35 days – Self Drive South Africa (Johannesburg – Cape Town)

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival you will be met by the driver and he will take you to your accommocation for a first night in South Africa.

After breakfast you will be taken back to the airport, where you will pick up the rental car and start your adventure.

Tzaneen is the next stop. The area is characterized by beautiful mountains (the Wolkbergen or Wolkberg Mountains), the Tzaneen Dam and the plantations with (sub) tropical fruits such as mangoes, bananas, oranges, avocados, lychees, tea, macadamia nuts and pineapples . Tzaneen is located approximately 420 km from Johannesburg and 100 km west of the Kruger Park. Tzaneen Dam Nature Reserve offers plenty of opportunities for a wonderful day at the water. The area is suitable for water sports enthusiasts, fishing and bird watchers. And a visit to the Big Baobab is of course also worthwhile!

Time to explore the Kruger Park and surroundings. After breakfast you will travel north to your next destination.

Sausage Tree Safaris located in the Balule Private Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Park. Lunch is served at 2:00 pm and check-in is from 12 noon. The afternoon game drive on the day of arrival departs at 3.30 pm.

Sabie is located on the Panorama Route and is a perfect place to spend the night and to see the sights along the breathtaking Panorama Route on the way there as well as the next day!

Today you cross the border to Swaziland. Your stay is in a rondavel in the Mlilwane Nature Reserve. You will experience that Swaziland has a very different atmosphere compared to South Africa and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Candle factories, artisan markets, nature reserves, bike rides and walking routes, plenty to do!

Continue via Kwazulu Natal to green St Lucia. Those who get up early can visit the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park for a few hours along the way. You run the chance to see the Big 5 and many other animals. It is more mountainous than Kruger, but the roads are still perfectly passable. St. Lucia itself is known for its large lagoon, which is full of crocodiles and hippos. On 1 of the days we book a boat trip on the lagoon so that you can view it at your leisure. A day trip to the nearby Isimangaliso Park is also very worthwhile, the combination of wildlife and a beautiful large beach is unique and beautiful!

The KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields cover a large area from the coast north of Durban, west of Lesotho and northeast of the town of Vryheid. It has many sites of important battlefields in South African history, the Zulu nation, and the British Empire. These grasslands have seen battles with Shaka, Gandhi, Churchill, the early Voortrekkers and several Boer commandos led by the famous General Louis Botha who became the first prime minister of the South African union.

Timer for safari again. Enjoy the next 2 days in a different setting of SA, and try and find the big 5 again!

After a final game drive and breakfast you will travel further along the coast to the seaside town of Umhlanga. In the good season this is a wonderful place for a dip in the blue ocean! This place is also close to the airport, from where you will continue the journey towards the Eastern Cape the next day.

Durban airport is a 20-minute drive away. Return the car (with full tank) and take the plane to Port-Elizabeth. This is an early flight, so it is an early start today.

In Port Elizabeth you will pick up your second rental car and drive towards St Francis Bay.

St. Francis Bay consists of canals and buildings with Port St. Francis as the harbor. The architecture of the village is actually very unique within South Africa. In part, the village consists of black and white houses linked by canals and surrounded by the ocean. In another part, the Mediterranean character predominates with spacious residential areas in earth colors. Shops and restaurants can be found in the harbor of St. Francis Bay. Close by is Cape St. Francis, which consists of a small community surrounded by three miles of beach and two cliff rocks: Shark Point and Seal Point. Between Cape St. Francis and St. Francis Bay is the Cape St. Francis Nature Reserve, which offers the opportunity to see small game, fish, but also (in season, August to November) whales, dolphins and the rare bird Black Oystercatcher.

Travel further towards the coast and start exploring the breathtaking Garden Route! This route offers the opportunity to view some beautiful secluded bays and spots, take the time to take a turn here and there and explore the area!

Visit the Garden Route National Park, where you can walk to the suspension bridge over the river in half an hour. There are also canoe and other activities to do. For the adventurous there is the possibility to bungy jump from the Bloukrans Bridge, one of the highest bungy jumps in the world.

Continue to Knysna.

Visit the Knysna heads or take a boat trip on the lagoon or the sea, we can arrange this for you. There are plenty of excursions to book for the more active. Canoe trips in Wilderness, surf lessons in Plettenberg bay, mountain biking or try out a SUP board! There are plenty of places where you can eat fantastic meals!

Travel towards the mountains to the small village of Ladismith.

On the way you can visit the town of Oudtshoorn. The ostrich farms are the main draw of this beautiful area. A visit to such a farm is very interesting and well worth it. The famous Cango Caves are also very impressive. Accommodation is in a small village “off the beaten” track on a working farm in the middle of nowhere, experience great South African hospitality and delicious food!

Continue your journey towards Swellendam along the R62, also known as the longest wine route in South Afirca. Stop at one of the farm stalls and try out some of the local delicious foods or buy the best ever mikshake at Diesel&Creme in Barrydale!

Spend the next 2 nights in Swellendam and take your time to explore this quaint and interesting little town.

Greyton is located in the sleepy area of ​​the Overberg between Cape Town and Caledon and is a picturesque village.

At the foot of the Sonderend mountains, surrounded by old oak trees, this village is what could be from the english countryside. Thatched houses, shops, artists who find inspiration here, in short, a wonderful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here you step right into a garden magazine, into the long-lost charm of Country life. With beautifully grown gardens, numerous roses and fruit trees that form beautiful pictures with the cottages of the village.

Once you are here, you no longer need a car because Greyton is a village to explore on foot or by bicycle. The surroundings are beautiful and what could be better than sitting on the terrace with a delicious cup of coffee or glass of wine accompanied by a local handmade chocolate and enjoying the view and meet the very friendly people who live here. Greyton is a popular spot for those who love antiques and art and the historic buildings such as the church and the old post house also attract many day-trippers.

Hermanus is a village on the coast of South Africa best known for the annual visit of the Southern Right Whales (usually between August – December) who stay in the bay to give birth to their calves.

Hermanus now also has its own wine route, with 17 wine farms where you can taste wine. At some of them you can also enjoy delicious food! A nice walk on the beach or in the mountains is also one of the options, no need to get bored here!

Franschhoek is a beautiful picturesque village in the middle of the Cape Winelands. Visit the penguins in Betty’s Bay along the way.

Go for a wine tasting or lunch at one of the many wine farms, browse the many galleries in the main street and enjoy the great restaurants in this beautiful place! And don’t forget to look around every now and then and absorb the beauty in this environment!

For a great sunset we can recommend La Roca restaurant at Dieu Donne!

Stellenbosch is located in the heart of the Cape Winelands. It is a pleasant student city, where you can taste delicious wine at one of the more than 200 wineries. You can go to many without an appointment! Stroll through the streets of this cozy village and enjoy the beautiful surrounding nature!

The coming days are free to spend in the metropolis of Cape Town! Visit Table Mountain, Robben Island and Cape-Point. But there are also many lesser known sights that are absolutely worthwhile.

Robben Island will be booked for you on one of the days

This is your last day. Drive back to Cape Town airport, where you hand in your rental vehicle (with full tank), in time for your flight back home.