I did a road trip to South Africa a while ago with a couple of friends and had such an amazing time. It was also a rather short trip (for a destination so far from home) because I was short of time! However, with careful planning, we really managed to experience the key experiences of South Africa, such as getting to try its amazing local seafood, experience living in a wildlife safari, seeing animals really up close on safari game drives and explore amazing beaches, hike up famous peaks and visit famous landmarks such as Cape of Good Hope!

Here’s our itinerary, hope it helps in your planning!

Day 1-3 Cape Town

1. Accommodation: Airbnb along Beach Road
2. Lion’s Head, Table Mountain
3. Old Biscuit mill
4. V&A waterfront
5. Optional: Tandem Paragliding

Domestic flight to George via South African Airlink

1. Collect car rental at Hertz
2. Drive to Kynsna

Day 3-4: Kynsna

1. Accommodation: The Rex Hotel
2. Oysters
3. Check out local supermarket Woolsworth
4. Tenikwa Cheetah Walk
5. If time permits, visit Robberg Nature Reserve(Plettenberg Bay)
6. Canoe in Wilderness by Eden Adventures(40 min drive from Kynsna)
7. Drive to Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Day 5: Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

1. Accommodation: 1 night full board stay in Deluxe Tent
2. One night in Luxury Tent
3. Welcome drink and snack
4. Morning game drive (3h)
5. Afternoon game drive (3h)
6. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily
7. Beverages & Snacks on game drives
8. Drive on scenic route 62 (Better than N2 but check weather and decide)
   • Route N2: Drive to Mossel bay (lunch) > Swellendam (brief stop) > Hermanus
   • Route 62: George [40min] > Oudtshoorn via Outeniqua Pass (lunch) [1hr]> Barrydale [2hr] > Swellendam via Tradouw Pass [1hr] > Hermanus [1.5hr] (to reach before night) try to break in between the journey, rmb to refuel when half-tank

Day 6-7: Hermanus

1. Accommodation: The Potting Shed Guest House
2. Try the local abalone
3. Whale Watching
4. Quad biking (Highly recommended)
5. Hermanus Cliff Path(Popular trail)
6. Salmonsdam mountain trail(2hr)
7. 5 Caves trail (5hrs, but easy)
8. Whale trail hike
9. Drive to onwards to Muizenberg beach, then Simon’s Town

Day 8: Simon’s Town

1. Accommodation: Airbnb
2. Boulders beach for penguins
3. Cape of Good Hope (45 mins hike to Cape Point, climb up to lighthouse)
4. Cape Point Nature Reserve
5. Stay till sunset(don’t forget to leave the park by closing time or incur a fine!)

Day 9: Cape Peninsular

1. Accommodation: Airbnb
2. Atlantic Seaboard: Hout Bay Harbour
3. Hout Bay Market (Lunch)
4. Camps Bay, Sea Point
5. Chapman’s Peak hike(1-2hrs). Need to get a day pass (ZAR24 per pax) for safe parking and access to the hiking trail
6. Camp’s Bay Beach

Day 10: Day trip to winery at Stellenbosch(50 mins drive)

Day 11: Free & Easy in Cape Town

1. Greenmarket Square, Bree Street, Kloof Street
2. Long Street (cool street lined with bars/ cafes etc)
3. Sunset cruise from V&A Waterfront
4. Free Walking Tour of Bo-Kaap: departs from and returns to Greenmarket Square (at Shortmarket and Lower Burg streets). It runs daily at 2pm and 4.15 pm.