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YOU ARE HERE: Home > Tours > Eastern and Western Cape Self Drive (ELA-CIAA)
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Eastern and Western Cape Self Drive (ELA-CIAA)
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HagaHaga Nature Reserve, East London
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Catalogue Booking Code: 41005
Tour Duration: 20 days
Start: East London
End: Cape Town International Airport
Travel at your own pace and explore the beautiful Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. Visit the magnificent Addo Elephant Park, see the whales at Hermanus and enjoy a variety of picturesque little towns through which you will travel before arriving in Cape Town with its many attractions.
Tour Type: Self drive
Regions covered:
Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Garden Route - WC, Cape Winelands, Cape Town & Surroundings, Garden Route - EC, South Africa, Garden Route
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Rates
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Tour Details
Days 1 to 2:
On arrival at East London Airport, guests will be met and assisted with the collection of their rental car and furnished with detailed maps and directions. From the airport, travel along the R72 towards East London where you will be staying at the Garden Court East London with glorious views of the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy the mild climate, the wonderful surroundings of the hotel and venture out to explore the local attractions or enjoy one of the many sporting facilities nearby the hotel. A visit to the East London Aquarium, which is within walking distance of the hotel, is recommendable. The aquarium is relatively small but features some unique displays.
The hotel is a beach front hotel and both the Eastern Beach and Orient Beach are within walking distance.
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Day 3:
From East London it is a relatively short drive to Grahamstown. A peaceful town that is known for its rich cultural heritage. Tonight’s accommodation is in the Protea Hotel Evelyn House where you will stay in spacious, well-appointed rooms set in lush, tranquil gardens.
Explore the historical sights and streets of Grahamstown, marvel at the architecture, visit the second oldest Botanic Gardens in South Africa or alternatively visit one of the fascinating museums.
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Days 4 to 5:
Continue your journey to the Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth.
This area used to be home to big herds of elephants. After the first settlers came to the Addo region, the elephants frequently caused extensive damage to the crops and fields and destroyed dams in their search for water. As a result the elephant herds were almost eradicated. The park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 elephants from extinction.
This is a magnificent diverse park with a finely tuned ecosystem that is a malaria-free sanctuary to over 420 elephants, 450 Cape buffalo, black rhino, lion and a variety of antelope species. The Park offers great outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.
Activities include game viewing in your own vehicle, guided game drives in open vehicles, guided walking trails as well as a guided rhino trekking expedition!
All the chalets are set near the main waterhole which is lit-up by night and offers unforgettable sightings.
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Days 6 to 7:
A beautiful drive through the first section of the famous Garden Route takes you to St. Francis Bay, a pretty coastal village with a unique architecture; all the houses are white with thatched roofs.
With its beautiful beaches and excellent surfing conditions is St. Francis Bay a paradise for watersport enthusiasts. The village has approx. 8 km of river and canals for boating, 4 km of sandy beaches and a port for luxury yachts.
Milkwood Country Cottage borders a magnificent 18-hole golf course and all the luxury rooms enjoy views onto the golf course.
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Days 8 to 9:
On the way to your next destination, the picturesque town of Knysna, you will pass through the Tsitsikamma area which is an absolute must see! Tsitsikamma is the khoi-word for 'place of much water’ and a visit to the Tsitsikamma National Park is a wonderful outing. Enjoy one of the shorter hiking trails at Stormsriver Mouth - a photographer's dream.
Knysna is a favorite holiday destination nestled between lush forests and a most beautiful lagoon that offers many activities and attractions of which the Knysna Heads are the most famous. The Knysna Heads are two sandstone cliffs that connect the estuary with the sea. From The Heads you can enjoy spectacular views of the lagoon, Knysna and Leisure Island.
Knysna offers many activities such as a visit to the beautiful Featherbed Nature Reserve, a steam-trip with the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe which runs between Knysna and George, or alternatively visit the workshops where exquisitely handcrafted birds of wood are made.
Accommodation for the next two nights is in the four star Parkes Manor guesthouse, directly situated on the famous Knysna Lagoon. The spacious rooms offer spectacular views across either the lagoon or the magnificent gardens.
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Day 10:
From Knysna, travel through the impressive Outeniqua Mountains to the 'ostrich-capital' of the world, Oudtshoorn.
Your lodge, De Opstal, is situated in the beautiful Schoenmanshoek Valley, outside Oudtshoorn on the road to the famous Cango Caves. The Cango Caves are an absolute must for all visitors. These magnificent limestone formations are one of the natural wonders of the world which have been formed during millions of years.
A visit to one of the ostrich-palaces around Oudtshoorn is also not to be missed. Enjoy a guided tour on an operating farm where you will see large flocks of ostriches and even have the opportunity to ride on an ostrich!
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Day 11:
In the heart of the Garden Route lies 'the bay of mussels', Mossel Bay. After Hawaii, Mossel Bay features the mildest all-year climate in the world! It was here that in 1500 the first South African post office was created when Pedro de Ataide left a letter of importance in a shoe under a large milkwood tree. The tree is now a national monument and mail is still being posted here.
The luxurious accommodation for tonight is Eight Bells Mountain Inn, situated outside Mossel Bay at the foot of the Robinson Pass amidst magnificent mountain scenery. All accommodation is set in enchanted gardens with an abundant birdlife.
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Day 12:
Today's travels take you inland to the third oldest town in South Africa, Swellendam. A charming town that is famous for its architecture and outdoor life.
Situated just outside Swellendam is the Bontebok National Park, sheltered by the Langeberg Mountains and bordering the Breede River in the south. This park is home to many bontebok but also to Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok.
Stay at the Klippe Rivier Country House, a gracious homestead that is now a national monument and enjoy the excellent cuisine and wines.
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Days 13 to 14:
Once again you will travel towards the coast and this time your destination is Hermanus, the heart of the Whale Coast which is home to the Southern Right Whale. Hermanus is the best destination to watch these incredible creatures from land.
The Whale Crier is a local attraction in Hermanus. In the months of July through November, when Southern Right Whales come to the warmer waters of the bay, it is his mission to alert the shore-based whale watchers to the whereabouts of whales, by blowing his kelp horn.
Besides whale watching, a variety of path walks and hiking trails are available or you can venture out on a wine tour through the southernmost vineyards in Africa.
Your hotel is The Windsor of Hermanus and is situated in the centre of the village on the edge of the sea. Approx. half of the rooms enjoying fantastic sea views.
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Days 15 to 16:
Travel westwards to the most scenic town in South Africa, Stellenbosch, in the heart of the famous Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch is the ideal place from where to explore both the famous as well as the lesser-known wine estates in the region. Enjoy guided cellar-tours, delicious picnics and taste some of the best wines.
The Protea Hotel Devon Valley is situated on a working wine farm, outside Stellenbosch with commanding views of the Cape Winelands and the Helderberg Mountains.
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Days 17 to 19:
Drive to your final destination, the Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town. World famous for Table Mountain, Cape Point, the Peninsula and many more attractions.
From the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, you can board a vessel to take you to Robben Island for a magnificent tour of the Island. Enjoy the magnificent views over Cape Town and the Peninsula while traveling up Table Mountain with the cable car. Alternatively, explore the many fascinating museums and historical buildings reflecting the cultures that shaped the city.
Your accommodation is in an exclusive guest house in Cape Town's charming suburb Sea Point, Huijs Haerlem. It is ideally situated, just 3 km from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its many cozy restaurants and shops, and just a 10 minutes drive from the famous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches. All the rooms are luxurious and very comfortable with views of the Atlantic Ocean or Table Mountain.
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Day 20:
After a leisurely breakfast, return your rental car at Cape Town International Airport where you will board your plane back home or continue with your onward travels.
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