What it is
The N2 along the southern Cape from roughly Mossel Bay to the Tsitsikamma, taking in Knysna's lagoon, Plettenberg Bay's beaches and pockets of indigenous forest. The Outeniqua mountains sit inland and catch rain all year, which is why this strip stays green when the rest of the country is not.
Why go
It is a driving holiday. A few nights in each town, forest walks, the suspension bridges over the Storms River mouth, a bungee jump at Bloukrans if that appeals, and whales offshore in winter and spring. It is not a game-viewing route and the coast is scenic rather than tropical. The sea is cool enough that most people swim briefly.
When to go
Works year round. December and January are hot, full and expensive with South African holidaymakers. September and October give you whales, wildflowers inland and space to park. June to August is the wettest but rarely cold enough to stop anything.
Most people stay 4-5 nights.