The Cape of Many Colours

Days 1 – 3: UK – Cape Town

Fly overnight from the UK to Cape Town where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for the next 2 nights.  The following day you can enjoy an included orientation tour of Cape Town, including Bo Kaap (The Malay Quarter) which is situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre. Continue to the cable car station at the foot of Table Mountain for a ride to the top for some amazing views across Cape Town and a glass of sparkling wine. Continue to the V&A Waterfront for an included welcome dinner.

Days 4 – 5: Cape Winelands

Distance: 81 km / 51 miles

Collect your motorhome and drive to Stellenbosch where your tour hosts will give an orientation tour of the beautiful and historic winelands town. After some free time in Stellenbosch continue to the Boschendal Wine Estate for a chocolate and wine pairing experience.

The following day you are free to explore the Cape Winelands, perhaps visit the town of Franschhoek, known as the gourmet capital of South Africa and boasts many lovely restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutique shops. Another option would be to take the Franschhoek Wine Tram to a selection of wine estates.

Days 6 – 7: Hermanus

Distance: 108 km / 68 miles

Situated between the beautiful shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become arguably the best-known place for whale watching in the world. This town is also famed for its natural scenic beauty, featuring long stretches of pristine beaches. An excellent variety of restaurants, cafes and bars are also on offer. Today, Hermanus is more than just a popular holiday destination and offers visitors all kinds of activities, both energetic and relaxing. Visitors can explore the Old Harbour Museum, which is comprised of the charming fisherman’s village, the old harbour, and the Whale House Museum; hike through the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and sample an array of top-quality wine along the famous Hermanus Wine Route.

From June to December, Hermanus whale watching comes alive with the arrival of the majestic Southern Right and Humpback whales. On the included cruise the friendly, knowledgeable crew are on hand to add that delicate touch allowing for an all-round great experience. With all eyes on watch, the excitement builds for who can see the first whale of the trip! 

Days 8 – 9: Struisbaai

Distance: 112 km /70 miles

Located at the southernmost point of Africa, the Agulhas National Park is set in a mysterious, breathtakingly beautiful area. This windswept, rugged coastal plain in the very south of Africa offers more than stunning surroundings. Depending on who you talk to, Struisbaai is either named after its thatch-roofed fisherman’s cottages, the many ostriches in the area or its incredibly long, white, sandy beach. In reality, all of these attractions characterise the area. The beach in particular is a landmark in the region and is arguably the longest, uninterrupted, white sandy beach in the Southern Hemisphere.

A trip to the Cape Agulhas is a must for many people as it’s officially where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The historic red and white Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is the only one of its kind in Africa and the climb to the top is well worth the 71 step climb.

Days 10 – 11: Mossel Bay

Distance: 270 km / 169 miles

Set along the idyllic Garden Route on South Africa’s spectacularly scenic coastline, the port town of Mossel Bay has grown impressively from its days as a little fishing village. Visitors can enjoy an array of other wonderful activities including visiting the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, sampling local cuisine, as well as enjoying 4x4 excursions, swimming, hiking, and kayaking, although the large bay, edged by long, gorgeous sandy beaches lapped by warm Indian Ocean waves, is still the primary drawcard for many visitors.

Days 12 – 13: Oudtshoorn

Distance: 86 km / 54 miles

Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, the charming town of Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. It is surrounded by numerous ostrich farms and the golden arid landscape of the Karoo. Visitors can enjoy the locally produced wine and port; sample ostrich meat and biltong; learn about the ostrich feather boom at the C.P. Nel Museum. Included is a visit to the world-renowned Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa featuring ancient rock formations and sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. A traditional Karoo dinner cooked on open fires is also included during your stay in Oudtshoorn.

Days 14: Carnarvon

Distance: 364 km / 228 miles

Departing from Oudtshoorn, leave the Western Cape Province behind and make your way to the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. An overnight stop is included in the town of Carnarvon to break the significant journey en route to Augrabies Falls. Tonight’s stay will be at the Lord Carnarvon Guest House which dates back to 1886. This Karoo house has been restored to its former glory, with a mixture of modern facilities and Karoo antiques, it has lots of character and evokes memories of a bygone era of Karoo grandeur, and will make a nice break from sleeping in a motorhome.

Days 15 – 16: Augrabies

Distance: 377 km / 236 miles

Located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the Augrabies Falls National Park encircles the mighty Augrabies Falls. The Orange River plunges down 60 metres in absolute splendour, through the 18-kilometre ravine of the Orange River Gorge. The landscapes are characterised by rocky outcrops, scrub-dotted plains, and clusters of 'kokerboom', also known as quiver trees. This sanctuary provides a home for an array of animals including springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer, various bird species and the endangered black rhino. Other commonly spotted species include giraffe, steenbok, kudu, eland, leopard, African wild cat, jackal, and caracal.

Days 17 – 18: Kamieskroon

Distance: 362 km / 226 miles

The blooms of South Africa’s flower routes occur from July until October depending on the region each year, so you have plenty of time to linger longer and smell the flowers. In the Northern Cape, Namaqualand daisies and more than 3500 floral species emerge in spring – from early August to the end of September and offer one of the worlds greatest "flower shows". The route also offers quaint towns and hidden gems, which make it a special experience to remember forever.  

Days 19 - 20: Cederberg

Distance: 325 km / 203 miles

The Cederberg is a region of wild, dramatic valleys situated between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam. Lined with citrus orchards and surrounded by magnificent mountains, the jaw-dropping scenes here become even more spectacular at sunset when they are bathed in an array of vivid colours, and in springtime when flowers completely take. Visitors can also swim in turquoise rock pools, visit intriguing ancient rock art sites, take advantage of superb beaches, or learn about the clear night skies at the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory.

Days 21 – 22: Citrusdal

Distance: 40 km / 25 miles

Continue in the direction of Citrusdal, nestled between the base of the Cederberg and the Olifants River, Citrusdal is home to green citrus orchards. The area is synonymous with its superior citrus fruits and products, although local farmers also grow rooibos tea and vegetables, produce honey and keep cattle and sheep, and the Goue Valley wines are produced from locally grown grapes. Make a stop for an included tea tasting at the De Tol Farm Deli before continuing to your West Coast campground.

While the Garden Route remains one of South Africa’s most famous attractions, the West Coast’s windswept isolation and tranquillity appeal to visitors seeking a break from the hustle and bustle that often accompanies popular tourist towns. The sparsely populated West Coast offers wide open spaces, unspoilt beaches, rugged terrain, and azure seas. Visitors can look forward to exploring quaint country towns and whitewashed fishing villages, hiking through the spectacular Cederberg and the West Coast National Park as well as sampling fresh seafood at the seaside towns of Langebaan and Paternoster.

Days: 23 – 24: Langebaan

Distance: 148 km / 93 miles

Set on the banks of the magnificent Langebaan Lagoon, the popular resort town of Langebaan is in the Western Cape Province. This lovely little town is renowned for its pristine white sand beaches and turquoise lagoon, which provides an ideal environment for an array of exhilarating water sports including water-skiing, kayaking, sailing, fishing and kitesurfing. The lagoon also features tidal mudflats - a habitat for an impressive variety of local and migratory birds. Visitors can explore the beautiful West Coast Nature Park nearby, to enjoy game viewing, cycling, and hiking; and the West Coast Fossil Park, which offers a fascinating tour of a fossil dig and the chance to hunt for fossils. Biking, hiking and horse riding are also on offer.

Days 25 - 26: Cape Town

Distance: 95 km / 59 miles

Return your motorhome to the depot before being transferred to Cape Town airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.