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Self-drive Cape & safari
USD 2550
JAN-DEC
14 NIGHTS
Select your style
We are able to vary the price of this trip considerably, simply by swapping out the lodges that it contains. This is likely to have a very significant effect on the level of polish of the trip, but in all cases it will remain cool and authentic. Make your selection here and the lodges will automatically change in the itinerary below.
USD 2550 per person
This trip includes very cool, well-located and relatively well-priced lodges, suitable for more adventurous, easy-going and outdoorsy travellers.
Trip Summary
Start location : Cape Town International
Cape Town
01 : Four Rosmead
02 : Four Rosmead
03 : Four Rosmead
Franschhoek
04 : Auberge Clermont
05 : Auberge Clermont
De Hoop
06 : De Hoop Suites
07 : De Hoop Suites
Calitzdorp
08 : Groenfontein Retreat
09 : Groenfontein Retreat
Nature's Valley
10 : Hog Hollow
11 : Hog Hollow
Addo
End location : Port Elizabeth Airport
Cape Town
Set in the Western Cape of South Africa, Cape Town is a fabulous, fascinating city, tucked in the folds of a very beautiful national park, where you are never short of a view and never more than a short walk away from an epic hiking trail. There's so much to see and do that a few nights will only enable you to scratch the surface.
Day 1 , 2 , 3
Arrival : Cape Town International
lodge
Four Rosmead
Four Rosmead is located in the Oranjezicht area of Cape Town.
The lodge is centred on a large 1903 house, set in a pretty garden.
Guest accommodation is in three rooms on the lower floor, two in a separate garden annex ...
... and two on the upper floor of the main house.
Activities include sight-seeing, beaches, hiking, horse-riding, mountain-biking, surfing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and sailing, plus whale, dolphin and seal watching.
In Cape Town you are never more than a couple of minutes away from a great hiking trail.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a popular area full of stores, restaurants and museums.
The trip out to the Apartheid prison on Robben Island is surprisingly authentic and moving.
The City Centre is surprisingly compact and easy to explore on foot.
To the west there are some really gorgeous cold water beaches.
The botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch are truly spectacular and not to be missed.
Constantia contains the Cape's oldest wineries, a couple of which are open to the public.
The Cape of Good Hope makes for a really good day trip.
The route is usually best done anti-clockwise, first heading south to Hout Bay.
The dramatic Chapman's Peak Road.
The broad beach from Noordhoek to Kommetjie.
The sleepy settlement of Scarborough.
Entering the national park, we approach Cape Point.
Returning north along the eastern side of the peninsular.
The naval port of Simons Town.
The famous penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
The broad view across the Cape Flats from Muizenberg.
Franschhoek
Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a beautiful and relaxed village and a very popular place for our guests to stay, with a wealth of high class wineries, restaurants and hotels, plus options for shopping, mountain hiking and biking.
Day 4 , 5
lodge
Auberge Clermont
Auberge Clermont is located close to the village of Franshhoek in the Cape Winelands.
The hotel is centred on an authentic 1870 Huguenot farmhouse.
Guest accommodation is in Deluxe Rooms ...
Guest accommodation is in Deluxe Rooms ...
Activities include wineries, fine dining, mountain-biking and hiking.
The village of Franschhoek is a pleasant place to explore, packed with fine wineries and restaurants.
There are also excellent options for mountain and road biking in the area.
The valley contains several superb wineries that are open to visitors.
There are also some hiking options in the hills above the village.
De Hoop
Set on the Whale Coast, De Hoop is a lovely coastal nature reserve, a real hidden gem, containing fabulous white dunes, swimmable rock pools, shore-based whale-watching (Jun-Oct), fascinating endemic fynbos flora and fauna, plus a good range of larger mammals, notably including baboons, bonteboks and caracals. There are a handful of good accommodation options.
Day 6 , 7
lodge
De Hoop Suites
De Hoop Suites are located in the De Hoop Nature Reserve on the Whale Coast.
The three suites are rented individually, each with one room.
The Dassie Suite is a particularly nice one bedroom unit.
Cloete Suite is a one rooms apartment in the main farm courtyard.
Vlei Suite is another single bedroom suite in the main farm courtyard.
Stable Suite is a cute little one bedroom unit, an authentic part of the original farmstead.
The Manor House is the original farmstead, now converted into a very nice unit with two bedrooms.
The farmstead has facilities including a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, gym, spa and tennis court.
Activities include gentle vehicle safari, sand-boarding, cave tours, snorkelling, mountain-biking, quad-biking, coastal hiking and whale-watching Jun-Nov.
Modest vehicle safari is also possible, including bonteboks, zebras, elands, baboons and caracals.
The area contains some superb beaches, with excellent snorkelling pools.
The inter-tidal nature walks here are extraordinarily good, especially the super aggressive octopuses.
Quad-bike trips are also sometimes available ...
... as well as modest motorboat safari out on the lagoon.
Calitzdorp
Set in the Little Karoo, Calitzdorp is a modest agricultural town with an historic centre and some pleasant traditional guest houses. The area contains some great scenery, interesting back road routes and one particularly good rural lodge on the scenic drive below the dramatic Swartberg Pass.
Day 8 , 9
lodge
Groenfontein Retreat
The Retreat at Groenfontein is located in the Calitzdorp area of the Little Karoo.
The lodge is contained within a beautiful private valley and centred on a classic Victorian farmhouse.
Guest accommodation is three rooms in the main house ...
... plus two rooms in the converted Weaving Shed...
... and two rooms in the old Milking Shed ...
Activities include hiking, river swimming and wineries, plus visits further afield to the Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert, Cango Caves and Outdshoorn.
The Rockpool Trail leads up to some natural swimming pools higher up the valley.
The Springbok Trail heads up into the hills above the property.
Nature's Valley
Set on the Garden Route, Nature’s Valley is a wonderfully peaceful settlement in an absolutely beautiful bay and is by far the most attractive section of this coastline, with some really strong accommodation options. Good for hiking and horse-riding too.
Day 10 , 11
lodge
Hog Hollow
Hog Hollow Country Lodge is located in the Nature's Valley area of the Garden Route.
The lodge is centred on a modest main building, leading out to terraces and a lovely swimming pool.
Guest accommodation is in sixteen Suites of various specifications.
Activities include beaches, hiking, horse-riding and various wildlife attractions.
Major highlights include the wonderful beaches and hiking trails of Nature's Valley.
Addo
Set in the Eastern Cape, Addo is a very substantial wildlife reserve which covers mountains, savanna and beaches, being best known for its elephants. The reserve is accessible by self-drive and represents one of the lowest cost safari options on the continent for those not too worried about the slightly tame feel.
Day 12 , 13 , 14
lodge
Woodall Country House
Woodall Country House is located in the Addo area.
The lodge is centred on a converted farmstead.
There is also a small spa facility.
Guest accommodation is in three Suites in the main house and four in various converted outbuildings.
Activities include vehicle safari into the reserve, canoe trips on the river, guided walks in the Zuurberg Mountains, helicopter trips to remote beaches, elephant walks, horse-riding trails and township tours.
Day 15
Departure : Port Elizabeth Airport
Alternative Trips
Here is a small selection of related sample trips.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
