Cape Town - Garden Route - game reserve - back to Cape Town

by Elaine Wickens
(UK)

My husband and I are travelling with our two boys aged 9 and 11 from 27th March to 18th April, arriving/departing Cape Town.

We plan to spend a week in Cape Town, then travel along the Garden Route, visit a game reserve and then spend some time relaxing on the beach before heading back to Cape Town.

With hindsight we should maybe have arranged to fly back from Port Elizabeth, as I like the look of Addo Elephant Park.

We would like recommendations for budget accommodation, particularly in/near Cape Town (we are used to doing house swaps so a villa idea seems a good option - or if you know anyone who might want to do a house swap for three weeks in Bath!).

Also the best routes to do - perhaps a leisurely one going eastwards and then a faster one back to Cape Town.

Looking forward to your reply - you website has proved very useful so far. (I lived near Jo'burg as a child but don't know the Cape area well).

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Alison's Answer

Hi Elaine, apologies for the slow reply - we have just got back from Christmas in the Drakensberg.

It can be quite hard to find a 'budget' Cape town villa, in fact I often find places distinctly 'un-villa-like' marketed as such at an overblown price!

How about somewhere like this - a very Cape, very outdoors cottage? Does that fit your budget?

If you are wanting somewhere more central (Noordhoek is great for beaches, penguins, Cape Point, hiking, horseriding, camel riding, birdwatching but a 30 min scenic drive from the City Bowl), prices go up I am afraid.

The opposite end of the spectrum is Mountain Magic right in the heart of the city (but still a wonderful, tranquil garden and haven, not noisy or buzzing at all).

Re Garden Route - I always recommend a circular route, driving one way along the N2 and then taking the Route 62 for the opposite direction.

You need to decide about Addo as it will add a day's driving for you, plus you will be here in our school hols which run Mar 27 to Apr 11, and the Parks accommodation books out fast. All in all you need to book soon-ish.

I have just had someone book through the site for Botlierskop near Mossel Bay - might that be an option for you? It may seem pricey but would save a lot of driving and fuel, and give you an extra day to play with.

Have you seen our favourite places along the GR? Let me know what appeals and I can give you tips as to which exact towns to stay in and fun activities for the boys.

Hope that helps!
Alison