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Look for whales in the waters of Hermanus
Drive along the coast and feel the waves crashing onto land
Start your trip in cosmopolitan Cape Town
Hop between vineyards and taste the famous South African wines
Head to the waterfront and tuck into some freshly caught fish
Enjoy the incredible scenery of Kynsna
Finish your trip in sun-drenched Port Elizabeth
Spot penguins on the beaches of the Cape
From: Cape Town
To: Port Elizabeth
£2,550
See more ideas for: South Africa
Explore for two weeks on this South Africa road trip. A classic itinerary, this journey along the Garden Route covers one of the most popular regions of South Africa and is perfect for independent travel. Staying in boutique accommodation along the way you will travel through miles of beautiful vineyards in the wine region, witness whales off the coast of Hermanus and ostriches in the city of Oudtshoorn! This affordable trip is a great introduction to the captivating country of South Africa.
Begin your trip in Cape Town set against the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain; a world class city with delicious food, culture, activities and nearby beaches. Enjoy a night in Franschoek, home to some of the best restaurants in South Africa and located right in the heart of the wine region. Further along your route you will get the chance to witness wild whales (time of year permitting, May to Nov is the best time), visit ostrich farms, look over stunning lagoons and beautiful beaches and stay in locally run b&bs as you travel. This trip is completely bespoke and can be tailored to your exact requirements.
Depart the UK today from your chosen airport.
On arrival in Cape Town you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel in the city.
You shouldn’t be too jet-lagged since South Africa is on the same time zone as the UK so after checking into your guest house for 3 nights, go out and enjoy a relaxed evening in Cape Town. Head to the waterfront and taste some fresh fish, caught that very morning and served up on your plate by evening. Raise a glass to a great first night of your trip along the rugged coast of South Africa.
This morning, your car will be delivered to your guest house. With two days to explore the city you’ll have plenty of time to experience the traditional architecture and interesting shops that make up central Cape Town. Grab a gourmet lunch full of local ingredients before riding the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy beautiful views over the city, all the way to the ocean. Next, hop on a boat out to Robben Island making the short journey out to the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. End your day with drinks in the city centre and taste some of the Cape’s famous wines amongst the bustling bars of Green Point.
For your second day in the Cape, why not head out of the city and drive south towards Cape Point where the crashing waves and rugged rocks reveal incredible views of the ocean. After soaking in the coastal views drive back north and you’ll come across Boulders Beach, where tiny African Penguins wander around enjoying the attention of delighted passersby. Stop off once more and grab some dinner in Kalk Bay where you can choose huge prawns and crayfish cooked in garlic and olives for a delicious final meal in Cape Town.
Today you’ll leave Cape Town, driving the short distance up towards the wine lands of the Cape. This small town is packed to bursting with world class wines and fresh local produce, with delis, vineyards and boutique shops making this a great stop off for foodies. Hop between vineyards, tasting the famous South African wines and learning about the grapes of the region. In the evening, enjoy the views of Simonsberg with an artisanal evening meal made from the local ingredients you’ve been drooling over all day.
After a hearty breakfast, journey south and drive to Hermanus, the whale watching capital of South Africa. If you’re not keen on boats then this is a great place for spotting whales – they come so close to land that they are often clearly visible from the high cliffs above. Otherwise it’s easy to find a tour boat heading out to find these magnificent creatures and enjoy the incredible experience of getting up close to the Southern Right Whales that migrate along the coast. After an exhilarating day, settle into your cosy guest house for a warm drink and comfortable bed.
Today is yours to explore the area, whether you choose to head back out to sea or head a little way along the coast to Gansbaai, where you can try your hand at cage diving with Great White Sharks! If you fancy something a bit more low key, why not explore the fauna and flora of the area? The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is full of native African animals, from baboons and mongooses to a whole range of colourful birds, including the Cape Sugarbird and the Paradise Flycatcher. It’s a great area to explore the rural wildlife of Africa away from the Big 5 and learn more about the intricate eco systems of the country, with beautiful views over the valleys, down to Hermanus and over the ocean.
After breakfast today continue your drive along the Garden Route; this time heading to Outdshoorn. After a long drive, settle into your guest house for 2 nights, ready to relax and enjoy the scenery and culture of the area, full of animals and wild hills.
Outdshoorn is full of ostrich farms and for a short time in the early 20th Century was one of the most important towns for supplying Europe with ostrich feathers for women’s hats! Now it’s an eco hot spot and full of great activities like canoeing, watching meerkats or visiting the Cango Caves. Enjoy your time exploring the area and trying to pack in as many sights and sounds as possible, before an early night after a long but exciting day.
Today you’ll drive back to the coast, past the cliffs outside George and along to Knysna. With golden beaches and a pretty seafront, it’s a great town to explore the shops and waterfront before heading out onto the water. The most famous sights are the two dramatic sea cliffs that protect the small harbour from the Indian Ocean. Look out for dolphins if you got out on the water, they’re easy to spot amongst the choppy waves. If you fancy catching some waves head to Buffalo Bay and take to the sea with a surfboard, enjoying the sunshine before wiling away the afternoon sunbathing on the wide beaches.
Leaving Knysna behind, drive along the coast to your final stop of Port Elizabeth. The city has been through an upgrade since it hosted several matches during the 2010 World Cup and the city centre and harbour are extremely enjoyable areas to explore the boutique shops and restaurants. Find a waterfront restaurant and dig in for the evening, enjoying one last plate of delicious South African food accompanied by a cool glass of sauvignon blanc. After 10 days exploring the varied coast of South Africa, you’re sure to be heading home with a whole host of fantastic memories.
Unfortunately it’s your final day so after breakfast drive to Port Elizabeth airport, where you can return your car and catch your onwards flight.
Why not add on a safari to the end of your trip? Ask one of our consultants for details...
The climate in South Africa is mild year round, however there are ‘seasons’ you may want consider when planning your trip along the Garden Route. They tend to experience rainfall during the winter months (June to August) when it tends to be greener all round. The rains come in with a cooler air, lasting maybe a day or two and are then usually followed by champagne days’ of crystal clear air, blue skies and brilliant colours!
The summer months (November to February) are usually warm or hot, and during December to January the surf is often at its best due to the south easterly winds.
All of our itineraries are tailor-made to give you an idea of just some of what is possible; this means we can adjust as necessary to completely suit your needs! Let your travel consultant know how long you plan to spend away, what you like to do, what properties you like to stay in and an idea of your budget and we will do the rest!
10 nights accommodation in boutique b&b style accommodation.
Hotels in this category include:
