Destination: South Africa

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Cape & Coast

TWO WEEKS / CAPE TOWN TO PLETTENBERG BAY

This delightful itinerary will take you 1000km on good roads through some of the most beautiful country in Southern Africa. You could whizz along in about 10 days, or relax along the way and stretch things out to three weeks or more.



Beautiful natural scenery, excellent infrastructure and an array of amenities make this the South Africa of the tourist brochures. The loop can be done by public transport, but is better by car to take advantage of the many possibilities for detours.

After a few days in Cape Town, including a stay at a township B&B, tear yourself away from this wonderful city and head to the fertile valleys of the Winelands, with a night or two in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. From here, continue east to the artists’ enclave of Montagu , and then via the scenic Route 62 through the Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s ostrich capital. Possible detours along the way include to Hermanus for whale-watching, if the season is right; Cape Agulhas for the thrill of standing at Africa’s southernmost point; or De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Oudtshoorn makes a good springboard for heading into the Karoo via the impressive Swartberg Pass and on to charming Prince Albert, from where it’s a straight shot on the N1 back to Cape Town. Alternatively, make your way south, joining the N2 along the Garden Route, near Knysna, with its sylvan setting, and Plettenberg Bay, a relaxed beachside resort town. Return to Cape Town via Oudtshoorn and the Route 62, or directly, along the N2.