Enjoy the fun, flexibility and adventure of a West Coast Way road trip
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This is a journey on wheels into wide open spaces! Find amazing places, and take fascinating detours for your route with South Africa’s road trip with the most twists.
Plan your next adventure with West Coast Way’s easy 11 day trip plan.
START: CAPE TOWN
Good to know: The new pump track is loads of fun, and is open to all children of families staying at The Lodge.
The Lodge at Atlantic Beach is located next to the R27 West Coast Road and offers 3 types of luxury 4-star accommodation: Double, Twin, and Self-catering apartment. West Coast Way recommends the Lodge at Atlantic Beach as your most convenient place to start and end your road trip to the West Coast of South Africa.
Open 7 days a week| Free entry
Distance from Cape Town: 27km
Where: R27
Contact: +27 (0)21 553 4653 | [email protected] | www.thelodgeAB.co.za
DAY 1 RIEBEEK VALLEY – “ARTS TOWN” OF WEST COAST WAY
Good to know: While some of the beauty of driving is letting the road lead you, there are still some benefits to reserving accommodations ahead, especially when staying in the West Coast over weekends.
10h00 Depart Cape Town and follow N7 to Riebeek Valley
11h00 Arrive at Riebeek Valley – visit Kloovenburg, Riebeek Valley Tourism Office, Het Vlock
Book lunch at the oldest Hotel in SA: The Royal Hotel in Riebeek Valley
14h00 Depart and head out to Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
18h00 Arrive at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
Dinner at Kloof Restaurant at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
Find out more about Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort here.
Where: On the N7
Open 7 days a week | Free entry
Contact: Reservations +27 (0)22 921 3574 | [email protected]
DAY 2 PIEKENIERSKLOOF – GATEWAY TO THE CEDERBERG
Good to know: Wherever you chose to drive, a road trip is the definition of the journey being just as valuable as the destination. Take in the sights, enjoy the snacks, and stay safe! It’s time to hit the road. Make sure that you pack in a warm jacket, even on the hottest days, as the weather can change significantly in a day.
Breakfast at Kloof Restaurant at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
10h00 Explore local rooibos, wine and food experience – Drive to Lambert’s Bay
Book lunch at Isabella’s Restaurant 027 432 1177
Walk on the harbour wall to Bird Island in Lamberts Bay
18h00 Arrive back at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort. Enjoy dinner at Kloof Restaurant at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
DAY 3 and 4 CLANWILLIAM – CEDERBERG HERITAGE ROUTE
Good to know: The small towns of the West Coast are another excellent reason to go on a road trip. Each small town has its own unique vibe that it derives from the people who live here, the history of the place itself, the natural surroundings, and its cultural heritage. Make sure that you pack in comfortable walking shoes.
Breakfast at Kloof Restaurant at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort
10h00 Book out of Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort and drive to Clanwilliam to book in at Ndedema Lodge (4 star).
Book with Enid Viljoen of Ndedema Lodge on 082 460 7717 and [email protected].
In the town: Do a historical walk through Clanwilliam. Visit the Old Gaol Museum. (Ou Tronk)
Enjoy: wine tasting, beer tasting, rooibos tea tasting.
Trails to pre-plan: Go to Stadsaal Caves and Truitjieskraal, see Soldaatkop and walk Sevilla Rock Art Trail
18h00 Arrive back at Ndedema Lodge. Eat at local restaurant or ask Ndedema Lodge to pack you a special picnic basket
– and enjoy it in their Mandela Memory Garden.
CEDERBERG HERITAGE ROUTE
Tip: Book a guided tour walk with Cederberg Heritage Route – Michelle Truter is the Booking Agent for Cederberg Heritage Route
Cellphone number: +27 (0)83 468 8030 Website address: www.cedheroute.co.za
DAY 5 and 6 – STAY AT WILLEMSRIVIER HISTORICAL FARM
Good to know: Willemsrivier is a living museum located in Nieuwoudtville, just outside the Cape West Coast border, with a colourful past. The historical farm is so connected to the West Coast, that West Coast Way sees it as part of ‘our journey‘.
As you drive along the R364 Pakhuis Pass look out for Leipoldt’s Grave (just outside Clanwilliam) and The Englishman’s Grave (on the higher slopes of Pakhuis Pass).
10h00 Book out of Ndedema Lodge drive 2hrs along the R364 Pakhuis Pass to Nieuwoudtville to book in
at Willemsrivier Guestfarm – Book with Erika Kotze +27 (0) 83 4505 939 [email protected]
Tip: Visit Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, Hantam National Botanical Gardens, Nieuwoudtville Waterfall, Nieuwoudtville shops, church and learn about the history of Willems Rivier farm.
DAY 7 and 8 ELAND’S BAY – STAY AT VENSTERKLIP GUEST FARM
Good to know: Elands Bay is the beginning of the West Coast Way Wild Route and its Sustainable Seafood Track. Vensterklip Guest Farm is an institution. Undeniably. End of story. It’s an institution among surfers, lovers of the West Coast, those who like getting away from it all, young lovers, old lovers who want to reminisce – anyone and everyone who enjoy a drink at sunset overlooking the waves of the West Coast, or occasionally, a flat ocean where you can see the sun sinking into the sea.
09h00 Book out of Willemsrivier and drive via R27 Van Rhyns Pass to Vanrhynsdorp to visit the Kokerboom Nursery
(arrival 10h00)
15h00 Book in at Vensterklip Guest Farm in Elands Bay (Elands Bay is a 90 minutes drive from Vanrhynsdorp)
18h00 Enjoy dinner at Vensterklip’s Tin Kitchen restaurant.
Tip: Make Vensterklip your base and explore Elands Bay’s famous Elands Bay Cave – a Western Cape Heritage site – situated on the same rocky outcrop known as Baboon Point or Cape Deseada. Ask a local how to get to the real Vensterklip rock formation, located on Leipoldt road, on your way to Lamberts Bay. Explore Lamberts Bay and the world-famous Bird Island (at the old harbour wall of Lamberts Bay). Lamberts Bay has a fascinating museum too. (check seasonal opening times)
DAY 9 and 10 LANGEBAAN – STAY AT THALI THALI
Good to know: Thali Thali is a 1,460 hectare Cape West Coast game and fynbos reserve situated just over 1 hours drive from Cape Town, bordering the West Coast National Park and Langebaan. Make sure to book a game drive, archery lessons and your braai (barbecue).
09h00 Book out of Vensterklip and drive via R27 towards Velddrif, Port Owen, Langebaan, Paternoster and St Helena Bay
14h30 Depart and head to Langebaan to book in at Thali Thali for a Glamping experience (3 Star), self-catering cottages,
or a Farm House stay. Enjoy game drives, archery lessons, loads of sunset cocktails and their excellent restaurant.
18h00 Enjoy dinner at Thali Thali Restaurant or book a braaipack or Thali Thali picnic to enjoy on the elevated stoep of your tent
Tip: Make Thali Thali your base and from here visit: West Coast National Park, Paternoster, Langebaan. Visit Bokkomlaan on the Berg River, in Velddrif, a short 30 minutes drive from Thali Thali Game Lodge. Book a boat cruise with Wendy and Nico on 071 897 9611 and see the calm Berg River via this gentle boat cruise. Enjoy beautifully hand roasted coffee at Columbine Co and chat to the owner, Albert. Then enjoy bokkoms, heritage and stoep stories at Ek ‘n Djy restaurant and bar – all on Bokkomlaan in Velddrif.
DAY 11 RETURN TO CAPE TOWN VIA DARLING
Good to know: Visit Africa’s first Carbon Neutral Craft Beer Brewery – Darling Brew
10h00 Book out of Thali Thali and head into Darling to visit Evita se Perron, Darling Brew and Groote Post.
Time to buy gifts, keepsakes and treasures:
Evita se Perron’s toffees, rusks and cookbooks. Walk through the museum and open-air sculpture garden.
Great coffee spot.
Darling Brew Craft Beer. Book lunch at their restaurant. Do a craft beer tastings and buy direct from the source.
Groote Post wine. Historical farm and top wine producer of the region.
Groote Post Wine Cellar: Darling Hills Road, off the R27, Darling
Cellar, Restaurant, Tastings & Sales, open-air kids play area, self-guided walking trail, bird hive, Guided Farm Drives
Open 7 days a week: 10:00 – 15:00
Contact: +27 (0)22 4922825 | www.grootepost.com
WELCOME TO THE HEART OF THE WEST COAST: STUDIO 46
Good to know: Take home an original fine art painting on canvas by a local artist or buy a beautiful sculpture. Select a mounted photographic print of Cape Town, Table Mountain, or the coast, and browse the selection of ceramic pottery items. From Studio 46 you are able to buy a unique gift and take memories home with you.
End your road trip with a visit to Studio 46 in Bloubergstrand– a fine art and jewellery gallery – in the historical Stadler Road of Blouberg Village. Shop for a wide range of unique silver jewelry across a broad price spectrum. You can also make an appointment for a consultation for a bespoke dream creation.
Studio 46: 46 Stadler Road, in Bloubergstrand.
Located next to the Blouberg beach and opposite The Rocks Restaurant.
Open 6 days a week: Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm and Sat 10am – 1pm
Contact: +27 (0)74 369 4292 | www.studio46.co.za
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.