South Africa is considered one of the best road trip destinations in the world. Self-driving in South Africa is cheap and easy, and the most convenient option, and if you share a rental with one or more other people, it works out cheaper and gives you so much more flexibility! Apart from potholes, most of the roads in South Africa are easy to traverse but it’s advisable to get an MTN or Vodacom SIM card when you arrive at the airport. It will help tremendously with navigating via Google Maps as WiFi in South Africa can be hard to come by.
A road trip is a perfect way to take in all the natural beauty on this scenic drive get a feel for its magnificent landscapes, cultural diversity, and the wide range of attractions. If you’re considering it, grab the opportunity with both hands and enjoy the ride. Here’s the perfect South African road trip itinerary where you travel the coastal road keeping a lookout for the Whales, Sharks and Surf Spots; and the return via the Ostriches and Wine Route: Cape Town to Addo via the scenic Garden Route.
Cape Town
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain, overlooking Cape Town. Make sure to hike to the top of the mountain. The climb is a hard task, but the view from up there is spectacular — all of Cape Town`s radiance can be seen from up there, and the sea breeze will definitely freshen you up. For the not-so-adventurous type, there is a cable car to the summit.
The Cape Peninsula
If you are an adventurous type of person and you enjoy hiking — The Cape Peninsula is the best place to go. Within Table Mountain National Park, you will find the Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. The unspoiled nature will give you the experience to remember for a lifetime. If you visit this area in spring or early summer, you might see Southern Right Whales. Whatever time of year you visit, make sure you see the colony of 3,000 African penguins at Boulders Beach.
Robben Island
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for many things, but mostly for the prison where South Africa`s political prisoners were held during the Apartheid era. At various points in history, the island was also a leper colony, a mental hospital and a defence training base.
The prison is a remarkable tourist attraction since you can walk the maximum security wing where anti-apartheid activists like Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. You can see what the life of the prisoners was like and where they worked. The interesting part of all this is that you get information first hand, from the people who lead you through this tour, as they are usually former political prisoners themselves and have a lot to share.
Gansbaai
It doesn`t matter if you are an adventurous type or not if you want to visit Gansbaai. The beauty of nature will be all around you — in and out of the water. For example, you can watch the whales from the Cliffs of De Kelders, enjoy the white sands of Pearly Beach or take a walk in the ancient milkwood forests. If you are looking for a thrill, you can dive with the Great White Sharks.
Wilderness
Wilderness is an attractive holiday village with endless beautiful white sand beaches and numerous vantage points from which to watch the whales and dolphins at play.
Top Wilderness activities include hiking, mountain biking, whale-watching, paragliding, horse riding, scenic drives, day tours, angling, boating and other water sports. Excellent viewpoints are Map of Africa with breathtaking scenery of forests, lakes, mountains and coastline and Dolphin’s Point, an excellent vantage point from which to study whales and dolphins.
Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay is home of the best right hand surf break in the world! International surfers flock to catch the legendary waves in this, a paradise of sunshine, aloes, dolphins, shells, perfect points & classic reefs. Surfers and others who found it hard to leave such an idyllic spot have turned Jeffreys Bay into a year round fun place to be, creating a thriving local craft industry besides the surf shops on just about every corner.
The bustling town is bordered on both sides by nature reserves and rivers – the Kabeljous and Seekoei estuaries and within Jeffreys Bay –the Noorsekloof nature reserve. We invite you to soak up the sunshine, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and have a wonderful stay.
Addo
The citrus farm village of Addo is home to the Addo Elephant Park which offers Big 5 game viewing. Addo Elephant Park, a sanctuary for a wide Addo covers about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres) and includes the Bird and St Croix Island groups.
Situated in a malaria free area just one hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, this finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo.
Knysna
Knysna is a town situated in the middle of the Garden Route and it deserves special attention. This is one of South Africa`s true gems. It is a great place to have fun, relax and enjoy great food. The town is a big attraction to artists and people who enjoy water sports. You can spend a day “wave jumping” on a lagoon, then enjoy an incredible sunset. So if you want to relax and have a good time — this is the place.
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is home some of the biggest stalagmite formations in the world and the Cango Caves. Oudtshoorn is considered the Ostrich Capital of the World. This is the place to visit if you would like to ride an ostrich, sample an egg, Ostrich meat served best as sausage and steak on the braai.
Stellenbosch
Home to the Stellenbosch Wine Route which represents more than 200 excellent wine and cheese producers within the boundaries of the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin classification. Enjoy Our Quality Wines and please take this appreciation home with you… I have drunk many bad wines on my travels and noticed very few South African Wines on the wine list!
