Self-drive South African Wilderness and Wildlife

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will transfer onto your internal flight to Hoedspruit, located close to the famous Kruger National Park. Upon arrival in Hoedspruit, you would collect your rental vehicle and drive yourself to the nearby Orpen Gate of Kruger National Park. You will then proceed inside the park to Olifants Rest Camp. Overnight at the Satara Rest Camp . Approximate driving time: 8 hours, without stop

The programme on each day will be entirely up to you. One is permitted to leave the camp at sunrise and one must be back in the camp gates by sunset. The best way to plan the day is to drop by the camp shop before your drive, to look at the sighting map on the wall outside the shop. This gives you a snapshot of where people have seen various animals in the preceding 12 hours. If an area is particularly active, then you might want to head there. Overnight on both nights at the Satara Rest Camp .

Today you will check out of the camp after an early breakfast. The drive to Orpen Gate takes roughly 90 minutes, and thereafter it takes around 40 minutes to reach Eastgate Airport. Here you will drop your rental vehicle and wait for the shuttle to Simbavati. The shuttle to Simbavati River Lodge takes around 90 minutes. Overnight for the next three nights at Simbavati River Lodge . Approximate driving time: 4 hours

You will have two full days at leisure search for the mammals living in the reserve. The typical programme on each day would include an early morning game drive. The rest of the day until the evening drive is spent at your discretion of the guest and may include additional bush walks with your ranger or simply relaxing at the pool with your favourite cocktail as you bask in Africa’s glorious sunshine. The afternoon game drive extends into the evening to view seldom-seen nocturnal species by spotlight. You will stop en route for sundowners at a scenic spot. You will return to the camp where you will enjoy your dinner listening to the sounds of the bushveld before retiring to bed after a day of adventure. Overnight on both nights at Simbavati River Lodge .

Today, time permitting you will go on an early morning game drive and after breakfast at the lodge you will be transferred to Hoedspruit Airport in time to board your flight to George. Upon arrival at George airport, you will make your way to the car rental office to collect your second rental car. Drive yourselves to Amanzi Island Lodge in Knysna. Overnight at Amanzi Island Lodge .

You will have a full day to explore this interesting part of the country. The Garden Route gets its name by being home to some significant tracts of indigenous forest with giant yellowwood trees and wildflowers and there are a great many activities one can opt for, such as coastal walks, canopy tours, visits to animal sanctuaries, river cruises and whale watching. Overnight again at Amanzi Island Lodge .

Today you will drive yourself to Hermanus. Upon arrival you will check in at the Harbour House Hotel’s Village Square property, located in the heart of the small town. In the afternoon Wildspace suggests driving to Fernkloof Nature Reserve and taking a short walk through their Botanical Gardens, where you can observe the local flora known as fynbos, one of the world’s seven floral kingdoms. There is also a relatively flat cliff top path running all the way from the New Harbour to Grotto Beach, which offers some of the best land-based whale watching in South Africa. Overnight at Auberge Provence . Approximate driving time: 5 hours

You will have one full day at leisure to explore Hermanus. A fun optional trip to do here is to go on a whale watch by boat from the local harbour. Overnight again at the Auberge Provence .

Today you will drive yourselves to Franschhoek, a village tucked into the Cape winelands. Upon arrival in Franschhoek you will check in at the Lavender Farm Guest House. You will have remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Lavender Farm Guest House . Approximate driving time: 90 minutes

Today you will spend much of the day exploring the Cape winelands. Wildspace suggests taking a few cellar tours and enjoying some wine and cheese tastings. Overnight again at the Lavender Farm Guest House .

Today after breakfast, you will continue to Cape Town where you will check into your guesthouse, located in a lively suburb of the city. Overnight at An African Villa .

After seeing various interesting places dotted around the city, make your way to Table Mountain where you will take a cable car to the top (weather permitting) for spectacular sweeping views of the city of Cape Town below. In good weather, you will enjoy perfect visibility over a radius of approximately 70km. Overnight again at An African Villa .

Today you might want to take a full-day drive around the magnificent Cape Peninsula. Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard past the 12 Apostles to Hout Bay. Here you can go on a short boat trip to view a seal colony offshore, before continuing to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Afterwards, visit Boulders Beach, home to a breeding colony of African Rock Penguins. Finally, end off with a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, rated #1 of the 7 most famous Botanical Gardens in the world. Overnight again at An African Villa .

Today you will drive yourselves to Cape Town airport in time to drop off your rental vehicle and check in for your flight home.