Route 1: Cape Town to PE via N2
From winter to early summer the direct route on the N2 from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth must be right up there with the most scenic landscape in the world. Rolling fields of canola and wheat set in a fynbos-laden mountain backdrop, cover the landscape as far as the eye can see.
“A brilliant drive through the Overberg to the ‘Garden Route’ where you will experience nature’s best
We steer you through the most amazing scenery and unrivalled bio-diversity of this route, and point out the “not to be missed” local experiences including the world’s highest bungy, whales & dolphins, canopy tours, animal & bird sanctuaries, hiking, cycling, canoeing, vineyards, local culture and many other “special” attractions.
Take your time – a jam packed 7 to 10 days for the best holiday!
Yes, you could drive the 745 kms direct route in 1 day, but we want you to have a holiday filled with special memories. So, to see the sights that you would most enjoy, we have given you a selection of superb detours from which to choose, and customise your trip.
Make every day your kind of day!
As the basic route is the N2, each detour takes you off the N2, only to re-join it later. To take in the vibe of the small towns along the way and participate in the best on offer, we recommend 7 to 10 days. This route can be a wonderful honeymoon, a family holiday, a lazy week, an explorer’s challenge, a photographer’s dream, the adrenalin junkies fix…. it’s up to you!
If you are one of those very lucky people who can take an extra week then you can enjoy the incredible Route 62 back to Cape Town from Port Elizabeth.
Now, pack your sunglasses, hat, trainers, flip flops, camera, binoculars and a good book and let’s hit the road!
Route Outline
Main Route on the N2
Cape Town – Somerset West – Sir Lowry’s Pass, Grabouw & Elgin – Caledon, Riversonderend & Swellendam – Heidelberg, Riversdale & Albertinia – Mossel Bay – George – Victoria Bay – Wilderness – Sedgefield & Buffalo Bay – Knysna – Harkerville – Plettenberg Bay – Tsitsikamma – Jeffrey’s Bay – Port Elizabeth
Route 1 – Detailed Route Information
Drive from Cape Town to Somerset West on the N2
Or do Detour 1A where you drive from Cape Town on the N1 to Grabouw via Franschoek.
Exit at the R44 if you are doing Detour 1B
Somerset West
Somerset West boasts the Vergelegen historic wine estate, where you can lunch al fresco, looking onto the magnificent gardens centered on the oldest camphor trees in South Africa. The gardens, with the mountain backdrop, are well known, and make the perfect setting for the historic homestead. The wine cellars are certainly worth a visit!
The nearby Helderberg Reserve Bird Sanctuary has won many awards for the best bird sanctuary in a reserve and is home to many Cape “specials”.
Directions: Turn left off the N2 in Somerset West at Victoria Street, drive up to the T-junction with Main Street, and turn right a few blocks up, into Lourensford Rd.
The Helderberg Reserve Bird Sanctuary is left off Lourensford Road into Landroskop Drive, and left again into Verster Ave.
Vergelegen Wine Estate is just further on in Lourensford Road, on your right. For bookings: +27(0)21 847 1334/1346 (Restaurant/Picnic) +27(0)21 847 1337 Wine tasting/Cellar tours
Continue on the N2 to:
Sir Lowry’s Pass, Grabouw & the Elgin region
Drive over the dramatic Sir Lowry’s Pass, (there’s a spectacular viewpoint on the right near the top of the pass) and then through the Grabouw/Elgin apple-growing region. In spring the fruit trees are all in bloom.
“Pull over for a cup of tea or some local deli treats at one of the interesting farm stalls”
Stop for a wine tasting (if you have a designated driver, that is!) at the Paul Cluver Wine Estate or the empowerment project Thandi Wine Estate – both are signposted on the N2.
Choose from the Orchard, Dassiesfontein Farm, Peregrine and Houw Hoek farm stalls (the Houw Hoek is oldest licensed hotel in SA) – all along the N2.
In November, don’t miss the superb annual Rose and Garden Festival – with more than 10 000 blooms on display at the Elgin Country Club with plenty of entertainment. For more information, call them on +27(0)21 859 5012.
Just before arriving at Caledon, take the R406 if you wish to follow Detour 1C
Continue on the N2 to:
Caledon, Riviersonderend & Swellendam
The Overberg landscape is the stuff of dreams…
Enjoy the sweeping rural views: rivers, wild flowers and wide plains. Spot the endangered Blue Crane in the wheat fields along the N2.
Caledon is known for its hot mineral springs; you can enjoy world class treatments at the Caledon Spa, right next to the N2 – Tel: +27 (0)21 782-9754.
In September, the Caledon Wild Flower Show, the largest wild flower show in South Africa, is held in the Victoria Hall. For more information call +27 (0) 28 214 1016
In Swellendam, the historical areas of Voortrek Street, Van Oudtshoorn Street and Swellengrebel Street all lead to the Drostdy Museum and the old goal restaurant, where you can enjoy ‘moer’ coffee, fresh traditional bread and roosterkoek. Here you can enjoy the excellent examples of Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture set in oak lined streets.
Visit the Sulina Fairie Sanctuary– a magical fairy garden and a must for all fantasy lovers at 37 Buitekant St, Swellendam.
Swellendam Art Gallery: The gallery is situated in the historic building of Morgenson. Here not only is local artists’ work offered, but also young up-coming artists are given the chance to learn and grow in a creative environment. This is the second oldest building in Swellendam.
Swellendam is the largest youngberry growing area in the country.
Farms just 3km out of town may be visited for liqueur tasting and berry picking.
To visit Wildebraam Liqueurs, with lots of interesting goodies, take Andrew Whyte Street and drive past the golf course. Continue along the gravel road and the hermitage will be on your right.
Visit the Bontebok National Park – with 197 bird species, including the rare Black Harrier and Denham Bustard and besides the Bontebok, the park is home to zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. It is sign posted off the N2 just after Swellendam. For more info call +27 (0)28 514 2736
Stormsvlei Farm Stall and Restaurant. This is a great stop for tea or lunch and a walk through the gardens from which dried flowers are exported all over the world. 19.6kms past Riviersonderend, turnoff left onto the R317.
Visit the historic mission village of Suurbraak where skilled carpenters handcraft furniture. (Turn left off N2 onto R324 – 9kms after Swellendam – and drive 10.4kms)
The Detours for Route 1
Choose from our detours to customize your holiday. With these exciting options, you can plan to make every day your kind of day!
Detour 1A Cape Town to Grabouw via Franschoek (139 KMS)
Our first scenic route takes you from Cape Town to the Grabouw & Elgin regions via Franschoek.Vineyards, wine estates, glorious valleys, mountain passes, wild flowers, and historic Franschoek are the temptations along this route.
This Route is a must if you have done Sir Lowry’s Pass before, because it is very different, and in its own way is stunningly beautiful.
It also is a wine route of note. One of the most amazing sights, in spring, is the fields of red watsonia near the Theewaters Dam.
As you turn off the N1, onto the R44 at Klapmuts, lookout for Butterfly World.
The Franschoek valley produces some of the world’s truly great wines and has a comprehensive wine route. You will pass the Backsberg Cellars, Vrede & Lust, Graham Beck, Eikehof, La Motte and many wine estates en-route to Franschoek. For a map of the wine route, or more information about the local vineyards, phone the Franschoek Wine Valley & Tourist Association +27(0)21 876 3603.
If you’re a foodie, this is your type of place!
Franschoek is South Africa’s gourmet capital. Here top chefs have created some highly sought after eating spots. A smorgasbord of culture and quirks – from antique shops and art and craft galleries to cheese, chocolate and coffee shops.
Visit the Huguenot Museum on Lambrecht Street – you’ll get an idea of the rich French heritage that floods this beautiful corner of South Africa.
Join in the fun on Bastille Day – annual gourmet fair (weekend closest to July 14)
In late October, Franschoek presents the Fete de la Musique for classical music lovers. A range of classical music events at some of Franschhoek’s finest eateries & the beautiful Dutch Reformed Church, with all proceeds donated to local charities.
Directions: Take the N1 from Cape Town, turn right onto the R44 (Klapmuts off ramp) and drive to the R45. Turn left onto the R45. Continue with the R45 through Franschoek to the T-junction with the R321 and R43. Turn right onto the R43 to Elgin and re-join the N2 at Grabouw.
DETOUR 1B – Somerset West to Caledon via Hermanus (139kms)
This would be instead of detour 1A as they are in opposite directions.
Drive this amazing coastline – we have not seen better anywhere in the world!
Allow at least 2 days to explore this area. If you have driven directly from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth on the N2 before, this detour is a magnificent alternative.
This is one of the most scenic coastal drives in South Africa and well worth the effort. It is the also the first part of the Whale Route 3 and features dramatic coast line and beaches, fynbos biosphere, Jackass Penguin colony, baboons, whale watching, birding, shark cage diving and hiking and then …….we throw in some wine estates, just to round things off.
After taking the N2 from Cape Town, take the R44 offramp and turn right to the Strand. Turn right onto Beach Road and stop at the beach. Beach Road will rejoin the R44 to Gordon’s Bay, which has a small harbour.
Continue on the R44 until you see the signpost on your right to Stony Point Penguin Colony. If you reach Betty’s Bay, you have gone too far!
This really is a must – one of only three breeding colonies of jackass penguins on mainland South Africa.
Enjoy getting up close to these birds to get some pics of their comical swagger to the water or the many nests that cover the area. The kids will really love this too!
Rejoin the R44 and not much further on you will see the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens (+27 (0)28 272 9311) on your left. You can have tea, lunch or pack your own picnic and walk around the cultivated fynbos gardens. Maybe take a hike on one of the nature trails – really beautiful.
Have your binoculars ready if you are a birdwatcher. With over 96 species recorded at Harold Porter, some specials include Verreaux’s Eagle, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Victorin’s Scrub-Warbler, Cape Siskin, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Cape Rock-Thrush, Ground Woodpecker and the rare Protea Seedeater.
Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and Onrus
Betty’s Bay is well known for its beautiful, lonely beach, which is backed by flower covered dunes in the spring.
The Kleinmond area is renowned for whale sightings during whale season (August to November). To reach the view sites, turn right onto 13th Street, and drive down to Beach Rd .
The picnic area at the lagoon wetland is also pretty. To get there, continue on Beach Rd and rejoin the R44, turn right, and the next turnoff to the right should be to the wetland park. The site supports over 163 bird species, at least 62 of which are water birds. The wetland regularly supports an average of 25,000 individual birds and on occasion it can hold over 40,000.
After Kleinmond, the R44 will merge with the R43 – turn right towards Hermanus.
You will pass the sign for Onrus, a small town on your right. The beach at Onrus is ideal for the family. Flanked by a lagoon it provides an ideal playground for children. The Onrus beach is also a favorite place for local surfers. The Milkwood Restaurant overlooks the beach and has been cited as the best seafood restaurant in Hermanus. Phone the area tourism office +27(0) 28 271 5657
Hermanus
Originally a fishing village, Hermanus is now a cosmopolitan town and a popular tourist destination. It is known for its “whale crier” who blows his kelp horn when a whale is spotted. Between July and October you can experience great land-based whale watching from the cliff tops, or the old harbor. In September, Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival.
- If you’re into adventure activities like canoeing, the Kleinrivier vlei is one of the best places in SA and is only 6kms outside Hermanus towards Gansbaai. Sea kayaking, sand boarding, paragliding, quad bikingand guided fresh and salt water fly fishing trips – you’ll find plenty of opportunities to indulge in them here. Contact the Tourism office on +27(0) 28 312 2629
- Have fun on the famous Grotto Beach at the mouth of the Kleinrivier lagoon. Nearby, De Plaat is a well known fishing spot
- Take the Rotary Drive for spectacular views of Walker Bay – drive out of Hermanus towards the N2. Rotary drive is sign posted to the right
- Have a meal at Bientang’s Cave, a seafood restaurant that’s carved into a deep old cave that overlooks the Old Harbor. We recommend the bouillabaisse!
- Hermanus has the most comprehensive collection of internationally acclaimed white and red South African wines in the largest wine shop in South Africa. Found in the Wine Village on the corner of the R43 and R320 en route to the N2
- The nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve has about 50km of well-maintained hiking trails, surrounded by the beautiful coastal fynbos indigenous to the area. The area is considered one of the world’s richest floral kingdoms. This is also a good birding spot. If you visit Fernkloof in September you will experience a great wild flower show. To get there, take the R43 towards Gansbaai, turn left into Fir Ave, just past the Hermanus Golf Club
- The Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff all along the coastline to Grotto beach is 10-12km long and has made Hermanus famous for its land-based Whale watching potential. Accessible from many points along the route, it has benches at strategic points along the way to give hikers a rest or just to provide a place to sit and watch the whales or appreciate the beauty of Walker Bay
At this point, you return to the N2 on the R320 via Caledon to Port Elizabeth.
The R320 passes through the fertile Hemel and Aarde Valley where you can stop at a number of well known vineyards – wine tasting with amazing views! The terroir in this valley provides for some unique touches to these award-winning wines. The sea breezes, slopes and clay soil have helped wine-makers produce distinctive Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
The Bouchard Finlayson estate, Whalehaven Wines, Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Cape Bay and Sumaridge are all open to the public for wine tastings. We hope you find just the right wines to have sent or taken home!
Caledon has one of the best spring wild flower shows in SA which takes place in Victoria Hall in September. For more information call +27 (0) 28 214 1016
And a little extra……
If you would like to go shark cage diving or make a boat trip to Dyer and Bird Islands, you would continue on the R43 to Stanford, De Kelders and Gansbaai and then return to the N2 on the R326.
Stanford, De Kelders and Gansbaai
These villages have a lovely, peaceful sense of being away from it all. Whale watch and drink tea at De Kelders, overlooking the bay.
Continue on R44. Turn right off the R44 to Kleinbaai just before Gansbaai. Take the kids swimming in the tidal pool at Kleinbaai, which is a gem of a village, complete with scenic golf course and plenty of hikes, just a few km from Gansbaai closer to Hermanus.
Gansbaai is known as the great white shark capital of the world; it’s attracted marine biologists, photographers and adrenalin junkies alike from all over the globe. Face your fear and go shark cage diving yourself or take a boat trip to Dyer and Bird Islands and see whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and other marine wonders.
Gansbaai also has water sport opportunities – from scuba diving to shore and boat angling. Call Gansbaai tourism at +27 (0) 28 384 1439
From Gansbaai, take the R326.
At Stanford, turn right onto the R326 and you will find some more suprises:
- Walk along or paddle down the Klein River at Stanford to the bird sanctuary with its more than 220 species of birds.
- Visit the Birkenhead brewery, the first brewing estate in the Southern hemisphere, and enjoy one of their many premium beers on tap at the pub. It’s situated just outside Stanford on the R326.
- The Klein River Cheese farm just outside Stanford on the R326 is perfect for a picnic outing – sit and enjoy your prepared deli picnic hamper on the banks of the Klein River, while the kids can play in the large playground area. For info, call them on +27 (0) 28 341 0693.
DETOUR 1C Caledon to Riviersonderend via Genadendal and Greyton (65 kms)
Detour 1C does a 65km loop from the N2 on the R406 just before Caledon and back to the N2 near Riviersonderend via the historic town of Genadendal, and the idyllic hideaway in the mountains, Greyton. Much of the route is unpaved, and has the slow feel of country life and unhurried meandering.
Genadendal is one of the top 10 historic sites in South Africa, and the oldest mission station in SA. A Moravian Mission was established here in 1737. The village is steeped in significant South African history. Visit the Genadendal Church Square, where 24 tourist attractions, including the Mission Museum, can be seen.
Greyton lies between two rivers; a beautiful mountain setting with coffee shops, fine dining and oak-lined lanes. It is the home of Von Geusau Chocolates, a number of excellent wellness retreats, art galleries for any taste and offers some terrific hiking opportunities. Greyton is a good place to spend the night. For more information, visit their Tourism office at 29 Main Road, or call them on +27 (0) 28 254 9564/0414
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