Faces of the Cape Self-drive

This relaxing luxurious self drive tour begins with Cape Town and then heads to three contrasting areas - the verdant Cape Winelands, the dramatic Cedarberg mountains and the exciting Whale Coast near Hermanus.

Number of nights: 12

Price Per Person From: ₤ 4,188

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Overview

Cape Town * Cederberg Mountains * Winelands * Whale Coast

This relaxing, luxurious Faces of the Cape self drive holiday is ideal for easy-going travellers or a romantic honeymoon. You stay in luxurious romantic country house lodges and one of our favourite hotels in Cape Town.

This self drive holiday begins with 4 nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town. You then explore three contrasting areas. You first head to the dramatic Cederberg mountains with its rockpools, rock art, walking and biking possibilities. Next you travel south to the verdant Cape Winelands. Your final destination is the exciting Whale Coast near Hermanus.

This self drive holiday is ideal anytime of the year! But it’s particularly beautiful from August to November when wild flowers are in bloom and the Southern Right whales are breeding off the coast of South Africa. However its lovely through our summer months as well from December to March. It is easy to add a safari afterwards to make a longer holiday or honeymoon.

Route Map

Personalise Faces of the Cape luxury self-drive to Suit You

As with all of our sample safaris, this itinerary is simply a starting point and can be tailored to suit your interests, available time and preferred accommodation level, adding nights or changing up the hotels used.

This journey also pairs beautifully with a safari extension. We particularly recommend adding a two or three-night stay at Sanbona Game Reserve, staying at either Dwyka Tented Camp or Gondwana Lodge. Alternatively, you could fly to the Kruger for a few nights.

Good to Know

Faces of the Cape self-drive works well year-round, with August to October offering the added magic of wild flowers, blooming fynbos and whale season.
The self-drive format gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, but private transfers can also be arranged throughout if you would rather not drive.

Tour Video

Day to Day Itinerary

Link to our Digital Itinerary

On arrival at Cape Town, you collect your rental car and drive to the 12 Apostles Hotel where you spend 3 nights.

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. Cradled by Table Mountain, it has immense charm and historical interest whilst its unique cultural blend; part African, part European and part Asian, makes for a cosmopolitan dining experience. Take the cable car or walk up Table Mountain, visit the colourful Malay quarter or meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Browse through the vibrant Greenmarket Square, head out to Robben Island by boat or simply relax on the beach.

Head north to the CedErberg to stay at Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge

The Cederberg Mountains lie approx 2+ hours drive north of Cape Town. Once over the Piekenierskloof Pass, you descend into a different world… The country has changed: wilder, warmer with a raw, dramatic beauty. The towering Cederberg mountains, brilliant purple in the late afternoon light, preside over a fruit-filled valley laden with the scent of orange blossom in the spring. En route to the Cederberg you may like to visit the Cape West Coast, with its unique sandveld vegetation, picturesque fishing villages, long sandy beaches and immense bird colonies. Its relaxed hospitality is amply demonstrated by the outdoor seafood restaurants on the beach.

Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, hospitality and adventure. The lodge overlooks the panorama of the Cederberg Mountains with its unique raw, rugged beauty. Various excursions are on offer, both on and off the farm. From walking trails to mountain biking, from guided rock art trips to boating, and from farm tours to flower-viewing. At the lodge, you can relax around the pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment or enjoy story-telling and star-gazing at the fire-pit in the evening.

Travel to the Winelands, perhaps via Tulbagh, to spend 2 nights at Mont Rochelle Hotel

The Winelands is an exquisite area of rocky mountains overlooking green vineyards. Oak avenues lead to elegant Cape Dutch wine estates and some of the most charming towns and villages in South Africa. The pleasure of this region is the enjoyment of the good life: appreciating the wine and the unique Cape architecture; savouring long, lazy meals at one of the many excellent restaurants; debating the merits of the latest vintages; or browsing in the craft studios and art galleries.

Take a scenic coastal route to Hermanus to spend 3 nights at Grootbos Nature Reserve

Hermanus & Route 62 are two of the famous attractions of the Cape Whale Coast. A bountiful area of gentle rolling green pastures, picturesque vineyards and unspoilt coastline between the Winelands to the west and the Garden Route to the east.

Hermanus offers plenty of attractions including some of the finest land-based whale watching in the world. The southern coast boasts some of the finest land-based whale-watching in the world between July and early December, when the Southern Right Whales come right into the bays to give birth. During peak season enthralling sightings – from land and by boat – are a daily occurrence. You are likely to see spectacular breaches and other acrobatics of these gentle giants.

Grootbos Nature Reserve, located amidst the spectacular fynbos and ancient dunes of the Southern Coast, is a multi-award winning gem. Overlooking Walker Bay, it’s a nature-lovers paradise – all but the most committed urbanite will enjoy the inclusive activities: guided fynbos 4×4 drives, milkwood forest walks, horse riding, beach visits and guided land-based whale-watching as well as the optional activities of boat-based whale watching and shark cage diving.

This tour is based on Forest Lodge but you can opt for Garden Lodge if you prefer.

After a final morning activity at Grootbos you have the whole day to enjoy Hermanus as you meander back to Cape Town Airport where you drop off your rental car in time for your onward flight.

Note: You may like to add on an optional 2-3 night safari at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (in between the Winelands) and your stay at Grootbos on the Whale Coast. Contact us for a quote.

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PRICE FROM ₤ 4,188

An idea of price

This is a sample itinerary using specific hotels and lodges. However most of these sample tours can be adapted to suit you. If applicable, it includes domestic seat-in-charter flights. But it excludes any regional and domestic scheduled flights (as these are subject to change and specific routing). These are added to a specific quotation once we have your dates.

INCLUDES

Meals and accommodation as shown in itinerary (B&B for 6 nights, Full Board & Selected Activities for 6 nights), Group F car rental for 13 days on Super-Cover basis including 2nd driver, GPS or Wifi Router, super-cover insurance and unlimited kilometres.

EXCLUDES

Items of a personal nature (such as curios, spa treatments, gratuities), meals not specified above, activities listed as optional, international and domestic flights (unless specified as included), visas and travel insurance.

Aug 2026 - Aug 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 4,770

Sep 2026 - Sep 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 5,037

Oct 2026 - Oct 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 5,263

Nov 2026 - Dec 2026

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 5,302

Jan 2027 - Mar 2027

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 5,439

Apr 2027 - Apr 2027

PP SHARING FROM ₤ 5,210