Supreme South Africa – Self-drive

For visitors to South Africa there is no better introduction than combining legendary Cape Town, the glorious Garden Route, amazing wildlife and the Winelands in the Western Cape.

It is a wonderful mix of history, food & wine and sightseeing, all with the independence that comes with a self-drive itinerary.

DAY 1 DAILY HEATHROW-CAPE TOWN
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Cape Town.

DAY 2 CAPE TOWN
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by your Somak representative who will assist you with collecting your car. A day at leisure to perhaps explore the ‘Mother City’. Why not drive to the foot of Table Mountain and take the Cable Car to the top where you can enjoy the spectacular views across Cape Town? Or visit places of interest such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, South Africa Museum, the Malay Quarter and the castle, before driving to your hotel. Overnight: St Georges, Cape Town.

DAY 3 CAPE TOWN
Today you can choose to join an organised tour, or drive along the coast via Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope. Then continue along the False Bay coastline to Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony, or visit the naval port of Simon’s Town which is situated in False Bay. Finally, you could stop at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where you can admire the splendour of these diverse gardens. Overnight: St Georges, Cape Town. (b)

DAY 4 CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is such a diverse city with so much to explore. We suggest you take the ferry to Robben Island. This is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and accompanied by a guide who is an ex-prisoner, learn about Mandela and the life of prisoners on Robben Island. Overnight: St Georges, Cape Town. (b)

DAY 5 HERMANUS
After breakfast, drive to the seaside village of Hermanus (120 km – approximately 2 hours). Check in to your hotel and then explore this quaint town and surrounding area. Hermanus is famous for its long stretches of beach, mild climate, rich floral kingdom and friendly environment. During whale watching season, Hermanus is known as the heart of the Cape Whale Coast, attracting nature lovers from all over the world. There are numerous vantage points for viewing the southern right whales during their annual migration (Jul – Nov). Overnight: Auberge Burgundy, Hermanus. (b)

DAY 6 KNYSNA
Drive via the Outeniqua Pass to George and on to the lagoon town of Knysna, situated between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon (415 km – approximately 6 hours). The most well known attraction is the ‘Heads’, two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary to the sea. Take the ferry across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. After lunch, return to Knysna by ferry and check in to your hotel. Overnight: Graywood Hotel. (b)

DAY 7 KNYSNA
There is so much to explore in Knysna and the surrounding areas. Why not travel via Natures Valley to the Tsitsikamma National Park, visit the Big Tree and Storms River Mouth before returning to Knysna via Plettenberg Bay. Monkeyland is a highlight along this route and is a sanctuary home to numerous species of monkeys. You can experience the largest free flight walk-through aviary in the world, Birds End. Overnight: Graywood Hotel. (b)

DAY 8 ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
Travel via the ‘Friendly City’, Port Elizabeth, to one of the 5 star lodges which have a concession in the Addo Elephant National Park (406 km – approximately 7 hours). This afternoon enjoy an open vehicle safari which offers you the opportunity to see the ‘Big Five’, along with more than 300 species of bird and 600 species of flora. Return to the lodge just after sunset to enjoy a wonderful dinner served under the African night skies. Overnight: Kuzuko Lodge. (b,d)

DAY 9 ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives with qualified rangers, to coincide with the times when the animals are most active, and to enable you to take great pictures in the soft light. If the sky is clear, take advantage of the lodges’ star-gazing telescope. Overnight: Kuzuko Lodge. (b,d)

DAY 10 ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy another day with game drives in this wonderful park. Overnight: Kuzuko Lodge. (b,d)

DAY 11 OUDTSHOORN
Depart promptly after breakfast for the long drive via Port Elizabeth to Oudtshoorn (390 km – approximately 6 hours 45 minutes), known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ thanks to its huge ostrich industry. Overnight: The Pearl. (b)

DAY 12 OUDTSHOORN
Spend a full day exploring Oudtshoorn, home to many attractions. Visit an ostrich farm for an informative tour, explore the fascinating and beautiful Cango Caves. Also worth a visit is the Cango Wildlife Ranch, an endangered species special breeding facility and the oldest and largest cheetah contact centre. Overnight: The Pearl. (b)

DAY 13 STELLENBOSCH
Today you head along ‘Route 62′, known as one of the most beautiful routes in South Africa, travelling through some fascinating little towns such as Barrydale, a port wine producing area, Montagu and Robertson, before reaching your final destination – the region of Stellenbosch (460 km – approximately 8 hours). This area offers excellent wine tasting in the heart of the Winelands of the Cape, and is complimented by warm South African hospitality. Overnight: Oude Werf Hotel. (b)

DAY 14 HEATHROW
Enjoy a relaxing day in and around Stellenbosch, exploring some world renowned wine farms, strolling through the town admiring the architecture and fantastic atmosphere, whilst browsing in the many curio shops. This is the second oldest town in South Africa and features lots of historic Cape Dutch architecture along with the oldest and largest university in South Africa. And finally, return to Cape Town airport (50 km – approximately 1 hour) to drop off your car and check-in for your overnight flight to Heathrow. (b)

Established in 1968, Somak Holidays is an independant Tour Operator specialising in holidays to East Africa.

Somak Holidays aim to offer inspiring holidays to the most superb locations in Africa. Above all they pride themselves on being a family-owned and run company. That means they are solely focused on the holidays they arrange, and not on appeasing shareholders. Somak Holidays continually inspect hotels and airlines, and test itineraries in order to improve some aspect or another.

Somak Holidays is a multi-award winning operator, winning such accolades as “Best Independant Tour Operator to Africa” in the Travel Weekly Awards 2010.

Our Opinion
“Somak Holidays has been arranging safaris to Kenya for over 40 years and have built an excellent reputation as the number one independant tour operator to East Africa.”