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.
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).
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.
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.
