Trip Info
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open-sided 4x4 vehicle
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2-20
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To be provided for during the trip
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Cape Town
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game drives
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: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic
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To be provided for during the trip
Overview
Your romantic self-drive honeymoon begins in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, where you’ll enjoy three nights exploring its beauty. Next, you’ll journey to the breathtaking Cape Winelands, known for their sweeping vineyards, dramatic mountain scenery, and prestigious wine estates. From there, your road trip continues along the iconic Garden Route before concluding with a memorable safari experience at the Amakhala Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth.
Highlights
- Luxury tour: This luxury tour uses lodges and guest houses.
- Self-drive tour: Drive a vehicle yourself and travel without a tour guide. Rental vehicle is included.
- Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
- Can be customized: You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
- Suitable for solo travelers: Solo travelers can book this private tour.
- Minimum age of 18 years: The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will collect your hired car and then drive to your accommodation in Cape Town. During the afternoon, you may wish to explore Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, which sits right in the middle of a picturesque working harbour with Table Mountain as its backdrop. Alternatively, you can enjoy a sunset cocktail at one of the trendy bars or restaurants along the promenade at Camps Bay.
Main Destination: Cape Town (City)
Accommodation: Kensington Place
Luxury hotel located in Cape Town (City)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Cape Town is yours to explore with your hired car for the next two days.
You may wish to summit Table Mountain in a rotating cable car, visit the District Six Museum and Robben Island to discover more about South Africa's political history and Nelson Mandela's legacy, or wander down the iconic Long Street, famous for its bohemian vibe.
Since you have your own car, you could also visit Cape Point, located at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60km southwest of Cape Town. Cape Point offers some of the world's most breathtaking ocean and mountain scenery. During your visit, you can take photographs from the dramatic viewpoints, learn about the maritime history, walk the shipwreck trail, spot cape mountain zebra and eland, or watch whales move past on their annual migration (June to October).
Main Destination: Cape Town (City)
Accommodation: Kensington PlaceLuxury hotel located in Cape Town (City)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Today, you will leave Cape Town and drive for one hour to the small, picturesque town of Franschhoek in the stunning Cape Winelands. You will spend two nights at an award-winning winery in one of their exquisite guest suites overlooking the spectacular vineyards.
Main Destination: Winelands
Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais
Luxury hotel located in Franschhoek (Winelands)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
During your time in Franschhoek, which boasts some of the most majestic wine hills and mountains anywhere in the world, you can explore the local vineyards on a wine-tasting tour, hike or cycle in the Franschhoek Mountains, dine at a world-class restaurant, or enjoy a luxury spa treatment.
Main Destination: Winelands
Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais
Luxury hotel located in Franschhoek (Winelands)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
After breakfast, you will leave Franschhoek and drive to Oudtshoorn, situated on the edge of the famous Garden Route. You will stay at a luxurious guest house in a breathtaking location surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains.
During your time in Oudtshoorn, you can join a wild meerkat tour, hike in the mountains, visit an ostrich farm, discover the Cango Caves and nearby waterfalls, or enjoy a relaxing massage.
Main Destination: Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)
Accommodation: Rosenhof Country HouseLuxury guest house located in Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
From Oudtshoorn, you will drive along the stunning Garden Route to the charming and tranquil town of Plettenberg Bay. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking scenery and beautiful views over the exquisite Indian Ocean. You will spend the next two n+9ights in this area.
Main Destination: Garden Route
Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Luxury lodge located near Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route)
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
You have two days to enjoy Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area. You may wish to relax on the endless sandy beaches, kayak with dolphins, explore the dramatic rocky peninsula, lagoons, and estuaries, enjoy a round of golf at one of the 18-hole championship courses, hike in the lush mountains, or, if you are feeling adventurous, glide from tree to tree 30 meters in the air on a canopy tour in the Tsitsikamma forest.
Main Destination: Garden Route
Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Luxury lodge located near Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
After breakfast, you will leave Plettenberg Bay and drive along the coast via the picturesque St Francis Bay to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. A guide will meet you at the reserve entrance, and you will then transfer from your rental vehicle to the lodge's 4x4 Land Cruiser. Once settled into your luxury safari lodge, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive with sundowners overlooking Kwandwe's spectacular landscape before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner.
Main Destination: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Accomodation: Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Luxury+ lodge located inside Kwandwe GR
All meals included
Drinks not included
Enjoy action-packed safaris and the relaxation of your luxury accommodation for the next two days.
On the first day, you will have two exhilarating game drives within the Kwandwe Game Reserve. You will likely see herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, black and white rhinos, and abundant other wildlife. There are also opportunities for night drives, bush walks, and boat trips.
On the second day, you can participate in safari activities or relax in the tranquility surrounding your luxury lodge. Enjoy your sumptuous daily meals and drinks served at the lodge, cool off in the pool, or simply take in the abundant nature that can be found all around the reserve.
Main Destination: Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Accommodation: Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Luxury+ lodge located inside Kwandwe GR
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinks not included
Enjoy your last morning in the reserve and take in the scenic surroundings while savouring a hearty breakfast.
Once you are ready, you will be escorted to the game reserve's gate, where you will retrieve your hired car and drive to Port Elizabeth International Airport to drop off your hire car and complete your journey.
Main Destination: Port Elizabeth International Airport (Port Elizabeth)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Rental vehicle
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (No tip expected)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks
FAQs
A South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari holiday offers the perfect combination of freedom and adventure. You’ll explore Cape Town at your own pace, visiting landmarks such as Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Point, and the Cape Winelands. From there, you’ll continue your journey with a self-drive safari in one of South Africa’s premier reserves, where you’ll spot Africa’s iconic wildlife while enjoying the comfort of carefully chosen lodges.
Yes, a South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari holiday is generally safe as long as you follow recommended travel guidelines. Roads are well-maintained, routes are clearly mapped out, and accommodations are pre-arranged to ensure convenience. Travelers are advised to drive during daylight hours, keep valuables out of sight, and rely on GPS or provided maps. This balance of safety and independence makes the self-drive option appealing.
For a South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari, a standard sedan is suitable for exploring Cape Town and surrounding areas, while a higher-clearance SUV or 4×4 is ideal for safari regions, especially if you plan to navigate gravel roads within reserves. Car rental companies usually provide well-equipped vehicles with GPS and support services, ensuring a smooth driving experience throughout your holiday.
On the safari portion of a South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari, you’ll have the chance to spot the famous Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—alongside giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeests, and countless antelope species. Birdwatchers will also be thrilled with the abundance of birdlife. Game drives may be self-guided in some parks, while others offer the option to join ranger-led excursions for a deeper wildlife experience.
The best time to book a South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari depends on your priorities. The Cape Town region is most enjoyable from October to April, when the weather is warm and ideal for sightseeing, wine tours, and coastal drives. Safari destinations are best visited during the dry winter months from May to September, when animals gather around waterholes, making wildlife viewing more rewarding.
A South Africa Self-Drive Escape Cape Town & Safari stands out because it offers flexibility, independence, and a sense of adventure. Unlike guided group tours, you set your own pace, choose where to stop, and enjoy the freedom of spontaneous detours. At the same time, itineraries are carefully designed to include comfortable accommodations and highlight the must-see attractions. This balance of structure and freedom gives travelers the best of both worlds.
