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Tour One: Cape Peninsula
Sir Francis Drake described the Cape Town peninsula as "the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the globe." With fantastic vistas, lovely bays and coastline, penguins, and the most southwesterly tip of Africa, if you do only one thing in Cape Town, this is it! It is a full day visit—try to get an early start.
From Cape Town, take the M3 (Blue Route) south. You pass the Groote Schuur Hospital (where the first heart transplant took place in 1967), Mostert's Mill (built in 1796 and still in working order), the grand buildings of the University of Cape Town and Newlands forest. At the traffic lights turn right onto Rhodes Avenue. You will come to the famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the right. Stop here and take a walk in the gardens—they are spectacular.
Rejoin Rhodes Drive and continue south. At the junction turn right and proceed along Rhodes Drive surrounded by forest. Keep going along the windy road until the far end where you will find a traffic circle. Turn left down the Constantia Nek Road (M41). As the hill levels out you will see a sign pointing right for Groot Constantia. Turn right. You may wish to stop at the small parade of fine shops on your left and visit the Old Cape Farm Stall. Then carry on to the Groot Constantia Estate. Enjoy the old Manor House and some wine tasting near the exit.
Retrace your steps, rejoin the Constantia Nek Road and continue on. At the traffic lights turn right into Ladies' Mile Extension. At the next set of lights turn right into the Spaanschemat Road (M42). You will pass Peddlars on the Bend. At the top of the hill take a right turn if you wish to taste the excellent wines of the Klein Constantia estate- a beautiful and award winning wine estate, located at the very far end of the Klein Constantia road. Otherwise, carry on. You will pass vineyards, forest and the Steenberg Country Hotel. Continue along this road, past the freeway, until you reach the T junction, at the end. Here you turn right into Main Road.
Stay on Main Road all the way to the Cape Point Reserve. Once you pass Muizenberg you will see its magnificent beach. Very soon, on the right, you will see Rhodes Cottage. Here, Rhodes died in 1902, you may wish to stop and visit the small museum. Look out on the left for the colourful beach changing-rooms in St James. Along this road you will pass interesting antique and art shops. You may wish to stop at Kalk Bay harbor; when the boats arrive, it becomes a festive fish market.
Continue on, always keeping the sea on your left. You will pass through Fishhoek. At the end of the High Street keep left at the traffic circle, continuing along the coast. You will pass Glencairn and then approach Simon's Town. You may wish to visit "Top Stones," which you will see signed on the right. It is an impressive factory for cleaning and sorting semi-precious stones. Children love it.
The main road runs on through Simon's Town. Stop in Jubilee square. You may wish to have lunch here and spend time enjoying this old British naval base. You can find details about the town at the information office.
Carry on. Soon you will see signs indicating Seaforth, Boulders' Beach and penguins. Turn left down the hill and park in the car park. Follow the signs along the boardwalk to the penguin colony. Volunteers are available to tell you more about this wonderful colony.
Resume your journey south. You will pass the Black Marlin on the left; this is a popular lunch stop (book ahead if possible). Carry on, and, in due course you will come to the turning for the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Enter here. The Reserve is principally dedicated to fynbos, the indigenous flora. At the end of the reserve you will reach Cape Point. Spend time here walking down along the cliffs or up to the Lighthouse. A good lunch is available at the Two Oceans Restaurant.
As you drive away from the Point you will soon come to a left turn for the Cape of Good Hope. If time allows, take this, the Cape is the south-western tip of Africa and worth the extra 10 minutes' drive to it.
Now retrace your steps out of the reserve. At the gate turn left. You will pass a big African market and then, on the right, an Ostrich farm. Guided tours of the hatchery are available. Carry on, the fence of the reserve will be on your left. When you come to a junction turn left towards Scarborough. You will head downhill. Soon the Atlantic Ocean comes into view and you will enter the holiday town of Scarborough. Drive on with the sea on your left all the way around the coast to Kommetjie. If you have time take a walk on the magnificent beach. Carry on along the Kommetjie Main Road (M65), you will pass Ocean View and eventually come into Sun Valley. At the major junction turn left toward Ou Kaapse Weg (M64). You will pass the Sun Valley shopping center on the left. Take the left turn toward Noordhoek and the Chapman's Peak Drive. NB If a sign states that the Chapman's Peak Drive is closed, follow Option below.
The Chapman's Peak drive is magnificent—follow it until you come into Hout Bay. In Hout Bay, follow the signs left to the harbor.
If possible, take the boat from the Harbor for the short trip to see the seals on Duiker Island. Upon leaving the harbour turn right and follow Victoria Road (M6) straight up the hill (Suikerbosse) and all the way over the neck. You will see the beautiful suburb of Llandudno down to the left; this is worth visiting. Follow the magnificent coast road passing through the suburbs of Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay and along the Sea Point Beach Road until you reach Cape Town.
Option If Chapman's Peak drive is closed, take the following detour: carry on straight and climb up over Ou Kaapse Weg (M64). You will have wonderful views from the top. At the bottom of the pass there is a T junction, turn right. When you come to the freeway turn left onto the M3 toward Cape Town. If time is short, you may wish to carry on back to Cape Town (roughly half an hour's journey). To get to Hout Bay to rejoin the full tour turn off the freeway onto Ladies' Mile. Turn left once you are off the freeway and you will now be on familiar territory, up Ladies' Mile extension and left onto the Constantia Nek Road (M41) to climb up to Constantia Nek. At the neck, go straight over the circle and down into Hout Bay. Carry on all the way down and follow the signs pointing right to the harbour. Then, continue as above.
Tour Two: Winelands
The Cape Winelands are world-renowned for superb wines and great beauty. The mountains enclose fine Dutch-style towns developed by the Dutch and Huguenot settlers in the late seventeenth century. They took on the wild landscape and left a fine wine industry, pretty towns and a great heritage.
Depart Cape Town and take the N2 highway, you will pass the airport but keep going until you see the turn off to Stellenbosch (R310). Take this turn off, turn left and after a few miles you will see the Spier Cellars on the right. Spier is a winelands entertainment complex. Wander among the old buildings and visit the Cheetah project. As you wish, have a wine tasting here and visit the extensive wine shop. Rejoin the R310 and continue toward Stellenbosch.
If you are interested in brandy, take the next right and make your way to the Van Ryn Brandy cellar for a fascinating tour of the Distillery. Resume your journey along the R310. When you reach the T junction turn right and follow the road into Stellenbosch.
Option turn left at this point and you will soon see a turning to the right for Uiterwyk, Overgaauw and Jordan. Follow the road all the way up this pretty valley to the small and excellent Jordan estate. Then retrace your route and drive into Stellenbosch.
As you approach Stellenbosch turn right into Dorp Street. The variety of architecture and the great oaks and canals of Dorp street are magnificent, but keep your eyes open for signs pointing left to the tourist information. Go there and ask for a walking tour of the town and for free maps of the winelands. The Village Museum is also worth a visit.
Once you have relished the lovely streets of Stellenbosch leave the town rejoining the R310 and heading over the Helshoogte Pass toward Pniel and Franschhoek. Just before the top of the pass turn right into the Delaire Estate. The views are magnificent. Then resume the journey down the hill, through Pniel, turning left at the bottom of the valley into the Boschendal Estate. See the manor house. In summer, Boschendal produce a fine picnic. You may also wish to visit their wine-tasting center.
Resume the journey, turning right at the end of the road toward Franschhoek. Follow the R45 the length of the beautiful valley until you enter the town. There are many excellent places for lunch in the town and on the pass at its far end. You may wish to walk around the Huguenot Memorial at the end of the high street.
Driving from the Memorial, back down main road, take the first left and follow the signs to the Cabriére Estate (you will follow a farm track). Here, you can sample excellent champagne-style wines. Leave Franschhoek on the R45, retracing your steps, and stay on this road toward Paarl.
Option You may wish to stop for extra wine tasting at Plaisir de Merle or by following the signs to Backsberg.
At the junction at the end of the R45 turn left and then right into the Agter Paarl road toward the Fairview Estate. The estate will soon be seen on the right. This award-winning estate produces fine wine and goats cheese. See the goat house in the parking area.
Continue along the Agter Paarl road—stop at any of the estates if you are still in the mood for tasting—and at the junction at the end of the road turn left onto the R44. You will come to turnings onto the N1 freeway; turn right toward Cape Town. The journey back to the city takes about 50 minutes.
Tour Three: The City
Find a map of the city center from any hotel or information booth. Then follow this route on a journey through the history of the city and some of its most beautiful sights and beaches.
Make your way along Strand Street to The Castle of Good Hope (the oldest building in South Africa). You may wish to park and take a guided tour of the castle and its art collection. Resume down Darling Street past the 1905 City Hall. At the end of the road turn left into Adderley Street. You will see the Great Church on your left (first built in 1700) and the old Slave Lodge on the corner. Pass the Cathedral of St.Mary and turn left into Queen Victoria Street and park. From here explore the Company Garden, walking up to the oldest museum in the country, the South African Museum. It showcases the natural history of South Africa, and early human communities of the sub-continent. It is noted particularly for its whale gallery and collection of Bushman rock art, including the important Linton Panel. This is the only museum in South Africa with an adjoining Planetarium.
Then stroll downhill along shady Government Avenue and view the Houses of Parliament. At the bottom you will find St George's Cathedral on the left. Cross the road and walk down St George's Mall, the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare. Turning to the left you will find Greenmarket Square where there is a lively market during the week. Visit the Old Town House on the left side of the square and exit via Burg street which adjoins it. The first right is Church Street where you will find art galleries and antique shops. If you turn left at the end of Burg Street you can soon turn right again into Queen Victoria Street to find your car.
Drive up Queen Victoria Street and turn right at the top. Stay on this road until the T junction at the top of the hill. Turn left at the lights into Buitengracht. Stay on this road, and keep climbing up until the very top. Once you reach the top (Kloof Nek) turn left onto the Tafelberg Road toward the Cable Car. (If the Cable Car is closed take the road opposite to Signal Hill, drive the length of the road and enjoy the view at the end, then retrace your route).
Take the Cable Car to the top of the mountain—a tremendous journey. Spend some time wandering on the top. The views from the back of the mountain are as wonderful as the front; don't miss them. You may wish to enjoy the flat walk across the plateau to Maclear's beacon, which takes 40 minutes and is clearly marked. There is a bistro and restaurant near the top cable car station.
Drive back down the Tafelberg Road to Kloof Nek. Turn left and down Camps Bay Drive until you finally come down to Victoria Road at the bottom.
Option If you have time turn left and journey along Victoria road through Bakoven. With the Atlantic ocean to your right and the 12 Apostles towering above, this is a magnificent drive. Turn down into Llandudno when you see the turning on the right. It has a splendid beach. You may wish to continue over the neck and into beautiful Hout Bay. Spend time driving around the valley and down to the harbor. Retrace your steps or make your way over Constantia Nek, turning at the top either left to Cape Town via Kirstenbosch or straight down the other side through Constantia and follow the signs to Cape Town.
At Camps Bay park and take a walk on the beach. Take some time in the cafes, the restaurants overlooking the beach, or the Bay Hotel's bar. Then resume your journey along the coast toward Clifton. Look out on the left for the signboards indicating stairs to the various Clifton beaches. Park and walk down among the cottages to the Clifton beaches.
Drive on, the road goes through Bantry Bay and turns left as it enters Sea Point. Go straight at the rounabout down to the sea and follow right-hand lane of the dual carriage-way beach road. You will soon see the grass lawns and the Sea Point promenade. Stop anywhere along this road for a walk. Follow along the coast, you will need to turn left into Three Anchor Bay. In due course, the road comes to the Waterfront complex. You may wish to turn left into the complex, park and enjoy the shops and restaurants, and perhaps take a sunset cruise out into the Bay. From the Waterfront it is easy to follow the signs back into Cape Town.
Tour Four: Hermanus Region
This tour is especially recommended when Southern Right Whales calve off the Hermanus coast (July to December). It is best to get an early start to make the most of the day.
Depart from the hotel and travel along the N2 highway, past the airport and continue until you reach the exit for the R44. Turn off the freeway and right towards Strand/ Gordon's Bay. You are now heading south toward the coast. When you reach the beach front you may wish to stop and enjoy the magnificent beach. Continue along the coast into Gordon's Bay (you may wish to stop in the harbor). The road continues south along the coast on the Faure Marine (R44)/Clarence Drive. This is a truly marvelous road with views across False Bay to the Cape Peninsula.
Follow the coast around; take some time to explore the villages along the way (such as Pringle Bay), and visit the Harold Porter Botanic Garden in Betty's Bay (on the left of the road). Continue through Kleinmond. After a while, you will come to the junction with the R43; follow the signs to Hermanus. You will soon cross the Bot River. Follow the R43 on to Hermanus.
Option If you are a wine afficionado, look for a road to the left signed R320 to Caledon just before Hermanus. A few kilometres along this road you will find the famous Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson estates. Then retrace your steps.
Once in Hermanus, follow the main road until you see the Marine Hotel on the right; turn right here and park. There are various places for lunch. After lunch wander along the cliff path, enjoying the tremendous views and, of course, spot whales playing off the coast. You will also find the popular Harbour Museum.
Option If you wish to drive a little further, carry on through the town on Main Road and the suburb of Voelklip (you may wish to take any right turn down to its fine beach) and in due course you will come to a large lagoon.
Mid-afternoon return to Cape Town. Retrace your route back along Main Road, out of Hermanus on the R43, past Onrus and Hawston and once again over the Bot River. But do not turn toward Kleinmond, rather continue along the R43, following the signs to Cape Town via the N2.
You will climb the amazing Houhoek pass. Soon you will be travelling through the famous Cape apple growing districts of Elgin and Grabouw. Stop at one of the farmstalls along the way. Stop in the car park at the head of Sir Lowrys Pass (it is on the bend) for a wonderful view of the Cape Flats and Table Mountain. Now continue down the pass and all the way back to Cape Town on the N2.
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