3 Scenic routes for unforgettable road trips in Cape Town
Driving in South Africa is definitely the best way to explore the vast and beautiful landscapes of the area. There’s fabulous culture, beautiful scenery, delicious wines to try and wineries to explore and of course, spectacular wildlife to watch and admire.
Cape town is a great base to begin to find what gems South Africa has to offer. The fabulous city sitting beneath the iconic Table Mountain with its vibrant culture and fantastic food, acts as the beating heart of tourism for the country.
Hiring a car is the best way to see the sights and travel on your own time from the city. Car hire in Cape Town is easy to come by and you can get some reasonable deals if you shop around. But make sure you check the reviews and choose a reputable company.
If you are planning a driving holiday, you need to make sure you pack light so you can travel easily between destinations. Pack right using packing cubes and lightweight bags which are easy to carry, and this will make your journey so much easier.
So, if you are planning road trips in South Africa, here are three driving routes you should consider from Cape Town.
3 Scenic routes for unforgettable road trips in Cape Town
Cape Route 62
Spanning from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, this scenic route is a great place to start when exploring by car from Cape Town. It is said to be the longest wine route in the world and is favoured by travellers who want to see more sights on the way to the garden route rather than taking the highway.
As well as the amazing scenery, top attractions along this route include Parmalat Cheese Factory in Bonnievale which is the largest cheese factory in Africa, Ronnie’s Sex Shop in Barrydale which is actually a quirky coffee shop and café and the unspoiled Touwsberg Nature Reserve in Ladismith.
The route spans 850km and will take around half a day if you are taking a few stops but you can of course stop overnight at different destinations along this road. Towns which are popular with tourists include Montagu, Barrydale and Ladismith and Oudtshoorn.
The Garden Route
From Route 62 you can continue along the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth, start you tour in George and follow the coastline all the way. This is wine country as well as amazing scenery, think beautiful beaches, lakes lagoons and wildlife galore.
To really explore you should spend at least three days on your road trip, but some will spend up to two weeks. The spectacular natural scenery along this route is the reason it is frequented by more and more tourists every year.
Top attractions on this route include Robberg Nature Reserve at Plettenberg Bay, which is great for hiking and spotting whales, dolphins and seals on the coast line. Storms River suspension bridge, which spans 77 metres across and only 7 metres from the water below. Also, for some outstanding natural beauty Knysna Heads and the Knysna Forest.
Cape Peninsula round-trip
If you are staying in Cape Town and want to take a scenic day trip, this round trip to Cape Peninsula may be what you are looking for.
Make your way to Maidens cove and stop to look at the amazing views. Follow through towards the Cape of Good Hope passing through Chapman’s Peak Drive, Noordhoek, Oceanview and Scarborough. Stopping at any of the places you are interested in. Then stop at Cape Point enjoy being in the famous place and of course make a visit to the lighthouse.
Move on from the main destination and visit Boulders beach, observing the penguins that call this place home. Whilst heading back to Cape Town, you could consider taking a wine tasting tour and perhaps enjoy a beautiful sunset overlooking the sea.
Safety Tips when driving in South Africa
South Africa is safe for visitors if you follow the rules and are observant of potential dangers. Here are some top tips for staying safe whilst driving here.
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Avoid driving after dark as you may encounter unsafe vehicles without proper lighting.
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Be aware of motor bikers swerving in between traffic.
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Make sure you have comprehensive car insurance just in case of accidents and to protect against uninsured drivers.
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Don’t use your phone whilst driving you will receive a fine if caught and it is generally dangerous.
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When parking, make sure you have extra cash to tip the parking attendants. They will look after your car whilst parked and give some extra when returning to your car.
Which of these 3 scenic routes from Cape Town will you take?
As you can see there are some amazing driving routes you can take from Cape Town and plenty of beautiful destinations to explore. Which of these routes will you take on your South African adventure?
George
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Great post! Really helpful for people visiting for the first time, thanks
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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That’s my goal, to help others with their trips ;)