Self-Drive South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route - 11 Days

Storms River Coastal Scenery, Garden Route South Africa

A fabulous, affordable self-drive tour of Cape Town and the scenic Garden Route. Spend 4 days experiencing the multitude of highlights of South Africa’s Mother City, before driving to the Cape Winelands to immerse yourself in all things wine and food. Continue through the scenic lesser known Little Karoo, to the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn before crossing over the Outeniqua Mountains to the dramatic landscapes and quaint lagoon-side towns of the Garden Route. Finally enjoy a wildlife safari experience in Addo Elephant National Park, a great place to see the most southerly population of these gentle giants.

Choose between two accommodation grades - Standard or Upgrade. Alternatively mix and match accommodation from each grade to create your perfect holiday. Interactive itineraries for each accommodation grade can be viewed below.

Table Mountain - Robben Island - Cape Point - Winelands - Garden Route - Little Karoo - Outeniqua Mountains - Addo Elephants

Car hire - Group C car (Hyundai Accent or similar) for 11 days, premium rate. Pick up Cape Town International Airport, drop off Port Elizabeth Airport. For details of the different vehicle types available please see - Self Drive Safaris.
Car hire insurance (Zero Excess) - premium level including collision damage waiver, personal accident insurance, theft protection, third party liability, unlimited kilometres, additional driver, Wi-fi router with 1GB data per day.
Accommodation as indicated below.
Meals as indicated below.
Relevant Travel Africa Information sheets.

With Travel Africa you are safe in the knowledge that you are working with people who are experts in self-drive travel. We have driven the types of vehicles you are looking to hire and driven them in the places, and on the road conditions, that you will experience. We have enjoyed all kinds of self-drive trips in southern Africa for over 25 years – from quick flits along the Garden Route to 8 month adventure trips with fully equipped 4x4s and roof top tents throughout southern Africa.

We give you peace of mind by working closely with you to custom-make and book your itinerary – ensuring you have the most appropriate type of vehicle and accommodation for your trip. We also provide you with detailed trip dossiers, which include routes, directions, tips and hints on driving in southern Africa, ensuring you have all the information you need to enjoy every minute of your trip and feel comfortable and secure with your holiday plan!

Our in-depth knowledge of destinations, conditions, vehicles and equipment, based on extensive personal experience, gives you the peace of mind you need for your self-drive safari.

Cape Town and the Garden Route, South Africa self drive

Interactive standard itinerary

Interactive upgrade itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Arrive Cape Town International Airport and pick up your hire car. Two full days at your leisure to explore the charm and history of one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities of the world. Take the cable car or walk up Table Mountain, visit the colourful Malay quarter or meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Browse through the vibrant Greenmarket Square, take a boat trip to Robben Island or simply relax on the beach. When you want to range further, take one of the finest coastal drives in Africa to the Cape of Good Hope. Here you might see whales breeching just off the bay or quirky African penguins on Boulder's beach. The fashionable Waterfront and City Bowl areas are ideal for visitors who enjoy city life with plenty of restaurants and cafes.

There are many day tour options available to fill your days - see our Cape Town Activities page for ideas.

Stay at:
Standard - The Cape Heritage Hotel or similar
Upgrade - The Three Boutique Hotel or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 40kms, good roads.

An area of exquisite beauty with rocky mountains overlooking green vineyards; elegant Cape Dutch wine estates and some of the most charming towns and villages in South Africa including the university town of Stellenbosch and the Huguenot settlement of Franschhoek. Appreciate the wine and the superb architecture, excellent restaurants, shops and galleries, scenic drives or walks in the surrounding mountains.

Stay at:
Standard - Mont D'Or Franschhoek Guest House or similar
Upgrade - River Manor Boutique Hotel or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 435kms direct, good roads or 400kms via scenic Route 62.

The Little Karoo is an arid, rugged land reached via the spectacular mountain passes over the Outeniqua Mountains. In the late Victorian period, when ostrich feathers were the height of fashion in Europe, the ostrich boom here created "feather barons". Today you can sample the excellent wines of the area over lunch at a working ostrich farm or visit the Cango Caves, a labyrinthine complex of limestone caverns. The intrepid will be captivated by the wild beauty of the Swartberg Pass and the mysterious hidden valley of Die Hel.

Stay at:
Standard (fair trade) - De Zeekoe Guest Farm luxury room or similar
Upgrade (fair trade) - De Zeekoe Guest Farm deluxe room or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 125kms direct, good roads.

This region between Mossel Bay and the Storms River offers a spectacular coastline of dramatic headlands giving way to white sandy beaches. Behind the sand dunes lie placid lagoons and lakes, with a hinterland of soaring mountains, covered by indigenous rainforest, magnificent twisting passes, waterfalls and wooded ravines will many walking and hiking trails and adventure activities. The Knysna area, with its beautiful lagoon and the famous Knysna Heads, is a perfect base from which to explore and enjoy the diverse wonders of the Garden Route.

Stay at:
Standard - Waterfront Lodge or similar
Upgrade - Hog Hollow Country Lodge or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 325kms, good roads.

Addo was proclaimed a National Park in 1931 to conserve the dwindling elephant population. The numbers of elephant have since grown dramatically. Alongside the thrill of close-up elephant encounters, it is now home to black rhino, lion, hippo, unique Cape buffalo, many species of antelope, not forgetting the endangered flightless dung beetle!

Stay at:
Standard - Addo Elephant Park Main Rest Camp Self-Catering Chalet or similar
Upgrade - Camp Fig Tree (includes bed & breakfast) or similar

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