Self-Drive: Western Cape, Winelands and the Garden Route

15 days from £1635 per person

Discover the beauty of South Africa at your own leisure as you embark on your own self-drive adventure. From the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town and the breath-taking scenery along the iconic Garden route, to searching for gentle giants in Addo’s Elephant Park, this itinerary enables you to experience the diversity of South Africa. A self-drive adventure in South Africa provides you with the flexibility and freedom to explore the country at your own pace. You drive on the left in South Africa, with roads that are well sign-posted in English and relatively quiet outside of the city. Gaze out the window as you take in mountainous backdrops, pass pretty towns and breathe in the fresh sea air as you journey along arguably one of the most the picturesque coastlines in the world, the Garden Route.

Route: Cape Town – Stellenbosch – Hermanus – Knysna – Addo Elephant Park – Port Elizabeth

Itinerary Highlights

From cosmopolitan Cape Town, soak up the scenery of the Cape Peninsular as you drive down to Cape Point where you’ll be met with a blend of mountain peaks and crashing ocean waves.

Hermanus is a welcoming coastal town where between June and November southern whales swim close to the shore, a fantastic sight to see from land or boat.

Located in the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna is synonymous with oysters and outdoor activities. A relaxed town with a lively harbour offering a great spread of restaurants and bars.

Itinerary: Self-Drive: Western Cape, Winelands and the Garden Route

Day 1 London to Cape Town

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international overnight flight to Cape Town. (N)

Day 2 Cape Town

After clearing immigration, you will be greeted by our local representative who will assist you in collecting your hire car. Your self-drive adventure starts here! Get in the car and drive to your centrally located hotel in Cape Town (journey time approximately 30 minutes). The rest of the day is free for you to relax, you might choose to use the hotels facilities or explore the city. (N)

Accommodation in Cape Town: SunSquare Cape Town Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Cape Town

One of the best ways to explore a new place is to join in a city tour, which you might decide to do today. A city tour of Cape Town is a must for sampling the finest attractions and finding your bearings. Take in the iconic buildings, snatches of history and the attractive Company Gardens. A city tour wouldn’t be complete without taking a rotating cable car to the summit of Table Mountain, where you can enjoy striking panoramic views out to the seemingly never-ending waters that lap the southernmost tip of Africa. (B)

Accommodation in Cape Town: SunSquare Cape Town Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Cape Town

Today you might choose to explore Cape Town's cosmopolitan waterfront at your own leisure. Here you will find tasteful shops and authentic restaurants and bars. You may like to take a trip across to Robben Island where you can see the prison where Nelson Mandela spent most of his sentence. (B)

Accommodation in Cape Town: SunSquare Cape Town Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Cape Town

Today is free for you to explore more of Cape Town and the scenic surrounding areas. You might choose to drive to Cape Point, stopping off at the impressive viewpoints, quaint fishing villages and iconic sights on the way. Popular stop-off points include Boulders Beach to see the resident penguin colony and experiencing a boat trip out to Seal Island. (B)

Accommodation in Cape Town: SunSquare Cape Town Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Cape Town to Stellenbosch - 51 km

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Cape Town and drive east through the beautiful Cape Winelands until you arrive at your hotel in Stellenbosch (journey time approximately 1 hour). You might decide to spend today exploring the quirky boutique shops, art galleries or enjoying a glass of local wine from one of the contemporary bars that line the oak-shaded streets. (B)

Accommodation in Stellenbosch: River Manor Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Stellenbosch

The Cape Winelands offer 18 official wine routes plus two brandy routes, all with spectacular scenery and a world-class produce. You might choose to cruise down Route 62 to experience the world's longest wine route, or pay a visit to the nearby Franschhoek Wine Valley - South Africa's 'gourmet capital'. If the designated driver fancies wine tasting too, then explore the local vineyards by bike so everyone can enjoy a wine-tasting experience. (B)

Accommodation in Stellenbosch: River Manor Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Stellenbosch to Hermanus - 96 km

After breakfast today, head south from Stellenbosch down to the whale-watching capital of the world, Hermanus (journey time approximately 2 hours). Hermanus is one of the top whale watching spots along the Garden Route as southern right whales swim really close to the shoreline making it possible to spot them from the jagged cliff edge. Between June and November, the whales are especially visible. (B)

Accommodation in Hermanus: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Hermanus

You might choose to spend today exploring the seaside town, with its many markets, street cafes, restaurants and natural attractions, including Grotto Beach. Make sure you take a stroll along the promenade to look out for whales lolling around in Walker Bay. (B)

Accommodation in Hermanus: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Hermanus to Knysna - 411 km

After breakfast today, you will continue your journey along the glorious vistas of the Garden Route to Knysna (journey time approximately 4.5 hours). The coastal town of Knysna is synonymous with delicious oysters and outdoor activities, including world-class golf. During your stay, enjoy a round on one of the three courses or take to the hiking and biking trails that surround the town. (B)

Accommodation in Knysna: Graywood Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Knysna

After breakfast you might decide to spend today exploring the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Here you can enjoy varied activities including boat trips, nature walks or just taking in the sights and smells at one of the many viewpoints. (B)

Accommodation in Knysna: Graywood Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 Knysna to Addo Elephant National Park - 295 km

After breakfast today, jump in the car and travel on to Addo Elephant National Park (journey time approximately 3.5 hours). Addo is South Africa's third largest national park and a conservation area for a wide range of flora and fauna. Here, over 600 elephants live alongside lion, buffalo, rhino, hyena, leopard, zebra and antelope. (B)

Accommodation in Addo National Park: De Old Drift Guest House (or similar)

Day 13 Addo Elephant National Park

There are several activities available in and around Addo Elephant National Park, which we can arrange prior to your departure or you can book locally with the staff at Elephant House. Options include an elephant game drive in an open land cruiser, a valley tour, a 'Tooth and Claw' safari in neighbouring Schotia Private Reserve where lion sightings are exceptional, cultural encounters, a birding river paddle and much more - please get in touch for further information. (B)

Accommodation in Addo National Park: De Old Drift Guest House (or similar)

Day 14 Addo to Port Elizabeth - 73 km

Today is free for you to explore or relax using the hotels facilities until you drive to Port Elizabeth Airport where you will return your hire car and meet your flight for your return journey back to the UK. (B)

Day 15 Arrive London

Today you will arrive back into the UK, where you will continue on your journey home. (N)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Hotel accommodation and taxes
Car hire as specified

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Meals unless specified

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Self-Drive: Western Cape, Winelands and the Garden Route

15 days from £1635 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Self-Drive: Western Cape, Winelands and the Garden Route

What To Do Next?

What's included

What's not included

Guide to Price

Contact Us

View On The Map

When to Visit