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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 3, 2024
Exceptional Planning and Service by Shann & Safari.com
I had an exceptional experience working with Shann as my travel advisor for planning my upcoming trip to Kruger, Botswana, and Victoria Falls. She was incredibly attentive and accommodating, seamlessly tailoring the trip to fit our budget and preferences. Shann’s meticulous attention to detail in the planning process has given us complete confidence that our trip will be smooth and memorable. She is always prompt in her responses and available to answer any questions we might have. I highly recommend her and safari.com
May 3, 2024
Leigh-Ann was amazing.
Leigh-Ann was amazing. She worked incredibly hard to provide us with our complex safari in Botswana and our travel and accommodation in South Africa. Leigh-Ann was always very helpful and encouraging which must have been very difficult for her as we were within a very tight time schedule to arrange our holiday. She was very thoughtful and even included a list of the things we would need to take. I am so happy with the final outcome and I am very thankful to Leigh-Ann and the other Safari.com team members who worked so hard to make our dream safari a reality.
May 2, 2024
Super!!!
Shann is great. From the first moment we got in touch. Very friendly, helpfull, patience and always available. We have a very good feeling. Looking forward to everything she arranged. Not only the safari, but also the rest of the holiday. I am sure it will be unforgettable. Thank you sooo much.
May 2, 2024
Dolan is Prompt and Knowledgeable
Dolan provided prompt and knowledgeable service. He determined what we were looking for and put together a safari that met those requirements. He is obviously knows the safari business and is very easy to work with.
May 1, 2024
Shann could not have been more helpful
Shann could not have been more helpful. I enquired through WhatsApp from the UK and she responded quickly and efficiently to my questions. It was great to have my enquiry dealt with in such an efficient manner.
Apr 30, 2024
Customer service a welome surprise!
The website was easy to use, I made a double payment in error and they were super helpful and refunded me within two days cheerfully. It was an absolute pleasure dealing with them.
Apr 28, 2024
Great service
Great service. The staff are so helpful and accomadating. I would highly recommend them.
Apr 28, 2024
Shann was great
Shann was great. Answered all questions promptly and setup the trip to Kruger last minute for us with ease.
Apr 28, 2024
Shann was amazing
Shann was amazing. Really knowledgeable and helpful. Nothing too much trouble.
