Today you arrive in South Africa. Collect the 4x4 from the rental company at the airport and drive straight to your accommodation in Stellenbosch.

Your first full day around Stellenbosch. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve has both shorter and longer hiking routes.

An early start makes all the difference. Arrive at the Jonkershoek entrance gate by 09:30 at the latest. If you start later, you may no longer be able to drive to the smaller parking area near the trailheads.

The Swartboskloof Trail is especially recommended. It covers more than 15 kilometres and around 1,000 metres of elevation gain.

A second day around Stellenbosch, with time for another hike in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

You can also visit one of the wineries around Stellenbosch, or use the day for Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

Leave Stellenbosch and drive north towards the Cederberg.

You stay several nights at Sanddrif Holiday Resort. A number of hiking routes start directly from the campsite.

Your first full day in the Cederberg.

Walk towards Wolfberg Cracks and Wolfberg Arch, or choose Maalgat or Maltese Cross.

A second full day in the Cederberg Wilderness Area.

From Sanddrif Holiday Resort, head out on another hike or visit Sanddrif Farm for wine tasting. Wine tasting is available daily.

Today you drive to Tankwa Karoo National Park.

You stay at Steenkampshoek, a remote campsite in the middle of nature. There are no facilities and no other travellers nearby.

After a night of wild camping, move through the park to a self-catering accommodation.

On the way, you can make an extended game drive through the national park.

Gemsbok, springbok and red hartebeest are among the animals you may encounter.

Leave the dry Tankwa Karoo behind and drive towards the Atlantic coast.

Your destination is Namaqua National Park and one of its coastal campsites. In most cases, you stay at Skuinsbaai Noord Campsite.

A second day in Namaqua National Park with time to explore the surroundings.

Walk to a remote beach and you may have it to yourself.

Seals or dolphins can sometimes be seen offshore. The water is cold, so swimming is not really practical here.

Continue to the northern part of Namaqua National Park.

Drive the Caracal 4x4 Trail. There is a fair chance of seeing meerkats along the way.

You can also visit the cave on the route.

After Namaqualand, turn south again.

The penultimate stop of this Western Cape journey is Rocherpan Nature Reserve, a small reserve centred around a pan.

When the pan holds water, there is a good chance of seeing flamingos.

A short driving day to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.

You can first walk along the pan or visit one of the bird hides.

Paternoster lies on the way to Cape Columbine. You pass through it before reaching Sea Shack, where you spend the final night.

The final day of the journey through the Western Cape and Namaqualand.

In the morning, explore Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on foot. With some luck, seals may appear along the coast. There is also an offshore island with a large seal colony.

The surf is powerful here, with large waves breaking against the rocks.

Later in the morning, drive to Cape Town and the 4x4 rental depot. After returning the vehicle, transfer to the airport.

If you extend the trip in Cape Town, the transfer runs from the depot to your accommodation instead.