Holidays to South Africa - Garden Route Self Drive Tour Ref: SA06

Day 1
London – Cape Town

Depart from Heathrow for your overnight Virgin Atlantic flight to Cape Town.

Day 2
Cape Town

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport. Pickup your hire car and drive the short distance to your hotel. Perhaps take a cable car up the 1000 metre Table Mountain this afternoon. Enjoy the breathtaking sea and city views. Maybe explore the restaurants of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront this evening.
Overnights (3): Protea Hotel President - Cape Town

Day 3
Cape Town

Perhaps drive to the Cape today. Follow magnificent Chapman Peak Drive. Climb to the viewing platform at Cape Point for superb panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope, famously described by Sir Francis Drake as the “Fairest Cape”. Perhaps visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to zebra, baboon, and many antelope species. Return up the Cape’s eastern coast, stopping at Boulder’s Bay to see the penguin colony before returning to Cape Town. Breakfast Included

Day 4
Cape Town

For your last day in Cape Town perhaps visit Robben Island, do some final shopping, or take a drive north from Cape Town exploring the Atlantic shore of the West Coast, its white sands, scenic beauty and open air restaurants. Breakfast Included

Day 5
Cape Town to Stellenbosch
(50 km/32 miles)

Make the short drive today to the Cape Winelands and Stellenbosch a key centre of South Africa’s wine producing industry. Most wineries in the area offer cellar tours and tastings Despite being South Africa’s second oldest town, Stellenbosch has a young atmosphere thanks to 15,000 students at the famous university. Visit Dorp Straat and perhaps the Dorp Museum which recreates the years of 1710-1850. Breakfast Included
Overnight (1): The Spier Hotel - Stellenbosch

Day 6
Stellenbosch – Hermanus
(95 km/60 miles)

Continue east from Cape Town through the Overberg to the historic fishing port of Hermanus, now known as the “whale-watching capital of South Africa”. In season Southern Right or Humpback whales can frequently be seen from the shore while Hermanus has its own “Whale Crier” to alert the town to sightings. Breakfast Included
Overnight (1): Auberge Burgundy - Hermanus

Day 7
Hermanus – Oudtshoorn
(362 km/227 miles)

Perhaps visit Cape Agulhas today as you continue east. The most southerly point in Africa, it is also the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Although further inland o­n the Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn is always a popular visit, famous for its ostriches and the spectacular Cango Caves nearby. Breakfast Included
Overnight (1): Oudtshoorn Hotel & Resort

Day 8
Oudtshoorn – Knysna
(120 km/75 miles)

Knysna is a spectacular location surrounded by lakes, beaches, indigenous forests, and nestles o­n a picturesque lagoon with access through Eastern and Western Heads to the Indian Ocean. Make a point during your stay of visiting the Featherbed Nature Reserve, reached by boat from Knysna. The town is also famous for its oysters and local brew, which can both be enjoyed in local restaurants. Breakfast Included
Overnights (2): Knysna Hollow Country Estate - Knysna

Day 9
Knysna

Steam enthusiasts will not want to miss the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train as it leaves Knysna twice daily (except Sunday) much photographed as it crosses the Knysna lagoon. There are opportunities for a short scenic journey o­n the train if required. Breakfast Included

Day 10
Knysna – Port Elizabeth
(268 km/168 miles)

The last leg of the Garden Route today passing the popular resort of Plettenberg Bay, famed for its wide, white sand beaches. Other highlights are Tsitsikamma Forest of 800 year old trees, and several spectacular bridges including Bloukrans Bridge – at 216 metres, reputed to be the world’s highest bungee jump! Return your car at Port Elizabeth Airport in time for your afternoon flight to Johannesburg and overnight connection to London. Breakfast Included

Day 11
Arrive London
Arrive early morning at London Heathrow Airport at the end of your South African tour.

ALTERNATIVE ADD-ON FOR PRIVATE GAME PARK - SA06a

Day 10
Kynsna – Port Elizabeth - Blaauwbosch
(336 km/210 miles)

The last leg of the Garden Route today as you travel via Port Elizabeth to a private game reserve.
Overnights (2): Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve

Blaauwbosch is an exclusive big five private game reserve in the malaria free Eastern Cape. The reserve offers a unique and private African wildlife safari experience where guests can relax in comfort. Luxurious chalets are spacious, air-conditioned and have their own dressing rooms, full bathrooms, personal bathrobes, verandahs and mountain views of the beautiful Eastern Cape. Discover a wide variety of game o­n your African wildlife safari, including lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, abundant birdlife and rare flora o­n game drives with professional rangers. Enjoy fine dining with the best of local wines, with meals prepared by the resident chef. Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve is a TGCSA 5-Star Lodge, close to the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape.

Day 11
Private Game Reserve
Game drives at Blaauwbosch private game reserve are led by professional rangers. The rangers have extensive big five game knowledge, which means you are likely to view lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, abundant birdlife and rare flora o­n our game drives. This is a birdwatchers paradise and binoculars are trained to spot rare specimens amongst the abundant birdlife. Full board included.


Day 12
Port Elizabeth to UK
(120 kms/ 75 miles)
Enjoy a morning game drive before you depart the lodge to drive to Port Elizabeth. Return your car at Port Elizabeth Airport in time for your afternoon flight to Johannesburg and overnight connection to London. Breakfast Included


Day 13
Arrive London
Arrive early morning at London Heathrow Airport at the end of your South African tour.


Extensions of this tour are available at malaria-free lodges in private game parks near Port Elizabeth. Please ask for details at the time of booking.

FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4614 - open at weekends
We are specialists in tailoring holidays to our client’s exact requirements. If you would like to vary the holiday, for example by adding nights etc. please contact us for a free personalised quotation. We are pleased to quote supplements for single rooms.

VIRGIN FLIGHT UPGRADES
UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS from £250 each way

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO UPPER CLASS from £800 each way
Upper Class customers enjoy a dedicated check-in and access to Exclusive Clubhouses. Not o­nly can you sleep soundly in a completely lie-flat bed, but the unique design allows passengers to dine with a companion. A luxurious leather armchair that converts to a fully lie-flat 80” bed. Video and audio o­n-demand with a 10.4” high resolution screen and active noise cancellation headsets. Every seat has direct aisle access.


HOLIDAYS2 PRICE GUARANTEE
All offers are subject to availability. o­nce a booking is confirmed your holiday price is 100% GUARANTEED against any increase in price such as currency exchange fluctuations or fuel surcharges.


Full Financial Cover for Land-Only bookings. In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations1992" all passengers booking land-only with Holidays2 are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Holidays2. A certificate detailing this cover will be given to each passenger booking land-only as evidence of cover. Please ensure that you have been given the appropriate certificate(s) at the time of confirmation of booking. This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers.

Other holidays which include air travel from the UK are fully protected under our ATOL licence 6423 and a certificate is not required.