South Africa Self Drive
Seasonal Information
This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches of Cape Town; sample some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands and take a beautiful drive along the stunning Garden Route. Above all else, its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across massive game reserves such as Shamwari make it an unforgettable experience. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
- Take a cable car up Table Mountain giving you stunning views of Cape Town and Robben Island
- Sample award-winning wines in the beautiful Cape Winelands
- Whale watching – seasonal
- Guided walks in the Fynbos Reserve
- Drive along the incredibly scenic Garden Route
- See the ‘Big 5’ on safari
- Eco friendly and sustainable accommodation throughout
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and is also the legislative capital of South Africa. Colloquially named the Mother City, it is the largest city in the Western Cape province and forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. The Parliament of South Africa sits in Cape Town. The other two capitals are located in Pretoria (the executive capital where the Presidency is based) and Bloemfontein (the judicial capital where the Supreme Court of Appeal is located). The city is known for its harbour, for its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town is home to 64% of the Western Cape’s population. The city was named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.
In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by both The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph. Cape Town was one of the host cities of the tournaments of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Franschhoek
Franschhoek is a small town in the Western Cape Province and one of the oldest towns in the Republic of South Africa. It is about 75 kilometres from Cape Town and has a population of slightly over 15,000 people.
Franschhoek is notable for having some of the top restaurants in the country within its borders. This fact, together with the strong wine culture, and pristine natural and architectural beauty has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the “food and wine capital” of South Africa. The city hosts one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, according to the “S.Pellegrino world’s 50 best restaurants”.
Grootbos Nature Reserve
Grootbos goes beyond simply conserving the pristine wilderness they call home. They are constantly researching, innovating and pioneering new ways of doing things, and winning many eco-tourism awards along the way.
The reserve offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the unique fynbos kingdom and ancient forest of Grootbos, featuring 800 plant species, 118 bird species, 29 mammals and 21 amphibians – some of which are under threat of extinction.
The carefully curated experiences offer you the chance to grow, learn and discover. Whether it’s spotting whales and their calves in the ocean, learning how bees pollinate flowers or meeting passionate people changing the world, you’ll have your eyes opened – as well as your heart.
The freshest air, the cleanest water and the clearest views: a stay at Grootbos is a glimpse into truly organic life. Much of the food they serve is grown right here on the reserve and you can taste this in every mouthful.
The Garden Route
Officially starting in Mossel Bay, the Garden Route is a 200km drive passing through beautiful seaside towns, lagoons, forests and coves. It is a must-see area of South Africa with the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and sharks, and also go on safari along the way at your own leisurely pace.
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve is located 75 km outside Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It has been voted the World’s Leading Safari and Game Reserve and Conservation Company for many consecutive years.
An essential focus is the management, development and rehabilitation of an ecosystem that has been returned to a more natural condition after many years of farming.
In 2005 the reserve was awarded the Global Nature Fund Award for Best Conservation Practice.
The British TV series Safari School was filmed here. The Animal Planet series “Shamwari: A wild life” was filmed at the game reserve. The show highlighted what goes on behind the scenes at the reserve.
The Born Free Foundation jointly funds a sanctuary at Shamwari that gives lifetime care to several lions and leopards that have been discovered in poor conditions in circuses or zoos around the world. They have two centres on the reserve, one in the north and one in the south.
Upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, you will be met by your private driver and driven to your Cape Town property where you can check in and relax by the pool.
On the second day, you will have a hire car delivered to your property where you can explore Cape Town and the Cape area at your leisure for the next 3 days and then onward for the rest of your trip.
On day 5 you will leave Cape Town and head towards the beautiful Cape Winelands region where you will spend the next 2 nights taking in the stunning scenery and sampling the many world-class wineries you have at your disposal.
After breakfast, head South towards the Western Cape and along the stunning coastline to your next property where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
After breakfast head further east towards the Garden Route towards Gondwana Game Reserve and your accommodation for the next 2 nights. This gives you that authentic Safari experience only a few hours away from Cape Town and the Winelands and you will spend the next 2 days searching for the ‘Big 5’ and more.
Head along the beautiful Garden Route through George and Knysna and possibly stop along the way for some lunch before making your way towards Plettenberg Bay to your next hotel for the next 2 nights.
After breakfast, make your way to Shamwari Game Reserve where you will spend the next 3 nights in a stunning malaria-free Safari Lodge where you can relax and take up to 2 Game Drives a day witnessing the stunning wildlife this corner of South Africa has to offer.
After your morning game drive and breakfast, make your way to Port Elizabeth Airport and drop off your hire car for your onward travel arrangements.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
- Arrival Transfer in Cape Town
- Group F Car Hire (Toyota Corolla or similar)
- The Vineyard (Double Mountain Facing Deluxe Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis)
- Babylonstoren (Double One Bedroom Fynbos Cottage on a Bed & Breakfast basis)
- Grootbos (Double Luxury Suite. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Scheduled / Specified Activities and other Additional Services may be included
- Gondwana (Double Kwena Room. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Game Drives included and other scheduled/specified activities and other additional services may be included
- Tsala Treetops Lodge (Double Treetop Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis)
- Shamwari Eagle’s Crag (Double Junior Suite. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Game Drives included and other scheduled/specified activities and other additional services may be included
- Inbound and outbound flights
- Tipping
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance