West Coast Way is encouraging travellers to look beyond AI-generated itineraries this summer and discover the Cape West Coast through its six themed routes, which connect small towns, local businesses, food, nature and heritage.
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Before Google Maps, instant reviews and AI-generated itineraries, road trips relied on paper maps, local directions and a willingness to see where the road led. This summer, West Coast Way is bringing some of that curious spirit back, inviting travellers to put down the scrolling and explore the Cape West Coast through real places, real people and experiences that cannot be downloaded.
Established in 2014, West Coast Way connects more than 101 things to see and do across six interlinking routes: Cape Way, Culture, Tractor, Foodie, Berg and Wild Routes. Together, they link travellers with the region’s small towns, local businesses, food, nature, heritage and adventure.
Technology may have made travel easier, but it has not replaced the pleasure of asking a local where to stop, discovering somewhere that was not on the itinerary or simply taking the next road because it looks interesting.
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“We have never believed that a good road trip should be about ticking off as many places as possible, because the best part is often what happens in between the places you planned to visit,” says Carmen Lerm, founder of West Coast Way and affectionately known as The Weskus Guru.
“AI can give you a list of places to go, but it cannot replace the local who tells you where to stop for lunch, the small business owner who shares the story behind what they make, or the feeling of finding somewhere you were not even looking for. That is the kind of travel we want to encourage this summer.”
The human copilot is back
The idea is not to reject technology altogether, but to use it as a starting point rather than allowing an algorithm to dictate every kilometre of the journey. West Coast Way’s six themed routes make it easy to plan a trip around personal interests while leaving room to take a detour, follow a local recommendation or change plans when something catches your eye.
Each route offers a different way to explore the Weskus. Travellers can follow the routes individually or mix and match them, creating anything from a day trip close to Cape Town to a longer summer road trip with several overnight stops.
For visitors planning a few days on the Weskus, Thali Thali Game Lodge and The Farmhouse Hotel offer two different bases for exploring, with plenty to enjoy without getting back into the car. Thali Thali Game Lodge offers wildlife, guided game drives, archery and open spaces, while The Farmhouse Hotel overlooks the Langebaan Lagoon and offers accommodation and French-inspired dining with a West Coast influence at La Petite Maison.
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The idea is simple: choose a base, choose a route and give yourself enough time to explore rather than trying to squeeze everything into one perfectly optimised itinerary.
Lekker experiences without the big price tag
A summer road trip does not have to come with a large holiday budget. West Coast Way is highlighting a selection of affordable experiences that allow travellers to explore the region without spending a fortune.
Its Things to Do Under R100 selection includes a coffee and something freshly baked at Columbine Co. in historic Bokkomlaan, a visit to Darling Brew, locally produced olives and farm products at Darling Olives, a journey millions of years into the past at West Coast Fossil Park, and a day exploring the lagoon, beaches, birdlife and trails of West Coast National Park.
Six routes, one Weskus, plenty to discover
“More than a decade later, our purpose remains the same, connecting people with the places, businesses and stories that make the Weskus special. When everything can be recommended to us before we even experience it, there is something quite special about leaving a little room for curiosity,” says Lerm.
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This summer, West Coast Way encourages travellers to discover the Cape West Coast beyond the perfectly planned itinerary. From beaches, lagoons and fynbos to farmland, small towns, food, heritage and adventure, its six themed routes connect more than 101 experiences, giving travellers plenty of ways to create their own Weskus journey.
For more information, visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X at @WestCoastWaySA.
