This post is dedicated to my wife, Carolyn, whose idea it was to use this trip as a celebration of our 18th wedding anniversary. (Our actual anniversary occurred 2 days after we returned home)
Before I write individual posts about each of the properties we stayed at, I thought an overview for those planning a similar trip might be useful.
I do not enjoy driving long distances every day, hence our final week was divided into distances that got us to each destination around midday/ early afternoon, leaving us time to explore and enjoy our surroundings.
The return trip to Johannesburg was broken up as follows:
Times and distances are approximate…
The Strand to De Hoop Collection: 2 hr 32 min (205,7 km) via N2
De Hoop Collection to The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa, Knysna: 3 hr 52 min (321,9 km) via N2
Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa to The Welgeluk Feather Palace, Oudtshoorn: 2hrs 30 min (170km) via N2 and N9.
The Welgeluk Feather Palace to Dunromin Guest House, Hanover: 4 hrs 23 min (426,9 km) via N12 and N1
This was both the longest and slowest leg as we ended up behind a convoy of 3 vehicles loaded with wind turbine blades, and there was no overtaking for MANY kilometres.
Eventually, with traffic building up in front and behind us, the traffic police and the support vehicles accompanying the trucks pulled the vehicles over and allowed us to overtake safely. I have to say that you have no idea how HUGE those blades are until you have to pass them.
For those who like statistics, a blade is 52 meters long, which is equivalent to 12 regular motorcars parked nose to tail. Hence, the reason for caution when passing.
Dunromin Guest House, Hanover to 3rd Rock Guest House, Ventersburg: 4 hr 15 min (459,5 km) via N1
3rd Rock Guest House, Ventersburg, back to Johannesburg: (238 km) via N1.
Although this was the shortest leg, it was the toughest due to an intense cross-wind that had me fighting with the steering wheel for about half the distance home.
On our final day in The Strand, the sun finally broke through the cloud cover, and we were able to look at this vista while we enjoyed our final breakfast in the apartment where we stayed.
There’s a special kind of magic to a long road trip. A heady mix of freedom, bad singing, and snacks. Lots of unnecessary snacks. The trick is to pack smart, not like you’re relocating. Keep the essentials, snacks, wet wipes, bottled water, chargers, and overnight luggage inside the car.
That way, when you pull into a guesthouse, you don’t have to unpack the entire boot just to find your toothbrush. Food, of course, is critical. A good mix of healthy and sinful keeps spirits high; nothing kills the mood faster than low blood sugar or crumbs in the seats.
Then there’s the relationship test — the real journey. Spending six hours a day in a metal box with your partner can either rekindle the romance or make you wish for separate vehicles.
Allow for detours, both literal and emotional. If one of you needs a break, find a filling station, stretch your legs, and share a coffee instead of a muttered apology. With enough humour, snacks, and patience, you’ll both reach your destination — still speaking, and maybe even smiling.
14 days completed with 7 to go.
De Hoop Collection, complete with a rainbow!
De Hoop Nature Reserve was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.
The area was originally a farm in the 1700s, but it was acquired by the government in 1957 for the purpose of endangered wildlife conservation. It was fully dedicated to the Cape Floral Kingdom ecosystem by the mid-1970s, and further land was incorporated, along with a marine reserve, by 1991 to create the reserve’s current size
So now you know.
Sunset as seen through the stable doors of our accommodation at De Hoop.
Our accommodation was a converted horse stable. With a huge en-suite bathroom, which I believe was not available when the horses lived here.
The De Hoop Collection is also a member of the Cape Country Routes.
Tucked away on Thesen Islands in Knysna, it occupies the site of a former power station, incorporating the original machinery and industrial elements into its design.
The frontage of the Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa belies the stunning beauty that lies on the other side of the entrance!
Just part of the remaining hardware that was left behind when the power station closed down.
An engineer’s delight, and even those who know nothing about machinery can marvel at these relics.
Our accommodation contained several relics from the past, seamlessly blended with the modern decor.
An intimate seating area completed the accommodation.
The view from our balcony. This view, to my mind, was so stunning that it will be the subject of its own Blog post soon.
The Feather Palace, Oudtshoorn.
One of only two show farms still operating in the town.
Once there, I realised that I had visited before as I was able to recall certain aspects of the property without even walking through the front door.
That being said, neither I nor my family can remember when we were there, not that it was important on this trip.
The reason that we chose to spend time in Oudtshoorn was the fact that my Dad was born and raised here, and there were remnants of his childhood that I wanted to share with my wife.
I did like the pattern on the floor in the bathroom.
Ostriches are Africa’s originals — long-legged sprinters with startled eyes and a neck that never seems to end. While their ancient cousins once roamed other continents, the true ostrich never left home, striding across the plains of Africa for millions of years.
In the late 1800s, Oudtshoorn turned these birds into global icons. Fashion houses in Paris and London couldn’t get enough feathers, sparking a boom that made farmers rich and gave rise to the town’s grand “feather palaces.” At one point, a single plume was worth its weight in gold.
More recently, the feathers used in Lady Gaga’s costume at the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were sourced from Oudtshoorn.
Though the boom eventually faded with changing fashions, Oudtshoorn reinvented itself. Today it remains the ostrich capital of the world, where visitors can taste the meat, admire the leather, and come face-to-eye with these extraordinary birds.
Therefore, a visit to this town is incomplete without spending time with these birds.
A male (black feathers) and a female (grey feathers) look after their brood of chicks.
Dunromin Guest House
Hanover seems to be slowly coming into its own once more, seeing that solar arrays and wind turbine farms are being built in the area.
When more is never enough. The lounge is filled with interesting bric-a-brac and collectables.
Our accommodation. We could have brought several friends with us, as there were enough beds for several people.
10 years ago, my child and I stayed at a sister property owned by Tossie and Danie, and this was the meal that they served us.
I had specially requested it so that my wife could taste what I had been raving about in the run-up to my return visit here.
Chicken basted in apricot jam, creamed spinach, roast potatoes, rice, and pumpkin, done with syrup and cinnamon. BLOODY DELICIOUS!
3rd Rock Guest House, Ventersburg.
Our final stop on the drive home. We had stopped for 2 nights at all the other properties; we were only going to be here for one night. Enough time to stock up on biltong and wors (dried sausage) from The Fat Butcher nearby and to walk this labyrinth, lovingly constructed by the owner, Keith and his staff.
I do enjoy spending time wandering the paths of labyrinths.
If you don’t know, a labyrinth is a single, winding path that leads from an entrance to a central point and back out again. Unlike a maze, which is designed to confuse with dead ends and multiple routes, a labyrinth has only one way in and one way out. It’s ancient — found in cultures from Greece and Crete to Native American traditions, medieval Europe, and even in parts of Africa.
And this was no exception.
This was our second visit to this interesting guest house.
On our last visit, we had a room with a bathroom. This time, we had the entire house to rattle around in.
My wife chose to sleep in the bedroom…
While I chose to sleep in what is ostensibly the lounge.
The only reason for this separation was the size of the bed, and with that not being a problem due to our chosen sleeping arrangements, we were both able to get a good night’s sleep.
The labyrinth under the light of an almost full moon.
Throughout history, labyrinths have been seen less as puzzles and more as tools for reflection and meditation.
Walking a labyrinth is often described as a calming, almost spiritual experience. The slow, deliberate journey to the centre and back can quiet the mind, reduce stress, and create a sense of balance. Many people use them as a form of walking meditation, prayer, or problem-solving, believing the design itself encourages focus and inner peace.
Some traditions even hold that labyrinths are places of healing energy — spaces where you can connect with the earth or the divine. Whether or not you believe in those mystical qualities, their symbolic power is undeniable: the winding path often represents life’s journey, with its twists and turns, but always a way forward.
What an emotional experience to walk these pathways in the bright moonlight.
Our final view of the guest house as we drove out in the early hours of the morning.
In the end, our road trip was not about getting from A to B; it’s about everything in between. The random farm stalls and the unexpected offbeat roadside attractions. It’s about learning how your partner reacts when the GPS loses signal or when you miss a turn and end up somewhere unexpectedly beautiful.
The open road has a way of stripping life down to its simplest pleasures — laughter, scenery, good company, and the quiet satisfaction of the journey itself.
Because sometimes, the best stories aren’t found at your destination, but somewhere between the snacks and the silence.
Time to head back home…
Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.
The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
Best African Resorts and Retreats Award 2025.
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