Duration
12 days
Tour Type
Self Drive Safari
Overview
Embark on a 12-day self-drive adventure through some of South Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, from the wild beauty of the Garden Route to the vibrant energy of Cape Town.
Begin with an exciting safari experience along the Garden Route, where you’ll encounter the Big Five in their natural habitat.
Continue to Plettenberg Bay for serene coastal views, followed by Oudtshoorn, home to the majestic ostriches and the famous Cango Caves.
Journey through the renowned wine region of Franschhoek, where you’ll savor world-class wines, before concluding in Cape Town, where iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope await.
This itinerary offers a perfect mix of wildlife, stunning coastlines, fine wine, and urban charm.
Included/Exclude
- Accommodation – subject to availability
- The Old Rectory, La Plume, La Fontaine, and Winchester Mansions: Bed & Breakfast Basis
- Shamwari: Fully Inclusive
- Car hire: Sport Utility Automatic (or similar) Super cover insurance, contract fee, one-way drop-off fee, 200km free per day.
- Park fees and conservation levies
- Travel package & digital travel documents
- Meet & greet on arrival
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Tips
- International air (to and from Africa)
- Air transportation, accommodation, meals & drinks not specified
- Tips / gratuities at all meals, lodge staff, drivers, pilots, guides, rangers & trackers etc.
- Personal items such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, room service – unless specified as included
- Day use of room on arrival and departure from all properties. Generally, check-in is from 14h00/15h00 and check-out is by 10h00/11h00
- Visas
- Fuel for rental vehicle
- Porterage throughout
- Travel insurance – medical, emergency evacuation, cancellation, delays, loss of
Tour Plan
Day 1 To Day 4 - Shamwari Private Game Reserve
At Shamwari Private Game Reserve, every moment tells a story of Africa’s wild beauty and deep commitment to conservation. Spread across 25,000 hectares of malaria-free Big 5 territory, Shamwari invites you to immerse yourself in an unforgettable wildlife adventure. From the lush ecosystems brimming with diverse flora and fauna to heartfelt encounters at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and the inspiring tales of rescued big cats at Born Free Foundation’s sanctuaries, every experience is designed to connect you with nature.
Choose your sanctuary among six luxurious lodges, each offering its own unique style and five-star hospitality. For the adventurous spirit, the Explorer Camp delivers an intimate escape in the heart of the bush. At Shamwari, you’ll find more than a safari – you’ll leave as a lifelong friend, carrying the essence of Africa with you
Day 4 To Day 6 - Plettenberg Bay
The seaside town of Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination situated just 2.5 hours’ drive west of Gqebertha, on the spectacular coastal Garden Route, The Portuguese explorers called it the ‘Beautiful Bay’, and it’s easy to see why – Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with endless pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests, and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Playground to the wealthy, beach mansions overlook the Indian Ocean, often dotted with luxury yachts, while leisure time is given over to polo and golf, among other things. However, all kinds of visitors will feel at peace here as simply swimming in the warm water on a safe beach is a great way to experience the beauty of Plettenberg Bay. Adrenaline seekers can visit Bloukrans Bridge, a 30-minute drive away, to do the highest bungee jump on earth.
Day 6 To Day 7 - Oudtshoorn
Day 7 To Day 9 - Franschhoek
Set just over an hour from Cape Town, within the inspiring landscapes of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a heritage town and a world-renowned food and wine destination. Travellers could choose to focus their visit on any one aspect alone – nature, cuisine or culture – and find plenty to keep them busy. The estates here attract wine experts from around the globe with their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cap Classique sparkling wine (among others). Five-star restaurants alongside the cellars are surrounded by the same jaw-dropping valley scenes that have brought artists and writers to the area for centuries. A superb literary festival takes place around May every year, and, combined with the town’s Cape Dutch manor houses, fascinating museums, and charming boutiques, makes Franschhoek a wonderful place to visit in winter. Summer provides endless hiking, cycling and other outdoor opportunities among the lush farmlands and mountains.
Day 9 To Day 12 - Cape Town
Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain’s jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
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