Classic Garden Route Self-drive 5 Sun

 

With South Africa's superb, easy to navigate infrastructure, this 10-night self-drive itinerary, beginning in Cape Town, is a great way to explore the Winelands and Garden Route.

DAY 1 DAILY HEATHROW-CAPE TOWN
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Cape Town.

DAY 2 CAPE TOWN
On arrival meet your Somak representative who will assist you with collecting your car. Why not drive to the cableway station for the ascent of Table Mountain? Visit places of interest such as the South Africa Museum, the Malay Quarter and the castle before driving to the V&A Waterfront (40 km). Overnight: The Table Bay Hotel, or similar.

DAY 3 CAPE TOWN
Drive along the coast and via Chapman's Peak to the Cape of Good Hope. Then continue along the False Bay coastline to Simonstown for a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Finally, you could stop at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where you can admire the splendour of the gardens. Overnight: The Table Bay Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 4 CAPE TOWN
A free day, perhaps take the ferry to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Overnight: The Table Bay Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 5 CAPE TOWN
A second free day, perhaps spend time relaxing, or shopping at the V&A Waterfront. Overnight: The Table Bay Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 6 WINELANDS
Drive to the town of Stellenbosch and the surrounding winelands (60 km). During the day you will have the opportunity to visit some of the vineyards in the region. Overnight accommodation has been arranged in Stellenbosch, but we can also arrange for you to stay in Franschhoek if you wish. Overnight: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, or similar. (b)

DAY 7 MONTAGU
Visit further local wine estates or walk into the town centre for a visit to the museum and walk through the tree-lined streets with their quaint shops. In the afternoon drive via Worcester to Montagu, arriving late afternoon (150 km). Overnight: Montagu Country Hotel, or similar. (b)

DAY 8 OUDTSHOORN
Travel via Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp to the 'ostrich capital' of Oudtshoorn in time for a tour of an ostrich farm and then on to the Cango Caves for a tour before checking into your Guest House (240 km). Overnight: Rosenhof Guest House, or similar. (b)

DAY 9 KNYSNA
Drive via the Outeniqua Pass to George and on to Knysna (140 km). Take the ferry on the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. After lunch, return to Knysna by ferry and check into your hotel. Overnight: Falcons View, or similar. (b)

DAY 10 KNYSNA
A free day to explore, why not travel via Natures Valley to the Tsitsikamma National Park, visit the Big Tree and Storms River Mouth before returning to Knysna via Plettenberg Bay. Overnight: Falcons View, or similar. (b)

DAY 11 HERMANUS
Travel to Mossel Bay, visit the museum and the Post Office Tree. Continue to the town of Swellendam for lunch and then on to Hermanus (430 km), famous for the whales that come into the bay to calve during the months July - November. Overnight: The Marine, or similar. (b)

DAY 12 HERMANUS-CAPE TOWN
Depart Hermanus and drive along the coast towards Cape Town (110 km). Stop for lunch en route and arrive at the airport in the late afternoon to drop off your car and check in for you flight back to Heathrow. (b)

Alternative Accommodation/Sun Ratings are available. Please call for details.