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 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.

Cape Town just won't let you go, even in your dreams? Well, 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, 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. Haven't seen enough yet? Well, if Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Cape Wheel or Camps Bay Beachfront are still on your bucket list, it's time to get ticking.