Self-Drive South Africa - Garden Route

Welcome to the vibrant capital of Cape Town where the mesmerizing coast being lapped by tall waves is ready to embrace and make you fall in love with it. Our representative awaits at the airport to escort you to the hotel, where you will meet the amazing Adventures Overland family of enthusiastic travelers from across the world.

Start your day with a visit to one of the world’s oldest mountains, the magnificent Table Mountain. A cable car ride will take you to the top at 3500 ft. for the most glorious view of Cape Town. The panorama from above makes the whole city look like it’s made out of Lego houses and the entire experience is one for the books. Afterward, we will have a scrumptious lunch and explore the nooks and corners of the “mother city.”

Rev up your engines to embark on one of the most stunning marine drives that takes you to Cape of Good Hope via Chapman's Peak. With the peak looming overhead on one side and the waves crashing on the other, this stretch of the open road alone is on the bucket list of many road trippers. If you’re lucky, you might even spot penguins en route. Once we've captured the moments spent at the cliffside in our hearts and cameras, we'll resume our South Africa road trip again.

The open roads will take you through magnificent oak-lined trails and picturesque vineyards as you reach Stellenbosch, which is known for its Victorian architecture, enticing art galleries, craft shops, and mouth-watering cuisine.

As you prepare yourself for yet another day of scenic drive on the Garden Route road trip itinerary, the coastal breeze and serpentine roads will begin to seem familiar. The convoy will head to Hermanus, a seaside town that spreads out along the shoreline of Walker Bay with majestic mountains overlooking it. A night of fine dining and wine tasting will be the best way to end your adventurous drive.

After two days of traversing the highways and byways from behind the wheel of your car, you will most definitely enjoy a day exploring Hermanus. From whale watching to shark cage diving, Hermanus offers heart-pounding experiences that you can indulge in. If you want to spend some leisurely moments simply soaking in the bliss, you can go kayaking in Walker Bay or take a stroll at the beach. The coastline caresses the cliff in a way that has carved a beautiful path where you can enjoy ocean views, watch the sunset, and walk on scenic trails. This day is definitely one of the highlights of our South Africa road trip itinerary.

Fasten your seatbelt as we head towards Cape Agulhas, as this particular stretch will steal your breath away. The rugged wilderness along the coastline and the crashing waves where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean at this Southernmost tip of the African continent make this spot literally picture-perfect.

But if you think you have seen it all, wait till we reach the Garden Route Game Lodge. Spot the Big 5 during the Game Drive here and then let your heart decide which moment from the day will leave an indelible mark on your heart. You won’t be able to pick just one! 

By the end of the day, you would’ve seen two contrasting yet fascinating sides of South Africa.

As you sit behind the wheel, navigating your way through winding curves that will lead you to Knysna, a surprise awaits at Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the world. This small town boasts a rich heritage in Ostrich farming, and here you’ll get to see many of these flightless birds up close.

You can pet these beautiful birds, feed them food from your own palms, and learn interesting facts about them as well.

Afterward, we will resume our drive through sweeping views of beaches and lagoons as we reach Knysna.

The coastal city of Knysna awaits to charm you with its turquoise waters and forest trails. We’ll head towards the Knysna Elephant Park which was the first facility in South Africa to nurture orphaned elephants. They feel at home here in the park and you can feel the warmth radiating from these gentle giants as you greet them.

In the evening, a sunset cruise on the lagoon in Knysna is where you will truly get to unwind with the rest of the group, sharing tales of your adventures as the sun dips below the horizon.

The last day of this epic adventure will take you to the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth. The long stretch of the road allows you to traverse the stunning Bloukrans Bridge that stands mighty over the Storms River set in a precarious gorge. For adrenaline junkies, bungee jumping off this bridge is a must-do.

Up next on the list of adventures, the convoy stops at Tsitsikamma National Park which is a coastal reserve known for its eden-like forests, scenic coastline, and the Otter trail.

We’ll go for a small hike, where the green canopies, the sound of waves, and bird songs will soothe all your senses.

After days of driving through magnificent mountains, stunning beaches, lagoons, vibrant cities, and wide open countryside, it would be time to bid adieu to South Africa. However, besides the many Insta-perfect photos, you take along many special memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.