This is our most popular travel itinerary in South Africa and a great introduction to the country. It combines Cape Town with the winelands and the ever-popular Garden Route, ending with the opportunity for a safari in the Eastern Cape. The driving distances are reasonable, the food is excellent, the scenery is spectacular & the adventures exciting – you can see why it is our most popular travel itinerary. Hotel and game lodge accommodation ranges from the wide selection of Portfolio Collection independent hotels & guest houses we work with, to some of the very finest boutique & luxury hotels and game lodges.
On arrival into Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to your first hotel / guesthouse for your 3-night stay.
Described by Sir Francis Drake in 1580 as ‘the fairest cape in all the world’, the ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. The oldest city in the country, nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a vibrant and colourful city.
With plenty to offer the traveller you should never get bored. Table Mountain is the iconic backdrop of Cape Town rising over 1000m above sea level - it can be seen from all over the city. Taking the revolving cable car up to the top is a must or if you’re feeling adventurous there are several hiking routes to the summit.
The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is a prime attraction in the city, a working harbour and tourist attraction offering world class shopping, a huge variety of restaurants, cafes & bars and the Two Oceans Aquarium. The ferry trip to Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration for much of his 27 years in prison, leaves from here.
The park-like botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town’s beaches and the city centre with its outdoor street markets, boutique shops & stylish restaurants are all added attractions.
Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town and you’re in the scenic mountains and valleys of the Winelands. Experience the historical and cultural heritage of the region while visiting quaint villages and vibrant townships, outdoor museums and galleries, open-air theatres and outdoor art and craft exhibitions.
For the more adventurous visitor there are activities such as canoeing, 4x4 trails, horse-riding, hiking, mountain biking, rock pool swimming, abseiling and kloofing.
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An hour's drive this morning will bring you to the heart of the winelands. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and the centre of the largest and most varied wine route. During your 2-night stay in this historic town enjoy any one of the 75 restaurants in the town or head to a wine estate for a cellar tour and tasting. Franschhoek and Paarl are both just 30 minutes drive away.
Alternatively you could opt to stay in Franschhoek, one of the oldest and prettiest towns in the Western Cape, and often referred to as the gourmet capital of South Africa. A great way to visit many of the wine farms is to take the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a hop-on hop-off tram and tram-bus tour that takes you through the heart of the valley, stopping off at all the best places for wine tasting, cellar tours, lunches and vineyard strolls.
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Head east along the scenic ‘Route 62’ today to the heart of the Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of South Africa, for a further 2-night stay. From here you can visit the Cango Caves, an Ostrich farm or drive over one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Africa, the Swartberg Pass, to the delightful Karoo town of Prince Albert – not for the fainthearted!
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An enjoyable 3-hour drive will take you to one of the most beautiful areas of the Garden Route, The Crags and Nature’s Valley, for your 3-night stay. The nearby town of Plettenberg Bay has great swimming beaches, Tsitsikamma National Park and Storm’s River Mouth are close by, or just relax and soak up the peace and quiet of this stunning area.
This is an ideal base to explore all that the Garden Route has to offer - Knysna, George and Wilderness are easy drives. This is a great region for families, with Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Tenikwa Wildcat Park popular attractions, or spend the day on one of the areas great beaches; golf enthusiasts are also well catered for with 7 high quality courses within one hours drive; thrill seekers are in the right area too, with canopy tours, surfing and the highest bungee jump in the world; nature and wildlife enthusiasts can interact with dolphins and whales; or you can simply enjoy the people and hospitality of this amazing area. The choice is yours.
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Drive through the Tsitsikamma Forest and beyond Port Elizabeth to the Eastern Cape. From here you have a variety of game viewing and safari options to choose from. Private game reserves offer the most exclusive and luxurious option, in an authentic safari environment; country houses and retreats, or a guest house style establishment are more affordable options giving you total flexibility. Any of these options will give you access to the thrill of big game viewing in this non-malarial area of South Africa. Enjoy a 2-night stay.
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Drop your car at Port Elizabeth airport in time for your overnight flight to the UK, via Johannesburg.
Map of Port Elizabeth Airport rental car drop off area.
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Where prices are shown for a travel itinerary, they are intended to give you some guidance as to what is possible and to help you budget. Where multiple accommodation options are shown, the "guide price" is based upon the property highlighted as the "featured" property. The prices are accurate at the time of being published, but they are not definitive rates and are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking.
There are also many offers, value adds, discounts and specials throughout the year. Honeymoon offers, wedding packages, early booking offers, free nights, discounted airfares and more - contact us for full details. Please note that holidays which do not fall completely within a price or date band may be subject to increase or decrease.
London > Cape Town | ± 12hrs | |
Port Elizabeth > Johannesburg | ± 2hrs | |
Johannesburg > London | ± 11hrs | |
Cape Town > Stellenbosch | ± 1hr | |
Stellenbosch > Oudtshorn | ± 4hrs | |
Oudtshorn > Plettenberg Bay | ± 3hrs | |
Plettenberg Bay > Eastern Cape Safari | ± 4hrs | |
Note: These times are estimates and are dependant on flights and accommodation selections. |
This self drive travel itinerary covers some of the best scenery and activities of The Cape and Garden Route. You will get to experience first-hand the magnificent scenery and landscapes South Africa has to offer.
From the vibrant city life to the laid back country villages - you will capture the essence of these beautiful areas. A trip to South Africa is never quite complete without experiences the thrill of a “Big 5” safari. The luxury game lodges in the Eastern Cape will enthral - you can indulge in 5-star luxury while taking in the sights and sounds of the sensational wildlife the region has to offer.
So if you are up to an experience of a lifetime, and want to get acquainted with this corner of Africa, this tour is for you!
"We absolutely loved South Africa and hope we can return soon."
"What can I say? Once again the trip you organised for us exceeded our high expectations. My grandmother and I had the best time in South Africa.
First of all the accommodations were absolutely fantastic. We managed to see all the big 5!
Secondly, I was very impressed with the Garden Route Tour - we had a great guide, who was so knowledgeable and funny. Everything went as planned with no delays or program changes.
Again, thank you! Looking forward to planning my next trip together, hopefully very soon."
EXCELLENT | GOOD | FAIR |
Chris
Emma
James
Chania
Lee-Anne
Rebecca
Laura
Kirsty
Martin
Molly
Wendy
Alex
Liesl
One of our experienced specialists are looking forward to sharing this wonderful country with you.
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