Discover The Garden Route and Safari
Self Drive Tour
Discover the spectacular Garden Route on the 11-day one way tour. Beginning in Cape Town, enjoy four nights at the heart of V&A Waterfront. Your journey then takes you east, first to Paarl and then to Oudtshoorn and onto Kynsna. Two night stays at each hotel afford time to explore the region while staying at some of South Africa’s most special hotels. Extend your South Africa trip with a 3 night stay at Amakhala Private Game Reserve.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore the incredible 'Mother City' of Cape Town
- Visit the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park
- Discover the magnificent Winelands area
- Stay at the Amakhala Game Reserve and see the Big 5
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1-2
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Day 3-5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12-14
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Day 15
Day 1-2 : UK - Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be met by a representative who will assist you to the car rental location. Collect your car and drive to your hotel. Your accommodation is the Table Bay Hotel, situated adjacent to the Victoria & Alberta waterfront shopping and entertainment complex overlooking the Cape Town harbour.
Day 3-5 : Cape Town
Three full days to explore Cape Town and the surrounding region. Why not visit Table Mountain for a view over the city and Table Bay, explore the city highlights including the Castle of Good Hope, the Bo-Kaap with its Cape Malay influence, Houses of Parliament alongside the Company Gardens and sunset from the top of Signal Hill. Perhaps enjoy a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve via Hout Bay for a boat trip to view the seals on Duiker Island. Visit the historic lighthouse at Cape Point before heading to Simon’s Town to view the land-based African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Time permitting head to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Day 6 : Paarl
A short drive today takes you to the Grande Roche Hotel, nestled at the foot of the magnificent Paarl Rock. This is a small, luxury hotel unlike any other where the atmosphere of a bygone era brings a sense of gracious, unhurried living.
Day 7 : Paarl
Overlooking vineyards and mountains, the Grande Roche Hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the Cape Winelands or relax at the pools. Visit the famous KWV for a wine and brandy tasting or explore cape winelands with visits to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Enjoy a game of golf on a nearby, internationally acclaimed course at Pearl Valley Golf estate.
Day 8 : Oudtshoorn
Today’s drive takes you east to Rosenhof Country House, situated on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. The carefully renovated homestead with its yellowwood beams and a tasteful collection of antique furniture exudes an aura of authenticity.
Day 9 : Oudtshoorn
A free day to explore Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. Take time to visit one of the working ostrich farms and the C.P. Nel museum depicting the role of ostrich farming in the development of the town. A short drive out of town are the spectacular Precambrian limestone Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system; an ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes converge.
Day 10 : Kynsna
A short drive over the Outeniqua Mountains brings you to Knysna and The Turbine Hotel and Spa, an exceptional boutique hotel situated on Thesen Island. Explore the town and estuary waterfront on foot, taking in local arts and crafts. Visit the local nature reserve in the town centre, famous for its Fynbos plants and enjoy oysters in one of the many restaurants. Take a boat trip on the Knysna Estuary (referred to as the lagoon by locals) to the Featherbed Nature Reserve for a guided tour of the reserve or a sunset cruise (not included).
Day 11 : Knysna
A full day to explore the Garden Route region. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park, a combination of indigenous forest and marine coastal reserve or opt for the adventurous stop at the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee – a 216 metre bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge.
Day 12-14 : Knysna - Amakhala Private Game Reserve
Take a scenic three hour drive to Amakhala Private Game Reserve.
CHECK-IN TIME: 13h00 - 14h00
CHECK-OUT TIME: all lodges 11am, except Safari Lodge which is 12pm
AMAKHALA GAME RESERVE in the malaria free Eastern Cape region, is a joint conservation venture between the owners of six lodges, direct descendants of the British settlers of 1820. 10 properties within the Reserve create the Amakhala Game Reserve. The reserve is a unique conservation initiative that allows animals to be re-introduced to the area where they once roamed freely. Used to ranch sheep and cattle up to the turn of the century, the challenge has been to re-establish the 8500ha of land to the original flora and fauna species. The Big 5 now roam freely.
SAFARI LODGE
Safari Lodge, in a valley of indigenous bush, offers unique safari suites and signature stone-capped thatched roof tops. Interiors enhanced by African beadwork and handcrafted designs provide an undisturbed retreat. The suites and lounge area offer views of the waterhole where monkeys come to play and antelope and zebra to quench their thirst.
ACCOMMODATION
11 Luxury suites with lounge area and private plunge pools, air con & heating, tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, safe, hairdryer.
FACILITIES
Wi-fi, game drive, spa, boma, horse trails
Day 15 : Return to UK
Take your flight home to the UK
