Wine, Whales and Wildlife Luxury Self-Drive
Wide open roads, driving on the left, good infrastructure and stunning scenery – just some of the reasons why we at Africa Sky love to drive in South Africa. The freedom to linger longer in the places that really capture your heart.
In our eyes, the allure of an Africa adventure is the small moments that you’ll remember forever. Sipping a decadent wine whilst gazing across a peaceful vineyard, spotting a whale emerging from the water, or wandering through local hotspots for a taste of the local lifestyle. This itinerary has been created with those magical moments in mind.
Cape Town
Start your journey in beautiful Cape Town. There is so much on offer here that some forward planning is recommended so that you don’t miss out on anything you really want to do. Visit the iconic Table Mountain for breathtaking views (weather permitting) , take a ferry to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela served much of his 27 year sentence, feel the sand between your toes at Camps bay with its many trendy restaurants and bars, be entertained by the penguins at Boulders Beach and enjoy the year round entertainment on offer at the Waterfront.
Stay at the Twelve Apostles Hotel for four nights with its breathtaking sea-views, exquisite cuisine and indulgent holistic spa – Voted No. 3 in the Top 20 Hotels in Africa by Conde Nast.
Franschhoek
After your four nights in Cape Town, it is time to collect your car and head away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town to the vibrant green hills and vineyards of Franschhoek. As you arrive you may notice the French influence here. In fact, Franschhoek translates to ‘French Corner’. It is surrounded on three sides by beautiful mountains, and some of the best vineyards in the country can be found here.
A stroll or short drive into town and you will be rewarded with curios shops, restaurants and art galleries. The wine tram is located in this quaint little town and is a fantastic way to give your designated driver some time off to enjoy the wonderful wines of this region. The open sided tram and tram bus follow a circular loop through stunning vineyards and scenery allowing you to hop on and off wherever you fancy. There is narration throughout which is a great way to learn about this historical area. As well as first class wines, you can also enjoy a gourmet lunch created with local produce.
Enjoy two nights at the stunning Mont Rochelle, set in 39 hectares and boasting a 37- hectare vineyard and wine cellar as well as a superb spa, gym and outdoor pool.
Hermanus
Especially popular between the months of June to December as South Africa’s best whale watching destination, but with plenty to offer all year round, the beautiful coastal town of Hermanus is the next stop on your itinerary.
There are cafés galleries and shops to enjoy and we love to sit by the waterfront to enjoy a fish dinner whilst being entranced by an Africa sunset.
If you are lucky enough to be travelling during whale watching season, there is a feast of entertainment including live music, food stalls and educational exhibits about marine life conservation. You may even come across the town whale crier who will notify you of a whale surfacing with the blow of his horn. The best way to spot the whales in these waters is from one of the many boats that you can book onto but if you don’t have your sea legs with you, many a whale can be spotted from the shore.
If you enjoy being immersed in nature, you will love your accommodation for the next two nights at Grootbos Nature Reserve – a luxury eco-reserve surrounded by mountains, forest and sea.
Kruger National Park
After driving back to Cape Town airport and dropping off your car it is time to take a short flight to one of the oldest and largest parks in the whole of Africa, Kruger National Park. With its private concessions all offering sensational landscapes filled with hundreds of species of mammals, birds and flora, there really is something for everyone.
On arrival in Kruger, you will be met by your guide in a 4x4 vehicle and your next adventure begins from here as you excitedly spot animals on your way to camp.
Private concessions allow you to go off road giving you some of the most enthralling close up sightings you could wish for. Mornings are early and you will be roused with some fresh coffee or tea as you listen to the sounds of the animals in the bush close by waking up with the rising of the sun. Mornings can be chilly so we recommend you take a fleece on the drive.
You will have four nights to explore this wonderful wilderness and we think that you will love our choice of accommodation at Lion Sands.
If you have more time on your hands at the end of your African adventure it is possible to extend your holiday to the gorgeous beaches of Mauritius or Seychelles.
Please note: One way drop off fee applicable for the car hire
This safari can be tailored in any way to meet your personal needs including length of trip, accommodation and experiences included, with or without international flights. Contact one of our safari designers now to discuss your safari ideas.
What's Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights and transfers
- Car hire (excluding one drop-off fee paid locally)
- 12 nights accommodation as detailed above
- All National Park fees and entrance fees for activities detailed
Price Information
Prices start from £5995pp/€6995pp/$7695pp