1

Also thoughts on Day 1 itinerary - is robben island worth the experience - I have heard mixed reports about it

2

You must go to Table Mountain as soon as it is clear, the clouds come in quickly & cover the top. Whilst here also go to Signal Hill, it's just across the other side. If day 1 is a Saturday note most places shut around mid-day in the city itself so perhaps go to the Waterfront or Camps Bay.

The Cape peninsula trip is lovely, try to start early so arrive in Muizenberg or Kalk Bay for breakfast or morning coffee. Not knowing where you are staying it's hard to give route/road numbers but it is basically very simple there is a few motorway's (basically 2 lane roads by-passing various suburbs) you want the M3 to Tokai, at the end turn left, at the traffic lights (known as robots their!) turn right, you are now on Main Road this takes you all the way to Cape Point with the above mentioned places on route, will take approx 45 mins from the city. After Simon's Town you may see baboons on the roadside, just makes sure the car doors are locked as they will try to get inside, in search of food. Talking of food not sure the cafe at Cape Point will have much so you might want to think about having lunch in Simon's Town first or take so food with you but beware eating in the park may attract unwanted attention from wildlife, my hubby once had a pie snatched from his hand by a big bird ! When you leave Cape Point turn left heading to Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, over Chapmans Peak Drive into Hout Bay, turn left & follow the sea road back into town.

Winelands, drop Paarl & visit Stellenbosch then Franschhoek. Overnight here or push on to your next destination. I would suggest overnight then head to Oudtshoorn via the R62 if it interests you ? Lots of ostrich farms, meerkat & cango caves. From here take the N12 to join the N2 at the Garden Route, Knysna is lovely but Plettenberg is also popular they are only ½ apart. PE from here is about 4 hours. Also worth looking at Natures Valley, Tsitsikamma, Storms River & the bunjee jump, just go look at the views & watch someone else jump ! PE is about 2 hrs from here.

Can't comment on Robben Island, it can be weather dependant, rough seas, takes up half a day.

3

do you realise that from cape town to port elizabeth its around 850km - for me, way to much in one or two days!
i think should you stick to cape town and around - table mountain, robben island, the cape peninsula (camps bay, hout bay, boulders beach, the cape of good hope etc.), the winelands etc. = plenty to see and enjoy.

after spending a least 4 days in and around cape town, this leaves you with two days to drive to p.e., which is really not enough. you might as well spend 2 more days in cpt and go from there / fly from there wherever your wildlife experience is going to be (and it should be around krüger np.).

4

I would also spend the days in Cape Town and around, you can still visit the wineries in Stellenbosch area. There's so much to see and do in Cape Town that is more exciting than rushing to PE.

Regarding Robben Island I would say that it depends, the prison and island itself didn't make such an impression on me, maybe because I've seen it so many times on tv? And our bus guide was a comedian telling jokes all the time..which was weird. But the former prisoner who guided us inside the prison made a huge impression on me, I actually often think about his stories(we were there in 2009). I also bought a few books in the bookstore there that I didn't see anywhere else in Cape Town. Would I go again? No. Was it worth it the first time? Yes.

5

I recommend stopping at Mossel Bay along the way, and visit the point, it's got the best tidal pool I've ever swum in. Then climb up to the Cape St Blaize lighthouse and enjoy the cliffwalk, not to mention the view of the cave below.

6

I agree with some of the above posts, you are trying to cram a lot of stuff into 5 days, I would suggest staying in CT and enjoying the city and it's surrounds.

Best,

Sarah Nelson
http://www.rentalsincapetown.com/