Itinerary Highlights
- Taste gourmet food and superb wines
- Watch the breaching whales
- Dare to dive with a Great White Shark
- Enjoy twice daily drives in search of big game
- Marvel at the rare white lions
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
- Car Hire
15 nights from £3,650 - £6,125 per person
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Famous for its astonishing diversity, South Africa guarantees incredible holidays. On this leisurely 16 day self -drive itinerary you will travel to wonderful destinations to experience the winelands, whales and wildlife, three of the country’s outstanding qualities. A self drive along the Garden Route, one of the world’s best drives, is a wonderful way to experience travel through South Africa and see all the stunning scenery. Along the way you will be staying in an array of world class accommodation all in stunning locations.
After a couple of days exploring Cape Town, your first stop on your exciting road trip will be the winelands of Drakenstein Valley with a stay in the peaceful tranquil haven of Babylonstoren, a farm house filled with history.
From here you will head to Hermanus staying at the Harbour House Hotel. Your days will be filled with whale watching (July - November), spotting these majestic elegant animals from the coast or on a boat trip, before following the Garden Route to Knysna and Plettenberg. You will be Sitting on the edge of a lagoon which meets the rolling sea between the sandstone cliffs on the Knysna Heads, Knysna is a filled with nature creating a wonderful natural playground.
The last stop on your trip is the wildlife of Pumba Private Game Reserve. Nestled in the heart of malaria free Eastern Cape, Pumba Private Game Reserve offers a supreme African safari experience across a bush filled with wildlife including elephant, leopard, giraffe, rhino and buffalo. An incredible wildlife sighting is of the very rare white lion - a colour morph of the African lion which in the wild, exists only in South Africa.
Itinerary
Day 1 London
Depart early evening from London Heathrow on an overnight flight to Cape Town via Johannesburg.
Day 2 Cape Town
Arriving early morning, collect your hire care and drive to the Steenberg Hotel for your three night stay, breakfast included.
Cape Town’s oldest wine farm offers friendly hospitality, outstanding cuisine, an indulgent spa and luxurious rooms. The location is not only stunning, resting in the shadows of the Table Mountain range, but also convenient; just a quick 20 minute drive away from the centre of Cape Town. The restaurant’s, Catharina’s at Steenbrg, menu serves contemporary comfort food, delicious dishes of fresh produce cooked simply and presented beautifully. A dinner here on your first night is a wonderful start to your holiday and introduction to Cape Town.
Day 3 Cape Town
With so much on offer you will find it easy to fill your two full days in Cape Town with exciting activities and excursions whether you want to be active, experience the nature or have your first encounter with some of South Africa’s wildlife.
For breath-taking views journey across the Chapman’s Peak Drive, winding between Noordhoek and Hout Bay along the Atlantic Coast, to the Cape Peninsula Nature Reserve where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, stopping to marvel at the penguin colony on Boulders Beach. Head up Table Mountain in either a rotating cable car or by foot up the pathways, before heading down to browse the shops, museums and cafés the vibrant city centre has to offer. Take a boat trip across to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years his incarceration imprisoned, or drive to the scenic town of Hout Bay, home to seal colonies, for fresh seafood.
Staying at
Steenberg Hotel
Day 4 Exploration days
There are a variety of tours on offer in Cape Town. For something that is a bit different, try the Eats Tour. This is a guided walking tour through the markets of Cape Town. Here you will have the opportunity of tasting local cuisine and learning more about the culture.
For Photographers, there are a number of tours that are guided with a specialist photographer, learn techniques and the use of cameras without having to be an expert yourself!
Staying at
Steenberg Hotel
Day 5 Cape Town – Drakenstein Valley
Just a short leisurely drive from Cape Town is the stunning verdant winelands. In the morning drive to the tranquil Babylonstoren for two nights with breakfast included.
One of the best preserved werfs (farm yards) with over 300 years of history, Babylonstoren is a stunning Cape Dutch farm. The interiors of the 12 guest cottages and Manor House are chic, clean and modern, lovingly combined with the heritage of the Drakenstein Valley. The one and two bedroom en-suite cottages have marvellous views of either the garden or vineyard with an outside area to enjoy alfresco dining.
At the heart of Babylonstoren farm is the garden spread across eight acres with over 300 types of edible plant. Whilst strolling through the glorious garden you will come across clusters dedicated to vegetables, berries, bees, plants, ducks and chickens. The restaurant serves seasonal dishes, the ingredients picked from the garden for a satisfying and delicious farm to plate affair.
Day 6 Drakenstein Valley
The whole farm is yours to explore including the swimming pool, a spa, a gym overlooking the garden and the Babylonstoren Shop. Wherever your wanders take you, your time in Babylonstoren is guaranteed to be calm, peaceful and serene.
Staying at
Babylonstoren
Day 7 Drakenstein Valley – Hermanus
Today leave Babylonstoren for Hermanus and your two night stay at Harbour House with breakfast included. In the heart of the Old Harbour, Harbour House is placed in between the seaside and the bustling centre of the historical town. Whale watching can be enjoyed from the Lookout Terrace over a delicious lunch or a refreshing sundowner. Spend the afternoon casually strolling into the charming town filled with markets, restaurants and cafes.
Day 8 Hermanus
For an exhilarating half day excursion, go diving with great white sharks to come up close and personal with these colossal and magnificent creatures of the sea. However, if you fancy staying dry, whale watching on land or by boat is also a splendid way to spend your last day in Hermanus.
Day 9 Hermanus – Plettenberg Bay
After a delicious breakfast, the next part of your road trip will take you along the spectacular Garden Route leading you through the seaside town of Wilderness before heading to Plettenberg Bay. After an optional lunch of fresh seafood and a scenic boat cruise, check in at Hunters Country House for three nights with breakfast included.
Day 10 Kynsna
Found in the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna is full of natural splendour with giant yellow wood and stinkwood trees running down to a coastline of cliffs and coves harbouring glorious beaches. Completely immerse yourself in this wonderful nature; trek through the forests, relax on the beaches and fly over the dense forest canopy on the aerial runway.
Take a dolphin and whale boat trip around the bay, combining it with a delightful walk on the Robberg Peninsula or a boat trip up the Keurbooms River with a picnic lunch. For the truly adventurous there is the world’s highest bungee jump and opportunities to sky dive; the most exhilarating way to take in the incredible views.
Staying at
Hunters Country House
Day 11 Knysna
Well known for its Oysters, go on a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, taste an oyster or six with a lovely glass of local Sparkling wine.
The Markets in Knysna are also well known, try out some Chocolate tasting and browse the local crafts.
Or choose to spend the day relaxing at the side of the lodge pool with a book.
Staying at
Hunters Country House
Day 12 Knysna – Pumba Private Game Reserve
Passing through Port Elizabeth, drive to Pumba Private Game Reserve for a three night stay inclusive of all meals, local drinks and scheduled morning and afternoon game drives, guided game walks. Pumba Private Game Reserve is an untouched wildlife haven which has achieved gold status for its environmental work.
Spend your leisure time relaxing in the comfort of one of two five star accommodations, either Pumba Water Lodge or Msenge Bush Lodge, the private and spacious chalets of both a delightful place to enjoy the magnificent views of the gorgeous African landscapes.
Day 13 Pumba Private Game Reserve
Spend your days driving through the beauty of the reserve in an open luxury Land Rover, the knowledgeable ranger teaching you about the abundance of wildlife. During these hours out exploring the bush your wildlife sightings can include lion, rhino, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and over 16 antelope species. At the end of the day, enjoy authentic African cuisine around the fire.
Also on offer are night safari drives for a chance to view an entirely different array of animals. These nocturnal creatures include the elusive aardvark, hyena and aardwolf.
Another wonderful night-time activity is star gazing. Looking up into the sky blank of light pollution, the stars and moon the only sources of light, the field guides will reveal the wonders of the South Celestial Skies pointing out the Southern Cross and Orion’s Belt.
Staying at
Pumba Game Reserve
Day 14 Pumba Private Game Reserve - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg
Today, you will leave the game reserve to drive to Port Elizabeth for your flight to Johannesburg where you will connect with your overnight flight to London Heathrow.
Day 15 London
Arrive home in the early morning.
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
15 nights from £3,650 - £6,125 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
1st Jan 2025 -
30th Apr 2025
30th Apr 2025
£4,675
1st May 2025 -
31st Aug 2025
31st Aug 2025
£3,650
1st Sep 2025 -
15th Dec 2025
15th Dec 2025
£4,675
16th Dec 2025 -
15th Jan 2026
15th Jan 2026
£6,125
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
• International and domestic flights from London
• Airport taxes
• Car hire with comprehensive insurance cover
• Meals as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
• Visa fees
• Drinks
• Personal Items
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
