R 44 via Gordons Bay and Rooi Els to Hermanus.
A magnificent scenic coastal drive along the West side of False Bay. A beautiful drive when going to Rooi Els, Hangklip or the getaway town of Cape Town; Hermanus.

Take the N2 out of Cape Town to turn off at the R44, direction Strand and drive the winding coastal road stating after the Naval Base of Gordon's Bay, all the way to Hermanus.
On your right-hand side you'll have Fals Bay looking all the way to Simon's Town and even Cape Point. On your left-hand side the fynbos climbing up the mountains to Steenbras Dam.

Pass Koeëlbaai (bullet bay) to encounter dolphins in the surf. Visit the small fishing villages as you drive, and have a nice lunch or refreshing jump in the Ocean, perhaps Hangklip will provide for a get away weekend spot with its immaculate feel of a world coming to a halt.
There are several hikes or mountain bike trails along the R44, even taking you up to Steenbras Dam. Hermanus is a nice seaside resort and worth a visit. Originally being the ideal getaway for locals, it is rapidly becoming a true tourist town in season.
Whales often come very close to shore during the Whale season, roughly from August to November. (122 km from Cape Town). Apart from being a personal favorite at any time of the year, the R44 caters for a perfect Whale Watching experience from 'Strand to end'.

Signall Hill Drive: Sunrise, lunch, sunset?
Head up the Kloof Nek Road from the city and take the turn-off to the right at the top of the hill. At this intersection you also turn off for Clifton (also to the right) and the lower cableway station (left) so watch carefully.
After showing you a sunset on the Atlantic from Signall Hill will see the city turning its lights on, hugged by a lit up Table Mountain. It is impressive to see all those lights going many kilometres inland from the 350m-high summit of Signal Hill.
In early day's, Signall Hill was the settlement's lookout point, and it was from here that flags were hoisted when a ship was spotted. Keep in mind when taking the drive around lunch time; At twelve an old tradition relives: the noon gun is shot every day at twelve o'clock, making sure every one in town knows the exact time.

Cape Point: Taking the 'Blue route' and the M4 to Cape Point
The first 30 minutes out of town on the M3 to Muizenberg one drives through wealthy and lush surroundings of the 'Southern Suburbs' of Cape Town passing the beautifull Botanical Gardens of Kirstenbosch.
From Muizenberg, where the M4 starts for this drive, it takes you past the colourful beach houses of St. James, the arty streets of Kalk bay to the dry town of Fishhoek.

The road brings you to Simon's Town (named after the first governor Simon van der Stel). This city was the VOC's official winter anchorage from 174 - it is sheltered from the winter north-easterlies that created havoc for ships in Table Bay.
South of it: Boulders Beach; Look out for the sign 'be aware of penguins crossing the road'.
Boulders Beach is famous for its permanent residents the Jackass Penguins. They are nowhere found in the world except off the coast of Southern Africa!

After Boulders the road winds its way into a beautiful drive alongside the mountains and the ocean with Smitswinkel Bay as a secret and secluded bay. When you reach Cape Point, you might think you've reached the best part of the trip.
Wait untill you are standing next to the old light house with the amazing view of the two oceans meeting each other, the mountains, the light, and the mysterious fog which creates the atmosphere of an oasis at the end of Africa.
Although Agulgas is the southernmost part of Africa, you might see Cape Point's Flying Dutchman….

De Waal Drive, start of the M3: The ultimate convertible drive on a warm summer night
Drive your convertible out of the city up 'De Waal Drive', which is the other name of the M3 out of town.
The steep and impressive drive nurtured by the slopes of Table Mountain on your right hand side, the dark yet clear blue sky above you.
Having conquered the highest poin the beauty of the sleeping, but illuminated city beneath you stretching out over the plains to the Helderbergs of Stellenbosch to Gordons Bay.
The satisfaction this stunning drive gives you is something best to share..

R310: The best route to the Winelands:
Jan Van Riebeeck (VOC) planted the first vines in 1655 in the Winelands of the Western Cape and encouraged reluctant farmers to follow suit, creating a start for this lush drive for bourgondian pleasure.
Completely different, yet close to the southern part of the R44, this drive is synonymous to all the diversity and best the Cape has to offer.

A 20 minute drive out of Cape Town on the N2 the R310 (Baden Powell Drive) invites you into the Winelands passing Meerlust, Welmoed and Spier, to name a few and not the least, on your way to Stellenbosch.

Here splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop to lush vineyards and historic Cape Dutch homesteads.

Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa. Since the founding of Stellenbosch in 1679, it has become synonymous with high quality award winning table wines. The cellars of the Wine Route are situated along the main roads, namely the R44, the R310, the R304, leading to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and provide the frame work for all of its surroundings. Indulge..

At the other side the R310 takes you out The Pniel Road (= R310) between Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek.
One of the 'few' beautiful routes, never to have to admit to not have driven..

N7 Westcoast: Next Stop: Namibia?
Discover the beauty of the Wescoast! From Cape Town you take the N7 and after 15 kilometres you can choose to turn off to the R27 (the coastroute) or continue the N7 and drive through the inlands of the Western Cape.
When you choose to continue along the N7, you''ll come across true farmstalls, selling citrus, dryed fruit and local souvenirs. The owners of the shops are sincerely friendly and can give you detailed information for your trip.
The Westcoast region offers you flourishing winelands, extensive grainfields, many enjoyable fish villages with old harbours and fresh lobster, linefish and mussels. The citrus and rooibos in Olifansrivervalley, in the Cederberge, Groot Windhoekberge, Mamakwaland and the Knersvlakte is worth your drive! Remember though, if you keep on driving, Namibie might just be the next stop…

M6 Chapman's Peak Drive: One of the world's best drives
"Be the starr in your own car commercial", that must be the experience driving Chapman's Peak Drive. Like Australia's Great Ocean Road this drive is one of the most amazing in the world.
Opening again at the end of this year (hopefully) this drive deserves its spot in the 7 best drives. Falling rocks will not be a part of driving it anymore after safety measures have been implemented. Chapman's Peak is about a 600 meter above sea level built around 1919.

Starting from the leopard statue in Hout Bay it provides magnificent views of the Sentinel, Hout Bay itself. Kommetjie presents itself with the most amazing views around one of the many corners of this winding road. In short: be patient, it will be worth it.

Driving
Public roads are well developed and well sign-posted in South Africa with driving being done on the left hand side of the road.
Visiting drivers -to be on the safe side- must have an international driver's license and a minimum of 5 years' experience. It is wise to drive defensively as in South Africa (perhaps just like in Rome or Paris) it is not about how well you drive, but how well you can anticipate the driving of others.

Overtaking
With overtaking one can experience a true South African phenomenon, probably originated from the many small roads.
When driving behind a car and wanting to overtake the car in front of you, he will most likely allow for space for you to overtake him by moving over to the side of the road. He therefore allows for space to overtake while still driving (mostly) on the lefthand side of the road.
As an appropriate 'thank you' for this you can briefly flash your alarm lights. A possible 'no thanks' one can receive watching your rear view mirror is a short flashing of the front lights of the car you just overtook.