Self Drive Tour in South Africa

5 Day Garden Route & Cape Town Road Trip

Head down to the Western Cape of South Africa for our Garden Route & Cape Town Road Trip for a unique and diverse road trip experience along South Africa's most stunning coastline including some of the most amazing winding mountain passes. Along the way you will encounter sanctuaries, forests, caves, lagoons and tons of wildlife!

Our Garden Route & Cape Town Road Trip follows a popular route along the southern tip of South Africa with some hidden gems along the way. For the young at heart, this route offers adrenaline including the highest commercial natural bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans Bridge, cave exploring through narrow passages at the Cango Caves, white water tubing at Stormsriver and plenty of hike and trek routes offering gorgeous scenery. You will also have the opportunity for Shark or Crocodile cage diving!

However if that's too much thrill for you, then fear not as there is plenty more to offer! In fact this route is also ideal for small families with plenty for the kids to do as well. Consider a relaxing cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, visit one of the many sanctuaries (Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Wolf Sanctuary & Elephant Sanctuary, plus Ostrich Farms!). The kids might also enjoy the zipline experience at Stormsriver or a kayaking trip at one of the many rivers you will pass along the way. The route also passes some game parks if you want to include a safari on your trip.

Beach-lovers will adore the many stunning sandy beaches including the stretched beach at Wilderness, Camps Bay, Bloubergstrand & Plettenberg Bay. Wine-lovers would should also consider a de-tour to the wine-lands region, stopping at towns like Stellenbosch, Robertson, Franschoek and Paarl.

Ending your trip in Cape Town, here you will find no end to the wonders! Ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, go shopping at the markets of the V&A Waterfront or see some of its popular sights (Cape Point, Robben Island, Sea Point Promenade, Castle of Good Hope)

IDEAL FOR: Couples, Families & Groups

Highlights of the Garden Route & Cape Town Road Trip:

  • Many Wildlife Sanctuaries 
  • Bloukrans Bunjee
  • Cango Caves & Ostrich Farms in Oudtshoorn
  • Stunning coastal mountain passes, a joy to drive
  • Kayaking, White-water tubing, canyoning and plenty other outdoor activities
  • Beautiful sunset on a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon
  • Nature Reserves including the Tsitikama National Park
  • Tons of sights to see in Cape Town!

Should you wish to consider a tour instead of a self drive, see our 4 Day Garden Route Tour

Summary

5 Days
South Africa

*This is a suggested itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in George
Arriving at George Airport, collect your rental vehicle and drive east toward the Eastern Cape. After a short drive you will reach Knysna. Along the way you will pass the Map of Africa View point, looking out onto a valley resembling the African continent. Check into your accommodation in Knysna.

From here you can drive further east to Stormsriver is widely known for its range of outdoor activities. These include Snorkeling, Swegway Tours through the pine plantations and indigenous forest, kayak and lilo along the shoreline and into Stormsriver mouth, mountain biking, Ziplining, Canopy Tours, Tubing and Cliff Jumping and many hiking routes.

A must see is the Marilyn's 60's dinner in the village, showcasing numerous vehicles from the 1960's and dedicated to Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.

After a fun filled day of adventure you might consider a sunset cruise on the lagoon for a relaxing end to your day.

Day 2 Knysna
There is plenty to see in do in this laid back oceanfront town including Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Sand Boarding at a nearby dune or charters on catamarans and yachts. We highly recommend taking the drive up to Knysna Heads viewpoint the best view of town and the ocean. Should you be traveling in season, you can head out on a dolphin or whale watching cruise or you could visit Buffalo Bay for some beach time!

After your visit to Knysna you will drive inland to the Little Karoo region to the town of Oudtshoorn.

Day 3 Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is locally known as the ostrich capital of the world, a fitting title for a small town with the world's largest ostrich population. Your trip to Oudtshoorn would not be complete without a visit to one of its Ostrich Show Farms. Here you can see an ostrich race, tour the breeding camp and even ride an ostrich!

The town is also known as the host of the KKNK Festival ('Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees', translated: Klein Karoo National Arts Festival) including visual and performing arts. Just outside of town you will also find the Cango Wildlife Ranch, initially established as a crocodile show farm, today it is home to many different wildlife species including cheetahs.

Another must see in town is the Cango Caves, located at the foothills of the Swartberg mountains. Here you can walk through some of the country's finest, best known, and most popular tourist caves. The caves go on for 4 km, of which only a quarter is open to visitors. For those seeking to dive deep into the caves an adventure tour is offered, which takes you through narrow passages as well as the some small crawling spaces.

After your visit of Oudtshoorn you will start the journey to Cape Town. There are a few different routes you can consider. You can drive along Route 62, known for its wine valleys and wine farms or return top the coastline and drive through the towns of Hermanus and Gansbaai known for their whale watching and shark-cage diving charters.

Day 4 Cape Town
Known as the mother city, Cape Town is rich in colonial age history and bears remnants of the Apartheid era's racial inequalities. Here you will find no end to the activities and sights on to fill your day! For a scenic drive start from Camps Bay and make your way along the coast top Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, driving through the Chapmans Peak Pass. Along the way you can visit many sights including Hout Bay, where you can ride the ferry to Duiker Island (home to a large population of seals), Simon's Town which is home to a penguin population and Kirstenbosch Gardens.

If you would like to learn more of the history of the city you can visit the V&A Waterfront where you can board the ferry to Robben island, which is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned before becoming president of South Africa or the Caste of Good Hope standing in the center of the city, taking you back to the colonial age of Cape town.

For the best view of the city you can ride the Cable car up to Table Mountain or for 360 degree view you can hike up Lion's Head.

Day 5 Depart Cape Town
As your trip comes to an end you might consider a final stroll along the Sea Point Promenade or some souviniour shopping at the V&A Waterfront Markets. Drop off your rental car at Cape Town International Airport and board the flight back home.

Garden Route & Cape Town Road Trip

IN ZAR Accommodation Only Package incl. Car Rental
Sep - Oct 2020 R 2,245 pp sharing R 2,823 pp sharing
Nov - Dec 2020 R 2,863 pp sharing R 3,440 pp sharing
Jan - Apr 2021 R 3, 370 pp sharing R 3,950 pp sharing
May - Sep 2021 R 3,318 pp sharing R 3,896 pp sharing

Flights available: Return flights from Johannesburg from R 1,860 pp

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Package Includes:

  • 5 Day Car Rental by First Car Rental (Standard Package)
  • 1 Night in Knysna at the Forest Edge Nature Lovers Retreat (Self Catering Cottage)
  • 1 Night in Oudtshoorn at the Hlangana Lodge (Suite including Breakfast)
  • 2 Nights at the Onomo Cape Town on the Square Hotel (Standard Room including Breakfast)

Excluded:

  • Fuel & Road Tolls
  • Entrance Fees to Attractions
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of Personal Nature

Prices are subject to change due to increases imposed by establishments and taxes.

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