Day trips from Cape Town offer a taste of the spectacular scenery of the Western Cape Province.
Just a short drive from the city, hundreds of wineries add a beautiful finishing touch to an already spectacular landscape backed by purple-grey mountains. Once you cross the eastern mountains, you meet undisturbed jungle, which eventually gives way to a rugged beautiful coastline. Alternatively, take the scenic route down the east coast of False Bay, or head north through the rolling fields of Swartland to an accessible national park.
Here are the best day trips from Cape Town, all within a few hours of the city.
1. Take a scenic cruise along Clarence Drive.
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Clarence Drive, the section of Rte 44 that skirts the mountainous Kogelberg Nature Reserve, is a coastal drive equal to anything you’ll find on the Amalfi Coast or in California. The winding road hugs the vertical coastline and offers sweeping views from False Bay to Cape Point. Covering 25 miles (40km) between Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay, the road offers photogenic views of sea and mountain alike. And from June to November, you have a good chance to see whales in the bay.
But stop for lunch. Pit Stop Lodge or Pringle Bay En route to Betty’s Bay, home to the beautiful Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens and the Stony Point African Penguin Colony. We recommend the 3.75 mile (6 km) Oudebosch hike from the biodiverse Kugelberg Nature Reserve to the Botanical Garden.
How to get to Clarence Drive from Cape Town: This is a trip you have to do in your car, stopping often to admire the scenery. Take the N2 east through the township of Khayelitsha and join Rte 44 in Somerset West.
2. Whale watching and drinking near Hermanus.
Travel time: 2 hours
Hermanus may be and is one of the world’s best whale watching destinations on earth. Wheel carrier And a Festival At the height of the southern right whale season in late September and early October. The Clifftop Pathway offers amazing winter sightings of whales and year-round views of the mountainous coastline of the Overberg region. Beyond cozy Hermès, explore nearby destinations such as the Hamel-en-Arde (“Heaven and Earth”) valley, home to boutique Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers, including creative and Ataraxia. After sipping all those whites and reds, grab a craft beer in the late afternoon. bar Or by the sea Fix restaurant.
How to get to Hermanus from Cape Town: The quickest route takes you along the N2, up Sir Lowry’s Pass, and down Rte 43 to Walker Bay. Drive there (or back) on the more circuitous Clarence Dr. (Rte 44) for scenic views along the coast.
3. Soar over mountains on a zipline tour.
Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Outdoor adventures abound in Cape Town, though nothing quite as exciting A visit to Chhatri which swoops over the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. A series of zip lines take you deep into the canyons, really giving you the feeling of flying over waterfalls and the jungle below. Afterwards, recharge at one or two of the apple-growing Elgin Valley’s cool-climate wineries, like Paul Clover Wines or Iona Wine Farm.
To finish the journey, stop at the Peregrine Farm Stall or Elgin Railway Market Tea and cake or a drop of local cider. While Cape Town is only an hour away, you can still stock up. Street food – Road trip snacks – such as biltong (dried, spiced meat), crunchies (oat-based biscuits) or delicious meat pies.
How to get to Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve from Cape Town: Cape Canopy Tour is 53 miles (85 km) from Cape Town via the N2, scenic Sir Laurie’s Pass and Rte 321.
4. Eat in Franschhoek, the culinary capital of SA.
Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Franschhoek is best known for its centuries-old grape-growing culture, with beautiful wineries dotted around the city (many of them visited by the Franschhoek Wine Tram). If you prefer grain over grape, there are also some excellent microbreweries serving modern ales, e.g. Hey Joe Brewing Company and Tuk Tuk Microbrewery.
Franschhoek is often referred to as South Africa’s culinary capital, with its main street lined with high-end restaurants, chocolate-themed cafes, coffee roasteries and hot spots run by local celebrity chefs. For contemporary tapas in a wine farm setting, reserve a table with chef Liam Tomlin Chefs warehouse at Maison. Boschendal Estate’s deli offers picnic hampers for alfresco dining.
How to get to Franschhoek from Cape Town: Take the N1 east towards Paarl, then turn onto Rte 45 for a scenic drive through the vineyard hills. A number of tour operators offer wine tasting day tours from Cape Town.
5. Go bird watching at West Coast National Park.
Travel time: 1 hour
You may not see the Big Five (elephant, tiger, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros) in West Coast National Park, but you will have plenty of wildlife viewing experience. Bird life is abundant here, especially around Langiban Lagoon, with more than 250 species seen in the park. Summer (December to February) is the best season for birding.The park is also famous for its spring wildflowers – book ahead to access the flower-carpeted Postberg section in August and September. The cool, dry period from March to May is great for seeing zebras, ostriches and many species of deer.
How to get to West Coast National Park from Cape Town: The park is a 56-mile (90 km) drive north along Rte 27.
6. Experience the African bush on a day safari.
Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The wildlife-rich Kruger National Park is more than 932 miles (1500 km) away, but luckily there are safari options close to Cape Town. We recommend devoting two nights to a location like Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo. If time is short, however, follow the N1 through the Du Toitskloof Mountains for a half- or full-day safari at Ferry Glen Nature Reserve or The only private game reservethe latter offering expeditions by both open-sided carriage and horseback.
How to get to Fairy Glen and Aquila from Cape Town: Fairy Glen is near the town of Worcester, about 72 miles (115km) north-east of Cape Town, and Aquila is 37 miles (60km) further along the N1.
This article was first published on August 15, 2018 and was updated on April 27, 2023.