Self drive South Africa holiday

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15 Days including UK flights

More info:We tailor make itineraries to suit different budgets and requirements.

Tailor made

“Enjoy the wild coastline and super-sized wildlife of the Garden Route on our best-selling South Africa self-drive holiday, taking you from the Mother City to the Big Five.”

Highlights

Description of Self drive South Africa holiday

This itinerary is aimed at those with two weeks available to explore South Africa, driving independently and taking in the cultural and natural heritage highlights of the south coast of this stunning country. Driving on the world famous Garden Route, South Africa ‘s sublime southern stretch of coast between Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape, enables you to take in not only some of the world’s finest coastal scenery, but also its most wonderful wildlife watching experiences. Such as seeing southern right baleen whales off the coast of Hermanus (between July and November), one of the few places in the world where you can see them from land. And of course, seeing the Big Five, made possible by a two or three-night visit to a private game reserve along the Garden Route.

No trip to the Capes would be complete without visiting the Winelands, such as the Franschhoek Valley where you can spend a couple of nights on its elegant estate. And then of course there are the classic sites of Cape Town not to miss, such as a cable car ride up to the top of Table Mountain, a visit to Robben Island and a township tour. We can add as many things as you wish to the itinerary to suit your interests and time available.

This is a country you can visit at any time of year, thanks to its temperate climate. If you like it very hot and sunny, then the best time to go to South Africa is during its summer months, Dec-April, with much milder temperatures May-Nov, which is South Africa’s winter.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.

01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com

Map

Departure information

This trip can be tailormade throughout the year and can be adapted to suit your interests, budget and requirements as necessary

Accessible tourism overview:

This trip can be tailored for guests with limited mobility or in wheelchairs and can also be organised with your own driver/guide.

Limited mobility:

Accommodation and rooms on the ground level; Door to door transfers if privately guided.

Wheelchair:

Wheelchair accessible rooms can be booked, wheelchair accessible attractions and restaurants suggested for clients.

Blind or limited vision:

This trip can be tailored for guests with limited vision, particularly trips with private/driver guides.

'Free from' food:

All dietary requirements catered for.

LGBT:

The trip is open to people of all backgrounds and genders.

Vouchers

Accepted

Holiday type

Tailor made holiday

This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.

Responsible tourism

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

The game reserve is recognised as the pioneer in Eastern Cape eco tourism and has a dedicated wildlife department consisting of two wildlife vets, two ecologists, an environmentalist and a variety of qualified nature conservationists. They aim to ensure a sustainable environment for all the fauna and flora on the long term, the ecological integrity of the biodiversity as well as the maintenance of a quality wildlife experience. The reserve is also home to the Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue and Education Centre, which aims to provide long term humane care for rescued African cats that have been subjected to inhumane conditions internationally as well as to provide an education resource for visitors, school children and students.

The Impacts of this Trip

This trip uses some luxury boutique accommodations where the focus is on organically produced food, sustainable tourism initiatives and genuine hospitality. For instance, the wine estate in Franschhoek retains the comfort and warmth associated with a homestead, rather than the impersonal clinical nature of most commercial hotels and catering accommodations. Here, fresh produce is grown for the restaurant and chickens roam the estate – vital for the fresh morning eggs.

There are currently two Born Free Centres on the game reserve. Environmental education is a major facet of these centres and the emphasis is on the school children of previously disadvantaged communities with in excess of 700 children been educated monthly. Guests at the reserve can visit the centres and learn about their work.

With every booking, we donate funds to Helping Rhinos, our charity partner.
Helping Rhinos have been set up to create awareness of the issues threatening the global rhino population and raises funds to help protect them for future generations.

This donation goes towards training for members of the local community to become rangers and ensure that there are more local people trained in the fight against poaching. This is important from a conservation perspective in order to preserve and protect one of our most important and prehistoric species, but also from an educational perspective as members of the local community are trained and offered jobs and a career - as well as educated about Rhino conservation.

Environment

Community

The Impacts of this Trip

Climate

9 Reviews of Self drive South Africa holiday

5 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2020 by Jacqueline Thomson

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The game drives and stay at Kichaka Lodge on the Lalibela Reserve. Also found the people and places in generally so friendly, happy and welcoming!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Book ahead if travelling at peak times as we were, buy a road map and talk to people they're great.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Lots of employment of the local people and could see that training for roles was happening but too few in managerial roles as yet. Local produce generally used and provenance generally known. Conservation certainly supported in most places (particularlu Oudsthoorn and Lalibela) but not in more 'resorty' type places. Plastic bottled water still too readily available and too few opportunities to refill our own water bottles with cold fresh water.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent, loved the country, the people, the food and the wine. Brilliantly organised by the operator

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2019 by Andy May

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Getting up close tho the Elephants at the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be careful regarding personal security everywhere in South Africa especially at night.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes visiting various animal sanctuaries probably helps fund protection of animals

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A really enjoyable holiday where we saw so many amazing things - From Whale watching, to Elephants & Birds through to a baby Rhino on our 2 day stay at
Lalibela Game Reserve. The scenery is breathtaking.

Read the operator's response here:

As an operator promoting Responsible Travel, we do not promote or book visitor attractions which allow for animal interaction: this includes the elephant sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay, which promotes a ‘hand in trunk’ experience. With regards to safety in South Africa, we would always advise our clients to keep their wits about them, to leave valuables at home, and to take registered taxis after dark. We will happily discuss this with anyone considering a trip to Southern Africa.

Thanks

Reviewed on 06 Nov 2018 by Roger Pritchard

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

All of it, the hotels and guest houses were great and our itinerary was just what we wanted. The country was so different but interesting.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Driving in Cape Town was tricky but outside was good roads and little traffic. There is crime against hire cars so take care.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Hopefully yes, and water conservation was particularly an item everywhere.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Brilliant.

Reviewed on 05 Oct 2018 by Isabel Baker

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The game drives in Pumba Game reserve was the bit that exceeded our expectations the most. But it was all fabulous.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Plan options for what you might like to do beforehand - there is so much. We couldn't go to Robben island or any other boat trips whilst we were there due to
sea swell although the weather was lovely, but we had plenty of alternative ideas so didn't feel as if we missed out at all. Guided tours are a good idea.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

We took several local guided walks/tours and tipped everyone who helped us. We ate in local restaurants and bought local crafts, and went to local shows. I
hope that our safari has helped to promote wildlife conservation too. I'm not sure about reducing environmental impacts as we did fly there and travel around
in a car!

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Fabulous

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2017 by Gavin Beattie

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Garonga Safari Park. Amazing experience. Beautiful accommodation with fantastic safari drives.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

South Africa is a fantastic country for those looking to get out and experience nature and adventures. If required include some rest days between travelling to different locations.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, all the accommodation were eco friendly.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

An amazing, fantastic experience. South Africa has something to suit all tastes.

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2013 by Les Milner

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

This is difficult because the holiday was an incredible journey of different experiences. If I had to choose it would be the Township Tour in Cape Town. This was an emotional and unforgettable experience.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Let Simon prepare your itinerary and take care of flights/accommodation/car hire. You won't be disappointed.
Try and extend the holiday as much as you can (and avoid 'one night stops' if possible) because it will go very quickly.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

We definitely made a contribution, which is a nice feeling.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Holiday of a lifetime! Truly memorable.

Reviewed on 03 Mar 2013 by John Barker

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Seeing big game at very close quarters during our game drives

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather! It can be very wet and very windy at times.
Don't bother packing shampoo, conditioner, body wash or cream....these are all supplied by guest houses and are made from fantastic local products.
Don't worry about formal clothes. Everyone is very casual even in expensive restaurants.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes! We bought a number of items made by local people. All the guest houses used local products, were ecologically aware in their use of resources, and promoted local business initiatives to us.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It was excellent. The accommodation was superb. There was an enormous number of things to do and see at each stop-over.
Everyone was helpful and friendly. The food was delicious and authentic. And most of all, the natural surroundings were beautiful beyond belief.

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2012 by Natalie Maspoli Taylor

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Safari in Amakhala Safari Lodge and shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

If they have time and money to extend the holiday to 3 weeks as there is much to do and discover in the Garden route and Cape Town.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

South Africa is a very beautiful country and South Africans are very friendly. We were very warmly welcomed everywhere we went. It’s a holiday for everybody as it is very easy and comfortable to drive.

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2011 by Sue Beckingham

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It was all memorable! The whales in Hermanus really caught our attention as they swam passed us and were literally 10 metres from us. Definitely no need to go out in a boat to see them! The itinerary worked like clockwork. Being met at the airport was a bonus and the additional information was most useful.ie. places to eat suggestions of what to see. The standard of food and service and guest houses was very high

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take lots of small change for tips and car parking. Talk to the locals. We met very nice people in Knysna forest and heard their thoughts on things. One also recommended somewhere to eat. It was a local market run for the school to raise money for them.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Definitely! Local people are being trained for posts in the travel industry. In some places it didn't quite all come together as it should but that is part of the charm of Africa. Our Safari lodge River Bend at Addo Elephant Park had really got it together. We met all the staff be it the gardener or the waiter or the game guide. They worked together to provide a really good service and each had been trained in their jobs. But if one of them saw you struggling with your bag they stopped and helped.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent!