Cape region itinerary in July

Hi,

We’re looking at heading to South Africa this summer (early July) with our two kids (6 & 10 years old). Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary so far. What do you think? Is it better to skip Addo? (We can’t add any more days...). If so, should we spend more time on certain stops or add something else? (Cederberg?) Thanks in advance, Bruno

D1 Arrival at 10 AM, rest in Cape Town D2 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D3 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D4 Bonteboks National Park; overnight in Heidelberg D5 Botlierskop Game Drive; overnight near Mossel Bay D6 Garden Route; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D7 Bird of Eden and Robberg Nature Reserve; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D8 Tsitsikamma; overnight in Addo D9 Addo D10 Ostrich farm; overnight in Oudtshoorn D11 Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and caves; overnight in Oudtshoorn D12 Garden Route Game Lodge; overnight in Albertinia D13 De Hoop; overnight in De Hoop D14 Hermanus; overnight in Hermanus D15 Betty’s Bay and return to Cape Town D16 Cape Town; departure at 5 PM

Hi Bruno,

If your kids haven’t experienced Africa’s big wildlife yet, it’d be a shame to skip Addo. It’s only three hours from Tsitsikamma. Instead of Cederberg, you could follow the coast on the way there and return via the interior (R329 then R407), where you’ll find some elevation, especially in the Swartberg Mountains.

Thanks! :)

Hi there, Heading inland just for Bontebok seems unnecessary to me. You’ll be covering a ton of kilometers and stops. Personally, I’d try to stay in one area more.

Thanks for the reply. Would you still keep Addo, though?

Yes Same answer as Voyajou And if possible Two nights In one of my recent travel journals, part of your route

Thanks, I’ll check out your travel journals!! And out of the 3 game drives, is one better (or worse) than the others?

Well, Botlierskop, 6000 ha It’s the example of a reserve that’s not wild at all. It’s probably very beautiful, but very falsely wild… In fact, apart from Addo, there aren’t any truly wild reserves in this whole area.

And the other one seems even less wild to me...

Yes, I understand...

I’m sharing my thoughts, but it’s your trip!

Anyway: CT Mossel Bay (Point Hotel near the lighthouse) De Hoop Nature Reserve Knysna (Undermilkwood near the Heads) Tsitsikamma (by the water… Storms River) Robberg (the only place I don’t know…)? Addo (in Addo Main Camp) Quick return via the inland route Oudtshoorn… ostriches aren’t exactly mind-blowing… but Swartberg Pass, yes!

Optionally, from Addo, a detour into the Little Karoo via Karoo National Park (inside the park). I was lucky there, just like in Mountain Zebra National Park.

Two options I’d prefer, but that’s just my opinion.

All opinions are welcome! It's mainly for ease with kids... Thanks for the new tips, Bruno