South Africa - safari and road trip from Cape Town

[Bananajam]

Hi, we are finally going on our trip to Cape Town after several delays, cancelled flights and various changes in our itinerary. I cannot wait!
We've never been before and I would really appreciate any advice, recommendations and information you can give to make sure this trip is all I hoped for when I booked in 2019!
Thanks!

@Schulte absolutely fine to stop at big service stations. There's a big one near Storms River which is quite good. You'll also pass roadside cafes and restaurants en route, especially near the CT end, some of which are lovely (though it's a while since I drove it myself, so can't say I have specific recommendations).

The service stations are great for stopping at, most have a Wimpy or Steers (burger franchise) etc so you can grab a meal if you need to. But consider stopping off in the towns along the way as you will get to see a little more of the places along the route.

There are some beautiful places along the way which are a little off the route which you could consider. One of these is Nature's Valley (not far from Plett) and also slightly further north from George is Oudtshoorn.

I am just assuming here that you are doing this over a few days though.

Thank you! Yes, two weeks in all. The only longer drives we will have are Hermanus to Mossel Bay (planning lunch in Swellendam) and George to Cape Town.

Swellendam is like a blast from the past for me. It is such a stunning old town, has all the Cape Dutch style buildings. If you are into historical buildings then perhaps fit in a little extra time to have a look around.

It looks like my favourite place to eat is no longer open, The Old Gaol. So sad to see places like this that didn't survive covid times.

That that part of the world, you will most likely be offered moer coffee, probably with a rusk.😀 Don't be put off by the enamel mug you will get it in.

Hi everyone, so while we are in Hermanus we want to go whale watching. Any recommendations for companies, and should we book ahead? We will be there mid December. So excited!

We're going the day after tomorrow! Very excited, I'll update on the company afterwards.

Thanks for the recommendation! We've just finished our pies for lunch at Nanaga Farm Shop and they was delicious 😋 ( lamb and mint and pepper steak) - well worth stopping! They have a great shop too where I managed to pick up some souvenirs to take home.

@MyBeloved
In September we saw whales from the coast path! Saw a mother and calf in a bay for 2 hours. Other whales swam in for a visit. Gansbaai is worth a look for boat trips. Not sure when you are there but there is a whale season.

We're at Hermanus at the moment. Went whale watching with Marine dynamics ( marine big 5 tour or something like that) - good trip, saw mum and cub at very close quarters. It was quite rough conditions but good fun. It was a biggish boat ( 40 people or so) but not cramped and everyone got great views. There was a marine biologist on board giving info.

This morning was much calmer and like a pp there were so many whales close to the shore. I counted 12 from my balcony! We saw two very close in, so lots of opportunities.

Resurrecting a slightly old thread but I had bookmarked it as we are looking to visit Cape Town next year and it has loads of good advice! @cooldarkroom would you mind sharing your private tour guide details if possible? TIA 💐

@Crumpetsandmarmite, I'm really sorry, I just had a quick look & can't find her, she spoke French & English, (I wanted a French guide,) her name is Aurelie & she was on a couple of tour guide sites & recommend on Tripadvisor

Thanks for looking anyway @Mix56, I will google!

Anyone else recommend a private tour company for a couple of day trips? We won't have a car in Cape Town and I just want the hassle taken out of arranging everything. Some of the group tours are very long and it's great to be able to do things at your own pace....

PM'd you Crumpets

www.tourhq.com/guide/za72600/aurelie-tabart

I think this is who @Mix56 used Crumpets.

Yes, I just PM'd crumpets !!

I would also say based on our disappointment make sure you book Robben Island in advance!

I'm really not sure why I didn't recommend it earlier, sorry to those who have already visited CT.

But those of you who are planning to visit, and if you are heading to the Langebaan area (up the West Coast) , there is a restaurant called Die Strandloper. It's right on the beach, a very casual set up with benches and tables, and a 10 course meal. For about R350 pp. And you cannot get more local food than this. Lots of seafood so if you don't like fish, mussels, lobster etc it might not be for you. And you can take along a cooler box with your own wine etc.

I promise I'm not affiliated 😂 it's just an amazing spot and an amazing experience.

Thanks @Mix56 , @isthismylifenow , @MrsMitford3 for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it 💐

I'm sure I will be back with more questions as I'm just getting everything together but while I have you all here (so to speak!) and your trips are fresh in mind, any recommendations please for good places to eat around the waterfront in Cape Town? Not especially high end, traveling with two older teens (one a vegetarian, one a rampant meat eater which is always hard to balance...)

There are so many places to eat at the V&A, you really are spoiled for choice. You will find everything from high end seafood to McDonald's.

Den Anker is always popular, Bass has outstanding seafood and sushi, Quay 4 is more casual, so that might be good to look at.

Den Anker was absolutely delicious and ridiculously cheap! Possibly not for a vegetarian although i think there was one veggie option but Iron Steak and Bar was good too, great cocktails!

Hi, we are in Hermanus right now :)
Went to book a 2 hour boat trip but it was 1500 rand each, which we thought was very expensive!

Yes. Around £70 each. That’s why you view from the shore.

@Lyla82 We're hoping to go to Pumba this summer - I take it you'd recommend? Did you see plenty of animals? I'm a bit worried that the reserve is small so we might not see many. The accommodation looks stunning!