HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT FOR
Families – Lots to do for every age and interest on this varied trip
Honeymooners – Plenty of romance to be found on this itinerary
Photographers – Landscapes, wildlife and street photography offer a worthy challenge
AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES
Game drives
Seasonal catch-and-release fishing
Cultural tours (extra cost)
Nature walks
BEST TIME TO GO
High Season⊕: December to July
Green Season⊕: July to November
OVERVIEW
South Africa is a great place to do a road trip and the Garden Route is one of the best for self-drivers. Well-maintained roads, modern infrastructure and lots of options for refreshments and accommodation make it popular with visitors year-round. This itinerary idea offers a classic route, starting in Cape Town and ending with an Eastern Cape Big 5 safari, taking in the inimitable Garden Route in between.
This journey has been broken up into manageable chunks so you arrive at your hotel or lodge with plenty of time and energy to explore the surrounding area and make the most of your driving holiday. Couples and families can both enjoy the variety of landscapes, activities and experiences this itinerary offers.
TRIP SUMMARY
DURATION
11 Nights / 12 Days
DESTINATIONS VISITED
Cape Town, South Africa
Swellendam, South Africa
Knysna, Garden Route, South Africa
Kariega Private Game Reserve, South Africa
DAILY ITINERARY
It’s time to live like a true Capetonian and experience South Africa’s oldest city as a local. It starts with collecting your rental car from the airport and driving to More Quarters, a small hotel at the base of world-famous Table Mountain. Rooms here are all fitted with mini-kitchens, ideal if you’re travelling with small children.
With your own car, you’re free to come and go as you like: the Winelands, Boulders Beach and Cape Point are all calling.
Why we love More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel:
- Handy self-catering kitchenette
- Great location for walking
- Surrounded by shops and restaurants
- Historic building with individual suites
After four nights in Cape Town, it’s back on the road through rolling farmland to Swellendam. This old town has retained much of its 1700s charm with original buildings, wide streets and laid back atmosphere. Your home for the night is Schoone Oordt, a boutique hotel in an established garden with fountains and a swimming pool.
Although you’re only here for a short time, do try for a walk through the town, soaking up a unique slice of the Western Cape.
Why we love Schoone Oordt Country House:
- Cosy boutique hotel in manicured gardens
- Conservatory restaurant with local produce
- Saltwater swimming pool for hot days
- Honeymoon suite and family cottages
After a hearty breakfast, rejoin the road for your next stop. The highway turns towards the sea and you’re soon driving past the azure waves of the Indian Ocean and forests of the Garden Route.
Knysna is one of the crown jewels of the Garden Route, with its lagoon setting. For three days, you can explore animal sanctuaries, enjoy fresh oysters, go on boat cruises and see other towns like Plettenberg Bay, all from your base at The Turbine Boutique Hotel.
Why we love The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa:
- Quirky historic building on the quays
- On-site restaurant, pub and spa
- Eclectic, punchy décor with plenty of colour
- Honeymoon and self-catering suites
It’s always great to end on a high and your final stop promises just that. After leaving Knysna, you turn inland for the undulating safari landscapes of the Eastern Cape. Unique in wildlife destinations because of the natural thicket and Afromontane forest, it offers rewarding sightings of the Big 5.
Your bed awaits at Kariega Main Lodge in the Kariega Private Game Reserve. After coming so far, you get to sit back and let the guide drive while you enjoy game watching.
Why we love Kariega Main Lodge:
- Classic log chalet safari lodge
- River cruises, bush walks and canoeing
- Valley views from the main deck
- Specialist photographic safari vehicle
What a wonderful road trip you will have had, filled with friendly accommodation, new adventures and hopefully great memories. Cape Town, Swellendam, Knysna and Kariega would each have shown you a different side to South Africa’s southern coastline and given you a new appreciation for how diverse the country is.
Today you’re back in the driver’s seat for the trip to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha where, on the flight to Cape Town, you’ll retrace your steps by air.
INCLUDED*
EXCLUDED*
* Subject to change. Your personal consultant will confirm all the details with you while helping you plan your safari to Africa so you have a full understanding of costs with no surprises.
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