- In search of the “Big 5” in the Simbavati Game Reserve
- Explore the picture perfect metropolis of Cape Town
- The finest wines: On the way in the Winelands & wine tasting
- Dive with great white sharks in Hermanus
- Knysna, a picturesque place between mountains and lagoon
Kruger NP & Garden Route
The whole world in one country
Fascinating South Africa is synonymous with diverse cultures, incredible biodiversity and is a true Mecca for connoisseurs of international culinary delights. The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest and most famous game reserve. Here you can expect varied experiences: vast steppes, exciting encounters with the Big Five as well as diverse cultures. After a safari in a class of its own, your journey will be dominated by the Garden Route. The multifaceted metropolis of Cape Town, picturesque vineyards in the surrounding countryside and the wild and romantic coast of the Garden Route are waiting to be discovered by you in your rental car.
Request15 Days
from € 4.495 / per person
Day 1: Arrival in the Kruger National Park
After a short stopover in Johannesburg, you will land at the airport in Hoedspruit, where a transfer will already be waiting to take you to your lodge.
After lunch and in the late afternoon, you will depart for your first game drive in the Simbavati Game Reserve, adjacent to the largest national park in South Africa. Upon your return to the lodge, enjoy the evening atmosphere and get in the mood for more safari adventures.
Day 2: Game drives in Simbavati Private Game Reserve
Today you will have two game drives in an open 4×4 vehicle: With an experienced ranger you will lie in wait in the Private Simbavati Game Reserve, the wildlife of Africa presents itself in all its glory and you can keep a lookout for the legendary “Big Five“.
Alternatively you have the possibility to participate in a Bush Walk.
Hotel: Simbavati Hilltop Lodge - 2 Nights
The luxurious Simbavati Hilltop Lodge combines traditional safari style with fancy design elements. An elegant interior is skillfully combined with the beauty of the pristine landscape. On a raised platform, almost at treetop level, you'll find the the lodge's pool. Enjoy the view of the African bush, the Nhlaralumi River as well as the Drakensberg mountain range, while you relax in the refreshing infinity pool after the eventful game drives.
Luxury Safari Tent
Each suite consists of two individual tents - one for the master bedroom and a separate bathroom connected by a passage that opens on one side. Privacy is ensured by the careful placement of the tent suites, ensuring a quiet and intimate stay.
Including
Full board
Local drinks
2 game drives per day in safari jeep with ranger
Transfers from/to Hoedspruit airport
Kruger National Park entrance fees
Day 3: Flight to Cape Town
After breakfast, you will make your way by transfer to Hoedspruit Airport, approx. 45 km away (travel time approx. 1.5 hrs), where you will board your onflug to Cape Town. After landing in Cape Town, a meet & greet awaits you at the airport.
Our local contact person will take care of a smooth pick-up of the rental car and you will start the rest of your trip relaxed.
In the afternoon you can stroll along the V&A Waterfront with its fashion stores, galleries and restaurants. For your dinner I recommend one of the many good restaurants with breathtaking ocean views, known for their delicious seafood.
Day 4: Chapman's Peak Drive & Cape of Good Hope
Today is a great opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous coastal roads with your rental car: Chapman’s Peak Drive takes you toward the Cape of Good Hope to the southwesternmost tip of Africa.
On the way back, you can stop at Boulders Beach, home to a sizable colony of Jackass Penguins.
Day 5: Table Mountain, optional Sunset Cruise & Helicopter flight
Use the morning to pay a visit to Cape Town’s landmark. The ride up Table Mountain is spectacular as the gondola rotates 360 degrees. Once at the top, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panorama.
Cape Town is also home to the famous red double-decker buses. My suggestion: take the “Hop on Hop off” bus to Camps Bay. Here I recommend a relaxed lunch at the beach restaurant “Paranga”.
An exclusive option for the evening: A Sunset Cruise in Table Bay – a sailing trip in a class of its own can also be booked as an option.
My personal highlight, exploring Cape Town from a bird’s eye view. During a spectacular Helicopter flight you marvel at the Mother City, Table Mountain and the waterfront promenades of Clifton and Camps Bay.
I would be happy to book this unique excursion for you as an option.
Hotel: Winchester Boutique Hotel - 3 Nights
The Winchester Hotel is unmissable for its bold appeal on the edge of the ever-busy Sea Point Promenade. The grandeur of this 1920s Cape Dutch-style icon is matched only by the views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean that surround it.
Loft Room
The 16 loft rooms range in size from 25 to 45 square meters and offer magnificent views of the hotel's courtyard and Table Mountain, adding to the hotel's tranquil atmosphere.
Including
Breakfast
Day 6: Continue to Stellenbosch
After breakfast you will drive to Stellenbosch, which is only about 50 km away (driving time approx. 45 min.). In the afternoon you will reach your accommodation in the Winelands with your rental car.
Optionally, you can then visit some of the best wineries in South Africa, for an exquisite wine tasting. My restaurant recommendation for the evening is the Delaire Graff Winery, which gets you in the mood for your stay in Stellenbosch with its outstanding cuisine and excellent wine cellar.
Day 7: Day trip to Franschhoek
Today we recommend a day trip to Franschhoek. The main street of Franschhoek is full of galleries, cafes, restaurants, art and antique stores.
You can still feel the French flair. It’s best to stroll around the center of town for a while and take it all in. In the afternoon you can visit the traditional winery Haute Cabrière with a sparkling wine tasting. The winery is also known for its headstrong Chardonnay Pinot Noir and its elegant Pinot Noir wines.
In the evening, I recommend dining at “La Petite Colombe” – the sister restaurant of “La Colombe” in Constantia, one of the most awarded restaurants in South Africa.
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Hotel: Clouds Estate - 2 Nights
Situated on one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the world, Clouds Estate is a working wine farm. It offers first class accommodations, a range of private label wines and a modern restaurant. A stay at Clouds Estate is hard to forget.
Standard Room
With only seven rooms in the hotel and 6 villas on the Estate, you have a range of options to choose from for your perfect vacation. Designer furniture and original art from a selection of South African artists can be found in all rooms and around the lounge, bar and gardens.
Including
Breakfast
Day 8: Continue to Hermanus
After breakfast, your journey continues to Hermanus, approx. 100 km away (travel time approx. 1.5 hrs.).
After your arrival in the afternoon you can take a walk along the Cliff Path. The 12 km long path leads along the roaring ocean over the cliffs of the coastal town.
It is whale season there from early July to late October. With a little luck, you can spot whales from land in the bay off Hermanus.
My tip for the evening: the exquisite Burgundy Restaurant, where you can enjoy local specialties such as springbok or ostrich.
Day 9: Optional Whale Watching
Explore the seaside town of Hermanus, with its chic boutiques and art galleries, and stroll along picturesque Grotto Beach. If you haven’t had enough of South Africa’s fantastic wine, you’ll also find some excellent wineries around the town.
From the beginning of July to the end of October, whale watching is the highlight in Hermanus: you can take a boat out to sea to see the southern right whales and humpback whales in their natural habitat.
If not already included in your hotel, I will gladly book this excursion for you as an option.
Hotel: Schulphoek House - 2 Nights
Schulphoek overlooks the bay from which it takes its name, an idyllic bay that is often home to whales.
Luxury Room
Each room is individually decorated with our collection of South African art and furniture.
Superior, Luxury, Standard and Family Suites offer options with terraces overlooking the garden or sweeping views of the bay.
Including
Breakfast
Day 10: Continue to Wilderness
Via the Garden Route you will drive with your rental car for approx. 360 km (driving time approx. 4 hrs.) through the picturesque landscape via Swellendam, Heidelberg to the coast to Mossel Bay and further to Wilderness.
In the afternoon, enjoy the fresh breeze on one of South Africa’s longest beaches, where you may be lucky enough to spot Delfine. A walk on the beach is just the thing to relax.
Tag 11: Visit an Ostrich Farm & Cango Caves
A nice option for today is an excursion to Oudtshoorn. Set off already in the morning to the town, which is about 90 km away (driving time approx. 1.5 hrs.). The destination is the Cango Ostrich Farm – here you can test how stable such a large ostrich egg really is.
Culinary delights are also on offer: you should not miss the ostrich steaks. If you feel like another excursion, you can drive to the Cango Caves, about 30 minutes away, which are among the most beautiful dripstone caves in the world.
Hotel: Ocean Villa Wilderness - 2 Nights
Oceans Villa is located in Wilderness, the heart of the Garden Route, and is the perfect place to stay. From here you can plan day trips to the surrounding areas of Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Mosselbay, all about an hour's drive away. Return to Wilderness at the end of the day and enjoy a walk on the beach before dining at one of the local restaurants....
Panorama Suite
The Panorama Suite is located on the upper floor in the eastern corner of the villa and offers spectacular 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean. This bright and spacious suite is 37 square meters and has access to a private balcony. The Panorama Suite is equipped with a private bathroom with bathtub, shower and double vanity.
Including
Breakfast
Tag 12: Continue along the Garden Route to Knysna
Today you follow the Garden Route with your rental car to Knysna. In the midst of the wild and romantic landscape, small roads invite you to turn off towards the sea and explore the sandy, cliffy and stony bays.
After a drive along the Knysna Lagoon over the bridge of the Knysna River, you will reach your destination after about 50 km (driving time about 60 min.), depending on the stops along the way.
After your arrival, take a walk to Knysna’s lively waterfront. Here you will find many authentic South African restaurants.
Day 13: Day trip Tsitsikamma National Park
If you want to discover the beautiful nature of South Africa today, I recommend an excursion to Tsitsikamma National Park.
This is one of the most beautiful along the Garden Route and is about 100 km away from Knysna by rental car (driving time about 1 hour). A hike along the well-developed Mouth Trail is a good option, with all kinds of things to discover along the way.
It leads you to the Storms River Bridge, a suspension bridge that is considered a masterpiece of engineering. Continuing along the trail, you will reach the Big Tree, a Yellowwood tree that is over 800 years old and 37 meters high.
Day 14: Day trip to Plettenberg Bay
If you feel like relaxing in the sun, you can take a trip to Plettenberg Bay, about 30 km away.
Here, a 12 km long sandy beach awaits you against the backdrop of the picturesque mountain landscape.
After a relaxing walk on the beach, end the day with dinner at the restaurant “Zinzi” at Tsala Treetop Lodge.
Hotel: Falcons View Manor - 3 Nights
High above the town of Knysna, the Falcon View Monor offers unparalleled views of the town, across the famous Knysna Lagoon and through the magnificent Knysna Heads. Perched on a hill, less than 1 km from the vibrancy of the town, the boutique hotel is the ideal base from which to explore all that Knysna and the surrounding area have to offer. Managers Danelle and Sue are happy to help you plan your day and ensure you enjoy the ultimate Knysna experience.
Manor Room
Falcons View Manor welcomes guests to enjoy their stay in either a Manor Room at the Manor House or a Garden Superior Room at the Coach House. Or treat yourself to a stay in the luxurious and exclusive Garden Superior Suite.
All rooms feature digital satellite TV channels (including ARD) and flat screen TVs, in-room safes, tea and coffee trays, heated towel rails, individual air conditioning units and a complimentary bottle of mineral water in the evening. All rooms and public areas are non-smoking, but smoking is permitted on the terrace and in the garden.
Including
Breakfast
Day 15: Journey Home
After breakfast, you will set off with your rental car to the airport in George, approx. 63 km away (driving time approx. 1 hour).
Here you return your rental car and take the flight via Johannnesburg back home – in your luggage many impressive memories of a wonderful journey through South Africa.
- Transfers from/to Hoedspruit Airport and on to the Hilltop Lodge
- 14 Nights according to the itinerary
- Entrance fees to Kruger NP
- Game drives and activities in Simbavati Private Game Reserve
- Meet & Greet in Cape Town airport
- Meals according to accommodation descriptio
- Car rental (Hyundia Tucson) from Cape Town airport to George airport
- 24-Hour Emergency telephone number
- Detailed Travel Documents
- Taxes & Fees
- International flights from Europe (from 1.000 Euro per person)
- Flight from Kruger NP to Cape Town (from 160 Euro per person)
- Optional activities and additional meals
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance, such as travel cancellation insurance
Car rental: Hyundai Tucson (or similar)
From Cape Town airport to George airport
Including
Unlimited kilometers
one additional driver
GPS
Comprehensive insurance
theft insurance without excess
local taxes & fees
airport taxes
one-way rental fee