Classic Garden Route Self-Drive

You’ll be met at the airport and driven around 30 minutes to your hotel, Gorgeous George, in central Cape Town.

After breakfast, you’ll be collected by your guide and taken for a private tour of Table Mountain and Cape Town city.  You’ll begin the day with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain where you’re guides will take you to their favourite quiet spots for the most magnificent views across the city. The day is tailored to your interests but generally takes you on a magical journey of food, design, arts and crafts, historical sites, buildings and monuments including the Company’s Gardens, Green Market Square, St George’s Cathedral and Bo Kaap.

You’ll be collected after breakfast and taken to Franschhoek (90 mins) where you’ll settle into the beautiful converted Dutch farmhouse, L’Auberge Chanteclair. The romantic town of Franschhoek, framed by dramatic mountains and surrounded by vineyards, has some of South Africa’s finest restaurants and you’ll build an appetite as you explore the pretty streets dotted with art galleries.

Your hire car will be delivered this morning and you have a free day to explore this beautiful area.  You might like to explore the organic gardens at one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, the spectacular Babylonstoren, or have a vineyard and cellar tour, and winetasting, at the Boschendal farm and wine estate.  Perhaps stroll up Mont Rochelle for incredible views over the Franschhoek valleys, or visit the Sculpture Garden by Dylan Lewis in Stellenbosch.

Today you leave Franschhoek and head east (87 miles), joining South Africa’s scenic Route 62 wine route.  Your destination is the town of Montagu, nestled quietly in the Langeberg Mountains amid beautiful rock formations. Here you’ll stay amoungst picturesque gardens and olive groves at the former vineyard, Montague Vines Guesthouse. Famous for it’s Victorian architecture, Montagu has some lovely walking trails and you might enjoy a dip at the hot springs nearby before sundown.

You have a free day to explore today, and might like to hire bikes, have a river cruise on the Breede River, explore the mountain bike trails, or have an arts and crafts tour.  The hiking and walking trails range from 500 meters exploring the banks of the Keisie river, to 15.6 kilometers taking you up to the Bloupunt summit at 1266 meters.

Today you follow the Route 62, 147 miles east to the Swartberg Country Manor at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains in the Little Karoo.  Perhaps stop for lunch and art galleries in Barrydale en route. You’re free to explore  the working farm at Swartberg Country Manor and might like to visit the waterfall and swimming hole before watching the sunset from the veranda, or enjoying a glass of local wine in front of the fire.

You’re free day to explore Swartberg today.  You might like to do some bird watching, explore the walking routes, or take to the trails on a mountain bike.  Or venture a little further and visit the impressive limestone Cango Caves, visit the Cango Ostrich Farm or see habituated wild meerkats at a nearby farm.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you might like to tackle the Swartburg Pass for epic views of the incredible landscape.

Today you venture south, 168 miles, from the mountains of Swartberg to the Indian Ocean and Garden Route.   Allow plenty of time to visit the pretty beach and lagoon at Wilderness and have lunch in Plettenberg Bay.  Nature’s Valley, with it’s network of trails into the coastal forest, 50 m tall yellow woods, colourful birds, antelope and stretches of fynbos is a must before you reach today’s destination, The Fernery Lodge and Chalets at Tsitsikamma.

Protected as a National Park since 1964, Tsitsikamma has one of South Africa’s largest areas of indigenous forest, ending in spectacular cliffs towering 180 meters above the ocean below.  Today is a free day and whether you’d like to relax with spa treatments, explore walking trails, bird watch, kayak and lilo up a river gorge, go mountain biking, see elephants or do a Treetop Canopy Tour, there’s something for everyone.

Today you drive 160 miles east to Lalibela Game Reserve where you’ll spend the final two nights of your holiday surrounded by South Africa’s incredible wildlife. Home to the Big 5, time spent on safari with guides during your stay at malaria free Lalibela will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Two game drives are included today, one in the early morning and one in the late evening to coincide with times when the animals are most active.  As well as elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – the Big 5 – you’ll be looking out for zebra, giraffe, hippo, waterbuck, warthog, cheetah and many bird species.  It’s also possible to do soft walking safaris in a predator free area of the reserve, where you’ll see zebra, giraffe and other antelope in a safe environment.

Today you’ll drive the 56 miles to Port Elizabeth where you’ll return your hire car and fly home.

Lalibela Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, covers 10,500 hectares of land that’s home to the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as cheetah, hyena and vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope. Depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll stay at either the tented Tree Tops Safari Camp, or  family friendly Marks Camp.

Tree Tops’ 5 luxury safari tents are built on platforms at tree top level, and have canvas walls and thatched roofs, huge windows and private verandas.   The 8 rooms at Marks Camp all have air conditioning and ceiling fans as well as private viewing decks.  Both camps have restaurants, outdoor swimming pools and watering holes frequently visited by elephants and other animals.

Perched above the Sanddrift river waterfall, at the base of the Tsitsikamma mountains and on the edge of the Tsitsikamma National Park, the Fernery is made up of a main lodge and individual secluded wooden chalets.  Each chalet has a bar fridge stocked on request, barbeque on a private deck and tea and coffee making facilities. The rooms are all ensuite and have both showers and baths – the baths perched next to a shuttered window overlooking the river gorge.  There’s a shared outdoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi which overhangings the gorge.  Meals can be eaten in the restaurant, or perhaps order meat, fish or vegetables to cook on your private barbeque (known as a braai).

The graceful Swartberg Country Manor is located at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range, 40 minutes drive to the north of Oudstshoorn.  Its 25 stylish rooms, which harmoniously combine classic style and modern touches, are split between the main house, historical house (dating back to 1864) and independent ‘Karoo style’ cottages.  All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and ceiling fans.  The Patat restaurant uses fresh local ingredients in its imaginative dishes, and has an excellent list of hand-picked South African wines. There’s an outdoor pool and fig orchard, and breathtaking panoramic views can be enjoyed from the open lounge and verandas.

Family run, peaceful, Montagu Vines Guesthouse is located on a town farm, within strolling distance of Montagu town centre.  The guesthouse’s 8 elegant rooms all have ensuite bathrooms and seating areas as well as private patios overlooking the beautifully kept gardens.  Wifi, tea and coffee tray, air conditioning, fire places and tv are available as you’ll enjoy bird watching at the wildlife pond and strolling past the properties olive grove on ‘lovers walk’.

With jaw dropping mountain views, L’Auberge Chanteclair , is a beautifully converted Dutch farmhouse in the tranquil outskirts of Franschhoek. The house has 8 luxurious rooms, some with fireplaces and underfloor heating, each lovingly decorated to ensure a relaxed and comfortable stay.  The house has an outdoor pool, as well as wifi, parking, tv, mini bar and laundry service.  Your hosts, Josephine and Roger (and their friendly dog), will make sure you have everything you need during your stay.  You’ll enjoy breakfast on the patio surrounded by fragrant gardens, and a sundowner on the veranda overlooking the properties own vineyard and the mountains.

Located in the heart of Cape Town, Gorgeous Gorge is a chic, modern and quirky boutiqu hotel created out of two beautifully restored heritage buildings.  The hotel has 32 luxurious, spacious rooms which combine raw, industrial style with modern Victorian design to give energy and vibrancy.  Rooms all have wifi, air conditioning, mini bar, French press and tea facilities, walk-in rain shower, smart TV and bluetooth speaker. The stylish rooftop cocktail bar, Gigi’s restaurant and tropical plunge pool are a great place to relax and plan your time exploring the Mother city.