The Best Road Trips by Rental Car Around Cape Town

Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. For centuries, the city has been a melting pot of different cultures, all of which have left their mark. You’ll find churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, each with its own distinctive architectural style, alongside Art Deco buildings and colonial-era houses with Dutch and British influences. During the summer months (November through March), city dwellers seek relief from the heat at one of the beautiful beaches near Cape Town, while in winter these beaches are the domain of surfers.

Cape Town is the gateway to some of South Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes and unique destinations. The city is a great base from which to explore the beautiful surrounding area in a rental car. Whether you want to go on safari, visit the Cape Winelands, or simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery the Western Cape has to offer, there’s more than enough to see and do. Below, we’ll share tips on the most scenic routes, the best nature reserves, and the most interesting attractions around Cape Town.

Cape Peninsula

As soon as you want to venture a little further than just downtown Cape Town, you’ll need a rental car—for example, if you want to explore the Cape Peninsula. A large part of the peninsula is made up of Table Mountain National Park. That name is a bit confusing, because the park doesn’t just include the famous Table Mountain; it extends all the way to the tip of the Cape of Good Hope.

Boulders Beach is located near the Simon’s Town naval base. There, you can swim on small beaches sheltered by enormousboulders, but the main attraction is the colony of African penguins on Foxy Beach. Swimming isn’t allowed there, but you can get a very close-up view of the animals from wooden walkways. Parking at the visitor center is limited, so be sure to arrive early during the busy summer months.

At the very tip of the peninsula, a small cable car takes you to the New Cape Point Lighthouse. From there, you’ll need to climb a few more flights of stairs to reach the actual summit, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of rugged cliffs and the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. With a little luck, you might spot dolphins; November offers the best chance of seeing them. It can get very crowded there, though. For a quieter experience, follow the boardwalk from the parking lot to Diaz Beach, a hidden little beach. Be careful if you go swimming there, as the waves can be high and the current strong.

On the way back to Cape Town, there are two entrances to the Silvermine Nature Reserve along the Old Cape Road. If you’re coming from the Cape, the first entrance is Gate 2, and from there you can walk to Muizenberg Peak. The next entrance (Gate 1) leads to a reservoir where you can enjoy a swim surrounded by fynbos.

West Coast National Park

Just inland from the remote harbor of Saldanha Bay and a little over an hour’s drive from Cape Town lie the azure-blue waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, the centerpiece of the West Coast National Park. It is best known for its spectacular wildflowers during the spring months of August and September. The northernmost tip, the Posberg, is open only during those spring months. During this period, the park attracts large numbers of visitors, and the entrance fee is higher. It’s best to drive there as early as possible in your rental car during those months; the park opens at 7:00 a.m.

This park is worth a visit even outside the blooming season. At the Geelbek Visitor Center, you can pick up maps of four different hiking trails. There are also biking routes, both on paved bike paths and on unpaved trails suitable for mountain bikes. For the best views, park your rental car at the Langebaanpoort and walk to the Seeberg Viewpoint.

In the northern part of the lagoon, you can swim, fish, kayak, snorkel, and kitesurf; the southernmost part is off-limits, except for birdwatching from one of the observation huts. The roads within the park are paved, with the exception of the roads over the Posberg, which are unpaved.

Beer lovers can make a stop in Darling on their way back from the national park to sample the craft beer from the Darling Brewery.

Cape Winelands

When you think of the Western Cape, you think of wine, because this is where South Africa’s most important wine regions are located. Just outside Cape Town, you’ll drive through rolling hills dotted with vast vineyards, with mountains providing the perfect backdrop. Stellenbosch, one of the best-known wine regions, lies east of the city. The capital city of the same name is incredibly charming, thanks to its university, and you’ll also find beautiful historic houses there. Four of these houses together form the Village Museum and offer a fascinating glimpse into colonial Stellenbosch, including insights into the slave trade. The interiors of the four houses reflect different periods.

Franschhoek owes its name to the Huguenots who fled France in the seventeenth century and settled there. Although the Cape Dutch architectural style predominates, you can see the French influence in the names of some wineries, such as Grand Provence, Haute Cabrière, and Rhône. Franschhoek is also home to some of South Africa’s best restaurants, earning it the reputation as the country’s gastronomic capital. The surrounding landscape is equally stunning, particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, just east of the town. There are several well-maintained hiking trails, and your rental car will be parked in a secure parking lot.

The town of Paarl lies at the foot of a large granite rock. In fact, that’s where it gets its name, because that enormous rock glistens like a pearl in certain light. The Strooidakkerk was built in 1805 in the Cape Dutch style. Nearby, on Zeederbergplein, you’ll find Victorian and Georgian houses. The size of the tombs in the old cemetery next to the church reveals which families were well-to-do in the nineteenth century. You can climb that rock near Paarl, but it’s only accessible via a dirt road (read more about this under the heading “Roads in South Africa”). At the end of that road, the Jan Philips Bergpad, you’ll come to a T-junction. There’s parking just before it, because you’ll have to pay if you want to drive your rental car further to the next parking lot, near Paarl Rock and Bretagne Rock.

Worcester is the capital of the Breede River Valley, the largest of the fruit- and wine-producing valleys in the Western Cape. In addition to wine, brandy was distilled here. Today, production has moved to a new facility, but you can still visit the old KWV brandy cellar. There, you’ll learn about both the traditional and modern production processes, and the tour naturally ends with a tasting. The Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, north of Worcester, is especially colorful during the spring months.

The charming town of Tulbagh is situated in a mountain basin known as the Land of Waveren. The valley is surrounded on three sides by mountains, creating a typical Mediterranean microclimate. In addition to the award-winning wines produced here, Tulbagh boasts a wealth of Cape Dutch architecture. As a result, it boasts the highest concentration of national monuments in South Africa. A stroll down historic Church Street, with its many museums and antique shops, is not to be missed.

Just north of Tulbagh lies the Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve, known for its rugged landscape of high mountains and jagged rock formations, interspersed with wild, rushing rivers and tranquil rock pools.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

The Jonkershoek is a mountainous area with high peaks and deep gorges, just southeast of Stellenbosch. It is a beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails ranging from five to eighteen kilometers. There are also several waterfalls and rock pools where you can cool off. This nature reserve is actively protected, which is why the number of hikers allowed on the various trails each day is limited. You also can’t start certain hikes after a certain time. This is to ensure you have enough time. For example, you’re not allowed to start the longest and most strenuous hikes after 10:00 a.m. The number of cars allowed into the park is also limited. No more than twenty cars are allowed in the parking lot at any one time. So make sure you arrive early (the park opens at 7:00 a.m.), otherwise you’ll have to walk five kilometers to the start of the most popular hiking trails.

You can rent mountain bikes from MTO Forestry, just outside Jonkershoek. There are several marked bike trails, ranging from fairly easy to quite challenging.

Hermanus / Walker Bay

Hermanus is one of the few places in the world where you can see whales from land. They swim right past you—at least if you’re there during the season. The number of whales in July and August varies from year to year, but you can be almost certain you’ll see whales in September, October, and November. Along the 12-kilometer-long cliff path, there are several spots where you can park your rental car. An even better way to see the whales is on a boat tour. Generally, the morning is the best time to spot these large marine mammals. In addition to whales, you can also spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds on these tours.

The scenic highlight of this region is the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. You can reach it via the village of De Kelders. Surprisingly, the reserve isn’t signposted from the R43, so turn off at the town sign toward Guthrie Street. Only there will you see a small brown sign that reads “Caves/Grotte.” You’ll reach the entrance via De Villiers Street, after which you’ll drive about three hundred meters to the parking lot. A steep staircase leads down to the beach and the Klipgat Caves, where people lived from the Stone Age through the 18th century. From these rock shelters, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the rugged coastline and the crashing sea.

“See the Karoo on Route 62”

A fantastic alternative to the popular—and therefore crowded— Garden Route is a drive in your rental car along Route 62. This road runs through the Klein Karoo, a valley between the Swartberg mountain range (to the north) and the Langeberg and Outeniqua ranges (to the south). The valley is characterized by vast stretches of open land, as well as farms, vineyards, mountain ranges with winding passes, and charming villages. Officially, Route 62 begins in Montagu, 180 kilometers east of Cape Town.

Montagu is situated in a stunningly beautiful setting: towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams, and lush vegetation. You can go on beautiful (mountain) hikes there, such as through the Cogmanskloof. You can also go on mountain bike tours, go rock climbing, or go horseback riding. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are tractor tours to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains.

From Montagu, you’ll first drive along the R60 ( not the R62) to Swellendam, a charming little town with beautiful 18th- and 19th-century houses. Drostdy was the residence of the Dutch landdrost and is now a fascinating museum dedicated to South African history. Via the beautiful, paved Tradouw Pass, you’ll drive past pools, waterfalls, and a cave called Drupkelder on your way to Barrydale, where you’ll rejoin Route 62.

From here, you’ll continue on to Ladismith (with an “i”—there’s also a town called Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, though it’s now officially known as uMnambithi). As you approach from Barrydale, you’ll see the distinctive, jagged peak of Towerkop behind the town. Legend has it that a witch, in a hurry to fly home, saw the peak looming ahead and split it in two with her broomstick.

Past Ladismith, you’ll drive over the impressive Huisrivier Pass. Incidentally, that name has nothing to do with a “house”; it’s derived from the Khoikhoi word for “willow.” After crossing the Gamka River, the road descends toward Calitzdorp. Just before reaching Calitzdorp, there’s a turnoff to Matjiesvlei, where you’ll find several vacation cottages and are truly in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

Calitzdorp is the “port capital” of South Africa. Of course, that’s not strictly accurate, since port comes from the Porto region in Portugal and is a legally protected wine variety. You won’t find the word “port” on the labels, but the taste is very similar to the original. You can also sample non-fortified red and white wines at the various wine cellars.

Past Calitzdorp, the route becomes a bit more monotonous: you drive across a plain toward Oudtshoorn, the main city of the Klein Karoo. There are many ostrich farms in the area. In the 1920s, there was high demand for boas, and Oudtshoorn was the world’s largest producer of the feathers used to make them. Wealthy merchants of that era had beautiful homes built. A fine example is the Le Roux Townhouse on High Street. The best activity in Oudtshoorn is a visit to the Cango Caves. Wear old clothes, because you’ll have to crawl and scramble through narrow passages that connect the various chambers.

From Oudtshoorn, you have several options for continuing your journey. You can drive along the N12 to the charming town of De Rust and then continue through the beautiful Olifants River Valley to Uniondale. Or you can drive south from Oudtshoorn to George, which lies on the Garden Route. For adventurers, the Swartberg Pass is highly recommended.

On safari from Cape Town

South Africa’s major safari parks are located in the eastern part of the country and are more easily accessible from Johannesburg. However, you can also spot the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard) near Cape Town. Keep in mind that these are not large national parks, such as Kruger, but private reserves where animals do not always roam freely.

Inverdoorn

Not too far from Cape Town (just over 200 kilometers) lies the Inverdoorn Game Reserve in the arid Karoo. There you can see lions, antelopes, giraffes, elephants, and wildebeests, among other animals. The park is also committed to the conservation of cheetahs. It takes about two and a half hours to drive there in a rental car, so you can make it a day trip, but the park also has simple lodges.

Aquila

Aquila Game Reserve is located a bit closer to Cape Town—about a two-hour drive—and is a popular safari park. It lies at the foot of the Hex River Mountains in the Cape Winelands. Here, you have a good chance of seeing all members of the Big 5, as well as giraffes, hippos, hyenas, and zebras. You can choose from guided tours in an off-road vehicle or drive a quad bike yourself. You can also explore the park on horseback.

Fairy Glen

The Fairy Glen Game Reserve, located closest to Cape Town, is set in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains. As you drive along National Road 1 in your rental car, you’ll see those mountains in the distance. The animals aren’t the only attractions; the lush vegetation also makes this a special safari park. This family-friendly reserve is named after a large dragonfly found near the mountain streams in the immediate vicinity. You can also admire rock paintings there that are about six thousand years old.

Sanbona

It’s at least a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Most people therefore choose to spend the night in one of the lodges or glamping tents. It’s certainly not cheap, but you’ll want for nothing, and you can also choose from a selection of top South African wines with your meal. In this vast safari park, you can, of course, see the Big 5 and enjoy the incredible starry sky in the evening.

Rent a car and drive along the 5 most beautiful roads around Cape Town

If you’ve rented a car in Cape Town, you’ll surely want to explore the most scenic roads. And there are quite a few of them in the Western Cape: from routes along dramatic coastlines to winding roads through majestic mountains, with a new Instagram moment around every bend. How do you choose from so many options? We’ve listed the five most beautiful routes below.

1. Sir Lowry’s Pass

If you drive east on National Road 2 in a rental car, you’ll cross the 450-meter-high Sir Lowry’s Pass just outside Cape Town. The road winds through the Hottentots Holland Mountains and offers fantastic views. On the Cape Town side, you’ll see False Bay with the Cape Peninsula in the background; on the Grabouw side, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of forests, mountains, and the reservoir of the Steenbras Dam.

Grabouw is the main town in the Elgin Valley, the heart of South Africa’s fruit-growing industry. There are also a few wineries, although this valley is significantly cooler than the better-known wine regions. Just north of Grabouw is a beautiful zip-line course with no fewer than eleven zip lines, some more than three hundred meters long, winding between cliffs and fynbos-covered mountain slopes. There is also a unique suspension bridge high above a spectacular double waterfall.

2. Chapman’s Peak Drive

Victoria Road, which runs along the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town to Hout Bay, is beautiful in its own right, but it becomes truly spectacular as you continue on. The 15-kilometer coastal route between Hout Bay and Noordhoek is affectionately known as “Chappies” and offers dramatic views of the cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean. The winding Chapman’s Peak Drive has no fewer than 114 curves. You pay a small fee to drive on this road, but there are various facilities that need to be maintained, such as several lookouts where you can easily park your rental car for a moment. The toll booth is in Hout Bay. Don’t forget to keep your receipt if you plan to drive back the same way. In case of bad weather (such as strong winds), the road may be closed; check online in advance to see if it’s open,

3. Clarence Drive

Clarence Drive runs right along the eastern coastline of False Bay. Between Gordon’s Bay and Kleinmond, you’ll enjoy phenomenal views of the bay and the Cape Peninsula on one side and the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the other. And it’s not just the passenger who can enjoy the scenery—there are several pull-offs along the route, so you, as the driver of the rental car, can also take in the beauty of the surroundings. Or you can use one of these stops to take a break from driving. Did you know that it’s not at all difficult to rent a car with an additional driver? Right after Gordon’s Bay, you can veer off the route for a moment to drive up a sharp hairpin turn to the Steenbras Lookout Point. In Betty’s Bay, you can see African penguins, and the town is also home to one of South Africa’s most beautiful botanical gardens: the Harold Porter Botanical Garden.

4. Bainskloof Pass

From the bridge over the Breede River (near the town of the same name), the N301 runs to Wellington, better known as the Bainskloof Pass. It is a beautiful and well-paved road. The first, northern section is the most beautiful. There, the road more or less follows the course of the Witte River, which is a raging torrent during the wet winter months. The curves in the road quickly become sharper and more frequent. Drive slowly and enjoy the incredible scenery. Halfway along, you’ll drive under an overhanging rock called Dacres Pulpit (in Afrikaans: Dacre se Preekstoel). Keep in mind that road cyclists also enjoy riding this pass. Leave plenty of space when passing them (uphill) and be aware of high speeds when these cyclists are heading downhill.

5. Swartberg Pass

If you’re in Oudtshoorn, driving over the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert is practically a must. It’s a rocky, dusty, and winding road, but the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. Please note: this road is entirely unpaved; read more about driving on these types of roads under the heading “Roads in South Africa.” You can drive this route in a regular car, but a vehicle with higher ground clearance, such as an SUV, is preferable. Allow yourself plenty of time and drive carefully to prevent damage to the undercarriage of your rental car. Do not drive this pass if it’s raining, looks like it’s going to rain, or has just rained heavily. It also becomes impassable after heavy snowfall, which is not uncommon in winter. The Swartberg Pass winds its way up to the summit at 1,585 meters above sea level in steep, zigzagging curves. The best part is the descent to Prince Albert, with its incredible rock formations. Once you’re in Prince Albert, you’ll surely want to take a break—and there are plenty of great places to do so. The town is renowned for its delicious local products: fresh fruit—especially figs and apricots—olives, olive oil, and handmade cheeses.

On your way back toward Oudtshoorn, you can take an alternative route between Klaarstroom and De Rust. This paved road through rugged mountain terrain is known as the Meiringspoort. It’s not quite as spectacular as the Swartberg Pass, but the scenery here is also beautiful. After about ten kilometers, you’ll see a large parking lot on the left side of the road. Park your rental car there and walk to the Meiringspoort Waterfall. The waterfall itself isn’t much to speak of, but the trail leading to it is beautiful. You’ll walk beneath overhanging rocks to a narrow gorge where the water cascades down.

Graaff-Reinet / Valley of Desolation

Graaff-Reinet is about a seven-hour drive from Cape Town. So it’s not really suitable for a day trip. Still, we’re including this place because it’s the gateway to the breathtaking Camdeboo National Park. And if you’re already in Jeffreys Bay (at the end of the Garden Route), for example, it’s only a three-hour drive to Graaff-Reinet. It’s also a nice stopover if you’re driving from Cape Town to Johannesburg (or vice versa). It’s a town that lies a bit off the beaten path but is brimming with historic buildings, including the Groot Kerk and the various houses that together make up the Reinet House Museum .

The main attraction of Camdeboo Park, the Valley of Desolation, features towering dolerite cliffs, offering panoramic views from their summits. It’s a particularly spectacular sight at sunrise or sunset. The park is also home to many wild animals, including buffalo, kudu, springbok, and mountain zebras, as well as a large number of bird species. The park entrance is easily accessible: drive your rental car five kilometers from Graaff-Reinet along the R63, then take the exit toward Winterhoek.

Is it safe to drive a rental car in South Africa?

Many people wonder whether it’s safe to travel independently through South Africa in a rental car. The country has a reputation for being unsafe, but keep in mind that this is sometimes exaggerated. With a little common sense, you can enjoy a safe vacation there. It’s wise to keep your windows closed and your doors locked while you’re driving your rental car—not just when you’re parked somewhere. Never pick up hitchhikers. Although most don’t have bad intentions, it’s best to leave the judgment to the South Africans. As is true everywhere: never leave belongings in plain sight when you’ve parked your rental car. A tip: leave the glove compartment open so it’s clear that there’s nothing of value inside.

Also keep in mind that millions of people visit South Africa every year, but the number of reports of crime against foreign tourists is negligible in comparison. Renting a car in South Africa is an adventure you won’t want to miss. With proper preparation and a little common sense, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Roads in South Africa

The roads in South Africa are generally of good quality. This is certainly true of the major thoroughfares, but many secondary roads are also well maintained. However, you will occasionally come across unpaved gravel roads, as described above. Incidentally, these roads are also inspected regularly, especially if they’re part of the South African highway network (such as the Swartberg Pass, which is Route R328). Roads in game reserves are also usually unpaved. In short: it’s virtually impossible to avoid gravel roads when vacationing in South Africa. However, the rental terms often state that you’re not allowed to drive on “unpaved roads or roads where the road surface or poor road conditions could damage the vehicle.” In practice, South African car rental companies usually won’t enforce this rule too strictly, but be aware that, officially, you’re driving at your own risk on such roads—even if you’ve purchased comprehensive insurance.