Cape Town to Johannesburg: A Big Drive and the Big Five

Hands on the wheel, foot on the gas, your South Africa RV rental road trip is about to begin - and what an incredible start it is. In this first leg of the drive, you’ll make your way from Cape Town to Mossel Bay, covering less than 600 kilometres but already experiencing a taste of what this magical country has to offer. You’ll start in a city defined by nature before moving on to hot spots featuring wineries, penguins, whales and even baboons. You’ll want plenty of time to explore Cape Town and the Stellenbosch wine region, so allow as much as a week for this first phase of your South African campervan road trip.
 
Cape Town
Cape Town is a city unlike any you’ve seen before. While there are millions who call it home, office blocks, apartment buildings and rush hour traffic, there is also the overwhelming presence of nature and a great outdoors so great that it is as much a part of the city as its foodie scene, nightlife, and culture. The first thing you’ll notice is Table Mountain, towering over the city. The Table Mountain National Park is a dramatic and enchanting area of craggy mountain range and rich floral life, and simply an unmissable experience while you’re in Cape Town. Whether you take the cableway, hike on foot, or drive your motorhome rental to the top, you can’t help but be amazed by the stunning vistas from this vantage point. Next, make your way to the beaches of the city where you can learn to surf, take a swim or simply relax on the sand. And if you haven’t quite had your fill of the outdoors yet, visit the Kirstenbosch Gardens and their resplendent exotic plants. You can easily spend a full day at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area, and it’s one of the best places to grab a drink on an outdoor patio and watch a famous Capetown sunset. Finally, dance and party the night away on Long Street where you’ll find a festival atmosphere and all the fun and music you need for an unforgettable stay in South Africa’s southern city.
 
Once you manage to tear yourself away from Cape Town, take the short drive east on the N2 to Stellenbosch, where one of the country’s top wine region’s awaits.
 
Stellenbosch
The area around Stellenbosch offers no fewer than 200 wine and grape producers, and is likened to the Napa Valley region of California in terms of its produce. There are tasting rooms, cellar doors, restaurants and more, so the hard part is simply picking which ones to visit first. The Stellenbosch Wine Route can take the hard part out of deciding where to visit, or you can make it up as you go along. Keep in mind that from September through December, the region comes alive with events and activities, so check out upcoming festivities if you plan to be in town during these warmer months. If you’d like to stay a while (or give your driver a chance to indulge in a few vinos), book a spot at the Mountain Breeze Caravan Park.
 
For your next stop, head back south and join the coastal route, the R44, and make your way to Betty’s Bay.
 
Betty’s Bay
Betty’s Bay is a small coastal town and former whaling station, and today serves as a gorgeous seaside getaway that’s known for its beach, laid-back atmosphere, and most of all, its penguin colony. The Stony Point Penguin Colony is one of the largest successful breeding programs for the African Penguin in the world with more than 2,000 breeding pairs. It’s also where you can get right up close and personal with these cute creatures, by taking the boardwalk path through the colony so you can observe them as they go about their daily lives - all without disturbing them. While you’re there, keep an eye out for the remains of the old Waaygat Whaling Station, and for cormorants, as there are three species of this bird in the area. There’s also a great little community restaurant opposite the colony, so you can grab a bite to eat before hitting the road again.
 
Rejoin the R44 and continue east along the coastline, following the road up and turning off onto the R43 to make your way to Hermanus.
 
Hermanus
Hermanus is another small coastal town that is largely known for just one oceanic animal - but this time, it’s much, much bigger. This town is the world’s top spot for land-based whale watching, as the Southern Right Whales swim so close to shore that you can watch them from the beach. This calving season occurs as early as June and continues through to December, so there’s a good chance of spotting these creatures if you’re passing through during the second half of the year. Whether or not you’re much of a golfer, a hit around the Hermanus Golf Course can be great fun thanks to the baboons that will quietly observe your technique from the sidelines. You’ve also got plenty of hikes, restaurants and shops in town to keep you entertained should you wish to stay a while.
 
When you’re ready to go, rejoin the motorway heading east, and follow it away from the coast to the R316 before heading directly south from Bredasdorp for a quick detour.
 
L’Agulhas
Final stop - the southernmost tip of the African mainland, and the continent’s southernmost settlement. Also known as L’Agulhas, this coastal town offers an enjoyable visit where you can stay in the L’Agulhas National Park. The park itself is packed with fishing and birding opportunities, hiking tracks, and awesome scenery, and it’s here where you can pose for a photo next to the ‘southernmost point’ plaque. Be sure to visit the lighthouse before you go and take a stroll along the wild rocky shoreline.
 
After you leave L’Agulhas, head back through Bredasdorp and turn eastward again to make your way to Mossel Bay.