
moderate
4 days
Moderate — able to walk 1–3 miles over varied terrain, climb stairs in caves, and manage short off-road excursions.
Traverse coastal cliffs, limestone caves and private reserves on a four-day boutique circuit from Cape Town. Small groups, luxe tented nights and curated tastings make this a Garden Route sampler with real substance.
The minivan peels away from Cape Town before dawn, headlights catching the first ribbon of Route 62 as vineyards and mountain folds trade places outside the window. In a group of no more than eight, you slip into a measured pace: a morning tasting beneath Van Loveren’s fig trees, a cave tour where limestone rooms keep the earth’s slow work on display, and a night in a luxury tent where hippos sometimes pad the waterhole below.

Coastal mornings can be brisk and afternoons warm — bring a light shell and insulating mid-layer for game drives and cliff walks.
Wildlife at Botlierskop and whales off Hermanus are best enjoyed with optics — they’ll transform distant blips into memorable encounters.
Expect cave steps, sandy beaches and uneven bush tracks; supportive footwear prevents sore feet on multi-surface days.
Long driving stretches between stops mean a refillable water bottle and light snacks keep energy steady between lunches.
Route 62 grew as a transport artery connecting Karoo farms and Western Cape ports, while Cape Agulhas has long been a navigational landmark where sailors marked the perceived meeting point of two oceans.
The region protects unique fynbos ecosystems and relies on guided reserves and responsible whale-watching practices; stick to marked paths and local guidelines to minimize impact.
Support and traction for cave stairs, dune walks and reserve paths.
Protects against coastal wind and sudden rain showers, especially along Clarence Drive.
Makes whale-watching and game-drive wildlife sightings far more rewarding.
Captures distant whales, wildlife and the dramatic coastal viewpoints along the route.