Day1
Arrival in Cape Town
Land at Cape Town International, pick up your rental car and settle into your hotel. Ease in with a stroll along the V&A Waterfront and a first sunset over the bay.
Self-drive · Western & Eastern Cape
Cape Town & the Garden Route
The great South African classic: an iconic city, the winelands, the whale coast, the wild beaches of the Garden Route and a safari finale at Addo. Easy to drive, ideal for a first trip.
Duration
12 days
Distance
~1,200 km
Best season
Oct – Apr
Ideal for
A first trip
Overview
One route, every face of the Cape: city and mountain, vineyards and ocean, forests and elephants — at a relaxed pace, mostly on easy tarred roads.
This itinerary begins with four nights in Cape Town to soak up the Mother City and its peninsula, then heads east along the coast. You’ll cross the whale coast at Hermanus, the lagoons of Knysna and the beaches of Plettenberg Bay, before the forests of Tsitsikamma and a malaria-free safari in Addo Elephant Park.
It is designed as a self-drive trip — the freedom to set your own rhythm — but every stage can be adjusted, shortened or extended. A balanced route for couples and families discovering South Africa for the first time.
Day by day
The full itinerary
Twelve days, from the slopes of Table Mountain to the elephants of Addo.
Day2
Table Mountain & the City Bowl
Up Table Mountain by cable car for a 360° panorama, then explore the City Bowl: the colourful Bo-Kaap, Company's Garden and the buzzing Bree Street. End on Signal Hill for golden hour.
Table MountainBo-KaapSignal Hill
Day3
The Cape Peninsula & penguins
A full-day scenic loop: Chapman's Peak Drive, the Cape of Good Hope reserve, and the famous penguins of Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.
Chapman's PeakCape of Good HopeBoulders Beach
Day4
The Winelands: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek
A day among the vines: cellar tastings in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, gourmet lunch and Cape Dutch architecture. Hop aboard the Franschhoek wine tram if you'd rather not drive.
StellenboschWine tastingGastronomy
Day5
Cape Town → Hermanus, the whale coast
Leave the city and follow the coast to Hermanus, the world capital of land-based whale watching (Jun–Nov). Cliff path walk and fresh seafood by the harbour.
Whale watchingCliff Path
Day6
Hermanus → Mossel Bay, start of the Garden Route
A longer driving day towards the official start of the Garden Route. Stretch your legs in the seaside town of Mossel Bay and dip your toes in the warmer Indian Ocean.
Day7
Oudtshoorn: Cango Caves & Route 62
Head inland over the Outeniqua Pass to the semi-desert Karoo: the spectacular Cango Caves and an ostrich farm, with the scenic Route 62 all around.
Cango CavesOstrich farmRoute 62
Day8
Knysna & the lagoon
The jewel of the Garden Route: a vast lagoon framed by the dramatic sandstone Heads. Boat cruise, fresh oysters and a forest walk among the giant yellowwoods.
The HeadsLagoon cruiseOysters
Day9
Plettenberg Bay & Robberg
Golden beaches and the Robberg Nature Reserve, where a coastal trail leads past a colony of Cape fur seals. A relaxed day by the sea.
Robberg trailBeachesSeals
Day10
Tsitsikamma National Park
Where the forest meets the ocean: the Storms River suspension bridge, coastal hikes and, for the bold, the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans.
Storms RiverSuspension bridgeHiking
Day11
Safari at Addo Elephant Park
The safari finale — and malaria-free. Addo is home to over 600 elephants plus lion, buffalo and zebra. A morning and afternoon game drive cap off the trip.
Big gameGame driveMalaria-free
Day12
Port Elizabeth & departure
Drop the car at Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) airport and fly home via Johannesburg — or extend your trip with a few days in KwaZulu-Natal or the Kruger.
The route
From Cape Town to Addo
Plan & book
How to book each step
This itinerary is a free guide. Book each part of your trip directly with our trusted partners — the same price as going direct.
Flights
Compare flights into Cape Town and home from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
Search on Skyscanner →Stays
Guesthouses and hotels handpicked at each overnight stop along the route.
Find a stay →Car hire
One-way rental: pick up in Cape Town, drop off in Port Elizabeth.
Compare cars →Activities & tours
Safaris, wine tours, lagoon cruises and city passes along the way.
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Other journeys
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Plan & book
Book the experiences along the way
From safaris and wine tours to city passes and lagoon cruises, book the activities of this route through GetYourGuide and our trusted partners — the same price as booking direct.
We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.