Garden Route Safari: A Luxury South African Self Drive
Driving in Africa is more accessible than most people think, and the coastal “Garden Route” along South Africa’s Cape is a classic road trip. Starting in Cape Town, one of the world’s great cities, drive west along scenic coastlines with dramatic cliffs and waters teeming with whales and sharks. This area has incredible floral diversity, including the famous protea flower, providing fantastic super blooms in season. On this itinerary, you’ll stay at some of our favorite luxury coastal hotels before ending your trip on safari west of Gqberha (Port Elizabeth). Because of conservation work, wildlife in this part of the Cape has improved significantly in recent decades. You’ll find the “Big 5” and very healthy populations of rhinos.
On this itinerary, you’ll stay at some of our favorite luxury coastal hotels before ending your trip on safari.
The blooming season peaks from August to October, which overlaps with whale migrations from June to November. However, the South African summer from December to March is also an excellent time to visit. Safaris in the Kruger National Park region are overwhelmed with seasonal summer rains at this time, but the Cape safaris are relatively dry.
Roads in South Africa are in good condition, and we will provide a rental car and detailed directions for your trip to keep it simple. If you’ve driven in Mexico or Costa Rica, you won’t have a problem. It’s a liberating way to explore Africa and the adventure of a lifetime.
Arrive in Cape Town directly from Atlanta, Washington, DC, or Newark. A staff member will greet you at the airport and guide you through customs. Once through, you will be taken to your rental car and your hotel. There are many great hotels along the Cape Town waterfront, including the Silo and Six Senses, so we can select one based on your preferences and availability.
Spend the next few days exploring this vibrant, cosmopolitan city. It is the cultural heart of South Africa, famous for its iconic natural wonders, such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. In addition to these landmarks, Cape Town now has one of the most exciting dining scenes in the world.
Drive two hours east of Cape Town along the Atlantic coast, passing through stunning fynbos landscapes and quaint towns like Betty’s Bay until you reach Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.
This reserve features two luxury lodges within over 8,500 acres of breathtaking Cape Floral coastline. From June to October, whales can be spotted from boats or the shore. The coastal waters are also home to great white sharks, seals, and penguins, and the hotel offers excursions to observe these creatures up close. Guests can also enjoy horseback riding, quad biking, and floral safaris.
In the morning, continue your drive down the scenic garden route coastline. It’s only two hours from your next stop, Morukuru Beach Resort, in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, so you can take your time to stop and explore the towns and beaches you find along the way. Morukuru is an intimate five-bedroom coastal resort with an excellent restaurant. It’s an extremely private beach getaway that is perfect for both families and honeymooners.
Your last day on the coastal drive is a slightly longer four hours that will take you along the coast and through the small city of George. Just past George, you’ll find Fynbos on Sea, a charming hideaway with a view of the Indian Ocean and Sedgefield Lagoon. The lodge owns a large acreage on the bluff that is perfect for hiking and light game drives, where you can see a variety of antelope or enjoy a wine tasting from a local vineyard. End your day with a sundowner overlooking the beach.
In the morning, drive through Plettenberg Bay before turning inland from the garden route for a longer 5-hour drive towards the South African Karoo, a vast, arid plain that occupies much of the interior of the Eastern Cape.
The open landscape here is reminiscent of the Serengeti but without the herds of wildebeest. Still, you will find the “Big 5” here and one of our favorite hidden gem safaris in Africa. Samara Karoo is a 60,000-acre private game reserve that has worked for the past 20 years to restore the Great Karoo. Elephants and lions are on the property, but the highlight here is tracking cheetahs on foot. They have a very successful reintroduction program, and you can get within 20 yards of the slender cats without disturbing them. We love their simple yet stylish tented camp for the immersive feel of a classic safari.
After enjoying a more adventurous safari, we like to finish with something more luxurious. Drive three hours back towards the coast and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. The reserve encompasses 54,000 acres on either side of the Great Fish River and is home to thousands of animals, including elephants, giraffes, and lions. There are only two lodges and three villas for only 26 rooms on the property, so you won’t encounter any crowds here. Their Ecca Lodge is one of the finest luxury safaris in the Eastern Cape and compares favorably to more popular safari areas in the Greater Kruger Region.
Spend the next few days on game drives, getting up close with some of the best wildlife in Africa. There is a substantial rhino population here, and with planning, you can participate in conservation activities with the veterinary team. Darting a rhino is an experience you’ll never forget!
Drive back to Port Elizabeth to return your rental car and catch a flight to Cape Town and back home.
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