Visitors are flocking to the Cape West Coast to enjoy all that this beautiful part of the country has to offer.
This is according to Carmen Lerm, founder and CEO of West Coast Way,  (which is known  as South Africa’s road trip with the most twists) who says that local South Africans are embrac- ing travel once again and getting out and about to satisfy their wanderlust – with road trips on the West Coast the new must-do outing.
“Pent up demand for travel, which developed over hard lockdown has seen a welcome breath of life for the West Coast tourism sector as South Africans clamour to get out and about after months of restrictions on movement.”
“The West Coast Way offers a rich tapestry of experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy  ““ and it is right on Cape Town’s doorstep. Whether it is yoga on the beach, archery at Thali Thali game reserve, ziplining at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, sandboarding in Atlantis, mountain biking at !Khwa ttu or wine tasting at Groote Post“ there is so much to do, which is great news as people are yearning to grab life with both hands.”
“Covid certainly has changed the way people look at travel,” says Lerm. “They are looking for local experiences and seeking off the beaten track adventures. Added to this, with more and more people working from home we are seeing an increase in visitors during the week “having fun and making memories is not just for week- ends and holidays!”
Road trips are the new must-do experience The West Coast Way is a beautiful stretch of coastline dotted with small towns that offer a vast array of activities and accommodation op- tions, as well as some of the most pristine and untouched nature reserves, wetlands, lagoons and more.
Places to visit on your road trip Lerm explains that West Coast Way has de- veloped six themed circular self-drive routes that traverse all the best areas of the West Coast. These routes include the Tractor Route, Berg Route, Foodie Route, Culture Route, Wild Route and Cape Way Route – all with their own variety of carefully chosen attractions.
You can either follow the West Coast Way routemap or create your own self-drive road trip. Below is a list of some highly recom- mended places to visit and stay and the annual flower show that nature puts on along the West Coast is still wowing visitors!

!Khwa ttu is sharing the holistic San Spirit of nature, heritage and cuisine with their Loyalty Card. Sold at R100 for adults and R80 for SA Seniors and children under 12, this card gives access for a year to the San Heritage Museum, enjoy the MTB tracks, walking trails and access to the boma with views over the Atlantic Oceans where Table Mountain and Robben Island is visible on clear days. Their restaurant is open 7 days a week and is a short 55 minutes from Cape Town City centre. Visit www.khwattu.org to find out more about accommodation on offer.
Thali Thali Game Lodge offer guided Weskus Safari Drives to view free-roaming Cape Buffalo, Eland, Oryx, Sable Antelope, Water Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Blue Hartebeest, Emu’s, Dromedary Camels, Fallow Deer, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Kudu, Bontebok, Springbok, Burchell’s Zebra, Duiker, Steenbok, Ostrich, Porcupine, and Foxes (Cape and Bat-eared). Their restaurant, offering genu- ine Weskus kos, also has a wonderful selection of cocktails available 7 days a week. Visit www. thalithali.co.za to find out more about accom- modation on offer. Thali Thali is a short 80 min- ute drive from Cape Town City centre.
Darling Brew is celebrating 10 years of creat- ing their legendary craft beer. To celebrate this milestone, fans can visit their Tasteroom and Restaurant, open 7 days a week in Darling, which is only 1 hour from Cape Town City centre. Visit www.darlingbrew.co.za.
Darling – Darling is perfectly positioned be- tween the beach of Yzerfontein and the art and olive groves of Riebeek Valley. Visit Hello Dar- ling – the welcoming name of Darling Tourism https://www.hellodarling.org.za/.
Langebaan – From Langebaan visitors can easily explore the towns of Saldanha, St Helena Bay, Jocobsbaai, and Paternoster. Visit www. clubmykonos.co.za. -West Coast Way