Cape Town Kruger and Garden Route, Self-Drive

Arrive at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, pick up your rental car and then drive to your accommodation in Belfast. This small, peaceful town in the Mpumalanga Province is renowned for its excellent trout fishing and its attractive agricultural lands. Fishermen from all over the country travel here to the ‘trout triangle’ to enjoy trout and bass fishing, while their families enjoy the homely atmosphere of the town. Due to rich soil and high rainfall, Belfast’s surrounding farms are largely focused on sheep, dairy, cattle, maize and potato farming. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure and indulge in a delicious dinner at the hotel. Dinner is included.

Overnight in Belfast. 

After breakfast, we suggest you drive via the Panorama Route to Kapama. The Panorama Route includes a spectacular variety of scenery such as deep canyons, rugged mountains, misty waterfalls and tranquil lakes. The route passes Ohrigstad and leads into the Blyde River Canyon. The 26-kilometre-long valley is one of the most important natural wonders of South Africa. North of the route lies the Three Rondavels, the Blyde River Canyon’s most striking feature. Admire the huge rocks that resemble mushrooms growing out of the mountain and are similar in appearance to traditional African round huts, namely rondavels. Then, catch a glimpse of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a complex of smooth, cylindrical potholes and natural rock sculptures that have been hollowed out by water erosion through the Blyde River over millions of years. If weather permits, south of the route we stop to let another spectacular viewpoint named God’s Window amaze our eyes. Entrance fees are not included. 

After this spectacular drive, arrive at the lodge, check in and freshen up before your afternoon safari game drive in Kapama Private Game Reserve. The Kapama Private Game Reserve lies west of Kruger National Park on 13,000 hectares of open savannah, grassland and riverine bush along the river. Excellent trained and experienced rangers and trackers guarantee a unique African safari experience in the home of the Big Five - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. After your game drive, return to the lodge and enjoy a tasty dinner. Lunch and dinner are included.

Overnight in Kapama. 

At the break of dawn, a gentle tap on the door will awaken you. Meet your ranger to discuss your expectations for this morning’s safari. The game drive takes place in an open 4x4 vehicle which enables you to experience close encounters and unforgettable moments with various animals. Each game drive lasts around three hours.  During the outing, your ranger informs you about the flora and fauna of the bush and how the animals live.  Enjoy a tasty cup of coffee during a break out in the bush at one of the scenic spots. Upon your return to the lodge, feast on a substantial breakfast. Relax at the pool and enjoy the lodge facilities until it is time for your afternoon game drive. This exciting day ends with dinner. Lunch and dinner are included.

Overnight in Kapama

Begin your day with an early morning game drive and a tasty breakfast. Afterwards, make your way to South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, affectionately known as ‘Jacaranda City’ because of the many purple blossoms lining the streets when these trees are in full bloom, normally between the months of September and November. Pretoria has approximately one million inhabitants and a fascinating history that has crafted a city with a rich cultural heritage featured in a variety of museums, buildings and art centres. Arrive in Pretoria, check into your hotel and get ready for a new interesting day.

Overnight in Pretoria. 

Breakfast included. Explore Pretoria on your own during a city tour visiting the Union Buildings and the Vortrekker Monument. Then travel to O.R. Tambo International Airport where you will drop off your rental car and catch your flight to George Airport. Arrive at George Airport collect another rental car and drive to your accommodation in Knysna, a small, charming seaside town on the banks of a protected lagoon. The name is derived from the Khoi language and is believed to mean ‘straight down’, referencing the Knysna Heads. The town is well known for its oysters, its nature reserves and various activities on offer. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Knysna. 

Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then,  make your way to the Knysna Lagoon for a Featherbed Nature Reserve eco-experience. The Featherbed Nature Reserve is a 150-hectare private reserve that is only accessible via ferry across the Knysna Lagoon. From the jetty, you are met and taken on an excursion aboard 4x4 vehicles onto Knysna’s Western Head. Stop at one of the viewpoints where your guide will inform you about the reserve and the Heads. A two-kilometre trail takes you through the coastal forest and fynbos down to the coast and back to the restaurant. The outing ends with a buffet lunch under a canopy of Milkwood trees. Afterwards, the ferry takes you back to Knysna. This eco-excursion lasts around four hours. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront. Lunch is included.

Overnight in Knysna.

After a delectable breakfast, make your way to the town of George and then to Oudtshoorn, today´s final destination. Pass the village of Sedgefield en route to Wilderness, a small seaside village, located on an almost endless white beach and offering fantastic views of the Outeniqua Mountains. The road now turns inland heading to George, the capital of the eastern part of the Western Cape Province. 

The town has over 120,000 inhabitants and is an important industrial centre of the region. It is also a popular golfing retreat offering enthusiasts the George and the world-renowned Fancourt golf courses. From here, make your way to Oudtshoorn where your guesthouse is located. Oudtshoorn is the capital of the Little Karoo and is also known as the ‘ostrich capital’. Some gracious so-called ‘feather palaces’ show the wealth created during the boom of the ostrich feather industry during the early 20th century. Enjoy a visit to Safari Ostrich Farm and indulge in a tasty dinner. Dinner is included.

Overnight in Oudtshoorn .

Wake up early to get ready for an exciting Meerkat encounter. This fantastic experience starts at sunrise and depends on fair weather. A knowledgeable guide will introduce you to these interesting personalities on the plains of the African outback (The tour is weather permitting and lasts between two to three hours). Afterwards, return to the farm, have a  delicious breakfast and collect your luggage before you make your way to your next activity, the amazing Cango Caves. These caves are situated in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, just 30 kilometres outside of Oudtshoorn. Originally discovered by the indigenous San people almost 10,000 years ago, the cave system features more than 80 caverns and extends five kilometres into the mountain, but only a 1.2-kilometre stretch is open to visitors. Explore the Great Hall, which is more than 107 metres in diameter and has a height of 16 metres, and catch sight of the multitude of stalagmites and stalactites. 

After the cave tour, travel from Oudtshoorn, taking the inland route, leading along the Langeberg mountain range to Calitzdorp, the capital of the local South African port wine industry. Continue through the Little Karoo and drive over the Huisrivier pass to Ladismith. Towering above the town is the landmark Towerkop. It is said that the top was split by the broom of an angry witch as she fled over the mountain peak. Past the small town of Barrydale, the route leads to Montagu, a quaint little town with a good number of national monuments. It is an ideal stop for a stroll and some refreshments. Montagu is also a centre for apricot and peach industries and well known for its sweet muscatel wines. Check in and enjoy a fabulous wine tasting at Mimosa Lodge. 

Overnight in Montagu. 

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Montagu and make your way to Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and a vibrant university town. Your expert local guide will lead you on a tasty discovery of the historic heart of Stellenbosch with its elegant oak-lined streets, architectural diversity and inspiring outdoor art. This classic Cape cuisine walk includes a guided walking tour of the old town centre with entertaining stories about Stellenbosch history and culture, as well as a visit to the oldest townhouse in South Africa, which forms part of the Village Museum. You will sample indigenous teas and home-style rusks, traditional snacks such as biltong (dried beef) and droëwors (dried sausage) from a family-run butchery. Then savour a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in South Africa and nostalgic sweets when we visit the legendary Oom Samie se Winkel – the oldest shop in town. Finish this memorable tour with a trilogy of Cape desserts(tour duration 3.5 hours) and proceed to Cape Town, South Africa’s ‘Mother City’. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the town is contained in a bowl created by Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Bay. It is, therefore, no surprise that it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In the mid-17th century, Cape Town was founded by the Dutch East India Company as a refreshment station for its ships on the way to the riches of the East. The Castle of Good Hope and the Company’s Garden go back to these humble beginnings. Spend your afternoon visiting the city centre with its many historical buildings and different architecture. Also, if weather permits, enjoy a trip with the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Afterwards, go to your hotel in Cape Town and get ready for another interesting day. Light lunch is included.

Overnight in Cape Town

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by an exciting tour through an ever-changing landscape of majestic mountains, vast oceans, rugged cliffs and indigenous fynbos vegetation. Here, the landscape is rough, and it is no wonder that the Portuguese seafarers called the cape Capo Tormentoso, meaning the ‘Cape of Storms’. Visit the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern tip of the African continent. Then stop at the seaside towns of Fish Hoek and Muizenberg which border False Bay and are popular for their swimming beaches in summer and viewing Southern Right Whales in winter.

The journey continues through Simon’s Town where the South African naval headquarters are located. Your first stop is Boulder’s Beach, where a colony of African Penguins settled in the early 1980s. Safely view the penguin colony from elevated boardwalks, overlooking their nesting grounds and beach. The monogamous penguin mate for life and generally lay two eggs with the penguin parents sharing responsibility taking care of the nest and their young. Then visit the old lighthouse at Cape Point, which offers a spectacular viewing platform over False Bay. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from the car park to the lighthouse summit, or just a few minutes on the funicular railway. The funicular ride is not included. Return to Cape Town via Chapman’s Peak (if open),in the afternoon where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Cape Town.

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Spend the entire day at leisure, relaxing or exploring the beautiful streets of Cape Town. Enjoy the city and all it has to offer!

Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast at the hotel, bid farewell to this beautiful city and make your way to Cape Town International Airport to drop off your vehicle and continue with your individual travelling plans.

Breakfast included