Mellow Cape Self-drive Safari

This popular and leisurely self-drive tour begins in Cape Town and meanders through the Winelands, the whale country around Hermanus, the scenic Garden Route and finishes on safari in the Eastern Cape.

Number of nights: 13

Price Per Person From: ₤ 2,639

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Overview

Cape Town * Winelands * Whale Coast * Garden Route * Eastern Cape Safari

If the idea of a self-drive holiday in South Africa appeals, but you would prefer a route that feels relaxed rather than adventurous, this popular Mellow Cape itinerary is an excellent choice. It’s the perfect road trip of you’re looking to combine the freedom of a self-drive with a comfortable pace, elegant places to stay and a gentle introduction to some of the Cape’s most rewarding regions.

Using premium accommodation, this road trip begins in Cape Town, South Africa’s captivating Mother City. From here, it meanders through the Cape Winelands and the whale country around Hermanus. Before continuing via the rolling countryside, fruit farms and country villages to the beautiful Garden Route where there is time to enjoy its varied scenery, coastal beauty and laid-back charm, before ending with a rewarding safari at Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

Mellow Cape self-drive route

Mellow Cape Route map

Personalise to Suit You

As with nearly all of our sample safaris, this itinerary can be tailored around your interests, timeframe and preferred style of accommodation.

You can add an extra night in the Little Karoo at La Plume or similar (14 nights), adjust the accommodation level, or opt to mix it up in terms of mode of travel. Have some guided touring in Cape Town and then an easy self-drive along the scenic Garden Route.

If you prefer to be guided throughout, our upgrade price below shows the price if you have private touring in Cape Town and the Garden Route and then take transfers to your game lodge and back to Port Elizabeth (now reNamed Gqeberha). Note that this is assuming 2 people travelling. The price will be fair bit lower with 4 people. So ask us for a quote.

Good to Know

Our Mellow Cape self-drive is ideal if you want the flexibility of a self-drive holiday without long, or overly demanding, drives.
It combines classic Cape highlights with a safari finale, making it a strong choice for first-time visitors to South Africa.

Tour Video

Our Digital Itinerary

Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.

On arrival at Cape Town Airport you collect your rental car and drive to Four Rosmead for a three-night stay.

Cape Town is Southern Africa’s oldest city and its most scenic. From your base here, close to the Waterfront, you will be able to explore both the city centre and further afield. Take time to walk or take the cable car up Table Mountain, visit the charming Malay quarter and the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Take a boat trip from the harbour, or just relax on the beach.

Four Rosmead is situated on the slopes of Table Mountain and enjoys 360º views of the mountain, Lions Head, Signal Hill, Table Bay and the city. Warm hospitality, discreet and efficient service are very much the hallmarks of Four Rosmead. Built in 1903, Four Rosmead has been sensitively and stylishly remodeled so that its classic Cape heritage has been sympathetically combined with a contemporary style. The decor is chic with a subtle, distinctive African spirit.

Only a short distance from Cape Town lies the Winelands region, an area of exquisite beauty with rocky mountains overlooking green vineyards; oak avenues leading to elegant Cape Dutch wine estates and some of the most charming towns and villages in South Africa. The main pleasure of this region is the enjoyment of the good life: appreciating the wine and the superb architecture, enjoying long, lazy meals in one of the many excellent restaurants, browsing in the craft shops and galleries or taking scenic drives or walks in the surrounding mountains.

Elegance and ambiance are the words to the describe The Oude Werf hotel, situated in the heart of historic Stellenbosch. The Oude Werf Hotel is South Africa’s oldest hotel and was built on the site of South Africa’s first church. The Georgian Cape Dutch entrance sets the tone for the gracious reception hall.

Today you drive over the mountains to the cosmopolitan former fishing village of Hermanus, which boasts some of the finest land-based whale-watching in the world from August to November, as well as spectacular mountain scenery and lovely sandy beaches for swimming and surfing. You may like to go for a nature walk in the mountains, try your luck at some whale-watching along the coastal paths or explore the numerous craft shops in the village. (Approx drive time: 1¾ hours, 130km).

Lagoon Lodge on Mosaic Private Sanctuary is an enchanting lodge on the edge of Hermanus lagoon in an ancient milkwood grove with spectacular views overlooking a bird sanctuary and the beautiful Overberg Mountains. Situated half way between Hermanus and Gansbaai it is ideal for exploring the area with a variety of activities also offered by the lodge such as quad biking, beach visits, canoeing, lakeside walks…

Continue to the semi-desert rugged region of the Little Karoo via the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain pass. In the Victorian era, when ostrich feathers were the height of fashion in Europe, the ostrich boom centred on Oudtshoorn creating “feather barons” who built grandiose mansions here. Sample the excellent wines of the Little Karoo over lunch at a working ostrich farm or visit the Cango Caves, a spectacular series of limestone caverns, some of the most extensive in the world. (Approx drive time: 4 hours, 350km)

La Plume is a working ostrich farm with peaceful views over the Olifants River valley to the Swartberg Mountains. The attractive Victorian homestead is decorated in period style and all rooms and suites are furnished with Cape antiques, as well as air-conditioning, fan, complimentary port, television and bar fridge. Farm tours and Karoo farm-style dinners are available on request, if you don’t feel like stirring from this tranquil oasis.

Head to the Garden Route for a three night stay at the superbly situated Fynbos on Sea near Sedgefield.

Today you drive from the Garden Route to Kariega River Lodge for a 3 night safari in a private game reserve.

The Eastern Cape is known for it’s scenic diversity and adventure. It is packed with raw beauty ranging from lush forests to arid dessert with exciting experiences in each region.

A focal point of the Eastern Cape is its Game Reserves. Eastern Cape safaris offer malaria free game-viewing and stunning scenery as well as fascinating frontier history. The temperate climate and gently undulating hills lend themselves to game viewing. With fewer trees obscuring sightings, no malaria, and better vantage points, it is easy to see why. There is a choice of game lodges to suit everyone from honeymoon couples to families. Groups of friends or family parties are able to lease some of the smaller safari lodges on an exclusive basis.

Kariega River Lodge is Kariega’s superior four star game lodge with a stunning riverside setting. Perched on the banks of the Bushmans River, it offers spectacular river views from its ten well-appointed, spacious thatched suites.

The main lodge has a homely ambience with a large deck which overhangs the river. It’s offers a warm, friendly ambience with plenty of places to relax in privacy from the riverside deck, the lap pool, lounge, upstairs reading deck and upstairs TV area. Each air-conditioned suite has river views with spacious en suite bathroom with bath and shower as well as ceiling fan, satellite TV and minibar.

Today you have the day at leisure to enjoy your morning game drive before you drop off your rental car at Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) Airport in time for your onward flight.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

PRICE FROM ₤ 2,639

An idea of price

Rough Indication for Domestic flights – Assume between R2100 and R4600 per person (approx $125 to $285pp), depending on where you are ending your trip. Can fly from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) back to Cape Town or Johannesburg.

INCLUDES

Meals and accommodation as shown in digital brochure (Bed & Breakfast for 9 nights, 2 nights on Fully Inclusive and 2 nights on Full Board & Game Activities (excl drinks), Group C car rental with unlimited kilometres and super cover insurance. Upgrades to larger vehicles easily arranged.

EXCLUDES

International & domestic flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified.

Jul 2026 - Aug 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 2,704

Jul 2026 - Aug 2026 Guided

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 4,169

Sep 2026 - Sep 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 3,287

Sep 2026 - Sep 2026 Guided

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 4,729

Oct 2026 - Dec 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 3,362