This week the renowned travel guide website Lonely Planet recommended their Top 10 Ultimate Driving Holidays.
Of course Route 66 was featured, as was the Cape Town to Cairo overland long haul. But I was especially pleased to see that one of my personal favourite South African routes was among their Top 10 – a drive I have undertaken many a time and always enjoy.
From the original Lonely Planet article:
Cape Town to Hermanus, South Africa
This southern coastal strip hugs charming seaside villages and envelops some inimitable South African natural wonders. Once you’ve taken in colourful Cape Town – skirted by vineyards and beaches – head east along False Bay. The 122km stretch to Hermanus is within day-tripping distance, but worthy of a slow drive. A number of nature reserves include wetland areas (hippo territory), as well as sweeping beaches. Once in Hermanus, you can stop watching the road and start watching the whales that can be seen mucking around off shore between June and November.
My own personal recommendation is that you take the coastal drive from Gordon’s Bay to Betty’s Bay before cutting back across to Hermanus – it’s a longer drive than the more direct route over Sir Lowry’s Pass (which is also a lovely drive but not in the same league, in my opinion).
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| View from the road.... (Image Credit: Joy-Anne Goodenough. All rights reserved) |
You’ll want to stop for plenty of photo-ops on the winding coastal road between Gordon’s Bay and Pringle Bay, but be careful! Cars sometimes leave the road so make sure the driver keeps his / her eyes on the road, and rather use the pull over points if you want to really take in the view.
Kleinmond is a small rather plain village but if you drive down to the waterfront area you’ll find a couple of pleasant seafood restaurants looking over the water, and some arty shops to browse.
At Betty’s Bay there’s the beautiful Harold Porter Botanical Gardens – ideal for stretching your legs – and a local penguin colony if you missed out on the better known Simons Town penguins.
On the way back, if you do decide to take the shorter route over Sir Lowry’s Pass, I can recommend this restaurant for a good lunch break.
And of course there is plenty to see and do in Hermanus itself.
Hermanus Accommodation
Portfolio Collection offers a fine selection of Hermanus accommodation options including Hermanus B&Bs, guest houses, retreats and self-catering villas and apartments. Each establishment has been personally visited and benchmarked by a trained Portfolio assessor.
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1 Response to A South African Drive Makes it onto Lonely Planet''s Top 10 Ultimate Driving Holidays List
it''s the best drive in the world - so many places to stop and just gaze out to watch whales and dolphins. And the added excitement of random baboons just makes it more fascinating!
By Susan Williams (4 years ago)