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 two 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 two 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
Explore Cape Town, including Table Mountain, Clifton and Camps Bay, as well as the colorful waterfront.
Journey round the Cape Peninsula, visiting Boulders Beach penguins, Chapman's Peak and Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Rent a car and enjoy a scenic drive to the Winelands at La Clé, with vineyard strolls, wine tastings and farm-to-table cuisine.
Relax at Morukuru Beach Lodge with guided nature walks, kayaking and sunsets over a private beach.
Spend time at Walker's Beach in Plettenberg Bay, enjoying golden sands, swimming and coastal views.
Safari at Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in the Eastern Cape, including Big 5 game drives, walking safaris and family activities.
When to go
In the warmer months (November to March), you can expect long sunny days ideal for beach, garden and safari activities, while in the cooler months (May to September), the coastal areas are quieter and the sea is cold. Swimming is possible but often brisk, so many visitors prefer beach walks or watersports in wetsuits. Game viewing can be excellent in the winter as animals gather around water sources, but mornings and evenings may be chilly.
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The Humboldt team did an amazing job organising our trip to South Africa. We were extremely well looked after and couldn't wish for anything more. Everywhere we stayed was excellent and different to the last place: a perfectly curated trip from an excellent travel team!
– Humboldt Client
Day by Day Itinerary
On arrival in Cape Town, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to your hotel for the next three nights.
The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this incredible city.
- SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Spend a full day exploring the Cape Peninsula, visiting Clifton and Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, the Cape of Good Hope, Simon's Town, Boulders Beach with its African penguins and Kirstenbosch Gardens. Enjoy stunning coastal drives, panoramic views, historic sites and vibrant wildlife along the way.
The drive from Cape Town to the Winelands at La Cle winds through rolling vineyards and historic Cape Dutch towns, framed by majestic mountain ranges. Along the way, you’ll pass quaint villages, lush farmland and scenic valleys, offering a true taste of the region’s natural beauty and charm.
- SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
The drive from La Clé to Morukuru Beach Lodge winds through scenic vineyards and rolling countryside before reaching the rugged coastline, culminating in the serene and private beachside setting of the lodge.
- SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
A day at Morukuru Beach Lodge begins with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the ocean, followed by activities such as guided nature walks, birdwatching or kayaking along the pristine coastline. Afternoons and evenings are spent relaxing in luxurious surroundings, enjoying gourmet meals and watching spectacular sunsets over the beach.
The drive from De Hoop Nature Reserve to Plettenberg Bay winds along the scenic Garden Route, passing rolling hills, coastal plains and indigenous forests, with occasional ocean views that hint at the dramatic landscapes ahead. It’s a leisurely journey of around four to five hours, offering stops in charming towns and nature reserves along the way.
- SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
The drive from Plettenberg Bay to the Eastern Cape winds through the scenic Garden Route before giving way to the wide open landscapes of the Eastern Cape. As you approach your lodge, the scenery shifts to savannah plains dotted with indigenous trees and wildlife, setting the tone for your safari experience.
- SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve spans 30,000 hectares of pristine wilderness and offers an intimate safari experience with just 26 rooms, home to the Big 5 and many rare species. Enjoy twice daily game drives, walking safaris, family activities and a lodge pool, with private guides and vehicles available.
Where to stay
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