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Route
In search of whales along the Garden Route
15 days · 665 km · One way
This is the perfect route for you if you want to watch whales along South Africa’s south coast – from the shore, from the cliffs or directly from a boat.
Between Hermanus, De Hoop and Plettenberg Bay some of the best whale-watching spots in southern Africa are waiting for you. With a bit of luck you’ll see southern right whales resting, mating or raising their young close to the coast – often just a few metres from land.
The journey takes you from Cape Town to Tsitsikamma National Park – past lagoons, vineyards, coastal towns and ancient forests. Ideal for anyone who wants to watch wildlife without missing out on the Garden Route’s scenic variety.
Best time to go: July – November
What to expect
- Watch southern right whales from the shore in Hermanus or from the cliffs in De Hoop Nature Reserve
- Experience whales and wild coastline on a boat trip off Plettenberg Bay – with views of the Tsitsikamma mountains
- Drive through varied landscapes: wine regions, fynbos, lagoons, ancient forests and coastal roads – ideal for self-drivers with a focus on nature
The route on the map
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
The stages
Stage 1: Cape Town – starting point between fynbos and Atlantic
Kapstadt · 3 nights
Cape Town marks the south-westernmost point of Africa and is framed by cool Atlantic swells and the striking Table Mountain. In this metropolis, urban markets meet wild landscapes, historic guesthouses meet campsites on the city’s edge. For self-drivers this is the gateway to nature reserves, wine regions and quiet stretches of coast – often only minutes apart. Allow yourself several days to shape your own balance of big-city adventure and nature experience – kayaking in front of the skyline or watching the sunrise from Lion’s Head.
Getting there: 40 km, about 0.6 h drive
Stage 2: Cape Peninsula – between lighthouses and fynbos
Kap-Halbinsel · 2 nights
The Cape Peninsula juts into the sea south of Cape Town and offers everything that makes a real road trip: dramatic coasts, dense kelp forests, windblown fynbos landscapes. Small towns such as Muizenberg or Simon’s Town give you space to arrive – with relaxed cafés, guesthouses like Penguins View Guesthouse and lots of flexibility. Whether you hike to old lighthouses or watch penguins at Boulders Beach – this region is the perfect stopover to experience the pure nature of the rugged south.
6 more stages in the app
The full route with every stage, place to stay and activity is available in the app with Wildful Stories+. There you can also copy it into your own plan.
Make this route your trip.
In the app you adjust stages, places to stay and activities, and have everything with you on the road.
