Cape Town Kruger Garden Route, Self-Drive

On arrival at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, we follow the signs to the Europcar counter to collect our rental car, then drive to Kapama Private Game Reserve. We check in at the lodge and freshen up before heading out on an afternoon game drive in open lodge vehicles. Kapama spans 13,000 hectares of savannah, grassland and riverine bush west of Kruger National Park, and is home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino – with expert rangers and trackers leading the way. After the drive, we return to the lodge for dinner. Please arrive at the lodge by 14:00 to join the afternoon game drive. Overnight in Kapama.

At first light – a gentle knock signals the start of the day. Meet our ranger to discuss what you hope to see, then we head out on a game drive in an open 4x4, lasting around three hours. Along the way, your ranger shares insights into the bush’s flora and fauna, and we pause at a scenic spot for coffee before returning to the lodge for a substantial breakfast. You can then relax by the pool and enjoy the lodge facilities until the afternoon, when we set off again for another safari drive in Kapama Private Game Reserve. Overnight in Kapama.

After our early morning game drive and breakfast, we set off for Hazyview via the Panorama Route – a scenic drive of deep canyons, rugged mountains, waterfalls and lakes. We pass Ohrigstad and continue into the Blyde River Canyon – a valley stretching 26 kilometres and regarded as one of South Africa’s major natural wonders. You can choose to stop at viewpoints along the way, including the Three Rondavels – rock formations resembling traditional round huts – Bourke’s Luck Potholes – cylindrical pools carved by water erosion over millions of years – and, weather permitting, God’s Window. Entrance fees are not included. On arrival in Hazyview we check in at the hotel. Overnight in Hazyview.

After breakfast, we make our way to Pretoria, South Africa’s capital. Affectionately known as Jacaranda City – its streets burst into purple bloom between September and November. With around one million residents and the seat of government, the city’s rich past is reflected in its museums, landmark buildings and art centres. You can explore independently on a city tour, visiting the Union Buildings and the Voortrekker Monument, then continue to Johannesburg for the night. Overnight in Johannesburg.

After breakfast, we check out and drive to O. R. Tambo International Airport to return the hire car. You then fly to George – flights are not included. On arrival at George Airport, we proceed to the Europcar counter to collect a new hire car and continue to our accommodation in Knysna. Set on a protected lagoon, Knysna takes its name from the Khoi language and is believed to mean straight down, a reference to the Knysna Heads. The town is known for its oysters, nearby nature reserves and range of activities. You have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Knysna.

We begin with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, then make our way to the Knysna Waterfront for the Featherbed Nature Reserve eco-experience – your voucher will be provided – departing at 10:00. Accessible only by ferry across the lagoon, this 150-hectare private reserve takes us by 4x4 up Knysna’s Western Head, with a stop at a viewpoint while our guide shares insights into the reserve and the Heads. We continue on a two‑kilometre trail through coastal forest and fynbos down to the shoreline and back to the restaurant, where a buffet lunch awaits under a canopy of Milkwood trees. The ferry returns us to Knysna after an outing of around four hours. You can then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront. Overnight in Knysna.

After breakfast we leave Knysna for Oudtshoorn, travelling via Sedgefield to the seaside village of Wilderness with its long beach and views of the Outeniqua Mountains. From here we turn inland to George – the regional capital for the eastern Western Cape – an important industrial centre and a popular golfing base with the George and renowned Fancourt courses. The road then climbs the Outeniqua Mountains along a 12 kilometre pass built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. On the far side we pass hop fields and enter the Little Karoo, a dry and semi arid region. Oudtshoorn is the Little Karoo’s capital and South Africa’s ostrich capital – grand former mansions known as feather palaces still reflect the wealth created during the early twentieth century ostrich feather boom. We visit Safari Ostrich Farm and round off the day with dinner. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Rise early for a sunrise meerkat encounter – a weather dependent experience of around 2–3 hours. A knowledgeable guide will introduce us to these fascinating creatures on the open plains.We then return to the farm for breakfast, collect our luggage and continue to the Cango Caves, 30 kilometres outside Oudtshoorn in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. First explored by the San people almost 10,000 years ago, the system contains more than 80 caverns stretching about five kilometres, though only a 1.2 kilometre section is open to visitors. We explore the Great Hall – roughly 107 metres across and 16 metres high – and view the impressive stalagmites and stalactites.After the cave tour, we travel the inland route along the Langeberg range to Calitzdorp, hub of the local port wine industry, then continue through the Little Karoo over the Huisrivier pass to Ladismith, overlooked by the split peak of Towerkop – a local legend says a fleeing witch’s broom caused the cleft. Passing Barrydale, we arrive in Montagu, a quaint town with numerous national monuments, a centre for apricot and peach farming, and known for its sweet muscatel wines. Overnight in Montagu.

After breakfast, depart Montagu for Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second oldest town and a vibrant university centre. Your culinary walking tour starts at 2 pm – meet your guide at the information office opposite Oude Werf Hotel. Led by a local expert, we explore the historic heart of Stellenbosch with its elegant oak lined streets, varied architecture and outdoor art. We walk through the old town centre, hear engaging stories about local history and culture, and visit the oldest townhouse in South Africa at the Village Museum. We sample indigenous teas and home style rusks, try traditional snacks such as biltong and droewors from a family run butchery, savour a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in South Africa, and enjoy nostalgic sweets at Oom Samie se Winkel – the town’s oldest shop – before rounding off with a trilogy of Cape desserts. The tour lasts around 3.5 hours.Afterwards, continue to Cape Town, the Mother City, set between the Atlantic Ocean and the natural amphitheatre formed by Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Bay. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast at the hotel, you can follow a classic Cape Peninsula route – an ever changing sweep of mountains, ocean, cliffs and fynbos. Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay’s fishing harbour, where you can take a boat trip to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals. Continue over scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive through Noordhoek, Oceanview, Kommetjie and Scarborough to the entrance of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Visit the Cape of Good Hope – the most south western tip of the African continent – then head to Cape Point. From the visitor’s car park it is around a 30 minute walk to the Old Lighthouse, or you can ride the funicular to the viewing platform above False Bay. Next, stop at Boulders Beach, where a colony of African Penguins has lived since the early 1980s – access is managed by the National Parks Board and viewing is from elevated boardwalks. Continue through Simonstown and along the False Bay coast past Fishhoek and Muizenberg, popular in summer for swimming and in winter for viewing Southern Right Whales. Return to Cape Town in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Cape Town.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cape Town – the time is yours to do as you please. You may wish to take the rotating cable car up Table Mountain, which reaches the summit at 1,086 metres in just a few minutes. A circular walk on the plateau rewards you with far‑reaching views over the city, surrounding peaks, the ocean and the interior. The mountain’s unique fynbos forms part of Table Mountain National Park – a World Heritage Site – and it is listed among the New 7 Wonders. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, we check out and make our way to Cape Town International Airport – return the rental car, then you continue with your onward travel arrangements.