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 headed 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 going to 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! You plunge into your city adventure right away and cruise through the old harbour district, passing rustic houses and cute shops with Cape Town's iconic landmark always in view: Table Mountain. The Cape Wheel also slowly creeps into your field of vision, and you consider treating yourself to a ride on the 131-foot-high Ferris wheel (optional, payable on site). The view from the top is totally breathtaking, and it might even show you the way to the next highlight! Now, how about a detour to the Castle of Good Hope (optional, payable on site)? The castle, built by the Dutch East India Company, is one of the oldest buildings in the city – a beautiful, preserved fortress that's chock-full of exciting history and offers the perfect place for your Cape Town selfie!

You can hardly wait to finally see the Cape of Good Hope with your own eyes, so you jump into the the driver's seat, step on the accelerator and head for the coast. Rugged coastlines 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 have the option of going on foot or taking the small funicular (optional, payable on site) to the cliff's highest point. From the viewing platform, you 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? Well, get out there and go for 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 head towards the small resort town of Hermanus, which is located right by the ocean and offers numerous restaurants, boutiques and shops, where you can pass the time. But that's not all. Hermanus is one of the world's best spots for whale watching! 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 and enjoy a truly magical moment. Sometimes, they even come as close as 55 yards to the shore. You also have the option of taking a kayak tour in the bay (optional, payable on site). And if you want the best chances of seeing whales, you'll want to visit the town 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!