Journeys stopping off in Cape Town

Africa’s most famous road trip starts from the ever-beautiful Cape Town and heads up the eastern coastline to the typical first stop at pretty Hermanus, a Mecca for whale watching. From there, the route takes you on through the charming towns of Mossel Bay, Knysna, George and Plettenberg.

It’s a route of spectacular coastal cliffs, lush forests, serene lagoons and golden beaches – a dream for wildlife and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Highlights include the Tsitsikamma National Park, famous for its suspension bridge and ancient trees; whale-watching at Hermanus; bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge, the picturesque town of Knysna, stunning limestone formations at the Cango Caves, and outdoor adventures at the Addo Elephant Park.

If you have the time, it’s a fantastic addition to any Cape Town itinerary – and one of the world’s great road trips. Plan on at least 6 nights, though you could easily spend two weeks here and not see it all.

Note – the name of the route has nothing to do with gardens; it takes its name from the Garden Route National Park that it passes through.

This all en-suite train with lounge car, dining cars and butler service has been a byword for luxury travel since 1946.

Linking Cape Town to Pretoria, the 31-hour journey crosses the wide-open landscapes of Orange Free State and the coastal mountains of Cape Province. At select times, you can continue a further 19 hours to the Kruger National Park.

It’s the endlessly fascinating South African scenery that sets the train apart, with exciting excursions into Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to see some of Africa’s top sights, like the Cape Winelands, Victoria Falls, Etosha National Park and the massive ochre dunes of Sossusvlei.

The carriages have a period feel with wood panelling throughout and no TVs or radios, which maintains the time-warp atmosphere and encourages sociability – a hallmark of Rovos Rail. The atmosphere is enhanced by formality (jacket and tie required for dinner).

Admirable attention to detail and an emphasis on top-notch food and wines are key elements of the Rovos Rail experience. Fresh local ingredients are used to produce meals to a very high standard, with an emphasis on traditional dishes such as game (springbok carpaccio salad) and excellent South African wines.