South Africa’s South and Garden Route “Comfort”

After arriving at Cape Town airport, you collect your rental car at the airport and drive to the wine region. You pass Stellenbosch and, on the way to Franschhoek, reach your accommodation, the charming Angala Boutique Hotel. The spacious estate and spa invite you to recover from the overnight flight. The next day, explore the wine region and sample a few fine drops that South Africa’s winemakers have to offer. Alternatively and optionally, wine tastings are available in the form of guided tours, hikes and bike rides. In the evening, treat yourself to a true feast for the palate at one of the excellent restaurants nearby. You spend two nights at Angala Boutique Hotel.

On today’s leg of your rental car trip through the south of South Africa, you head to Cape Town after breakfast. You spend three nights there and have time to see the city’s sights. To start, a tour on a hop-on-hop-off bus is a good way to get a good all-round view of the city. With the mighty Table Mountain, the mountainous hinterland, the picturesque bays and its location right on the sea, Cape Town is one of the most attractive cities in the world. Stroll along the Waterfront and marvel at the fabulous backdrop during a sunset harbour cruise. Climb Lion’s Head or take the cable car up to the Table Mountain plateau. Visit the Botanical Garden and the well-known Green Market Square, and sample the various restaurants the city has to offer. You spend the night at the stylish Cape Heritage Boutique Hotel in the city centre, within walking distance of several sights and venues.

From Cape Town, take a day trip to see the Cape Peninsula. By rental car you drive past the colourful little houses of Muizenberg to Simon’s Town and on to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, which is part of Table Mountain National Park. Explore the fascinating nature reserve with its rich vegetation and biodiversity. Later you drive back towards Cape Town along the east side. Take a beach walk at Noordhoek and then drive back to Cape Town via Chapmans Peak Drive, an impressive coastal road (sometimes closed), and Hout Bay. Another overnight stay at Cape Heritage Boutique Hotel.

Today you leave Cape Town and head for a magnificent coastal reserve. Take the scenic route R44/R43 and stop on the way at Betty’s Bay to see the small penguin colony. Your destination is Lekkerwater Beach Lodge. This remarkable coastal reserve is best known for offering some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. In winter and spring (July to November), southern right whales migrate here from the Antarctic to calve and breed in the warm waters off the coast. These waters have been designated a marine protected area since 1985, and marine life has flourished. The whales may be the stars of the show, but from Lekkerwater Beach Lodge guests can also watch dolphins, seals and countless seabirds. Lekkerwater – which means “good water” in Afrikaans – offers a comfortable beach safari experience in a truly magical setting. With a rich history, incredible fauna and flora, unspoilt beaches, gentle hills and an abundance of marine life, the focus at Lekkerwater is on an extraordinary nature experience.

From the coast, your journey takes you inland to the Little Karoo. Stop on the way in Swellendam, the third-oldest town in South Africa, and see the white buildings in Cape Dutch style. Continue along Route 62 via Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn. Despite this dry region, the mountains supply enough water for tobacco, fruit and wine to be grown here. You spend two nights at Surval Boutique Olive Estate. From the estate, a tour of the farm with an olive tasting is possible. The next day you have time to visit an ostrich farm or the cave-like chambers of the Cango Caves. Alternatively, a round trip with a sightseeing stop at the Swartberg Pass is possible, offering fantastic views across this barren expanse. Surval Boutique Olive Estate has very good cuisine.

The next stage of this rental car trip through southern South Africa is the famous Garden Route. Drive to the coast and on to Wilderness. Visit Wilderness Nature Reserve for a hike, or continue to Knysna for a boat tour on the lagoon. Your destination is the pleasant little town of Plettenberg Bay, your base for exploring the surroundings. Visit Robberg Nature Reserve for a long walk. The next day, a trip to Tsitsikamma National Park is a good idea; it is a paradise for birdwatchers and lovers of impressive coastal landscapes. You spend two nights at the comfortable Periwinkle Guest Lodge. Enjoy Robberg Beach at sunset.

Continue along the N2 towards Port Elizabeth to the final stop of your rental car trip, Kariega Private Game Reserve. Look forward to “pure safari”! The game reserve of over 10,000 ha is home to the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo), among others, as well as many other wild animals such as zebras, giraffes, various antelopes and much more. After arriving in the early afternoon, you can enjoy the estate and your accommodation with a light snack and refreshing drink before setting off on your first game drive in a safari vehicle. The lodge’s expert guides know the game reserve extremely well and do their utmost to give you unforgettable wildlife viewing. After the morning safari there is a hearty breakfast. Afterwards you have free time – ideal for relaxing. In the afternoon, snacks and coffee or tea are served before it is back out on the hunt for wildlife. All meals and 2 activities per day are included in the price. Two nights at Kariega River Lodge.

After a last morning safari and a hearty breakfast, you leave Kariega and drive to Port Elizabeth airport. This is where your eventful journey through the south of South Africa ends. You return your rental car at the airport and begin your flight home.