<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='3958'>Home Panorama + Garden route ’26

Today you fly to Johannesburg in South Africa, where your journey begins. If you book your flights through us, you'll arrive at the airport in the evening. A transfer will be waiting for you and will take you to a lodge near the airport, so you can relax after the long trip.

If you have booked your own flights and arrive in the morning, count on an extra travel day. On day 2, you'll pick up the car and your road trip will really begin.

Today you wake up in South Africa. After your overnight stay in Johannesburg, it’s time to start your first kilometers. We’ll have the transfer ready to take you to our rental partner. There, you’ll receive a briefing about the vehicle and your roadbook with practical tips, highlights, and all the information you’ll need on the road.

You’ll drive from Johannesburg to Graskop, a journey of about four hours through varied landscapes. Along the way, you’ll pass hills, fields, and rivers. You can stop at various spots for a short walk or a photo opportunity.

In Graskop, you’ll stay in a lodge just 50 meters from the Graskop Gorge Falls, with a stunning view over the Mpumalanga Lowveld. You can check out the waterfalls from the suspension bridge or relax in the pool.

After breakfast in Graskop, it's time for the famous Panorama Route, known for its stunning landscapes, valleys, and viewpoints.

Along the way, you'll pass various stops, from canyons to waterfalls. Your first stop is at Pinnacle Rock, near your accommodation. Then you'll see the impressive Berlin Falls and Lisbon Falls. You can also visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where the water has carved out remarkable round rock formations. The highlight of the route, in our opinion, is the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. Here, you can stop at different viewpoints, like the iconic Three Rondavels, and enjoy the view over the river and the steep rock walls.

A full day along the Panorama Route with beautiful stops along the way ends with a relaxing evening at your lodge in Hazyview, the base for exploring Kruger National Park.

Today there are several options, but one thing is definitely on the agenda: a visit to the Kruger National Park. You can go on an organized safari or explore the park on your own with your car.

Along the way, you're likely to encounter zebras, giraffes, impalas, and other animals. With a bit of luck, you might also spot one or more of the Big Five: lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Stop where allowed at waterholes and viewpoints to take in the surroundings at your own pace.

Covering nearly 20,000 km², Kruger National Park is about the size of half of the Netherlands. Thanks to this vastness, the landscapes and wildlife experiences along the way are incredibly diverse.

You'll spend another night in your accommodation in Hazyview.

Today, you’ll be driving to another country: Eswatini, the small kingdom in Southern Africa formerly known as Swaziland. Eswatini is famous for its diverse nature, hills, and traditional villages.

On your way to your accommodation near the Mantenga Nature Reserve, you'll pass small villages and might encounter animals like baboons, impalas, and various bird species. The route will take you through the border post at Oshoek and through the rolling hills towards the reserve.

Upon arrival at the reserve, you can explore the area further after checking in. You can hike in the nature reserve or dive into the local culture. Nearby is the Mantenga Cultural Village. This open-air museum takes you back in time, with traditional huts, craftsmen at work, and often dance and music performances.

Today, you will be leaving the kingdom of Eswatini and heading towards the coast of South Africa. Your destination is St Lucia, a vibrant town on the edge of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its unique ecosystem where the ocean, lakes, and wetlands converge.

The drive takes about four hours and takes you through diverse landscapes. You'll pass by sugarcane fields, small villages, and green hills before the scenery gradually becomes flatter.

In the afternoon, a boat cruise is on the agenda. You'll sail through the St Lucia estuary, where fresh and saltwater meet. It's teeming with hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun or lazily gliding through the water. The guide will share all about the behavior of these animals and point out the many bird species along the banks. St Lucia itself is a laid-back town with restaurants and shops. In the evenings, hippos often wander through the streets, so keep your eyes peeled!

You’ll stay one more night in St Lucia and have a choice of various activities. Explore the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on a Big 5 safari, discover the surroundings on your own, or just relax by the pool at your lodge.

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is about an hour’s drive from St Lucia and is one of the oldest nature reserves in Africa. Here, you have a great chance of spotting the Big 5: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. The park is particularly famous for its rhinos, and the rolling hills make the landscape even more beautiful. An <strongexperienced guide will take you to the best spots and share all about the animals' behavior and habitat along the way.

Today you continue your journey from St. Lucia to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and then you’ll drive to Durban, where you’ll board your domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. You'll be staying overnight in a guesthouse near the airport since you won’t arrive until late afternoon.

The next morning, you'll drive on to the Tsitsikamma National Park. With its 80 kilometers of coastline, suspension bridges, and spectacular hiking trails, this park is a must-see on the Garden Route. Surf lovers can make a stop at Jeffreys Bay along the way to admire the famous Supertubes.

The Tsitsikamma National Park includes not only land but also a marine reserve that extends 5 kilometers out into the Indian Ocean. In the park, you'll find over 9,000 species of native fynbos. Fynbos refers to the diverse vegetation in the Cape region of South Africa. You'll also encounter the beautiful Knysna Loerie, dolphins and porpoises, the Cape otter, the blue duiker, and many other animal and bird species.

Cross the famous suspension bridge, Suspension Bridge, hike one of the trails, or explore the river on a kayak tour. Together with a guide, you'll paddle along the Storms River, under the suspension bridge, deeper into the untouched nature. You'll sleep in a lodge in the village of Storms River, which shares the same name.

Today, you'll continue your journey to Swartvlei. Feeling adventurous? Then jump 216 meters down at the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy this morning.

Keep going and make sure to stop by Plettenberg Bay, where you'll find many seal colonies swimming around. Here, you’ll discover the Robberg Nature Reserve, which you definitely shouldn't miss during your road trip. This rugged peninsula is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The marine reserve is also a national monument because of the caves from the Stone Age. You'll find three beautiful hiking trails of varying lengths here. During your hike, you might spot Cape fur seals or blue duikers, a small antelope species.

After a lovely hike, you’ll continue your journey to Swartvlei, a beautiful spot to relax in nature. Swartvlei Lake is located right in the middle of the Garden Route, yet it’s often overlooked. We think it's a wonderful place to unwind and recharge. You'll be staying in a cozy guesthouse with a swimming pool.

Continue your journey to Hermanus. Taking the R326, you'll drive through rolling landscapes and along vast fields with ostriches. You'll encounter very few other cars on the road.

Hermanus is globally renowned for whale watching. From June to the end of November, there's a great chance to see the impressive southern right whales up close, both from the cliffs and on a boat tour. Whale watching is a unique experience: you can see these massive creatures swimming, playing, and sometimes leaping out of the water, all in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, you can join a whale excursion.

The center of Hermanus is compact and charming, filled with restaurants, cafés, and art galleries. Be sure to hike the Cliff Path Walk in Hermanus. This 12-kilometer path winds through the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and offers several beautiful viewpoints over the ocean. If you're lucky, you might even see whales breaching from the shore. Tonight, you'll be sleeping among the Stanford Hills in a luxurious glamping tent with a jacuzzi.

Today you'll drive to Franschhoek, a journey that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the South African coast and interior.

Along the way, you'll definitely pass through the Franschhoek Pass, a scenic route through the mountains with impressive views of the surrounding valleys and vineyards. You might also take a detour along the Clarence Drive, a stunning coastal route.

Franschhoek is known for its high-quality wine estates and culinary scene. Upon arrival, you can park your car and head out with an Uber or the famous wine tram, allowing you to visit various wine estates without a worry. End the day with a lovely glass of South African wine.

Continue your journey to Cape Town, the final destination of your trip. It's a short drive from Franschhoek, so there's plenty of time to explore the city and its surroundings.

For spectacular views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains, you can hike up Lion's Head or Table Mountain. Both options offer impressive panoramas and give you a great sense of Cape Town's location.

If you love nature, a visit to Kirstenbosch, the famous botanical garden, is a lovely choice. Here, you can stroll among native plants and enjoy the lush surroundings.

In the mood for a relaxing day? Then head to the Clifton beaches. In the evening, we recommend going out for a nice dinner; you can easily get around with an Uber. Cape Town has a wide range of good and affordable restaurants.

Today you have a whole day to explore Cape Town and enjoy your last full day in South Africa. There's plenty to see and do, so you can choose how active your day will be.

You can drive through the surfers' village of Muizenberg to Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Cape Town. Along the way, you'll pass Boulders Beach, where you can see the famous South African penguins up close, in their natural habitat.

On your way back, take the route via Noordhoek Beach and Chapman’s Peak Drive, a stunning coastal road. End your day with the sunset at Camps Bay or at 'The Rock' for a breathtaking view of the Twelve Apostles. A fantastic way to wrap up your adventure in South Africa.

Be sure to return the car by 10:00 PM, and after midnight, your flight back home will depart if you've booked it with us.

Your flight to the Netherlands is scheduled for after midnight. We hope you look back on a wonderful trip through South Africa. Are you staying a bit longer in Cape Town? Then book an overnight stay for day 14 to 15.