Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
Pick up your rental car and drive to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, where you'll find street performers, shops, and cafés throughout the harbor. Table Mountain rises above everything from here. If you want, you can ride the Cape Wheel for views in all directions or head to the Castle of Good Hope to walk around its historical fortress walls.
Optional Activities
- Cape Wheel ride with 360° city views (payable locally)
- Visit Castle of Good Hope
Landmarks/POIs Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Table Mountain Castle of Good Hope Cape Wheel - Day 2
Cape Town to Cape Point
Drive your rental car to Boulders Beach to see African penguins sitting among the granite rocks. From there, continue to Cape Point and look out over False Bay and Diaz Beach from the viewing platform. If it interests you, there's a small cog railroad that takes you up to the highest point of the cliff.
Optional Activities
- Cog railroad ride to Cape Point viewing platform (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Boulders Beach Cape Point False Bay Diaz Beach - Day 3
Cape Town
This morning you can try surfing at one of Cape Town's beach breaks if you'd like, whether you're just starting out or have experience. Spend time at beach cafés to relax, then head to Signal Hill in the afternoon for sunset views over the Waterfront and Robben Island. Grab a photo at the famous yellow Table Mountain Frame before heading back.
Optional Activities
- Surfing lesson or surf session (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Signal Hill Robben Island Table Mountain Frame - Day 4
Cape Town to Swellendam
Drive away from Cape Town toward Hermanus, a laid-back coastal town where you can watch for whales from the cliffs (they're around from June through December). After that, continue to Swellendam and explore Marloth Nature Reserve with its thick forests, hidden waterfalls, natural pools, and birds you won't see anywhere else.
Optional Activities
- Whale watching from cliffs in Hermanus (June-December, seasonal)
Landmarks/POIs Hermanus Marloth Nature Reserve - Day 5
Swellendam
Spend the full day in Marloth Nature Reserve walking various trails, some easy and some more challenging. You'll move through dense forests, past hidden waterfalls and natural pools while looking for rare birds and wildlife. Later, return to your accommodation and settle in with a glass of local wine while listening to the sounds around you.
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails in Marloth Nature Reserve (various difficulty levels)
Landmarks/POIs Marloth Nature Reserve - Day 6
Swellendam to Plettenberg Bay
Drive along the Garden Route to Wilderness National Park, where you can see rock formations, reflective lakes, waterfalls, and natural pools. Try the Giant Kingfisher Trail or paddle a canoe or kayak around the area. Then continue to Plettenberg Bay, walk barefoot on Lookout Beach, and check out the lagoon where the river meets the sea.
Optional Activities
- Hiking on Giant Kingfisher Trail in Wilderness National Park
- Canoe or kayak paddling in Wilderness National Park (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Wilderness National Park Giant Kingfisher Trail Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay - Day 7
Plettenberg Bay
Take time to relax on the white sand or head into Robberg Nature Reserve with three different hiking trails to choose from: The Gap, Witsand, and The Point. You'll see a large seal colony and might spot dolphins and whales from a distance. The Point trail is the longest one with unpaved paths, so check the tides before you head out.
Optional Activities
- Robberg Nature Reserve hiking trails (The Gap, Witsand, The Point)
Landmarks/POIs Robberg Nature Reserve - Day 8
Plettenberg Bay to Addo Elephant National Park
Visit Tsitsikamma National Park to walk through dense forests and see wild coastlines with its famous suspension bridges. If you're interested, you can try ziplining up to 30 meters above the ground between trees. Later, drive to your accommodation next to Addo Elephant National Park with views of green hills and forested landscapes all around.
Optional Activities
- Suspension bridge walks in Tsitsikamma National Park
- Ziplining up to 30 meters above ground (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma National Park Addo Elephant National Park - Day 9
Addo Elephant National Park
Start early and drive through Addo Elephant National Park yourself when the elephants move toward the watering holes. The park has over 600 elephants, and you might also see lions, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, and other animals. Drive deep into the savannah to the gathering spots for close views of wild elephants.
Included Activities
- Self-drive safari through Addo Elephant National Park
Optional Activities
- Full-day safari through the Addo Elephant National Park
Landmarks/POIs Addo Elephant National Park - Day 10
Addo Elephant National Park to Oudtshoorn
Begin with an early drive deeper into Addo National Park to the watering holes where elephant herds gather and you may spot lions and other Big Five animals. From there, drive to Oudtshoorn, known as the Ostrich Capital, where ostriches fill the fields around you. Arrive at your accommodation in the Little Karoo by evening.
Landmarks/POIs Addo Elephant National Park Oudtshoorn - Day 11
Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch
Drive Route 62 through winding mountain passes and vineyards. Stop at Diesel and Crème Diner in Barrydale for a burger and milkshake surrounded by vintage cars and retro memorabilia. Continue on to Stellenbosch and if you'd like, visit Warwick Wine Estate for wine tasting with views of the vineyards.
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Warwick Wine Estate in Stellenbosch (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Route 62 Diesel & Crème Diner Warwick Wine Estate Stellenbosch - Day 12
Stellenbosch to Cape Town
Drive back to Cape Town for your final day. Drop off your rental car at the rental car station and take time to think back on your road trip, from safaris and sunsets to all the memorable moments you had throughout South Africa.
Landmarks/POIs Cape Town
