Self Drive Garden Route
Enjoy a self-drive tour through the spectacular winelands and Garden Route, finishing with a luxury safari on the Eastern Cape.
Your trip will start with four nights in the fabulous city of Cape Town. Stay in one of the city’s top hotels and enjoy time exploring independently. Your guide will take you on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula where you can visit charming towns, stunning beaches and spot some of the unique wildlife. At the end of your Cape Town stay you will pick up your hire car and head out to the winelands. Stay in a charming luxury hotel and enjoy the time to explore the area, making sure you stop at some vineyards to sample their wines and take advantage of the excellent restaurants here. Next, continue on to the Overberg, an area of fruit and grain farms, verdant wine-growing valleys and a coastal riviera known for its charming towns and whale viewing. Spend 2 nights here in a spectacular lodge and enjoy activities such as Fnybos walks, sandboarding and snorkelling. From here, drive on to the Garden Route where you will spend 2 nights with time to explore independently. Take in the stunning scenery here from endless expanses of untamed primal forest and pristine beaches to imposing mountains, dramatic cliffs and blue-green seas. Your final stop will be the Eastern Cape for an amazing safari. Spend four nights in the Shamwari private conservancy, exploring on game drives, guided walks and visits to local towns. This part of South Africa is malaria-free, making it a particularly appealing safari destination.
Trip highlights
4 nights in Cape Town at Belmond Mount Nelson in a Superior room with breakfast included
Private full day tour of the Cape Peninsula
Car hire for 10 days
2 nights in the Winelands at La Cle Lodge in a Petite room with breakfast included
2 nights in the Overberg at Morukuru Beach Lodge in an Ocean View Suite with all meals included
3 nights in Plettenberg Bay at The Old rectory in a Luxury Suite with breakfast included
4 nights in the Eastern Cape at Shamwari Sindile Tented Camp in a Premier Tented Suite with all meals included
3 days of game drives and guided walks in the Eastern Cape
Map of your holiday
The price for this itinerary is GBP £6,560 (pricing also available in US Dollars)
This is a per person price, based on 2 people travelling and sharing a room.
What’s included
15 nights in luxury accommodation as listed above
Private transfers and tours with an English speaking guide and driver
All internal flights in economy class seating
What’s not included
International flights (discuss your specific requirements with us)
Travel insurance
Any visas you may require
This is a guide price. Please enquire and we will provide a full personalised quote for you. All our itineraries are tailor-made to your own requirements so can be modified however you wish.
WHERE TO STAY
Our suggested luxury hotels for this trip
Belmond Mount Nelson – Cape Town
At the foot of Table Mountain, the Belmond Mount Nelson evokes the magic of a bygone era. Painted pink for peace in 1918, the hotel has exquisitely restored interiors with quirky modern touches. Each of Mount Nelsons 86 suites and 112 guestrooms are individually furnished with luxurious bathrooms. Set in a tranquil and lush garden estate – Belmond Mount Nelson is the only resort-style hotel and spa centrally located in Cape Town near all major tourist attractions, a mere 20 minute walk to the city centre. The spa and pool provide the perfect spot to relax after a day in the city.
Le Clé des Montagnes – Franschhoek
La Clé des Montagnes is a French-accented retreat in Franschhoek, spread over two South African estates, including a working vineyard, orchards and lavender gardens. The property offers two styles of accommodation; the lodge which feature five exquisite en-suite bedrooms; and four distinctly different villas, ideal for families. The lodge offers expansive views, a tennis court, chip and putt lawn and helipad. A short walk from the property takes you to some of the best restaurants in Franschhoek, although you may prefer to eat at the hotel and let you butler cook a braai.
Morukuru Beach Lodge
A stunning beach lodge in the De Hoop nature Reserve. The property can be booked per suite or for exclusive use. Each of the five suites offers views of the ocean and is decorated in a stylish, contemporary manner with light wood panelling and large windows making use of the natural light. All meals are included in your stay and the food is freshly prepared using local ingredients. Guests can enjoy guided nature walks, bike rides, whale watching and many other activities with this exceptional property as a luxurious base.
The Old Rectory Hotel & Spa – Plettenberg Bay
A stunning beach hideaway and the perfect property from which to explore South Africa’s Garden Route. The hotel dates back to 1777 and is the oldest surviving building in Plett. It offers 18 suites, all immaculately decorated in white with brightly coloured accents and featuring outdoor terraces or gardens. The restaurant offers an excellent gourmet experience, and the spa is renowned for its luxurious treatments. Guests can visit local beaches, explore the Garden Route and relax by the gorgeous pool.
Shamwari Sindile Lodge
Situated deep in the African Veld, this luxury tented camp is a stunning spot on the Shamwari Private Game Reserve on South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The camp blends naturally with the surrounding bush and provides excellent views over the Bushman’s River and plains beyond. Each of the 9 tents are typical luxury safari tents, all with air conditioning, coffee machines and outdoor showers as well as ensuite bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a safari spa experience after a day spotting the local game.