky land outcrop that juts into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. It encompasses the Cape Town metro area, Cape Point and the False Bay area.
Drive west along the coast of False Bay until you reach Muizenberg, a charming little beach town that serves as a popular getaway spot for locals.
The beach is beautiful, with white sand surrounded by mountains and shallow water. You’ll find a string of cute, colourful little bathing houses along the beach as well (pictured, right).
From there, follow the road south through a handful of small coastal villages. There’s lots of boutique or kitschy shopping options here as you drive through various towns, so feel free to stop in along the way if something catches your eye.
Be aware though, they are there to attract tourists, and will be priced accordingly.
Your first major stop along the Cape Peninsula is Boulder Beach (pictured, below) - this spot is home to the largest African penguin colony in the world! Walk along the boardwalk elevated above the sand, and get up close with hundreds of adorable little penguins - without disturbing their natural habitat.
Then, move onwards, heading south to the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Point Lighthouse. Brave the winds and head up to the top of Cape Point to get spectacular views of the sea and shoreline (pictured, below left).
You’ll find you have a new appreciation for the sailors who had to navigate this treacherous area for centuries.
Continue your drive along the picturesque west coast, back up through Hout Bay and Camps Bay back to Cape Town.
Stop for a few moments at Misty Cliffs, and get some amazing pictures of the white sand dune beach below.
At some point along the drive, you’re likely to see the sun set across the ocean - if possible, try to get to Chapman’s Peak (for incredible views) or past it (for driving safely at night) for when the sun sets.
Make your way into Cape Town and settle in to your accommodation.
Cape Town
At least another day or two is recommended to spend in Cape Town, so that you can visit all the main tourist attractions in the area - though of course you can extend as long as you desire.
A must-do activity while in Cape Town is a visit to Table Mountain - I recommend taking the cable car up to the top. Then, spend an hour or so walking around, snapping photos of the fantastic views in every direction.
Back in town, take a stroll around the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, which is situated on the Atlantic shore and surrounds the Table Bay Harbour. There are over 80 restaurants and eateries, where you can sample a variety of international and local dishes.
The V&A Waterfront is also the gateway to the infamous Robben Island, one of Cape Town’s top cultural attractions.
The historic penal colony is the former home of many South African political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela (we visited his tiny cell, pictured, left).
The island is located approximately 11 miles offshore, and the best way to get there is on a Robben Island ferry tour.
For the culturally or historically inclined, a visit to Bo-Kaap district is a must: this is one of the oldest urban residential areas of Cape Town, dating back to the 1760’s. Bo-Kaap was home to mainly Muslims and freed slaves after the abolition of slavery, but is now more famous for its brightly painted houses and cobbled streets (pictured, below).
While here, be sure to visit the Bo-Kaap Museum, which showcases local Islamic culture and heritage from the nineteenth century.
Another fascinating cultural site is the District Six Museum. This museum is housed inside an old Methodist church, and is located in the former inner-city residential area of District Six. Here you’ll learn about an important part of the history of Cape Town and its black communities.
For the animal-lovers that were a bit too timid to go for the shark cage diving earlier, I would recommend checking out the Two Oceans Aquarium. It is home to over 3,000 marine animals from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, including different types of sharks, penguins, seahorses, jellyfish, turtles and thousands of fish. Its exhibits showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found off the coast.
Finally, in the evenings you can enjoy the vibrant (and somewhat hipster) nightlife of Kloof Street, where dining and clubbing opportunities abound.
Where to next?
This itinerary concludes in Cape Town.
If this is the end of your journey, the Cape Town international airport offers many routes back to North America, often via Europe. Most of these flights depart in the evenings, so you can take advantage of one last day of sightseeing before flying out at night.
Or, this could be the start of another amazing adventure!
Many group tours and Safaris conveniently depart from Cape Town, and they typically will have their initial orientation meetings in the evening. You can continue exploring throughout South Africa (perhaps with a visit to Kruger National Park, a great place to spot big game), or move northwest to Namibia, which offers similar big game safari opportunities. Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania are also fantastic locations to Safari and spot animals - like these cuties, pictured below!
