Garden Route & Safari Self Drive
PRIVATE SELF DRIVE TOUR: Explore Cape Town, take in the natural wonders of beautiful Garden Route and enjoy a three-night safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape on this 10 day South Africa self drive holiday. Stop in the picturesque Klein Karoo valley and Knysna to discover local highlights such as Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn and Plettenburg Bay. Then go in search of the Big Five in Amakhala Game Reserve before ending in Port Elizabeth.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Cape Town
Day 1 Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by our representative and transfered to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Cape Town or relax at the hotel.
Day 2 Cape Town city tour
Day 2 Cape Town city tour
Become acquainted with South Africa's enchanting 'Mother City' on a scheduled half day city tour this morning. After breakfast meet your local guide in the hotel foyer and set out to explore the city, including Company Gardens, the Slave Lodge and iconic Table Mountain (Cable car ticket not included; weather permitting). After the tour spend the afternoon at leisure, independently exploring the city. We recommend a visit to Robben Island (weather permitting) or a stroll around the V&A Waterfront, which offers an abundance of shops and entertainment.
Day 3 Cape Point & Peninsula tour
Day 3 Cape Point & Peninsula tour
Embark on a full day scheduled tour of Cape Point and the Peninisula today. The Cape Peninsula is one of the world’s most scenic areas, stretching from Cape Town's city centre to the towering headland of Cape Point, encompassing magnificent beaches, breath-taking views and picturesque coastal villages. It's a spectacular coastal drive over Chapman’s Peak to beautiful Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. Then travel on to Simon’s Town to see the large penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The tour ends with a visit to the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
Day 4 Klein Karoo
Day 4 Klein Karoo
Cape Town - Klein Karoo. This morning your rental vehicle will be dropped off at your hotel. After breakfast embark on a scenic drive to Klein Karoo in the Western Cape, travelling via Route 62, the longest wine route in the Western Cape, where magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs abound.
Check into your hotel and independently explore the area. The beautiful valley of the Klein Karoo has a wide range of attractions including the mystical Cango Caves, Cango Wildlife Ranch and the famous ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn.
Day 5 Kynsna
Day 5 Kynsna
Klein Karoo - Knysna. Head south from Klein Karoo along the beautiful Garden Route to the sleepy coastal town of Knysna today, which is nestled between lush forests and a peaceful estuary. There are plenty of attractions in and around this picturesque town. You can explore the many beautiful beaches around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, book a sunset cruise to Knysna Heads or perhaps visit Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
Day 6 Tsitsikamma & Port Elizabeth
Day 6 Tsitsikamma & Port Elizabeth
Knysna - Port Elizabeth. Complete your journey along the Garden Route today as you travel from Knysna, through spectacular coastal scenery, to the sunny city of Port Elizabeth. Consider stopping to explore Tsitsikamma National Park en route. The indigenous forest of Tsitsikamma has an incredible array of vegetation, birds and wildlife and there is a wonderful winding board walk through the forest which leads to the famous suspension bridge at Tsitsikamma Mouth.
Days 7-9 Amakhala Game Reserve
Days 7-9 Amakhala Game Reserve
Port Elizabeth - Amakhala Game Reserve. After breakfast drive to Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Spend the next three nights at Hlosi Game Lodge where you can enjoy a family-friendly Big Five safari in a wildlife-rich, malaria free reserve. The daily programme at the lodge includes morning and evening game drives through Amakhala Game Reserve, guided by professional rangers in open Land Rovers. During the day relax by the swimming pool, perhaps indulge in some spa treatments or enjoy some of the other optional activities on offer, such as night drives, birding safaris, wilderness walks, bush walks and archery.
Day 10 Port Elizabeth
Day 10 Port Elizabeth
Amakhala Game Reserve - Port Elizabeth. Wake early to enjoy a final early morning game drive before breakfast. Then check out and drive back to Port Elizabeth Airport. Upon arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, drop your rental vehicle off at the car rental terminal then check-in for your onward flight.
Tour Highlights
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Prices & Dates
Hotels
Set against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain, the boutique Cape Milner Hotel is an eclectic mix of contemporary design and old-world charm with the ornate details of Cape Town's Victorian heritage combined with splashes of African craft. The neutral palette of the guestrooms create a spacious feel with beautiful views of the mountains and a great selection of amenities including WiFi and a beverage station. Guests can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the pool deck, a quick workout at the in-house gym or a quiet cocktail in the chic Glass Lounge. The Cape Milner is centrally situated in Cape Town in a secluded location only 1.2 miles from the coast.
A historic 19th-century farm nestled at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains that has now been converted into luxury accommodation. With sweeping mountain views and a relaxed atmosphere, it's the perfect base for exploring this part of the Garden Route. Rooms are modern but with a rustic feel, boasting ensuite bathrooms and verandahs. There's an outdoor pool and onsite restaurant serving classic South African cuisine. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
Built in 1998, the Knysna Log-Inn Hotel embodies an "indigenous" concept that combines the character and the spirit of the surrounding indigenous forests with Knysna's romantic history. The hotel is very centrally located, right in the middle of town, and is ideally situated for sight seeing. Within easy walking distance of the hotel - about 200m - are the Knysna Quays (better known as the Knysna Waterfront), as are the ferries to the Knysna Heads.
The elegant timber-structured Kelway Hotel is warm & inviting, located just 5 minutes from some of the best beaches in Port Elizabeth and conveniently close to the airport. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, with ensuite bathrooms, TV, air-conditioning, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Dining is in the onsite restaurant and the wine bar has a 10 yards glass wall offering sweeping vistas of the bay. Eagle-eyed guests can search for whales and dolphins in Nelson Mandela Bay from the hotel's plunge pool.
A fenced camp situated in a tranquil grassland setting, Amakhala Hlosi Game Lodge offers six suites and eight luxury safari tents, creating an intimate and personal game viewing experience. Ensuite bathrooms all come with a bath and the accommodation is of a high standard. Wildlife can be seen from private viewing decks and there's an onsite lounge and restaurant, swimming pool, and waterhole, where more local wildlife comes to visit. Wi-Fi connection is available in communal areas of the lodge.
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