Selfdrive through the nature of the Western and Eastern Cape (budget)

You land at Cape Town airport and are met by a driver and brought to your accommodation. Especially when you arrive late in the evening, it is nice not to arrive immediately have to drive. The following morning your rental car (category B of Europcar, Ford Fiesta or similar) will be delivered to your accommodation. If you do want to take the rental car immediately from the airport, this is of course also possible.

In Cape Town there are endless possibilities for sights and activities. High on the list for many is a visit to the Table mountain and Robben island (advance booking required). But also think of a walk through the old city center where you will find the Company Gardens and Castle of Good Hope. Or visit the modern Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with many restaurants and shops. The Cape Peninsula is also worth a visit and a nice day trip. A day trip could be: from Cape Town to the south via Simon’s Town and  Boulders Beach to Cape of Goodhope. up via Kommetjie, Noordhoek and the beautiful auto route Chapmans Peak Drive and further along the beaches of Llandudno, Camps Bay and Clifton.

An easy way to discover the sights in and around Cape Town is by using the Hop on hop off bus.

You stay for three nights in  Maartens Guesthouse based on bed and breakfast. This accommodation is located near Lions Head, take a fun and adventurous hike to the top with the reward of a beautiful view! Or opt for a quieter walk on Signal Hill, a popular place to watch the sunset with a picnic basket.

You drive north to the village of Langebaan on the west coast of South Africa (142 kilometers to your next accommodation). This place is on the clear blue Langebaan Lagoon, where you can see many birds including black herons, pelicans, flamingos and Cape Jan-van Gent. We recommend that you make a stop en route at Bloubergstrand from where you can take beautiful photos of the iconic Table Mountain.

It is on the south side of the Langebaan West Coast National Park where in the African spring (August to early October) beautiful wild flower fields can be admired. In this area you can also see a fossil of the oldest human footprint: Eva’s Footprint. You can walk, cycle and of course enjoy water sports in this nature reserve. The unspoilt nature and beautiful coastline ensure beautiful pictures.

On the west coast you can enjoy delicious fresh fish and lobster. A special place for lunch or dinner is Die Strandloper. Here you get fresh fish and other seafood that are served in a relaxed way on the beach. Reservations are necessary, we are happy to do this for you free of charge.

Overnight in Windtown Lagoon Hotel based on bed and breakfast.

Time to travel further, 172 kilometers away is your next destination: Franschhoek.

Many restaurants require timely reservations, we are happy to do this for you free of charge! Drive today via the R45 and the village of Malmesbury and Paarl so that you do not partly drive the same road as yesterday. In Paarl you can possibly make another stop and view the Language Monument.

Franschhoek has an interesting history in which the French Huguenots played an important role, you can learn more about this at the Huguenot Museum. Take a leisurely stroll through the old city center and treat yourself to coffee with a treat or a glass of wine for the real holiday feeling.

Two nights at Plumwood Inn in a standard room based on bed and breakfast. This luxurious and attractive 4-star guesthouse is located in the center of Franschhoek and has a beautiful garden with swimming pool.

Time to search for the coast again, you drive to today Hermanus where you can spot whales from the quay between July and December. Today’s journey takes you, among other things, past the Theewaters nature reserve and takes almost 1.5 hours (103 kilometers). No long drive, so you can still spend time in Franschhoek this morning if you wish.

Especially in the whale season, a boat trip with expert guides is recommended. For those who dare, there is also the possibility for a shark cage dive in this environment.

Along the beaches of Hermanus is a cliff path where you can walk with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches, such as Grotto Beach, also invite for a walk.

You spend the night in The Potting Shed based on bed and breakfast.

Today you continue your journey to the fruit-producing region Robertson. You drive a beautiful route along the Theewaterskloof Dam and the Brandvlei nature reserve, day distance about 120 kilometers. Wine is also produced in this area, but it is also known for the production of dried fruit, olives, roses and the brandy popular in South Africa (visit the Klipdrift distillery).

You will spend the night with Ballinderry The Robertson Guesthouse based on bed and breakfast. A beautiful 4-star accommodation surrounded by a relaxing garden with swimming pool. Take the time for the delicious and extensive breakfast.

From  Robertson it is via Montagu, Barrydale (make a stop at Ronnie’s ‘Sex’ Shop!), Ladismith and  Calitzdorp about 287 kilometers to the “Ostrich capital of the world”  Oudtshoorn. Today you continue on Route 62 and through the Klein Karoo, you will see on the way that the landscape is becoming increasingly drier.

In Oudtshoorn there is much to do for tourists, visit an ostrich or crocodile farm, take a trip to the beautiful Cango Caves or venture to the spectacular unpaved Swartbergpass in the Swartberg Mountains (by car or mountain bike). You can also explore the rugged mountain pass with a guide so that you can fully enjoy the view. Because you stay here for two nights, you have plenty of time to go on excursions and visit the sights at your leisure.

Tasty Karoo dishes such as mutton and ostrich can be ordered at one of the cozy restaurants in the center.

You stay for the two nights in De Akker Guesthouse based on bed and breakfast. This accommodation is located in the center of Oudtshoorn within walking distance of restaurants and shops.

In the Knysna Forest you can go for a nice walk and when it’s hot, the age-old trees provide a cooling shade. The coastline and beaches are also great places to walk. A boat trip on the John Benn Ferry will take you to the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

In Knysna itself you can visit the Waterfront where you can find cozy terraces, restaurants and shops and Thesen Island is also a pleasant place to visit.

You will stay in  in Abalone Lodge in a log cabin based on bed and breakfast (there is a small kitchen in your cabin, in the garden you can use the bbq if desired).

You continue through the beautiful green Garden Route to the great natures area: Tsitsikamma National Park (part of the Garden Route National Park). Today you only have to drive 90 kilometers to your next destination, so you can have another on the road make a stopover in for example Plettenberg Bay.

Tsitsikamma is a nature reserve for lovers of walking / hiking or simply enjoying nature. Fun activities to do here are the Canopy Tour, Blackwater tubing or perhaps a jump from the 216-meter-high Bloukrans bridge with bungee jump elastic around your feet. From the visitor center in the park there are various walking routes to follow, including a short route over a long suspension bridge that is stretched over the mouth of the Storms River. The Tsitsikamma National Park offers lots of greenery, a rugged coastline, waterfalls and a wide variety of birds.

Two nights at Stormsriver Tsitsikamma Village Inn in a double room based on bed and breakfast. Several restaurants are located around this property.

Time for safari! After all, you are in South Africa, the land of the Big Five. Via Port Elizabeth you drive to the Schotia game reserve, a distance of 225 kilometers. Do not leave too late, as you can check in at Schotia’s head office from 14:30. van Schotia. You park your car and enter the park in a 4 × 4. The Schotia Game Reserve explores you with a ranger in an open safari car, when the sun begins to sink, the search for nocturnal animals continues.

Tonight there is a dinner buffet waiting for you in the lapa around the campfire. Overnight at the Schotia Game Reserve in a bush lodge. All meals and game drives are included.

After a morning game drive, and hopefully many pictures of wild animals, you will enjoy a delicious full breakfast. Around 10 am you will be taken back to your own car at the Schotia head office. From here you drive to Port Elizabeth airport to begin your return trip home or continue your journey through South Africa, ask us about the possibilities.