14-day self-drive tour of South Africa's West Coast

Stellenbosch

Day 1: Touchdown in South Africa

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and pick up your rental car. You'll then start your journey, making your way to Stellenbosch, an enticing Western Cape destination just 45 minutes from Cape Town. Stellenbosch is internationally renowned for its beautiful environment, wineries, street cafés, restaurants, historical buildings and famous university. You’ll spend two days here exploring the wineries and getting to know the town, so check into your hotel and relax.

Stellenbosch - Simondium - Franschhoek

Day 2: Wine country roaming

After breakfast, head out and explore this beautiful university town. The surrounding mountains, vineyards and nature reserves make it a charming base for wine tours, day trips and outdoor adventure. The town centre is characterised by leafy cobbled streets lined with coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. Two dreamy botanical gardens (with gorgeous tea rooms under the trees) add to the unique character of this special town. Spend the day here or head for the vineyards. The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on, hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the Franschhoek Valley's picturesque vineyards and breathtaking scenery.

At the end of the day, head back to your accommodation and unwind. 

Stellenbosch - Cederberg

Day 3: Journey to the mountains

After breakfast, set off from Stellenbosch towards the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, in the Koue Bokkeveld Mountains. The reserve is renowned for its scenic beauty and dramatic rock formations. With a rich and fascinating cultural heritage, the area offers spectacular scenery, ancient rock art, amazing flora and fauna, and phenomenal night skies. The accommodation options add to the sense of adventure: choose between a ‘Cave’ Suite, beautifully integrated with the sandstone rock formations or spacious Hut Suites, resembling the traditional dwellings of the San people. For a truly remarkable experience, the beautiful Open-Air Suites allow for an entire night under the stars, without compromising on comfort. Wherever you choose to sleep tonight, settle in, then enjoy dinner in this unique setting.

Cederberg

Day 4: Natural wonders of Kagga Kamma

After a good night’s sleep and a leisurely breakfast, there are several optional excursions available today, including a morning nature drive, a rock art tour or, as the sun sets, a sundowner tour or late-night nature drive. As these activities usually take place in the morning or late afternoon to evening, you'll have time to enjoy several of them and still have plenty of time to relax in these incredible surroundings. Admire astonishing views, traverse the nature reserve on foot, two wheels or four, cool off in the pool, then eat dinner under the stars and revel in the tranquillity that this unique destination offers.

Cederberg - Clanwilliam

Day 5: Journey into rooibos country

After breakfast, set off by road to the town of Clanwilliam, famous for its rooibos plantations and locally-made veldskoens leather shoes. Take a stroll around town, then continue to the Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge where you'll spend the next two nights. This luxurious lodge offers delicious food, warm hospitality and adventure. So check in, then enjoy lunch while drinking in panoramic views over the rugged beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Over dinner tonight, ponder the range of included excursions and activities you'd like to take part in tomorrow.

Clanwilliam

Day 6: Mountain adventures

The lodge runs two scheduled excursions per day that vary from season to season. So, once you've enjoyed breakfast, you’re welcome to join one or both or simply relax at the lodge taking in the gorgeous scenery. Activities could be rock art excursions, guided rooibos farm tours, full-day excursions into the Cederberg, farm tours, boating excursions in summer, guided walks in the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve, guided mountain biking and sundowner walks. You’ll also have use of e-bikes, mountain bikes, and walking trail maps. Revel in the beauty of the mountains and breathe the fresh air, building up an appetite for lunch and dinner. Come the evening, stargazing here is particularly spectacular.

Clanwilliam - Paternoster

Day 7: Journey to the coast

After breakfast, hit the road towards the West Coast to the town of Paternoster, known for its fresh lobster and pretty whitewashed cottages. This charming fishing village is a great place for a seaside escape, with its historical buildings, warm hospitality, long beach and beautiful views.

Check into your new hotel, freshen up, then head out to the village: there are several quaint restaurants serving sublimely fresh and tasty seafood and one or two bars, where you can enjoy a few drinks and meet the locals.

Paternoster

Day 8: Time for the seaside

After a relaxed breakfast, head out to explore the area. Dolphins and whales can be spotted off the coast for ten months of the year and the striking Cape Columbine Nature Reserve is just 3km away. This is a beautiful spot to explore, with a pretty bay, and a beach dotted with camping spots and barbeque facilities, perfect for a full day out at the seaside – South Africa-style.

Paternoster

Day 9: Beachside bliss

Enjoy one last day of beachside bliss. Perhaps have a mooch around the town after breakfast, and visit the local gallery and gift shops. Spend the afternoon on a local beach or pay a visit to the Cape Columbine lighthouse and then book a prime table for a seafood feast tonight.

Paternoster - Cape Town

Day 10: The road to Cape Town

After breakfast, you'll leave Paternoster and make your way towards 'The Mother City,' amazing Cape Town. Here, you'll spend the next four nights in a safe and peaceful neighbourhood at a stylish B&B within walking distance from the heart of the city. Settle in and then take some time to plan your time in this incredible city with so much to offer. Cape Town is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts, with city beaches and plenty of hiking countryside nearby. It’s also alive with culture and activity, and offers wonderful dining and nightlife.

Cape Town

Day 11: The flowers of Cape Point

After breakfast, head just 60km outside Cape Town to Cape Point, a spectacular sight that is home to breathtaking bays, beaches, rolling hills and valleys. Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest areas for plants in the world. Its bloom-clad hills are home to nearly 20 per cent of Africa’s flora and walking its trails is a wonderful way to spend the day.

Later, head back to Cape Town for an evening at your leisure. 

Cape Town

Day 12: Culture (and beach) time

After breakfast today, discover the diverse metropolis of Cape Town. This city is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments and a chic waterfront harbour. One highlight in the city is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art. So how about a morning of culture, exploring the urban centre and waterfront, then unwinding at the beach?

Cape Town

Day 13: Table Mountain views

After breakfast, how about a day trip to Table Mountain, the most iconic landmark in South Africa? Aside from being the country’s most photographed attraction and the perfect place for dramatic views of the city, it is also home to an amazing array of plant and animal life. There are about 2,200 species of plants and 1,470 floral species, many of which are endemic to the mountain. Animals that can be spotted include caracals, rock hyraxes and chacma baboons. The flat top of the mountain reaches 1086m above sea level and, being so close to the sea and the city, its features look all the more imposing.

After absorbing the incredible views from the top, head back out tonight for a final dinner at one of the city's many outstanding restaurants. 

Cape Town - Cape Town International Airport

Day 14: Homeward bound

After breakfast, it's time to drop off your car at the airport and check-in for your homeward flight.