10 Days Best of South Africa Safari

Careful planning allows you to enjoy the best that Cape Town has to offer, but on your own terms. Taste excellent wines along the world-famous Stellenbosch Wine Route. Drive along jaw-dropping Chapman’s Peak to visit the iconic penguins at Boulder’s Beach just in time for lunch on the wharf at Kalk Bay. Make your way to Cape Point National Park hosting the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and pristine fynbos. Cable-car to the top of Table Mountain affording vistas of the nestled Mother City and its coastline. Boat your way to the historic Robben Island. Get educated on Cape Town history by visiting its various museums. Revel in the cultural richness of the Muslim, Jewish and Cape-Malay quarters. Taste your way through the food bazaar and tucked away bistros and cafes of the modern and hip city centre. Get an adrenalin fix on a Great White Shark Cage Dive (optional of course!) Picnic in Kirstenbosh Gardens or dine at SA’s top restaurants. Optional activities abound, please inquire.

Go Self Drive Tours’ personalized written guide with its well laid-out directions lets you effortlessly wind along False Bay and past Stoney Point NP as you enter the almost bucolic Overberg region with its breathtaking coastline. Keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of marine mammals along this pleasure drive to Hermanus that has gained worldwide recognition as the world's foremost land-based whale watching destination. Hermanus is firmly established on the Epicurean map with its myriad of restaurants, fine wine, fresh vegetables, cheese and fish. Today, it remains a thriving holiday resort with all modern amenities yet retaining its fisherman's village charm. Your accommodation is a peaceful getaway cottage, situated in a quiet, tree-lined street of Eastcliff, a sought-after suburb of Hermanus. You’ll be centrally situated and a short stroll to the spectacular seafront cliff paths for whale watching, the tidal marine swimming pool and the quaint village center.

After breakfast, take the scenic coastal route to the southernmost point on the African continent, stunning setting. From here visit Swellendam, the 4th oldest town in SA, for lunch. Leisurely onwards to Knysna, a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. Knysna, your home for 2 nights, nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve that is home to the extraordinary seahorse and over 200 species of fish. Beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers provide endless opportunity for leisure and outdoor adventure. Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cozy cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly coloured, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales. Great activities abound, please inquire.

The stunning scenery of the Garden Route continues as you leisurely explore this region on your way to Storms River. Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley are brilliant places to pay a quick visit en route. Tonight you’ll be staying in Storms River Rest Camp, Tsitsikamma National Park, arguably one of the most stunning marines and coastal nature reserves in Africa. Your self-catering ocean chalet accommodation has unhindered dramatic ocean and coastal views. Prepare your own food or have lunch/dinner in the restaurant at Storms River. Take a short hike on a well-maintained coastal boardwalk path through indigenous coastal forests to the famous suspension bridge built over the mouth of the Strorms River as it enters the Indian Ocean. The cozy sandy beach here is ideal for sunbathing, snorkeling or a swim out to the floating platform tied in the small cove. Scuba diving, kayaking, guided snorkeling and whale watching per boat are great optional activities.

A two-hour scenic drive will bring you to SA’s third largest game reserve, the Addo NP, which is conveniently located 50km from Port Elizabeth. Having your own vehicle means you can embark on your own Big 5 self-drive safari within the Addo spending as much time as you want viewing African game. Over 550 Elephant makes the park its home, as well as Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, diverse antelope species, the flightless dung beetle, and incredible birdlife. Addo has several archaeological sites too where bushman rock art can be seen. You’ll be staying in a self-catering chalet in Addo Main Camp. A unique feature of camp is the waterhole lookout point which is floodlit at night and which has an underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife. The evenings are punctuated with the calls of lion, hyena, and jackal while francolin heralds each dawn. Chalets are situated within an easy walking distance of facilities such as the swimming pool, restaurant and shop.

Your time in Addo comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedule or your plans for further travel, you will make your way to Port Elizabeth airport, roughly 70 km from the park. Allow yourself enough time for the drive so that you arrive with room to spare before your flight.

At the airport, our agent will meet you and collect the rental vehicle, bringing your self-drive arrangements to a close. From there, check in for your onward flight and continue home or on to your next destination.