Western Cape road trips
2012-10-29 15:10
The scenic Western Cape holds boodles of road-trip satisfaction. We've outlined a mix of day-trips and weekend escapes for those of you love jumping you car and hitting the open road. Have a favourite we didn't include? Why not post details in the comment section below or email us at info@gotravel24.com.
1. The Cape Peninsula Route
Just 13 kms away from Cape Town's city centre, is where you will find the beautiful
Kirstenbosch Gardens with over 7 000 plant species. Explore further to the delightful fishing village of Fish Hoek where you can enjoy
delicious sea food. End off at the famous Cape Point, incorrectly believed to be the most southern tip of Africa - which is in fact Cape Agulhas. Cape Point does however promise world-class views of where the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet. A detour into Noordhoek, with its curving beach, is also worth the effort.
Contact info:
Western Cape Tourism: Tel: +27 (0) 21 405 4500
Website: www.thewesterncape.co.za
2. The Garden RouteThe Garden Route is considered to be essential road-trip travel as it crosses over a number of towns with each town offering something different. Oudtshoorn which is known as Ostrich Capital is part of the route with the beautiful award winning Knysna being the perfect holiday destination. It was also recently voted the
2nd Best City in Africa by Conde Nast traveller readers. George is also an ideal launchpad for your adventure, otherwise you can experience all of this just 3-4hours drive away from Cape Town. If you looking for some extra adventure during your stay, why not grab a bike and be part of the Rocky Mountain Garden Route 300. For good scenery checkout the Fynbos Floral Kingdom with little secluded bays or for some adventure take part in the Knysna Ghost 50km Adventure route.
Contact Info:Email: info@gardenroute.org
Website:
www.gardenroute.co.za
3. The Stellenbosch Route
The Western Cape has been blessed
with the beautiful Cape Winelands, in this instance the
Stellenbosch Wine route boasts
over 200 wine and grape producers, less than an hour's drive from Cape Town. Daily wine tasting, cellar tours and sales are offered
at most cellars and many of these have restaurant and picnic facilities. Keep in mind that some cellars offer tasting by appointment only, while others offer fun family day activities.
Contact Info: Stellenbosch Tourism Tel: +27 (0) 21 883 3584
Website:
www.wineroute.co.za
4. Route62
This is the longest wine route in the Western Cape. The Route 62 Wine Route encompasses Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson and the Klein Karoo. Wine lovers can visit up to 70 wine farms, of which 11 are specialist brandy cellars, and comprise the R62 Brandy Route. Route 62 was created to appeal to open-minded travellers who are looking for unusual experiences. You can find fruit orchids at the Tradouw Valley and sip the Jeperigo at the Kango Co-op cellar. With crystal clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora, pack a picnic and relax in the road-trip experience.
Contact info:
Route 62: Tel: +27 (0)23 616 3563
Website: www.route62.co.za5. Cape Town to Arniston (also known as Waenhuiskrans)Drive off 209 kms to the fishing shore of Arniston for a lazy paced road trip. The fishing village is also known as Waenhuiskrans - meaning wagon house cliff in Afrikaans - due to the sheer size of a local cave found on Roman beach which allowed a
wagon with a full span of oxen to complete an about turn. The Waenhuiskrans caves are only accessible at
low tide. Other than that this humble village made up of thatched cottages transport you back to a bygone era. On the way back you may want to consider a stop in at Gansbaai - also known as the Western Cape's shark Cage diving capital.
Contact info:
Gansbaai Tourism Bureau: Tel: +27 (0) 28 3841439
Website:
www.gansbaaiinfo.com
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