The Ultimate Coastal and Wilderness Road Trip Adventure
TRIP OVERVIEW
Recommended Duration 17 Nights – Self drive
The ultimate coastal road trip adventure awaits. This programme is designed for the travellers with a bit more time to really explore some of the best destinations and experiences the Western Cape and Garden Route have to offer. With a perfect blend of Urban coastal towns to tranquil nature retreats and a safari experience to rival thar of the Kruger National Park, this ultimate road trip programme will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. The below is also easily adaptable to suite families and honeymooners.
The Itinerary
Day 1 – 4: Cape Town (4 Nights)
Few destinations in the world offer the diversity, beauty, and sophistication of Cape Town. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, pristine beaches, and dramatic coastlines, the city effortlessly combines outdoor adventure, world-class cuisine, and exceptional accommodation options to suit every style and budget. We can build many pre-planned activities into your programme depending on your desired pace of travel and interests. From privately guided hikes in Table Mountain National Park with a picnic set up to experiencing Chapmans Peak drive on a Side car motorcycle or a powerboat experience in Hout Bay.
You are also welcome to explore all our must see on your own, such as Table Mountain, The Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach. A private guide can also be arranged to drive you around; their expert knowledge offers a greater insight into all the attractions and will give you a passenger princess or prince experience you won’t soon forget. A minimum 4 Nights is suggested for guests to allow for complete immersion and leave room for some rest time to take everything in.
Day 5 – 6: De Kelders (2 Nights)
Staying true to our motto in exploring the undiscovered 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town, you will arrive in De Kelders. This little town is one of the Western Cape’s best-kept coastal secrets. Situated just 25 km from Hermanus and bordering the fishing village of Gansbaai, this peaceful seaside hamlet overlooks the spectacular Walker Bay and is renowned as one of the world’s finest land-based whale-watching destinations. Beyond whale watching, De Kelders offers an abundance of outdoor adventures.
Explore the ancient Klipgat Caves, walk the scenic cliff paths overlooking Walker Bay, discover hidden rock pools, enjoy birdwatching among the coastal fynbos, or join boat-based whale and marine safaris departing from nearby Gansbaai. The area is also famous for shark cage diving, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving and visits to the nearby Dyer Island Marine Reserve, home to seals, penguins and abundant marine life. Accommodation in De Kelders caters for every type of traveller, from affordable guesthouses and self-catering cottages to luxury oceanfront lodges where whale watching can be enjoyed directly from your balcony.
Day 7 – 8: De Hoop Nature Reserve (2 Nights)
Complete relaxation and tranquillity await, with only a short 1 hour 40 mins drive to De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop is one of South Africa’s most spectacular protected areas, renowned for its pristine beaches, towering sand dunes, diverse wildlife and exceptional whale watching. The reserve offers a unique blend of fynbos, wetlands, mountains and coastline, making it a paradise for nature lovers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, guided marine walks, wildlife drives, and seasonal whale watching, while the famous Koppie Alleen beach is perfect for scenic walks and coastal exploration.
Accommodation ranges from affordable self-catering cottages to luxurious lodge-style suites. Popular options include: The De Hoop Collection, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge & Morukuru Beach Lodge.
Day 9 – 10: Oudtshoorn (2 Nights)
Day 9 brings a 3 hour 20 mins drive via the R62 (recently voted the best road trip route in the word) to Oudtshoorn. With many charming little towns on the way the time really does past by quickly, Barrydale is suggested as a great little lunch stop en-route. Located in the heart of the Klein Karoo between the majestic Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains, Oudtshoorn is renowned as the “Ostrich Capital of the World” and offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, nature and Karoo hospitality. The town is home to the spectacular Cango Caves, one of Africa’s largest and most impressive cave systems, while nearby ostrich farms provide fascinating insight into the region’s rich heritage. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy meerkat safaris, scenic drives over the Swartberg Pass, wildlife encounters at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, hiking, mountain biking and stargazing beneath the clear Karoo skies.
Accommodation options cater to every traveller, from charming guesthouses and boutique B&Bs in town to luxury lodges and working guest farms set amongst the dramatic Klein Karoo landscapes.
Day 11 – 13: Wilderness (3 Nights)
Wilderness is one of the Garden Route’s most picturesque coastal towns. A mere 1 hour 30 mins drive from Oudtshoorn the town is located between lush indigenous forests, pristine beaches and tranquil lagoons, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Garden Route National Park, it offers visitors the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Popular activities include canoeing along the Touws River, hiking to hidden waterfalls, paragliding over the coastline, dolphin and whale watching, mountain biking and exploring the endless stretches of unspoilt beach.
Wilderness is one of the Garden Route’s most picturesque coastal towns. A mere 1 hour 30 mins drive from Oudtshoorn the town is located between lush indigenous forests, pristine beaches and tranquil lagoons, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Garden Route National Park, it offers visitors the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Popular activities include canoeing along the Touw River, hiking to hidden waterfalls, paragliding over the coastline, dolphin and whale watching, mountain biking and exploring the endless stretches of unspoilt beach.
Day 14 – 15: Storms River, Tsisikamma (2 Nights)
Located in the heart of the Tsitsikamma and a 2-hour drive from Wilderness along South Africa’s famous Garden Route, Storms River is a picturesque village surrounded by ancient indigenous forests, dramatic river gorges, and rugged coastline. Renowned as one of the country’s premier adventure destinations, it offers visitors an exciting mix of nature, relaxation, and adrenaline-filled experiences.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the iconic Storms River Mouth suspension bridge, hike sections of the world-famous Otter Trail, kayak and lilo through the spectacular Storms River Gorge, or enjoy scenic forest walks and mountain biking trails. For thrill-seekers, the region is home to the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, Blackwater Tubing adventures, and the legendary 216-metre Bloukrans Bridge Bungy Jump – one of the highest commercial bridge bungee jumps in the world.
Accommodation options cater to every traveller, from charming guesthouses and self-catering cottages to forest lodges and luxury retreats. Whether you’re seeking adventure, nature, or a peaceful escape, Storms River is the perfect gateway to discovering the beauty of the Tsitsikamma.
Day 16 – 17: Garden Route Big 5 Safari (2 Nights)
Ending an already unforgettable trip on a high note seems impossible but the incredible safari options on offer in the Garden route make it possible. A further 2 hours’ drive depending on the reserve chosen, located along the eastern reaches of the Garden Route, the malaria-free safari reserves of Amakhala, Kariega and Lalibela offer unforgettable Big Five wildlife experiences in some of South Africa’s most scenic wilderness areas. These family-friendly reserves combine exceptional game viewing with expert-guided safari drives, giving guests the opportunity to encounter lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard, as well as giraffe, zebra, antelope and abundant birdlife. Families are particularly well catered for, with child-friendly lodges, educational wildlife experiences and welcoming hospitality that makes these reserves ideal for multigenerational travel.
Whether staying at Amakhala Game Reserve, Kariega Game Reserve Eastern Cape or within the renowned Lentaba Lodge - Lalibela Game Reserve, visitors can choose from luxury lodges, intimate tented camps and family-friendly accommodation options, all offering an authentic African safari experience within easy reach of the Garden Route.
