Ever wanted to explore South Africa on your own but don’t know where to start? There’s no reason to worry, you are in good hands. Thanks to Bonisa Global’s unique 14-day self-drive tour, which includes a detailed itinerary, you will drive along scenic routes to the country’s top landmarks and hidden gems. At your own pace, you can explore Cape Town and join us for a guided historical walking tour of the city, head out to the Cape Winelands and meander along the dramatic coastline of the Cape Peninsula before going whale watching and exploring the indigenous forest wonders and adventure-filled activities of the Garden Route. But this is South Africa, and there is always another place, another sight. You didn’t think you’d come all this way and not explore the wildlife of Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga’s natural sights? All this and more are included in your itinerary when you book with Bonisa Global.
Highlights
It is recommended to secure this package during Hermanus whale season; Between the months of July and November
Price
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Destination
One-way 14-day tour ending in Johannesburg
Departure
Cape Town
Suitable for
Couples, families, and groups of all sizes and ages
Included
Excluded
Optional (at an extra cost)
Sawubona, good day and welcome to South Africa, welcome to
Cape Town where you will start your 14-day trip discovering the wonders of the
Cape, meandering along the impressive Garden Route, seeing the majestic
free-roaming wildlife in Kruger National Park, and so much more. Thanks to our
years of experience and expert knowledge, you will receive an adventure-filled
itinerary which includes activities and highlighting not-to-miss sights along
the way. Take things easy on your first day, maybe start with a visit to Table
Mountain, explore one of Africa’s most visited attractions or perhaps you want
to take a stroll through one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens? Our
world is your oyster, go on, make it your own and explore!
This is your first full day in Cape Town and there is a
plethora of sights to explore. With your Bonisa Global guide, you will discover
interesting architecture, from traditional Victorian to Cape Dutch, and the
Castle of Good Hope, on your walking tour of the city. Get a glimpse of all the
phases of South Africa, from the arrival of the Europeans to the slave trade,
the Apartheid-era and see how Cape Town blossomed into the vibrant city that it
is today. Through visiting museums such as the Jewish Museum or Slave Lodge,
and meandering the streets, you will find a piece of significant history on
every corner. We will make a stop at District Six, one of Cape Town's most
politically and historically important suburbs, and at the colourful Cape Malay
neighbourhood called Bo-Kaap. If you are up for more, you can visit even more
museums (entrance fee at your own cost).
On your itinerary you will find three of the Cape Winelands’
finest wine farms, hand-picked by Bonisa Global’s travel experts, to give you
an all-round experience, from vineyard to table to the incredible scenery along
the way. Learn about the process of winemaking and the region as you swirl a
glass of the country’s finest and enjoy a unique chocolate and wine pairing.
You can also visit a wine museum, do a behind the scenes cellar tour, and
breathe in the fresh vineyard and mountain air from Cape Town, to Stellenbosch,
and Franschhoek. Please note that this tour is also suitable non-wine drinkers,
and children under the age of 18 (South Africa’s legal age of alcohol
consumption). Please let us know in advance as there are alternative options
available, the wine can be substituted and if you have children a more suitable
wine farm can be suggested to accommodate your whole family.
Do you want to drive along a scenic route and make photo
stops along the way? Prepare to be amazed. You will go on a Seal Island cruise
and see a colony of Cape fur seals swimming in the water, basking on the rocks
in the sun and visit the famous Boulders Beach with its penguins. Experience
the dramatic landscape of Cape Point, with its rugged rocks, cliffs and the
stormy ocean, home to free-roaming wildlife like the Cape mountain zebra,
eland, and baboon. Here you have the option to take the Flying Dutchman
funicular – named after the ghost ship – to see the old lighthouse and more
ocean views. If you didn’t visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on
your first day, why not walk around this green landmark as well? (Entrance fee
at your own account.)
Before you wave the Mother City farewell, there is one last
opportunity to soak in the beauty of Table Mountain and head straight to the
top in a cable car. Get a bird’s eye view of Cape Town as you explore one of
the world’s new seven natural wonders. Your next stop is known as one of the
best whale watching destinations. That’s right, if you visit South Africa
between July and November you are in luck because it is whale season! And trust
us, it is quite a sight to admire the ocean’s giants, the travelling Southern
Right whales, when you go on a boat cruise. You’ll be spending the night in
this town that is known for its crisp, soul-soothing ‘champagne air’ – did you
know that doctors in the 1800s prescribed a visit to this town for rest and
recuperation?
Start your day with a visit to an old Dutch Reformed Church,
rich with history, and built in the early 1900s. As you drive along the
suggested route on your itinerary you might spot the famous Aloe Ferox plant. We
are sure you might have heard about this plant with its anti-inflammatory
properties and now you will get up, close and personal with it and learn more
about its healing and medicinal benefits before making your way to the Karoo,
South Africa’s semi-arid region. If you wish to dive into the era of sea
traders and explorers, you can add a visit to a maritime museum in the nearby
coastal town.
You are now halfway through your tour and it is time for you
to discover the Karoo, South Africa’s semi-arid desert. The area is home to
magnificent sunsets, sunrises, natural wonders, and a lot of ostriches – in
fact, it is known as the ostrich capital. You will go to an ostrich show farm
where you can see an ostrich’s journey from egg to feather and you can even
feed these flightless birds and stand on ostrich eggs. Don’t worry it won’t
break – the shells are very strong. Part of the day is a trip to caves that are
more than 20 million years old and you will experience the splendour of
different chambers through an easy walk. This tour happens on the hour, every
hour, with the last tour departing at 16:00. As you make your way to the Garden
Route, you will find two more natural phenomena on your itinerary we suggest
you explore – one by the coast and one atop a hill where a river carved the
shape of Africa through the mountains.
Explore more of the Garden Route as you hop on board a ferry
on a half-day activity to discover the indigenous coastal and fynbos forest.
You can look forward to spectacular viewpoints, a specialist guide sharing
information, a hike, going into an ancient sea cave and having lunch under a
canopy of trees. Afterwards, there is some leisure time for shopping, and a
tour to learn more about the vibrant township culture.
It is time to head to the world’s first free-roaming
multi-species primate sanctuary which stretches out over a space of 12
hectares– eco-tourism is no monkey business. Deep within the Tsitsikamma forest
there is a variety of opportunities to take part in adventure-filled activities
–from swinging from treetop to treetop to bungy jumping from the world’s
highest bungy jump from a bridge, visiting an 800-year-old tree and taking a
walk on South Africa’s most famous suspension bridge tucked between the
mountains and ocean (entrance to the National Park is not
included). “Tsitsikamma” is a Khoi word meaning “a place of
abundant water" and it will all make sense once you've visited.
Rise and shine and get on an early morning flight from Port
Elizabeth to Johannesburg (Flight costs are not included) where you can explore
the city with its high-rise buildings and eclectic atmosphere. Thanks to our
detailed itinerary, you will have the opportunity to go back in time to uncover
the rise and fall of apartheid in the Johannesburg apartheid museum. Your
overnight stop will be in the province of Mpumalanga, in a town known as one of
South Africa’s best flyfishing areas.
Today you will visit some of South Africa's most spectacular
views and breath-taking sights along the Panorama Route of Mpumalanga. Scenic
at its best! Witness the sheer force of nature and see what thousands of years
of water erosion can do. Stand in awe of a landmark of mountain peaks,
resembling traditional African huts. Chase waterfalls, the highest in the
province, and enjoy panoramic views of the area with its lush indigenous
forest. This day is steeped in history, connecting several cultural and
natural points of interest. (Please note, entrance fees are not
included.)
You simply can't visit South Africa without going on a
safari in Kruger National Park, the biggest in the country. And with the end of
your epic journey in sight, it is the perfect way to wrap up your South African
adventure. Go out and seek the big five and a myriad of other species, such as
zebras, giraffes, and the endangered wild dog. Keep an eye out (and your
camera ready) for sunrise and sunset and immerse yourself in the natural
atmosphere.
Once the safari bug bites, there is no going back. You will
just want more and more. Luckily for you, you have another full day in Kruger
National Park and you can truly make this day your own. Do you want to go on a
self-drive game drive? Do you want to go on an organised safari, perhaps do a
bush walk, or just spend the day with a book and take it all in? The day is
alive with possibilities! (Additional activities can be organised at an extra
charge.)
On your last morning, you will wave the bush goodbye and
make your way back to Johannesburg from where you can either carry on with your
stay South African or board a flight to your next destination. If you wish to
add more nights in Kruger National Park – at a private game reserve – get in
touch with us.
This route is in illustration of a possible route to be used and may not be the final route of the tour.
The distance between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg will be done by flight
Are you interested in this tour? That’s great! Personal touch is how we do things here, so tours cannot be booked on the website. The price estimates are, well, just estimates and may change according to availability, currency rates and your special requests.
Fill this form and we will contact you to confirm details and finalize the booking.