18-Day Garden Route, Addo & Lesotho Self-Drive

Day 1-4: Leisure in the mother city

Arriving in Cape Town, your adventure starts at a leisurely pace with 3 nights in the South African mother city. We have a variety of small owner-managed boutique B&B’s to choose from. Your 4×4 equipped Jimny rental will be delivered to the B&B where one of our team will hand over the vehicle and ensure you are set for the adventure that lies ahead. While in Cape Town, be sure to explore Table Mountain and Cape Point for some of the best coastal vistas imaginable. The city of Cape Town offers some of the best food and hospitality in South Africa so be sure to get out and explore the city and its many cultural and historical attractions. With your Jimny rental available throughout your stay in Cape Town, feel free to explore at your own pace or allow us to help you with a few tailor-made activities to make sure you get the most out of your time in Cape Town.

Day 4-6: Wonderful Winelands

Departing Cape Town, your self-drive adventure begins with a stop in the Winelands region of Stanford with two nights at Africamps Stanford Hill. You will love the tented self-catering accommodation on offer with Africamps and will be enthralled by the variety of activities on offer. Wine tasting is of course on top of the list but there is so much more on offer in the Overberg than meets the eye. If you are travelling in whale season, we strongly recommend a visit to the coastal town of Hermanus for some of the best whale-watching imaginable.

Day 6-9: Explore the Garden Route

Leaving the Winelands and Overberg behind you, it is time to take in the splendour of the world-famous Garden Route. We’ve set aside three nights at Africamps at Ingwe located just outside Plettenberg Bay.  We recommend an early departure from Stanford so you can take in the back roads of the Garden Route as you make your way to Plettenberg Bay. The Garden Route has some of the best mountain and forest passes in South Africa, so we recommend you get into your Jimny and explore the roads less travelled. Make sure you pack your walking shoes and a daypack so you can stretch your legs on the many mountain trails. The town of Knysna is also worth the visit so make sure you plan your routes carefully. We are of course on hand to assist.

Day 9-13: One of South Africa’s most picturesque wildlife parks

From the Garden Route, it is time to leave the coastal vistas behind you and start your self-drive safari. We’ve set aside four nights at Addo Elephant National Park to give you the best chance of spotting the Big-Five while enjoying one of South Africa’s most picturesque parks. Your time at Addo Elephant National Park is split between the popular Addo Rest Camp and the newly built Nyathi Rest Camp. The main rest camp is the ideal base from which to explore the park’s popular wildlife regions while Nyathi Rest camp is set in a more secluded region of the park with spectacular views of the floodplain. Addo Elephant National Parks is South Africa’s third-largest national park and offers an immense diversity of wildlife. Whether this is your first time on safari or as a regular visitor to South Africa, the park is bound to blow you away.

Day 13-15: Mountain Zebra National Park

You will then head further inland through the famed Suurberg Mountain Pass which is one of South Africa’s longest mountain passes – guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you as you soak up the magnificent views. Once through the pass, you will make your way to Mountain Zebra National Park for a two-night stay in one of the Mountain Cottages. The cottages have no electricity and are only accessible by 4×4 which adds to the experience. Mountain Zebra National Park offers a complete contrast to the Addo Elephant National Park with its arid vegetation and mountainous landscapes. The wildlife which inhabits the park is also different, allowing you to add additional species to your safari checklist. A highlight will be the mountain zebra as well as the black wildebeest. We also recommend you join the guides on a cheetah trekking expedition and try to find the lion which was introduced to the park in 2013.

Day 15-18: Mountain Kingdom of Swaziland

Your final stop is the Mountain Kingdom of Swaziland. We have included this in the itinerary as the ideal place to kick back and relax after a busy adventure across South Africa. We have picked Semonkong Lodge as it is one of our favourite hideaways in Lesotho owing to the spectacular location and the massive variety of activities available from the lodge. A must-see is the Maletsunyane Falls which is the highest single dropping falls in Africa and an easy walk from the lodge. For the adventurer at heart, take on the highest abseil in Africa which runs next to the falls, enjoy the many mountain trails on foot or pony and explore the local community for a chance to experience Lesotho’s warm hospitality. While there you will love the local Duck and Donkey Tavern and Restaurant which is a firm favourite among guests and locals alike. Departing Lesotho, you will make your way to Johannesburg where one of our team will meet you to receive the vehicle before your flight home. Extensions to the Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls are also available on request.