The Cape of Many Colours

Travel overnight from the UK to Cape Town, where upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. 

The next day, immerse yourself in exploring Cape Town at your own pace. Make your way to the cable car station nestled at the base of Table Mountain for a breathtaking ascent to enjoy stunning vistas of Cape Town. Wander through the vibrant streets of Bo Kaap, also known as The Malay Quarter, perched on the slopes of Signal Hill overlooking the city or take the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to the botanical Kirstenbosch Gardens.

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Distance: 81km (51miles)

Once you have collected your motorhome, your overland journey will begin in the Cape Winelands and a 2-night stay near the heritage town, Franschhoek. Drive via Stellenbosch to visit Dorp Street and take the time to walk around the secluded lanes, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards. Visit “Oom Samie se Winkel”, meaning “Uncle Sammy's Shop" - a Victorian style store that operates the same way now as it did back in the Victorian era.

The following day you are free to explore, visit Franschhoek, known as the gourmet capital of South Africa boasting 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.

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Distance: 108km (68miles)

Situated between the beautiful shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become the best-known place for whale watching. 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. 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.

On Day 7 (June to November only), take a short drive to the New Harbour in Hermanus from where you will depart on an included guided whale watching tour in search of these gentle giants. Hermanus whale watching comes alive with the arrival of Humpback whales June to August, whilst the Southern Right whales remain in the coastal waters to nurse their young from June until November. With all eyes on watch, the excitement builds for who can see the first whale of the trip.

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Distance: 112km (70miles)

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.

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Distance: 270km (169miles)

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.

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Distance: 86km (54miles)

Heading inland along the well-known Route 62 to the heart of the Klein Karoo. Take in the surrounding arid semi-desert landscape and views as you traverse the Swartberg Mountain Pass, one of the finest mountain passes in the world; declared a national monument in 1988.  

Spend two nights in the charming town of Oudtshoorn known as the ostrich capital of the world and surrounded by numerous ostrich farms. 

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Distance: 364km (228miles)

Departing from Oudtshoorn, leave the Western Cape Province behind and make your way to the Northern Cape Provence 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.

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Distance: 377km (236miles)

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.

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Distance: 362km (226miles)

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 world’s greatest "flower shows". The route also offers quaint towns and hidden gems, which make it a special experience to remember forever.

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Distance: 325km (203miles)

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.

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Distance: 40km (25miles)

Continue in the direction of Citrusdal, nestled between the base of the Cederberg and the Olifants River. 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.

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, bird watching, kayaking and swimming.

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Distance: 148km (93miles)

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.

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