South Africa · Route map
Cape Town to the Garden Route
This coastal self-drive blends Cape Town's iconic peaks with the wild forests and dramatic shores of the Garden Route. Seven days is tight for this stretch, so we've focused on the absolute scenic highlights.
- 1
Cape Town
arriving Cape Town Airport
2 nights
Table Mountain hikes and dramatic peninsula drives
- 2
Wilderness
2 nights
Tranquil lagoons and forested coastal hiking
- 3
Storms River
2 nights
Tsitsikamma's wild ocean suspension bridges
- 4
Gqeberha
departing Gqeberha Airport
Fly home from Port Elizabeth Airport
- ✦4 stops · 6 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to the Mother City
Arrive into Cape Town International Airport
Flight · Morning · Cape Town
Pick up hire car at airport
Car hire · Morning · Cape Town Airport
Request a vehicle with decent ground clearance for those gravel national park turn-offs later.
Afternoon hike up Lions Head
Excursion · Afternoon · Clifton
A brisk trail offering panoramic views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic seaboard.
Time it for late afternoon, but start descending before the sun dips completely behind the horizon.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · Tamboerskloof
Iconic Peninsula and Penguin Bays
Self-drive Cape Town to Cape Point
Self-drive · Morning · Cape Peninsula
Drive via the spectacular Chapman's Peak toll road.
Keep some spare change in the console for the Chappies toll booth.
Explore Cape of Good Hope Reserve
Excursion · Morning · Cape Point
Skip the main lighthouse funicular and walk the quiet path to Dias Beach instead.
Sparsely populated wind-free Windmill Beach
Excursion · Afternoon · Simon's Town
This cove is right next to Boulders Beach but has free entry and plenty of penguins.
Overnight in Cape Town
Accommodation · Evening · Tamboerskloof
Eastward to the Wilderness Coast
Self-drive Cape Town to Wilderness
Self-drive · Morning · Garden Route
A highly scenic 5-hour drive via the Overberg wheatfields.
Stop at Peregrine Farm Stall in Elgin for their legendary freshly baked venison pies.
Unwind on Wilderness beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Wilderness
The beach is vast and wild; find the shoreline access near the Touw River mouth.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Forest Canoes and Coastal Viewpoints
Canoe and hike Touw River
Excursion · Morning · Wilderness National Park
Paddle through calm waters to the Half-Collared Kingfisher trail.
Hire your double canoe right at the park reception to save time.
Panoramic views at Map of Africa
Excursion · Afternoon · Wilderness Heights
Watch out for paragliders launching off the grassy ridge on windy afternoons.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Onward to Storms River
Self-drive Wilderness to Storms River
Self-drive · Morning · Tsitsikamma
Drive 2 hours via Knysna and the Tsitsikamma toll road.
Take the scenic detour through the old Grootrivier Pass for empty, canopy-covered roads.
Walk the iconic Suspension Bridges
Excursion · Afternoon · Tsitsikamma National Park
A short walk to the dramatic Storms River mouth.
Stand in the middle of the bridge to watch the orange river water meet the blue ocean.
Overnight in Storms River
Accommodation · Evening · Storms River Village
The local craft brewery in the village serves great post-hike wood-fired pizzas.
Ancient Forests and Wild Trails
Hike the first leg of Otter Trail
Excursion · Morning · Tsitsikamma National Park
Walk to the spectacular Guano Cave waterfall.
Wear shoes with excellent grip as the coastal rocks are notoriously slippery when damp.
Afternoon in historic Storms River Village
At leisure · Afternoon · Storms River Village
Rent a cruiser bike to explore the quiet dirt lanes lined with indigenous trees.
Overnight in Storms River
Accommodation · Evening · Storms River Village
Airport Run and Departure
Self-drive Storms River to Gqeberha
Self-drive · Morning · Eastern Cape
A straightforward 2-hour drive to the airport.
Leave early to grab a final flat white at a beachfront café in Summerstrand.
Drop off hire car at airport
Car hire · Afternoon · Gqeberha Airport
Fly out of Gqeberha Airport
Flight · Afternoon · Gqeberha
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