Day to Day Itinery
Day 1 & 2
After arriving at OR Tambo and meeting your MaTakaTaka guide we will drive to the Kololo Game Reserve which will be your home for the next two nights. In the afternoon we can explore the 3,000 ha reserve either by bicycle or on foot. We might see zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, warthogs, bushbucks, nyalas, kudus and waterbuck amongst others. Your MaTakaTaka guide will give you an insight into the world of reading signs & tracks of the bush while also teaching you the important role of plants in medicine and other traditional uses.
After breakfast we head out with the jeep on a morning safari and explore Kololo’s flora and fauna some more. In the afternoon you have the option to do a game drive within the adjacent Welgevonden Game Reserve, where you have the opportunity to encounter Africa´s Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino) in the wild. The 40,000 ha, malaria-free reserve is characterized by mountainous terrain and extensive valleys and is home to over 50 species of mammals. There is a lot to discover!
Including 4* accommodation in a beautiful chalet with half board and 1 safari activity/day
Day 3 & 4
We leave Kololo today and drive 500km to our next destination, the small town of Sabie in the province of Mpumalanga which means “place of the rising sun”. Our small and exclusive accommodation for two nights lies amongst breath-taking scenery and quiet surroundings and offers stunning views over the forest and the Sabie river which lies 200m below the lodge. The perfect place to relax after a long drive.
On our second day we head out to explore the Panorama Route where you get to see spectacular landscapes with impressive rock formations, waterfalls and of course the Blyde River Canyon which is the third largest canyon in the world. If you prefer to be a bit more active we suggest the hike along the canyon (3-5hrs, entirely your choice) which offers beautiful views of the Blyde Dam and the “Three Rondavels”. There are also crystal clear natural pools along the way to cool down on a hot day.
Including 4* accommodation in a luxury chalet with half board and entry fees Panorama Route
Day 5 & 6
After a last breakfast together your guide will drive you to Nelspruit KMIA airport from where you will fly to Port Elizabeth. It is now time to say goodbye as the self-drive part of your trip begins.
After arriving in Port Elizabeth and having collected your rental it is an hour´s drive to your accommodation close to the Addo Elephant National Park where you will be spending two nights.
It is time to go on safari today! Addo Elephant National Park was founded in 1931 and is South Africa´s third largest National Park. As the name hints, it is an elephant lover´s paradise with currently more than 600 elephants. Other species the park is home to are buffalos, lions, leopards, rhinos and lots of different antelope species. The park can easily be explored on your own but should you prefer not to drive yourself the lodge can also organize a guided tour at an extra cost.
Including 5* accommodation in a stunning country house with breakfast
Day 7 & 8
After breakfast you are heading to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, situated on the famous Garden Route and known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Surrounded by a beautiful mountain backdrop and indigenous forest, the town offers the best of nature, beaches and coastline. Your accommodation is located just outside of town with a beautiful garden and sea views. Only 8km from the lodge is the Robberg Nature Reserve where you can hike to a seal colony and enjoy the great views of the ocean.
On your second day you have plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings, for example the relatively small but beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Characterized by the warm currents of the Indian Ocean and the year-round pleasant, constant temperatures, almost tropical vegetation has developed here which is still preserved in its original wild form. We recommend the hike to Storms River Mouth, where the brave dare to cross the 77m long suspension bridge that spans the rough sea.
Including 5* accommodation in a beach lodge with breakfast
Day 9
Your next destination Oudtshoorn leads you back inland and lies in one of the most remote areas in South Africa: The Little Karoo. If you ever wanted to ride an ostrich, this experience is possible in this sleepy town with its many ostrich farms. You should not miss a visit to the Cango Caves, a geological masterpiece with some of the finest and largest dripstone caverns with vast halls and towering limestone formations. The chambers and tunnels exhibit breathtakingly complicated stalagmites and enormous stalactites, all lit up with different mood lighting.
Including 4* accommodation in a luxury farmhouse with breakfast
Day 10
Today you will drive on one of the most beautiful roads in South Africa (R62) towards Montagu where you will be spending one night. Montagu impresses with its neat Cape Dutch architecture and has some of the best-preserved Victorian houses in the Cape, built between 1853-1870. There are also several national monuments, numerous historical buildings as well as art galleries and museums to visit. A wine tasting at Viljoensdrift with a boat trip on the Breede River is highly recommended.
Your beautiful accommodation lies nestled at the foot of the Langeberg mountain range and has a vineyard and orchards to wander through.
Including 4* accommodation in a stunning country house with breakfast
Day 11 & 12
You are heading back to the coast today! From Montagu you drive south to Cape Agulhas, Africa´s southernmost point of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Visit the museum and climb the steep steps to the top of the lighthouse where you will be rewarded with fantastic views.
Continue driving to your next destination for two nights, either the little town of de Kelders or the better known Hermanus. Both towns are world-famous for fantastic land and boat based whale watching. Southern Right Whales return year after year to mate and calve from July through to November. Just around the corner from de Kelders is Gansbaai, known for its dense population of Great White Sharks and famous for shark cage diving.
Including 4* accommodation in a luxury guest house with breakfast
Day 13 & 14
From the coast you travel to the winelands today! You will spend the next two nights in the beautiful town of Franschhoek where the French flair can still be felt today. The main street is full of galleries, cafes, restaurants, art and antique shops.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history.
Including 4* accommodation in a unique guest house with breakfast
Day 15, 16 & 17
Today you will reach your final destination and one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Cape Town. You will spend three nights in a beautifully and conveniently located Guest House.
Here are our suggestions for activities during your time in Cape Town:
- Walk to Green Market through Long Street, visit the colorful houses of the cape-malayan quarter of „Bo Kaap“ and of course the „V&A Waterfront“, perfect for a stroll, a refreshing drink or some shopping. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is also worth a visit as it is considered as one of the most beautiful in the world.
- A tour around the Cape Peninsula in order to see the Cape of good hope. If you are interested in Penguins you shouldn’t miss a visit to Boulder’s Beach: a piece of beach in Simon’s Town where a colony of African Penguins live. Continue along the coast through the beautiful villages of Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Chapman’s Peak Drive is also worth doing: a nine kilometer long road along the coast which is winding with 114 turns between the sea and steep cliffs and offers spectacular views over Hout Bay.
- You can’t miss out on another highlight: the majestic Table Mountain which dominates the silhouette of Cape Town. Whether it is on foot or with the cable car, it is definitely worth exploring with its almost 6500 hectars and a height of over 1000 meters.
- A visit to Robben Island: once a prison for political prisoners, of which of course Nelson Mandela was one, it is now a museum and World Heritage Site. Tours start at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and include a boat ride to Table Bay, a visit to the museum and a 45min bus tour on the island. The boat leaves regularly and tickets should be bought in advance.
Including 4* accommodation in a boutique hotel with breakfast
Day 18
The time has unfortunately come to say goodbye to South Africa. We hope that you had a great holiday and will take plenty of unforgettable memories back home with you.
