Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
Follow South Africa’s iconic self-drive route — a journey from Table Mountain’s iconic slopes to the tranquil vineyards of the Cape Winelands, through the vast skies of the Karoo to the lush forests, mountains and white-sand beaches of the Garden Route and the Big Five safari country near Addo National Park.
A fascinating journey of discovery for couples and extended families alike, at your pace and choice of daily activities.
YOUR safari, OUR expert knowledge, quality assurance & 24/7 support
Highlights
The ideal safari team - you get to manage your own safari, with our expert knowledge, quality assurance and 24/7 support.
Explore the Western Cape’s most scenic regions — from cosmopolitan Cape Town to the vineyards of Franschhoek, the farmlands of Robertson, the famed Little Karoo in Oudtshoorn, the coastal beauty of Plettenberg Bay and a Big 5 game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
Daily adventures such as discovering art galleries, historic estates, and fine dining in the Cape Winelands, meeting endearing, habituated (but wild) meerkats, and exploring the fascinating Cango Caves.
Plenty of time to unwind on white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons and private verandahs with a view to die for.
An exclusive Big Five safari as the finale of this epic self-drive adventure
Hand-picked boutique guesthouses and lodges offering character, comfort and genuine Cape hospitality.
Locations
Cape Town, South Africa's vibrant 'Mother City', is dominated by the majestic Table Mountain, ringed by pristine white-sand beaches like Clifton and Boulders (home to charming penguins). Cape Town offers a rich cultural experience at the V&A Waterfront, a poignant visit to Robben Island, and stunning Cape Peninsula tours.
The Cape Winelands offer historic wine estates featuring Cape Dutch architecture, award-winning wines and 5-star restaurants amidst breathtaking landscapes.
The Garden Route is a popular road-trip destination from Cape Town along the southeastern coast of South Africa. Sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains, the Garden Route features picturesque lagoons, amber rivers, semi-arid valleys, rolling hills, jagged mountains, lush forests, and long sandy beaches.
Amakhala Game Reserve in the greater Addo National Park region of South Africa's Eastern Cape offers malaria-free Big 5 safaris. Amakhala is a conservation success story—rewilded farmland now behaving naturally. The Bushman’s River meanders through this scenic landscape, which includes five of South Africa's seven biomes—from bushveld to savannah.
Guest houses & lodges
3 nights at Welgelegen Boutique Guesthouse (Cape Town). A stylish guesthouse in the heart of Cape Town’s Gardens district, offering comfort, character and easy access to city highlights.
2 nights at Ashbourne House (Franschhoek). A refined retreat within walking distance of the village centre, surrounded by vineyards and offering classic Cape charm and warm hospitality.
1 night at theLAB Robertson (Robertson Valley). An innovative eco-stay set amid olive trees and vineyards, blending contemporary technology with laid-back countryside style.
1 night at De Zeekoe Guest Farm (Oudtshoorn). A working farm overlooking the Outeniqua Mountains, renowned for its meerkat encounters and tranquil setting close to the Cango Caves.
2 nights at Christiana Lodge (Plettenberg Bay). A contemporary coastal retreat near Robberg Beach, offering elegant rooms, serene wetland views and relaxed, modern comfort.
3 nights at HillsNek Safari Camp (Amakhala Game Reserve). An intimate, family-run lodge with elevated tented chalets overlooking open savannah, offering guided Big Five game drives and personalised service in an exclusive wilderness setting.
Timing
The ideal time for this Garden Route self-drive is from October to April. These months offer the most pleasant weather for coastal and Winelands exploration — warm, sunny days and minimal rainfall across the region.
December to March are perfect for beach activities, al fresco dining, and scenic drives through the Winelands, while October, November, and April offer milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and clear skies for photography.
During this period, the Route 62 and Little Karoo are dry and easily traversable, and the Eastern Cape reserves offer excellent game viewing, rounding off a perfectly balanced Cape-to-safari adventure.
Price per person sharing
12 nights (13 days) | ||
Low season | May to July 2026 | from ZAR 36,314 |
High season | October 2026 to April 2027 | from ZAR 56,000 |
Includes: Accommodation throughout, daily breakfast in Cape Town, Franschhoek, Robertson, Oudtshoorn and Plettenberg Bay, all meals and game drives during the Big 5 safari, car hire with unlimited mileage and insurance and 24/7 office support
Excludes: International and domestic flights, visas, imported beverages, fuel costs and road tolls, optional excursions and meals not specified, mandatory travel and medical insurance, tips and gratuities, and any personal expenses or additional activities not included in the itinerary, guided experiences (except for the safari portion, which is all -inclusive) eg. Cape Peninsula tour, wine tram, Robertson river cruise, meerkat encounter, Robberg hike
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
Day 1 – Cape Town: Arrive in Cape Town, collect your vehicle and settle in before exploring the city at leisure.
Day 2 – Cape Town: Spend the day discovering Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront or the Atlantic coastline.
Day 3 – Cape Town: Continue exploring with visits to Cape Point, Boulders Beach and the city’s vibrant dining scene.
Day 4 – Franschhoek: Drive to the Winelands and enjoy wine tasting, art galleries and mountain views.
Day 5 – Franschhoek: Explore more estates or stroll through the village’s cafés and boutiques.
Day 6 – Robertson: Continue along Route 62 to the Robertson Valley and relax amid olive groves and vineyards.
Day 7 – Oudtshoorn: Travel through the Little Karoo to visit Cango Caves or join a meerkat experience.
Day 8 – Plettenberg Bay: Drive to the Garden Route coast and unwind beside the ocean.
Day 9 – Plettenberg Bay: Spend the day exploring Robberg Nature Reserve or enjoying marine excursions.
Day 10 – Amakhala Game Reserve: Travel to the Eastern Cape and begin your safari with an afternoon game drive.
Day 11 – Amakhala Game Reserve: Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five.
Day 12 – Amakhala Game Reserve: Enjoy your final full day on safari, relaxing between drives.
Day 13 – Departure: Drive to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) for your onward journey.
“Breathtaking Robberg”
Sonja Deutschendorff, AG German-speaking safari expert: “I love the Garden Route for its lush forests, beaches, and endless beauty. The Robberg trail in Plettenberg Bay is a favourite hike — keep an eye out for the stunning Knysna turaco”
“Franschhoek wine wander”
Benjamin Lederer, AG Garden Route safari expert: “Take the Wine Tram for a fun, relaxed day in the valley. I suggest visiting smaller estates like Holden Manz or Haut Espoir for a more personal tasting experience.”
“Garden Route escape”
Ramona Rubach, AG luxury safari expert: “My top South African road trip winds through vine-draped valleys, charming small towns, and wild landscapes—a true Garden of Eden. For an off-the-beaten-track twist, I love the scenic Seven Passes route”
Safari planning
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Garden Route self-drive
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!