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Cape Town, Winelands, Whales & The Big 5 Garden Route: South African Self-Drive Bucketlist
Enjoy this sensational 15-day self-drive tour exploring the premier attractions along South Africa’s southern coast. You will have everything in place for a carefree journey starting in Cape Town, winding along the Cape Winelands and its Whale Route, enjoy thrilling malaria-free Big 5 game viewing in a private reserve before ending your trip in Port Elizabeth.
Enjoy Cape Town’s highlights like Table Mountain, Cape Point Nature Reserve, visiting the endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach and sipping cocktails on Camps Bay's sunset strip. Spend three sun-drenched days sampling fine food and wine in the picturesque Franschhoek valley. Make your way to Hermanus, a quiet seaside escape and go whale watching between June and December. Self-drive the gorgeous Garden Route at your own pace and see the Big 5 in the exclusive Gondwana Game Reserve. Your next stop is Plettenberg Bay, a lively coastal town and South Africa's beach playground. Explore the marine environment and visit the many attractions of the beautiful surrounding forests.
This tours includes a stay at a selection of luxurious hotels and lodges that offer well-appointed rooms, exceptional cuisine and that warm hospitality that South Africa is renowned for.
Today you arrive into Cape Town International Airport where you will collect your vehicle from the Hertz Car Rental desk. You will then make your way to the center of Cape Town where you will check into your hotel.
The next few days are yours to explore Cape Town, visiting top attractions like Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Robben Island, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Chat to your travel expert about the various tour options available to you during your stay.
Accommodation: More Quarters Hotel
Today you climb into your vehicle and take a scenic 1 hour drive to the quaint town of Franschhoek. Franschhoek is one of the oldest towns in South Africa and is well known for its fine South African wine and French inspired cuisine. Surrounded by a mountainous range and several vineyards and countryside retreats, Franschhoek is a destination that offers tranquility and plenty of adventure activities.
From hiking and cycling to gift shops, art galleries, wine trams, chocolate and cheest tastings, farm to table dining experiences, spa treatments and visits to the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - there is plenty to keep you busy during your stay. Chat to your consultant for a full list of the tours available in Franschhoek.
Accommodation: Mont Rochelle Hotel
Today you travel from the countryside to the coastal city of Hermanus - a town well-known for its incredible land and water based whale watching. The luxurious Marine Hotel is home for the next two days, offering well-appointed accommodations and the most incredible views across Walker Bay - a favorite spot for whales.
Outside of whale watching season, Hermanus offers pristine swimming beaches, scenic hiking trails in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a township tour, a petting zoo, a country market and winetastings at surrounding vineyards. Chat to your travel expert about the various tour options available to you during your stay.
Accommodation: The Marine
Your safari adventure begins today as you travel to the private 11 000 hectare Gondwana Game Reserve - the only fynbos reserve in the world that is malaria-free and home to the Big 5.
Enjoy early morning and late afternoon open-vehicle game drives and guided bush walks that discover the Fynbos and smaller creatures living on the reserve. From luxuriously spacious suites with fireplaces and private viewing decks to dinners served under a canopy of stars - Gondwana offers an unforgettable and exclusive safari experience.
Accommodation: Kwena Lodge
Today you bid farewell to the bushveld and travel for approximately two hours to the town of Plettenberg - a traveler favourite on the Garden Route.
Plettenberg Bay promises an adventure, offering tours of Monkeyland, Jukani Wildlife Centre, Birds of Eden and Crags Elephant Sanctuary. One is also able to enjoy horseriding excursions, winetastings, abseiling, kayaking, hiking, tubing, canopy tours and ocean adventures to name but a few. Be sure to ask your consultant for more information on tours and attractions in the area.
Accommodation: Tsala Treetop Lodge
The next stop on your journey is the town of Port Elizabeth which is known as the "friendly city" and most famous for its incredible coastline and Kragga Kamma Game Park where travelers can encounter cheetahs up-close.
You can look forward to scenic nature trails, magnificent wildlife, cultural experiences and a number of water sport activities. Wind-surfing, fishing and scuba diving are firm favorites amongst watersports enthusiasts.
Accommodation: The Boardwalk Hotel
Today your unforgettable self-drive adventure comes to an end as you drive to Port Elizabeth Airport, return the vehicle and connect with your onward travel arrangements.
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March 28, 2024
Experienced a double booking
Before payment, we experienced an issue of double booking, where suddenly our chosen lodging is only available for 2 out of 4 days. I hope Safari.com can improve their system to avoid this in the future. While it will be an inconvenience on our part to have to move lodging half way, we also understand the high demand of the lodging as we make the booking just 5 months before departure. I really appreciate Nelia's quick action informing us and providing an alternative plan which works for us. Overall it was quite a smooth booking process.
March 28, 2024
Safari.com was helpful start to finish
Safari.com was helpful start to finish. The sign up process was clear, the support was great as we tailored our experience. Directions were perfect to get there. Everything in the safari was as we thought it would be and even better. It literally was the trip of a lifetime and exceeded our expectations.
March 5, 2024
Safari.com and Nelia go above and beyond
Nelia at Safari.Com made everything so easy to navigate and book. She has been amazing putting up with all my questions and always promptly responds. She has gone above and beyond to assist with my travel plans and requests. So very thankful and excited I found her at Safari.com. Cannot wait for the trip!
May 13, 2024
Safari
Candis was brilliant in assisting us to organise our safari. Highly recommended!
May 10, 2024
Prompt customer service
Very responsive, attentive with attention to detail. Quick and direct communication, great creativity and flexibility to accommodate our asks
May 10, 2024
Attitude
Attitude, helpfulness and friendliness!
May 10, 2024
Fabulous and efficient service by Shann…
Fabulous and efficient service by Shann Shaw, highly recommend her services! Made the process simple and stress-free.
May 9, 2024
Great experience- very well organised…
Great experience- very well organised and trustworthy. 5 Stars
May 9, 2024
professional service
professional, courteous and prompt service from Heleen at all times.
May 9, 2024
Patient help and guidance to find just…
Patient help and guidance to find just what I wanted.
May 8, 2024
Pascal is a travel angel! Highly recommend him.
We started planning for our safari trip contacting a bunch of different travel advisors but Pascal's service truly stood out to us as the best in the industry. He took care of planning everything from start to finish for our very last minute honeymoon trip (literally a month out and during the busiest safari season). He is extremely meticulous and very responsive to our 100 questions. He shared first hand experiences at each of the different lodges, personal pictures and gave us solid recommendations within our budget. He hopped on a call with us initially to explain all the differences to us first time safari goers, and continued to be very flexible and patient with us as we couldn't decide! We are very excited for our trip and cannot thank Pascal enough for being our first interaction on our upcoming trip.
May 8, 2024
Tanya was very efficient with helping…
Tanya was very efficient with helping ME get the correct booking.
