This route is ideal for almost two weeks in South Africa if you want plenty of variety. We combined Cape Town with the peninsula, Hermanus, the Garden Route, two safari experiences and Stellenbosch’s wine country. It was busy, but gave us a strong first impression of the Western Cape.
Our 13-day route at a glance
- 27 November: overnight flight and arrival in Cape Town
- 28–30 November: Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula
- 1 December: Boulders Beach, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and Hermanus
- 2 December: boat trip in Hermanus and onward journey to Mossel Bay
- 3 December: day safari at Botlierskop
- 4–5 December: Garden Route Game Lodge and Wilderness
- 5–7 December: Plettenberg Bay, Robberg and Tsitsikamma
- 7–9 December: Stellenbosch and the Winelands
- 9 December: return to Cape Town Airport and flight home
Planning, accommodation and rental car
We did not collect our rental car immediately. Cape Town was easier for us with Uber and on foot, so we only picked the car up at the airport before driving around the peninsula. We returned it there on departure day. Our accommodation changed frequently; that made the route efficient, but also meant regular repacking.
For a self-drive trip, check insurance, tyre cover and existing damage at collection. Download offline maps and leave more time than the kilometre count suggests. Coastal roads, traffic and scenic stops regularly slow the journey.
Days 1–2: Cape Town and Table Mountain
After a night flight, we landed at around 7 a.m., while our Airbnb was only available at noon. We began with breakfast at Norfolk Deli and a walk through Sea Point before joining a free walking tour. By then, the lack of sleep was obvious. We only visited Bo-Kaap by Uber and generally used Uber whenever a route did not feel right on foot. That was simple and helped us feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar city.
Norfolk Deli and Butter All Day were our favourite breakfast stops. In the evening, we liked the tapas at La Bruixa.
On our second day, Table Mountain was the only major item on the plan. We started the hike early and took the cable car down. Wind and cloud can close the cableway with little notice, so always check the current status and do not schedule the mountain too rigidly. We ended the day at Clifton Beach. The sunset was beautiful; the Atlantic water was extremely cold.
Day 3: Chapman’s Peak and the Cape Peninsula
We collected the rental car at the airport, then drove towards Hout Bay, where seals gathered around the harbour. Chapman’s Peak Drive followed. The road is not long, but the views make every stop worthwhile.
At Noordhoek, the sand was almost too hot to walk on without shoes. As elsewhere, we kept valuables out of sight and used an official-looking parking attendant where available. We stopped at Whole Earth Cafe in Scarborough and returned to Cape Town for sunset. We deliberately skipped the Cape of Good Hope; adding it would have turned the day into a race.
Days 4–5: Penguins, Hermanus and Mossel Bay
We reached Boulders Beach at about 7:30 a.m. The penguins are wild animals, so the boardwalks and distance rules matter. Early in the day, it was still calm and we could watch them without the larger crowds.
In Kalk Bay, we queued at Kalky’s for lunch, then made a short stop at Muizenberg. The R44 via Clarence Drive is spectacular, but we had too little time to enjoy it properly. In Hermanus, dinner at The Hussar Grill was fine, though not a highlight of the trip.
Our planned whale-watching tour was cancelled because the operator’s season had ended on 30 November. Whale season is often described as June to late November, but sightings are never guaranteed and individual providers use their own dates. We booked a catamaran alternative and saw a distant whale as well as an otter.
We then drove to Mossel Bay. Our Airbnb, with its conservatory-like living space, was beautiful, and the beach was pleasant. The town itself did not hold us for long. We had only booked this night because the game lodge was unavailable earlier; next time, we would probably remove it.
Days 6–8: Two safari experiences
From Mossel Bay, we booked a day package at Botlierskop. It combined game drives, lunch and a sunset safari, making it a useful alternative to an expensive overnight stay.
The following day, we arrived early at Garden Route Game Lodge, used the pool and joined the afternoon drive. We saw zebras, hippos, elephants, rhinos and cheetahs before ending the evening by the fire with marshmallows and dinner.
After the morning safari and lunch, we continued towards Plettenberg Bay. Our room at the lodge had been deep in the grounds without a special view, but the complete package still felt worthwhile. We stopped in Wilderness on the way and immediately wished we had another night there.
Days 8–10: Plettenberg Bay, Robberg and Tsitsikamma
After checking into our Plettenberg Bay Airbnb, we drove to Robberg for sunset and completed part of the trail. A full moon rose as the light faded, which made the short hike feel much larger than planned.
In Tsitsikamma, we first walked the Mouth Trail to the suspension bridges and then the Waterfall Trail. The second route was rockier and noticeably harder. We spotted a boomslang and kept our distance, then later watched dolphins off the coast.
On day ten, we drove roughly 480 kilometres to Stellenbosch. With breaks, the journey took about six hours. It was also my birthday, so we were very ready for a slower evening on arrival.
Days 11–13: Wine country and Babylonstoren
We tried the Wine Tram, stopping at Vrede en Lust and Boschendal for lunch before taking an Uber to Bartinney. The tram is convenient, but its route and timetable limited us more than expected. Next time, we would use Uber between selected estates for greater flexibility. Many wineries close at around 5 p.m., so an early start matters.
On our final full day, we explored the gardens at Babylonstoren and booked a wine-and-chocolate tasting at Waterford. Back at our last Airbnb, we ended the trip with steak from the braai and an evening by the fire.
On day thirteen, we returned the car at Cape Town Airport and flew home.
Our verdict on this South Africa route
This itinerary works particularly well if variety matters more to you than staying in one place. City, coast, hiking, wildlife and vineyards all fit into thirteen days. It is less suitable if you dislike frequent hotel changes or want long, unplanned afternoons.
With 16 to 18 days, we would add a night in Wilderness, spend longer around Plettenberg Bay and reduce the pressure on the drive back to Stellenbosch. We would also choose one safari experience more deliberately instead of fitting in two similar stages.
- Keep Cape Town flexible for mountain weather.
- Confirm whale-tour seasons directly with the provider.
- Add time for Clarence Drive, Wilderness and Robberg.
- Do not underestimate the Garden Route–Stellenbosch drive.
- Use selected winery visits instead of trying to maximise the number of stops.
Before travelling, check current prices, opening hours, road access and reservation rules directly with each provider.