​South Africa|​Safaris in South Africa 

​Self Drive Holiday - Garden Route

  • Fast Facts

    Travelling to:

    Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Amakhala Game Reserve

                      

    duration:

    17 Days - 16 Nights

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  • A trip to South Africa often starts in Cape Town, followed by a steady drive along the Garden Route finishing with an exciting visit to a private game reserve. 

    This itinerary will show you some of South Africa's most beautiful scenery and finishing with a malaria free safari at Amakhala Game Reserve is just awesome. 

    As experts in tailoring trips to South Africa we suggest places to visit including Hermanus, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and safari lodges, if you would like to tweak this itinerary please just let us know and we'll help you with personal recommendations along the way.

Highlights

  • Cape Town

    Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laidback lifestyle.

  • The Garden Route

    One of the most popular attractions in South Africa, The Garden Route spans 300km of the south-eastern coast from Witsand to Tsitsikamma Storms River and bounded to the south by the rugged Indian ocean coast.

              

Outline Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Travelling

    Check in for your overnight flight to Cape Town.

     

    Days 2-4 - Cape Town

    Staying at: Southern Sun Waterfront

    After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, you will be met and shown to the rental car depot. Make your way to Cape Town with the help of a GPS and road directions. There are lots of activities to do in Cape Town, if you would like to leave the car for a day then use the Hop on/Hop off Red City Tour Bus, it's a great way to see the city. Do remember that Table Mountain is very much weather dependent so if it is clear and you are free go up because the table cloth of cloud can come in at any moment.

    Take time to visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years of his 27 year sentence. It's a very interesting tour as usually an ex prisoner will tour you around. Other attractions include Cape Point Nature Reserve - do not have your windows down otherwise a familiar baboon will probably try to join you for a ride!  On the way back from Cape Point take in a visit to Boulders Beach and see the penguin colony there. If you are travelling to South Africa in the summer, please take a look at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens schedule, they often have brilliant summer concerts.

     

    Days 5-6 - Franschhoek

    Staying at: Centre Ville Guest House

    Leave Cape Town behind today and travel to Franschhoek. A fantastic way to explore this world famous wine region is on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Hopping on and off at various vineyards, sampling South African fine wines and enjoying lunch on the way is a great way to get around. There are also opportunities to pick up a picnic and take to one of the more remote vineyards.

     

    Days 7-8 - Hermanus

    Staying at: Whale Rock Luxury Lodge

    Travel over the Franschhoek Pass to Hermanus and  check into your beachfront guest house. While staying in the area we recommend a whale watching trip by boat, it's only then that you realise the enormous size of these gentle giants.

  • Day 9 - Oudtshoorn

    Staying at: De Zeekoe

    After breakfast you will travel inland along the R62 to Oudtshoorn. Here you will have the chance to ride an ostrich.

     

    Days 10-12 - Knysna

    Staying at: aha The Rex Hotel

    Driving along the coast today make your way to Knysna, the heart of the Garden Route. There are many activities to enjoy in the area. For the more outdoor people, you will love the tree top canopy tour - zip wire through the trees in the Tsitsikamma Forest or bungee jump from the heady heights of the Bloukrans Bridge.  There is a serene boat trip across the Featherbed Nature reserve in Knysna, which showcases some beautiful views. If you would like to see some of the birds of the area then a trip to Birds of Eden should also be placed on your list.

     

    Days 13-15 - Amakhala Game Reserve

    Staying at: Amakhala Leeuwenbosch Country House

    After breakfast, continue on the coastal road to Amakhala Game Reserve. Arrive around lunchtime so that you are in good time for your afternoon game drive. Over the 3 night stay, you can travel out on 6 game drives. Additional night drives may be booked at a supplement.  All the staff at the lodge can only enhance your stay, your ranger will become your friend for sure and  they will provide you with as much information as you can take about the flora and fauna at the reserve.

     

    Day 16 - Departure

    Today you bid farewell to the lodge and return your hire car to Port Elizabeth Airport. Take the flight to Johannesburg where you will connect to the UK.