Luxurious Self Drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek Winelands, then Hermanus to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. From here drive south to Port Elizabeth and Shamwari Game Reserve to end your journey of exploration in Port Alfred. Discover some of South Africa’s best destinations on this 22-day self-drive holiday. Your personal adventure takes in whale watching, Great White Shark cage diving, Robben Island and scenic beauty beyond description. Luxury accommodation includes meals, wine tastings, spa therapies and gym workouts.
Luxurious Self Drive Garden Route Tour
Discover some of the best parts of South Africa on this 22-day self-drive holiday that begins in Cape Town and endsin Port Elizabeth. Your personal adventure takes in the wondrous Cape Winelands, breath-taking Hermanus, stunning Plettenberg Bay and the cherry on top is your Garden Route Safari.
Your journey starts in our beautiful Mother City where there is plenty to do and see. You then drive along the mind-boggling coastline in all her glory, enjoying luxury hotels and friendly hospitality at our carefully selected and favourite hotels. We chose them for their uniqueness, for that something extra that they offer the tourist on the move. This could be prime locations, top class management or their excellent cuisine and wine. All guaranteed to allow you as much relaxation or activity that you desire as you explore the beautiful Garden Route.
Set off on a journey brimming with the perfect blend of bush, beach, city, forests, sun, sand, culture and colour. In addition, your route is safe and your rental car will allow you the freedom to do what you want to do along the way.
The fun starts when you land at Cape Town International airport and get your hired car. Enjoy the brief drive to the famous V&A Waterfront where you will stay in perfect luxury at the chic Cape Grace Hotel.
For your holiday pleasure, there is nowhere better to be in the Mother City. The Cape Grace is centrally situated on its own marina in this picturesque harbour and offers everything if not more than your usual elegant 5-star hotel. Enjoy luxury rooms with every mod con imaginable, hospitable staff, sophistication wherever you go and time to really rest.
Your 4 nights at the Cape Grace start at the V&A Waterfront where there is so much to do and learn about. Immerse yourself in Africa’s most beautiful city. Take a boat ride, see Robben Island, shop until you drop. Then head into the Mother City to see her history, gardens, Table Mountain and markets. Take a drive around the coast to experience spectacular beaches, Signal Hill, Cape Point, Boulders Beach and Camps Bay. Find your way to the beautiful Constantia Winelands, Muizenberg surfers’ corner and Kirstenbosch. It is all so inspiring.
Overnight at Cape Grace
Overnight at Cape Grace
Overnight at Cape Grace
Overnight at Cape Grace
Your pleasure you feel at staying at the classic Cape Grace, certainly one of South Africa’s finest large hotels, can only be enhanced with a few nights at La Residence in Franschhoek. Rated as one of South Africa’ finest boutique hotels, La Residence is more like a regal villa than a hotel, offering personalized world class hospitality in a wine growing region. Your guesthouse is surrounded by myriad verdant vineyards where huge purple mountains keep watch in all directions.
The Franschhoek valley is renowned for its award-winning restaurants, professional chefs and delightful wines. There are literally hundreds of wine farms to discover and some quality shopping to be done. Yes, Franschhoek is South Africa’s equivalent of Provence in southern France! Meet some artistic people and feel inspired by this village lost in time.
Overnight at La Residence
Overnight at La Residence
Your fantastic reward when you enjoy the brief drive from Franschhoek to Hermanus, town of whales and whale crier, is a chic Royal Portfolio luxury hotel called Birkenhead House. Find this luxury hotel on a sheer cliff face looking out towards Walker Bay, home of the whales. Your destination provides unusual yet grand decor and slick five star hospitality. You feel as if you can almost touch the giant sea mammals below.
Time your journey for whale-watching season, from June to November and you will also be in time for some of the best game viewing in South Africa. As you cruise the famous Whale Route, look out for some of the 37 species of whale and dolphin. Maybe you will experience close encounters with Southern right and Humpback whales, or the amazing Heavyside’s, Common, Dusky and Bottle nose dolphins. They will change your life.
Overnight at Birkenhead House
Overnight at Birkenhead House
Now it is time to explore the coast further along on your Garden Route adventure.
Situated on top of the Welbedacht Cliff Tops 3km from Knysna Town, the Lodge overlooks the Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua mountains. The theme of the Lodge is based on natural beauty with stone and wood architecture combining to give that comfortable earth feel.
Overnight at Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest Lodge
Overnight at Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest Lodge
Take your time today to enjoy the sights as you meander to Plettenberg Bay, only an hour away. We show you the lush forests of a private nature reserve where you stay in tree houses above the ground! Tsala Treetop Lodge offers you luxury suites in the canopy, plenty of privacy and a new awareness about trees and their creatures.
You will have plenty of space in your tree suite which is linked to the others by raised boardwalks. Enjoy your lounge, en suite bathroom, large bedroom and private deck complete with a refreshing plunge pool. Sometimes you may forget you are literally floating in the air surrounded by greenery and fantastic views!
Discover the splendid beaches of Plettenberg Bay, the world class golf courses, bio-diverse nature reserves, hiking trails, animal rehabilitation centers and great choice of excellent restaurants and cafes.
Overnight at Tsala Treetop Lodge
Overnight at Tsala Treetop Lodge
Overnight at Tsala Treetop Lodge
Overnight at Tsala Treetop Lodge
Heading east along the coast, drive about two and a half hours to Port Elizabeth for an overnight stop at the lavish No.5 Boutique Art Hotel just 11minutes from the beach. This stop keeps the pace gentle so you don’t have to rise early at Tsala to reach the game reserve by lunchtime and you can even spend the morning in Plett for one extra activity.
Shamwari Townhouse is a modern and sophisticated hotel in a tranquil location with an excellent restaurant and some pretty natty amenities including a plush lounge that opens onto the pool terrace; a private cinema; a spa and a gym.
Overnight at No.5 Boutique Art Hotel
Another slow and relaxing start to the day – thanks to that stopover – will see you taking a leisurely breakfast and setting for Shamwari Private Game Reserve about an hour and half inland from Port Elizabeth and the scene of some serious Big 5 game viewing and even more serious luxury safari lodges.
Shamwari Bayethe is one of a handful of luxurious accommodation options in this spectacular private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The added bonus here is that you have a complete safari experience every bit as amazing as you will find elsewhere on the continent but without the malaria risk. In fact, this whole tour is malaria-free so it’s a wonderful option for families (note: families with children under 12 will stay in Riverdene Lodge or Sarili Lodge instead).
Enjoy four days of game viewing in the early morning and late afternoon into the night; you can also take guided bush walks and some unique activities including historical tours, birdwatching and stargazing.
Overnight at Bayethe Tented Camp
Overnight at Bayethe Tented Camp
Overnight at Bayethe Tented Camp
After your morning safari and breakfast it’s time to hit the road for your final destination and it’s back to the seaside we go after a two-hour drive through the gentle Eastern Cape hills.
Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve is a charming owner-run hotel in a safari lodge style with wonderful sea views and seven kilometres of private beach on your doorstep. Rooms are large and luxurious, the service is personal and attentive and the relaxing mood all pervasive.
Beach walks, birdwatching and game drives are all in a day’s work at Oceana and make a rather tidy wrap to your luxury Garden Route expedition.
Overnight at Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve
Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve
Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve
Drive to Port Elizabeth Airport along the coast for about two hours. Drop off your car at the airport and board your flight to Cape Town and onward travel plans either home or for more holiday fun.