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Kensington place exterior of the hotel with mountain setting 2400

Cape Coast Self Drive

Inspirational self drive holiday to South Africa

This self-drive, covering the main bases of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route and a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape, is a one of South Africa's most well-trodden tourist routes and for good reason. With excellent roads, incredibly beautiful and diverse scenery along the way and a seemingly never-ending list of activities and attractions, it is a world-in-one-holiday. Cape Town first. Whilst staying at your boutique guesthouse, Kensington Place, explore the city’s many famous sights from Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront to the penguins at Boulder’s Beach. 

Enjoy a slow drive through to the gastronomic heartland of South Africa that is the Cape Winelands. Staying at Leeu Estates, an exclusive 5-star boutique hotel offering fine dining and exquisite gardens. In the scenic Garden Route region, you will be based at Kanonkop House, occupying an enviable position overlooking the Knysna Lagoon with panoramic views stretching all the way to the famous Knysna Heads and Indian Ocean. Conclude with an exhilarating malaria-free Big 5 safari in Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Staying at the luxury tented Shamwari Bayethe Lodge. Enjoy exhilarating game drives, guided nature walks and sundowners in the bush. For a behind the scenes glimpse into the conservation efforts of Shamwari visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre or one of the reserve’s Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries.

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Day by Day summary

  • Starts - Catch your overnight flight from Chicago O'Hare International to Cape Town International
  • 4 nights - Kensington Place, Cape Town, South Africa
  • 2 nights - Leeu House, Winelands, South Africa
  • 4 nights - Kanonkop House, Knysna, South Africa
  • 3 nights - Bayethe Tented Lodge, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
  • Ends - Transfer to Port Elizabeth for your international flight home

At a glance

  • Country Icon South Africa
  • Nights Icon 13 Nights
  • City Icon City
  • Safari Icon Safari
  • Scenic Icon Scenic

Tailormade itineraries

Every Mahlatini trip is custom created to your exact travel wishes – no readymade tours or set departures. Get in touch with our experts to start creating your bespoke itinerary.

Guide Price

Low Season from {: 6000|toCurrency :} per person
High Season from {: 7300|toCurrency :} per person

Includes flights from Chicago O'Hare International
Itinerary Details

Day-by-day

Catch your overnight flight from Chicago O'Hare International to Cape Town International

Kensington place balcony view 1280
Kensington place hotel exterior 1280
Kensington place pool area 1280
Kensington place balcony view 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 1 - 5

Arrive at Cape Town Airport, collect your hire car and drive yourselves to your guesthouse in Cape Town.

  • 4 nights

Kensington Place
Bed & Breakfast | Superior Room
South Africa

Kensington place bedroom interior 1280
Leeu house swimming pool 1280
Leeu house guest lounge area 1280
Leeu house classic room bathroom 1280
Leeu house swimming pool 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 5 - 7

Today you will take the +- 2 hour drive to the scenic Cape Winelands and to the town of Franschhoek.

  • 2 nights

Leeu House
Bed & Breakfast | Classic Room
South Africa

Leeu house classic room with terrace 1280
Kanonkop house bar and lounge area 1280
Kanonkop house forest suite bathroom 1280
Kanonkop house forest suite balcony view 1280
Kanonkop house bar and lounge area 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 7 - 11

Today you will take the drive +- 5 hour drive to Knysna along the famous Garden Route.

  • 4 nights

Kanonkop House
Bed & Breakfast | Sunbird Room
South Africa

The diamond suite
Bayethe tented lodge shamwari private game reserve superior suite bathroom 1280
Lounge lobby with a fireplace 1280
Terrace overlooking the watering hole 1280
Bayethe tented lodge shamwari private game reserve superior suite bathroom 1280 Combined Shape Created with Sketch.

Day 11 - 14

Today you will take the +-3.5 hour drive to the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

  • 3 nights

Bayethe Tented Lodge
All Inclusive | Luxury Room
South Africa

Superior valley view suite 1280

Day 14

Take the +-1 hour drive to Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) Airport where you will drop off your hire car and catch your flight to Johannesburg and your onward international flight home.

Make it yours

Tailormake this itinerary to your exact wishes

We've got you covered

Our trips are unashamedly high-end but always deliver excellent value for money. Our guide price covers the majority of trip costs upfront, on a per person basis, including international flights and all transfers.

Included icon

Includes

  • Accommodation as specified
  • Meals as specified
  • All scheduled safari activities at Shamwari Bayethe
  • Car hire, group C car (Toyota Corolla or similar) including full cover, unlimited km and taxes
  • National Parks and conservation entry fees
  • One way drop off fee for the hire car
  • Carbon-offsetting with One Tree Planted
  • Conservation donation to Save the Rhino
  • Community projects contribution with Uthando
Not included icon

Excludes

  • Gratuities
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
  • Visas and visa fees where relevant
  • Petrol
  • Beverages
Indulge your passions

ACTIVITIES

This sample trip offers countless adventures and activities to ensure lifetime memories are made. From unforgettable thrills to indulgent relaxation, choose those that appeal most and we will curate your perfect itinerary.

  • Big 5 Safari Icon Big 5 Safari
  • 4 WD Safari Icon 4WD Safari
  • Birdwatching Icon Birdwatching
  • Boat Trip Icon Boat Trip
  • Guided Walking Safari Icon Guided Walking Safari
  • Night Drive Icon Night Drive
  • Ocean Safari Icon Ocean Safari
  • Helicopter Flights Icon Helicopter Flights
  • Hot Air Balloon Flights Icon Hot Air Balloon Flights
  • Quad Biking Icon Quad Biking
  • Scenic Flights Icon Scenic Flights
  • Shark Diving Icon Shark Diving
  • Conservation Experience Icon Conservation Experience
  • Cultural Experience Icon Cultural Experience
  • Canoeing Kayaking Icon Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Cycling Icon Cycling
  • Fishing Icon Fishing
  • Golf Icon Golf
  • Hiking Icon Hiking
  • Horseriding Icon Horse Riding
  • Watersports Icon Water Sports
  • Food Experience Icon Food Experiences
  • Photographic Safari Icon Photographic Safari
  • City Sights Icon City Sights
  • Natural Wonders Icon Natural Wonders
  • Wellness Spa Icon Wellness/Spa
  • Wine Tour Icon Wine Tour
Enriching encounters

ICONIC WILDLIFE

Whether you want to tick the Big Five off your bucket list or seek out specific safari species, our expert guides reveal the typical wildlife sightings to expect on this sample trip.

  • Rock Hyrax
    Rock Hyrax
  • Orca
    Orca
  • Humpback Whale
    Humpback Whale
  • Great White Shark
    Great White Shark
  • Cape Fur Seal
    Cape Fur Seal
  • Baboon
    Baboon
  • African penguin
    African Penguin
  • Southern right whale
    Southern Right Whale
Sample Itineraries

TRIPS TO INSPIRE

From majestic wildlife to out of this world natural wonders, cultural melting pots and enchanting beaches, every bespoke Mahlatini journey is thrilling. Unsure where to visit? Whether it’s a bucket-list adventure, a milestone celebration or simply a much-needed escape, experience the joy with this inspiring selection of favorites.

  • Bespoke itineraries
  • Flights and transfers included
  • Best rates guaranteed

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Our travel experts are ready to start creating your tailormade trip.