South Africa Garden Route: Road trip, waves and wildlife

Sunglasses, bags, camera, a yearning to explore – you've got everything you need, and you're heading to the airport! As your plane rolls down the runway, you get more and more hyped about what lies ahead. You lean back, snuggle up in your seat and start dreaming of all the adventures that await you in the African wilderness. One thing's for sure: this is gonna be the trip of a lifetime!

Three, two, one, landed! Finally, your feet are on South African soil – thousands of miles away from home. Crazy, right? The doors of your hire car unlock with a gentle click, and now you're ready to go. Adventure's calling! First stop: the V&A Waterfront. The harbour district is buzzing with street performers, trendy shops and cafés that serve the perfect flat white. And Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain is always in sight. Your next move? Perhaps a ride on the Cape Wheel (optional, payable on site) for an epic 360° view of the city? Or maybe a detour to the Castle of Good Hope to travel back in time among thick fortress walls and heaps of historic vibes. 'Cape Town, let's do this!'

You can hardly wait to finally see the Cape of Good Hope with your own eyes, so you jump into the driver's seat, step on the accelerator and head for the coast. Rugged coastline and dreamy bays accompany you along the way to your first stop: Boulders Beach. You step out of the car, take a deep breath of the fresh ocean air, gaze at the turquoise water glistening in the sun and spot a mass of little black dots in the distance. As you struggle to make out what they are, suddenly it hits you: penguins! The cute little birds have made their picturesque home amongst the round granite rocks that gave Boulders Beach its name. Next stop: the famous Cape Point. Once you arrive, you can either hoof it or take the small funicular (optional, payable on site) to the cliff's highest point. And from the viewing platform, you can enjoy an incredible view of all of False Bay, Diaz Beach and the Cape of Good Hope and get goosebumps as you take it all in. After all, it's not every day that you find yourself standing at the end of the world.

Ready for that road trip feeling? Then get out there and get it: crank up the music and step on the accelerator! Your heart may feel a bit heavy as Cape Town shrinks in your rear-view mirror, but don't worry, the next adventure is already waiting for you.
You roll into Hermanus, a small seaside town with chilled-out vibes, cool cafes and beachfront shops for the best browsing. But let's be real, you're here for the whales! So grab a pair of binoculars and head to one of the lookout points on the cliffs. With a bit of luck, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the ocean giants in the bay (between the months of June and December)!
When you arrive in Swellendam, there's a true hidden gem waiting for you: the Marloth Nature Reserve. So lace up your hiking boots and immerse yourself in the surrounding nature. Here, you'll find countless hiking trails that lead through dense forests to natural pools and small waterfalls. And keep your eyes open along the way because you might spot a rare bird species in the treetops!