Garden Route & Little Karoo

There’s a temptation to rush along this beautiful coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River mouth, but we recommend taking your time to explore its mountains, forests and secluded coves. Ideal for a scenic self-drive, and with plenty of family-friendly activities, you can potter around the pretty coastal towns like Plettenberg Bay (very New England in feel), play golf on one of many good golf courses, and if you’re lucky spot whales and dolphins from the craggy headland. Another highlight is flying over the forest canopy on a zipwire, and for the ultimate adrenaline junkie, Bloukrans Bridge offers the world’s highest bungee jump.

Between July and November, South Africa has some world-class whale watching, so head to Hermanus to get up close to the friendly southern right whales. How to be sure you’re going to see one? A whale crier wanders around the town centre and blows a horn every time a whale arrives in the bay! What’s more, you don’t even have to get on a boat to see them as the best views are directly above on the craggy cliffs. For more marine adventures you can cage-dive with great white sharks, and for a relaxing day-trip there are pretty seaside villages and wineries.