South Africa self drive Lions Head, Cape Town

Self-Drive Classic South Africa - 22 Days

Drakensberg Mountains, Self Drive South Africa

Experience the rainbow nation of South Africa at your own pace and on your own terms with this 3 week self-drive journey from the Mother City - Cape Town, to Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Start in beautiful Cape Town, with spectacular Table Mountain, dramatic Cape Point and poignant Robben Island. Your journey then heads along the coast via the Cape winelands and the Garden Route to Addo Elephant National Park. Continue through the Wild Coast, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains for a scenic trip up Sani Pass into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho before heading into tropical Kwa-Zula Natal and a visit to the UNESCO listed iSimangaliso wetlands. Saving the best until last you spend your last days in South Africa exploring the Kruger National Park in search of its vast array of wonderful wildlife and birds.

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 - Wild Coast - Addo Elephants - Drakensberg Mountains - Sani Pass - iSimangaliso Wetlands - Swazi crafts - Kruger’s wildlife and birdlife - Panorama Route - Blyde River Canyon

Standard Accommodation: clean and comfortable B&B accommodation. Self-catering accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park and Kruger National Park is more basic and rustic, however this enables you to stay in some of South Africa’s truly magic spots.

Upgrade Accommodation: higher quality B&B accommodation with a broader spectrum of facilities. Self-catering accommodation in Kruger National Park is more basic and rustic, however this enables you to stay in some of South Africa’s truly magic spots.

Car hire - Group C car (Hyundai Accent or similar) for 22 days. Pick up Cape Town International Airport, drop off OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. 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 and 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.

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 470kms direct, good roads or 515kms via scenic Route 62.

This region, between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, offers a spectacular coastline of dramatic headlands and white sandy beaches. Behind the sand dunes lie placid lagoons and lakes, with a hinterland of soaring mountains, indigenous rainforest, magnificent twisting passes and waterfalls perfect for hiking and adventure activities. Inland from the Garden Route is the Little Karoo, an arid, rugged land reached via the spectacular mountain passes over the Outeniqua Mountains. Visit a working ostrich farm, the Cango Caves, or be captivated by the wild beauty of the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert and the mysterious hidden valley of Die Hel. 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. Since then, the numbers of elephant have 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, and of course wonderful smaller animal life - including 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

Travel distance: Approximately 315kms, good roads.

Continue your journey through the Eastern Cape to the Ciskei coast, passed the historical university town of Grahamstown. Your destination is Cintsa Bay for a one night stop over. If you have time you can enjoy some of the spectacular Wild Coast scenery, hiking through indigenous bush or exploring deserted beaches.

Stay at:
Standard - Crawfords Beach Lodge (Musselcracker Room) or similar
Upgrade - Crawfords Beach Lodge (Dolphin Room - seaview) or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 500kms, winding roads.

This is a travel day with one of your longest distances to cover so leave plenty of time. The road takes you through Nelson Mandela’s home region and you can stop and visit the Nelson Mandela Museum at Qunu on your way. The Drakensberg Mountains form the dramatic border between South Africa and the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. Stay in cosy accommodation nestled in the folds of the mountains with stunning views of the Giants Cup formation. Pick a hike to suit your fitness level and lose your spirit amongst the mountain grasslands, wildflowers and crystal clear waterfalls. Included in your price is a 1 day tour up the famous Sani Pass and into Lesotho. Rise high above the clouds as you drive up the spectacular zig-zag 4x4 track, affording amazing views far over Kwa-Zulu Natal, and onto the table top plateau that is Lesotho. This is a different world where shepherds tend their flocks wrapped up in warm Basotho blankets amidst the wildly dramatic scenery.

Stay at:
Standard - Elgin Guesthouse or similar (Full day Sani Pass Tour included)
Upgrade - Moorcroft Manor (bed & breakfast) or similar (Full day Sani Pass Tour included)

Travel distance: Approximately 440kms, combination winding and good roads.

From your base in the ‘hippo’ village of St. Lucia in northern KwaZulu Natal you can enjoy the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park with its excellent game-viewing, snorkelling at Cape Vidal and boat cruises on the lake in search of hippos and crocodiles. From St Lucia it's only 40 minutes drive to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve with its fabulous white rhinos.

Stay at:
Standard - Lidiko Lodge or similar
Upgrade - Serene Estate Guest House or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 350kms, combination winding and good roads.

The Kingdom of Swaziland provides a fascinating cultural experience; a small yet beautiful and peaceful country. The Swazis are renowned craftsmen, and you can buy terrific examples of basket ware, colourful fabrics, carvings, and Mother of Pearl in friendly markets and roadside stalls.

Stay at:
Standard - Foresters Arms Hotel or similar
Upgrade - Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 210kms, winding roads.

One of the finest nature reserves in Africa, the Kruger is a vast wilderness of thorn trees, prolific game and sub-tropical heat. It is home not only to The Big Seven - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, cheetah and wild dog, but also to an abundance of smaller, equally fascinating animals and birdlife. The size of Wales or Israel this amazing wildlife paradise contains a vast array of habitats that attract different animals and birdlife in different seasons. Your time in Kruger is spent on early morning and afternoon game drives, choosing your route based on what has been seen in the area. Alternatively park yourself at one of the many waterholes and see what comes along … huge herds of elephant or buffalo needing an afternoon drink or mud bath, or if you are lucky a pride of lions needing water after devouring a kill!

Stay at:
Standard:
Lower Sabie Rest Camp, Southern Kruger, Self-Catering Bungalow or similar for 2 nights
Satara Rest Camp, Central Kruger, Self Catering Bungalow or similar for 2 nights
(Distance between the two camps is approximately 100kms, national park roads)

Upgrade:
Lower Sabie Rest Camp, Southern Kruger, Self-Catering Bungalow or similar for 2 nights
Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park or similar (includes full board and morning and evening game drives) for 2 nights - for lodge details plus ideas for other Kruger safari lodges Travel Africa can tempt you with please see Deluxe Kruger (Luxury Safari Lodges).
(Distance between the two camps is approximately 100kms, national park roads)

Travel distance: Approximately 165kms, national parks and winding roads.

The heart of the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon and surrounds is an area of sculpted peaks and deep ravines, tumbling streams and green valleys. The drive alongside the Canyon, a majestic red sandstone gorge with sheer cliffs plunging into waters below, is magnificent. Gentle walking trails connect a series of delicate waterfalls. Nearby is Pilgrim's Rest, a restored mining village that was the epicentre of the 19th century gold rush, and the town's many preserved houses and museums bring alive this fascinating history of false hopes and dashed dreams.

Stay at:
Standard - Rissington Inn (Superior Room) or similar
Upgrade - Rissington Inn (Garden Suite) or similar

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