8 Days Road Holiday South Africa Route 62 | Southern Africa tours
Trip Overview
A CNN Travel poll, as voted by tourists and travel journalists, puts the scenic and fun-filled road between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, Route 62, as the top road trip destination in the world. While Route 62 primarily connects Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, and ultimately the Garden Route further east, a host of attractions and activities along the road, and off its beaten path, incorporate smaller towns in the area, including Montagu, Humansdorp and parts of the Klein Karoo.
CNN calls the road “a journey to the unexpected”, with something for everyone, highlighting the natural beauty of the region’s “fauna, rivers, valleys and plains” and the diversity of activities available that turn the seemingly mundane commute into an adventure.
Like the rest of South Africa, the Route 62 region is rich in and famous for its variety of flora and fauna, from the world famous Garden Route bloom in September to the ostrich industries of Oudtshoorn. Here, visitors can ride an ostrich, buy ostrich curios and even sample the famous ostrich steak.
There are a number of wildlife reserves, both private and public, including the Touwsberg nature reserve, near the town of Ladismith, and the Sanbona reserve. The latter offers both a heritage tour of the area’s indigenous San culture and there’s a chance you’ll see the only free-roaming white lions in the world.
Take a flight to Cape Town. Arrival and check into your hotel Grande Kloof/ Vibe hotel. You can later afternoon get to see the Penguins of Cape peninsula, time allowing. BB
Breakfast and take a tour of the Cape Peninsula, or drive down the coast for site seeing tours.
Stop at Gordon’s Bay, a dinky little beach town. South Africa has the world’s best coastline here. Proceed to Koolbaai for more site seeing. Next, proceed to Hermanus, a lovely little town and the easiest place in the world to spot whales from land between July and January. Get back on the road and head to Birkenhead Brewery for lunch: wine and beer tasting. After sipping delicious wines and enjoying that fabulous view, proceed to Swellendam, a pretty and sleepy inland town at the base of the mountains.
Overnight at Swellendam Hiltop Country/ Marula Lodge, a very cozy and comfortable hotel.
After a delicious breakfast, cross the mountains. To the heart of the Karoo and on famous Route 62. Stop to photograph the church in the town of Barrydale. The main stop is Oudtshoorn, the wacky town of ostriches. Visit Cango Wildlife Ranch, a zoo filled with everything from giant bats to lemurs. Explore the crocodile cage diving and Visit Cango Ostrich Show Farm.
After gunning through the mountains for the second time arrive in Sedgefield just in the nick of time to catch the sunset and a beer. Overnight at Afrovibe Adventure Lodge. This is a party hostel in an incredible location, right on Myoli Beach.
Breakfast and this morning, I discover the beauty of Myoli Beach with paddle boarding and kayaking on the lagoon, which is incredibly peaceful and fun or go paragliding or even mountain biking instead.
Make a stop over at Riverdeck Restaurant in Buffalo Bay for a snack of boerewors roosterkoek with sous (sausages sandwiches with a great spicy tomato sauce), some relaxing in the sun, and a ride on the bike boats. Proceed to Plettenberg Bay for your overnight. Nothando Backpackers Lodge. This is a quiet, comfy place.
Breakfast, change to swim suits and proceed to jump on board an ocean safari in Plettenberg Bay to watch Dolphins and seals.
After a wild landing, leave Plette and drive to Storms River. Storms River is a wacky place. In addition to the forest, it’s home to a lot of Elvis stuff — and Elvis impersonators, both male and female. By the afternoon, make it to final destination: Island Vibe Backpackers in Jeffrey’s Bay. There’s not a lot to do in this town, but if you like to surf, you’ll be in heaven.
Lazy Daze point. This is a chill lodge through and through — expect nothing but surfers and beach lovers.
Breakfast and final full departure to Addo Elephant Park. Addo is famous because of the sheer number of elephants. There are also zebras, Cape buffalo and warthogs.
Afternoon, head straight through to Cintsa on the Wild Coast, stopping for a monkey gland pie en route, arriving at Tide waters river lodge for dinner and overnight. This place is absolutely enormous, sprawling over 18 acres, with the best view in town.
Breakfast and spend the morning exploring Cinsta. Early in the afternoon, transfer to nearby East London Airport and catch an hour-long flight to Cape Town. Leave to see some penguins on the beaches. Boulders Beach, just outside Cape Town, has so much going for it you will be blown away by the beauty of the small hidden attraction. Overnight at Grande Kloof/ Vibe hotel.
Breakfast and depart for airport in time for a flight to Victoria falls.
WHATS INCLUDED?
– Air tickets to Victoria falls
– Transfers
– Meals as per program
– Wine and beer tasting
– Water sports
– Road tour with guides
– Accommodation and meals as outlined
– Penguins visit