Most southern gem
Hereafter you will find a scenic travel route around Cape Town including the iconic wine region further east of gorgeous „Mother City“.
Cape Town in 8 Days including the wine regions!
Nov. 2018: Hello, Bonjour and Goeie dag from the Cape Town, South Africa travel route. Here, you can get an idea of which route you can plan to discover Cape Town and its gorgeous surroundings. Prepare yourself for the iconic Table Mountain and its summit draped with cascading white clouds, golden beaches that you share with many cute penguins as well as a photogenic landscape of rolling hills and vines. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, two wine-tasting towns that host some of the southern hemisphere oldest and prettiest wine estates in the region, where excellent wines are produced.
Short summary:
- Length – 8 days / 7 nights
- Total km – ca. 475km
- Vehicle – 2WD sufficient
- Road conditions – generally well tared
- Accommodation – Airbnb, Hotel / Guesthouse
- Highlights – wine region, Table Mountain, Cape Point, horse riding at Noordhoek beach
If you have 8 days of free time left, looking for a fun city to go – Cape Town is the perfect escape, especially if you are flying from Europe, as you will experience almost no time change. Once landed on African ground (CPT), pick up your little car from the Airport station that will bring you around the Cape Town region.
CPT Airport – Cape Town drive about 20km; 20min
Start with one first night in Cape Town where you have the chance to explore this magnificent bustling city, the beautiful V&A waterfront with its local food market or just absorb the wonderful view of the ocean from Camps Bay – you might be lucky enough to spot a giant whale or admire some cute seals playing in the water.
Cape Town – Stellenbosch drive about 50km; 45min
On day 2: you can hike up the Table Mountain in the early morning before the sun gains too much power. You will be rewarded with amazing views from up the hill onto the ocean and Cape Town. Afterwards you have the possibility to drive towards Stellenbosch that is just under an hour driving distance from Cape Town. Welcome to a superb wine-producing area with too many good wineries to list! The magnificent mountain ranges around Stellenbosch provide just ideal climates for the vines. You can experience excellent wines combined with stunning views in all estates. However, my personal favorites were Delaire Graff Estate due to its fabulous views from the hill, Tokara Wine Estate because of its gorgeous observation desk and Asara Wine Estate with its beautiful paths to wander between the vines. To treat yourself you can spend the night in the latter and enjoy not only an exquisite wine tasting but also the first-rated Gins of the estate.
Stellenbosch – Franschhoek drive about 40km; 45min
Day 3: starts with a fantastic breakfast that offers plenty of delicious specialties along with an even more epic view on the rolling hills. After a 45 minutes drive, you will already reach Franschhoek where you are about to find even more delicious wine estates such as Boschendal or La Motte. If you would like to experience an unforgettable sundowner, La Petite Ferme is the place for you to go and enjoy an excellent cuisine after the sun setting behind the grapevines in front of the mountains. The Corner Guesthouse is an amazing family-run, cute Boutique Hotel with neatly furnished rooms and some of the best freshly baked muffins with tea for the afternoon teatime. If you wish, you can enjoy the wine estates along the Wine Tram, a fun alternative offering four different routes that start all in the morning around 9am.
Franschhoek – Kalk Bay drive about 240km; 3hr 45min
Day 4: will bring you after a 1,5 hour drive to Hermanus, a gorgeous little city right at the ocean side that is known for its whale sightings during the months of July until November. You are welcome to stay here or even drive a bit further east to reach after 45 minutes Betty’s Bay and have a cute encounter with a huge colony of little penguins that might smell a bit. It’s not a beach where you can enjoy yourself but rather a guided wooden walk along the ocean side, next to the sitting black and white cuties. Afterwards, you follow the route along the ocean side, pass Gordon’s Bay, Muizenberg, St James until you reach after another 1,5 hour drive the little town situated at the ocean side named Kalk Bay with a little harbor and even a train station. The Scirocco Restaurant offers great seafood and some very tasty Rock Shandy. If you came until this point on Day 4 you can stay in the Chartfield Guethouse up the hill with a fantastic view on the ocean.
Kalk Bay – Sea Point drive about 120km; 2hr 45min
The next day you should wake up early to start Day 5 and drive for 1 hour until you reach the entrance of the Cape of Good Hope before the crowds and buses queue up in a long waiting line. There is a safe parking lot at the end of the road close to the lighthouse, where you can leave your car and walk up the stairs while enjoying the ocean view. Here, the Indian and the Pacific Ocean meet and a few whales play in the water if you are lucky enough to spot them. Keep enjoying the National Park before heading North on M65, towards Hout Bay, driving along the scenic route M6 of Chapman’s Peak. This route follows the oceanfront with splendid views on the blue Pacific. A few parking spot along the road will wait for you to take a rest and appreciate the views that are offered to you. Follow M6 until you reach Sea Point after a 2 hours drive to enjoy another marvelous sundowner either at the oceanfront or relax in your Guesthouse.
Sea Point – Camps Bay drive about 5km; 10min
Day 6 – 8: you can relax at Camps Bay Retreat from here you are only a short drive away from beautiful Groot and Klein Constantia, two wonderful wine estates that offer tasty wine tours. There is also the possibility of a wonderful riding tour at the Noordhoek Beach on Imhoff farm. Whatever you opt for, these days will certainly be a perfect finishing for your vocational trip to magnificent Cape Town. Enjoy these marvelous sightings! Bybe bye, salut and baai ∞
If you have any questions, contact me or read my advices about South Africa on Instagram.
