South Africa road trip: The Garden Route to the Big Five

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.

Even in your dreams, Cape Town just won't let you go. And that comes as no surprise! After all, the whole city exudes a super special vibe that's completely and utterly captivated you. Walking through the city's hip downtown area, you immerse yourself in the here and now. You stroll down Long Street – Cape Town's party strip – until you reach the most famous hotel in the city, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel – 'Nellie' for short. When you arrive, you marvel at the pink facade that adorns the building and gives the hotel its other loving nickname, the 'Pink Lady'. You've now become a true Cape Town expert, but one highlight is still missing: Table Mountain! Take the next cable car (optional, payable on site) to the top and enjoy the unique view of bustling Cape Town against the deep blue sea. And if you haven't seen enough yet and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Cape Wheel or Camps Bay Beachfront are still on your bucket list, it's time to get ticking.