Western Cape and Garden Route - Self Drive

Today you will be met by your guide for an exploration of Cape Town, known affectionately as the Mother City. Your tour will take in the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), lively Greenmarket Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula (cable car fee is not included as it is weather dependent). On our descent, we stop at the Bo Kaap, home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses.

Today we embark on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. We take in the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, before crossing over to Hout Bay, where you may choose to join an optional boat cruise to Seal Island. From here we drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve via Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, where you will board a funicular to the top of the Peninsula to witness the symbolic meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans as well as have spectacular views over False Bay. We enjoy lunch near here (not included – own account) before continuing to Simonstown, the naval base, and visiting the African Penguin breeding colony at Boulders Beach. En route back we stop at the world renowned Kirstenbosch Gardens before returning back to your hotel.

This is a tour which delves deep into South Africa’s political past and opens up doors to communities not always encountered in the city itself. You will start off at the colourful Bo- Kaap, home to the Malay community and one of the oldest residential areas in the city, before crossing over to District Six, once a vibrant Coloured neighbourhood, before forced removals under the Group Areas Act of Apartheid turned it into a desolate wasteland. The museum makes for interesting viewing. From here, we visit one of the townships – created specifically for black residents under Apartheid. We join local community workers on a walk about through the township, meeting many friendly faces en route and also seeing the changes being brought about here with the advent of the New South Africa. We also stop at one of the many successful projects operated by uThando, a non profit organisation dedicated to the upliftment of communities. On our return to the city, we board a ferry to Robben Island (weather permitting). Here we will be joined by a local guide – someone who spent time on the island during the Apartheid years – and thus able to give a personal and often moving account of time spent there. You will also learn something about the island’s most famous prisoner – Nelson Mandela – and see his cell where he spent nearly 27 years of his life.

Your car rental will be dropped off at your hotel by a Europcar Representative.  Please let your Kensington Tours Travel Consultant know of the pick up time so we can make the arrangments.

Explore Capetown and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Cruze or similar.

This morning you can set off for the Winelands, a delightful drive which winds its way through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. We would suggest your frist stop to be Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, with canal lined avenues, and magnificent examples of Cape Dutch architecture where you can enjoy your first wine tasting, coupled with a chocolate and dessert tasting. Onward over the scenic Helshoogte Pass, to Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenots over 350 years ago, and widely regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa. Its beautiful setting and café lined streets will charm you and. Your journey can also take you to the town of Paarl, at the foot of a cluster of remarkable granite domes where you can enjoy a final wine tasting before ending off in Franschhoek. Please note all tasting fees are not included.

Explore Franschhoek and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Cruze or similar.

Today you can drive out from Franshhoek valley up into the beautiful Franschhoek Pass, before you head inland to the Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn. Stop to from impromptu wine tours, take pictures, grab a snack or shop, or head directly to Franshhoek. The direct drive will be approximately 5 hours depending on the number of stops made along the way. Please note that entrance or tasting fees need to be paid directly.

Enjoy time at leisure or sign up for one of the many and diverse activities in Oudtshoorn: Cango Caves, Cango Ostrich Farm, zip lining, tubing, hiking and more. Sign up to wake up early and meet meerkats at 4:30am to watch the sunrise; visit the worlds big cats, White Lions, African Leopards, White and Snow Tigers, Cheetah and more at the Cango Wildlife Ranch or simply relax at your lodge.

Explore Oudtshoorn and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Cruze or similar.

Head out this morning from Oudtshoorn and travel to the lagoon-side town of Knysna – gem of the Garden Route. Upon arrival you could enjoy some time at leisure at the Knsysa Waterfront Complex before embarking on activities or excursions. Attractions in Knysna include: nature reserves, animal encounters, elephant rides, beaches, free diving, markets, art galleries, golfing, biking, hiking and more. Water activities include excrusions into the lagoon, Indian Ocean, dinner cruises, whale watching and more. There is a wealth of things to do for everyone whether active, artistic, historic or simple, pure relaxation.

Explore Knysna and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Aveo or similar.

Knysna offers a wide range of activities ranging from animal viewing to adventure activities. Optional activities on site include: Featherbed Nature Reserve, Storm's River, Monkeyland, Cango Caves, Cango Ostrich Farm, Cango Wildlife Ranch with its endangered species and big cats, cheetah centre and more. For the more adventurous, sign up for activities like mountain biking, quad biking, helicopter tours, forest exploration, rock climbing, para-gliding, kloofing, abseiling, black water tubing, Treetop Canopy Tours (zip lining, bungee jumping, etc.), sky diving, Tsitsikama Falls, motorcycle adventures, horseback riding... Some of the water activities include: Paddle Cruiser, private charter sail boats/yachts/charters, John Benn floating restaurant, boat cruises, paddle surfing, kite surfing, canoeing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, Pontoon Cruises, kayak, shore scuba diving, fishing, and swim with seals!

Sign up for activities that interest you or arrange them in advance. Speak to your guide or travel advisor for more details.

Explore Knysna and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Cruze or similar.

This you'll depart Knysna and head off to Port Elizabeth. Along the way, pass via Kruisfontein and Thornhill. Located on the South Eastern coast of Africa and set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth has many historical and natural attractions. One of the most interesting historical attractions is the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail where you can follow in the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers on their journey of discovery and settlement. Aside from Port Elizabeth's famous beaches there are some beautiful parks with well landscaped gardens within the city. Close by are several game reserves which you may choose to visit for the day or extend your trip to enjoy big 5 game viewing.

Explore Capetown and its surrounding areas at your own pace with your car rental (no guide) today.  Rental is a Chevrolet Cruze or similar.

Relocation fee should you choose to drop your rental vehicle off at a different destination from where it was rented.

Travel between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg today.  Travel time is approximately 2 hours.