Cape Town * Whale Coast * Garden Route * Sanbona Game Reserve * Cape Winelands
Our sample Relaxing Rascals family self-drive trip in South Africa is designed for the South African summer, spring and autumn. This 13-night journey combines freedom, comfort, and the thrill of discovery, Β without the need for malaria precautions.
Your adventure begins in cosmopolitan Cape Town, exploring its beaches, Table Mountain views, and plentiful family attractions. From here, follow the coast to the Whale Coast and Garden Route, where your family can kayak on the lagoon, stroll along pristine beaches, or in indigenous forest and enjoy the beaches.
Continue inland to the Little Karoo, with its big skies, big caves and ostrich farm, before heading to a rewarding family-friendly safari at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. End your journey in the Cape Winelands, relaxing among vineyards and gourmet pleasures.
With handpicked Premier to Luxury accommodation, this itinerary offers space and comfort for families of all ages. Check out our article on Self-drive Tips – Quiz – are you ready for a South African self drive trip?
As with all Cedarberg Africa journeys, Relaxing Rascals is simply a starting point. Add an extra night or two on safari, linger longer by the coast, or upgrade accommodation to suit your family’s preferences. Our travel experts will craft a version that fits your family’s pace, interests, and style.

On arrival at Cape Town Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to your hotel in Cape Town for four nights.
(Note: We can also transfer you from the airport and then deliver your rental car later on in the day if you preferβ¦)
Cape Town is wonderful for families with many excursions available from beach visits to a cable car ride up Table Mountain. We particularly recommend the Oceanarium in the Waterfront, the Science centre in Observatory, a sunset boat cruise from the Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Gardens and, for older children, enjoying some of the many superb hiking trails on Table Mountain and at Cape Point. Our detailed itinerary outlines the nicest beaches for families as well as a range of family-orientated activities.
The charm of Cape Town is partly explained by Table Mountain, which breaks up the city into distinct areas, each with its own character and, indeed, its own weather! The city bowl basks in the dramatic shadow of the 1000m mountain, with its characteristic βtableclothβ of mist rolling over the edge. The fashionable Waterfront and City Bowl areas are ideal for visitors who enjoy city life with plenty of restaurants, cafΓ©s and clubs within walking distance of your hotel. The southern suburbs of Newlands and Constantia reflect yet another side of Cape Town, reminiscent of its gracious colonial past. Majestic oak trees and endless swathes of roses and blue agapanthus are set against the forested slopes of Table Mountain.
Today you drive along the coast to Mosaic Lagoon Lodge with its stunning lagoon setting near Hermanus (approx 1Β½=2 hours drive).
The Hermanus area is a bountiful area of gentle rolling green pastures, vineyards, forests and unspoilt coastline. It 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.
Mosaic 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 on the estate also offered by the lodge such as quad biking, beach visits, cruises on the lagoon, canoeing, lakeside walksβ¦
Continue eastwards to the Garden Route where you spend three nights at the lovely Simbavati Fynbos on Sea in Sedgefield.
The Garden Route thoroughly deserves its reputation for enchanting beauty. The βgardenβ refers not to cultivated gardens, but to its captivating Elysian charm. This region offers a spectacular coastline of dramatic headlands giving way to white sandy beaches. Behind the sand dunes lie placid lagoons and lakes, with a hinterland of soaring mountains, covered by indigenous rainforest, magnificent twisting passes, waterfalls and wooded ravines.
Today you head over the Outeniqua Mountains to spend a night in the Little Karoo with its range of family-friendly pursuits.
The arid, rugged Little Karoo is reached via the spectacular mountain passes over the Outeniqua Mountains. You can sample the excellent wines of the area over lunch at a working ostrich farm or visit the Cango Caves, a labyrinthine complex of limestone caverns. The intrepid will be captivated by the wild beauty of the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert, whilst children will adore seeing the big cats at the Cango wildlife ranch, learning about ostriches, and cringing at the crocodile and snake farm.
Stay one night in the Family Villa at La Plume Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Today you take the scenic, arid drive along the Route 62 to the magnificent Sanbona Game Reserve where you stay two nights at the family-friendly Sanbona Gondwana Lodge (Full Board and Game Drives)
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers 54,000 hectares of exciting wildlife, undulating mountains and plains, indigenous wild flowers and San rock art. With elephant, buffalo, black rhino, cheetah and male and female white lion, Sanbona is home to the Big Five.
Gondwana Lodge welcomes children of all ages, with children of 4 years old to join their parents on a game drive with specially adapted higher sides on open vehicles for extra security. Gondwana also has its own fully equipped play room/day centre (with TV & DVD player, games, outdoor play area, spacious lawn).Β Children of all ages can enjoy the interpretive trail and βskull parkβ next to the lodge learning about animals.
All of the spacious rooms have en suite bathrooms with bath and shower, minibar, private patio or balcony, underfloor heating and air-conditioning. Most of the rooms are interleading so they are ideal for families. This price is based on 2 interleading rooms.
After a final game drive, you continue westwards to the beautiful Cape Winelands where you spend your final night at Jordan Wine Estate near Stellenbosch.
The Cape Winelands is an area of exquisite beauty. It contains some of the most charming towns and villages in South Africa including Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek . Here rocky mountains overlook green vineyards and oak avenues lead to elegant Cape Dutch wine estates. Thereβs lots to do for families from visiting Babylonstoren or Boschendal estates, to Spier with its Eagle Encounters to hiking or cycling in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
You stay in a stylish two bedroom contemporary-styled cottage on Jordan Wine Estate with a complimentary bottle of wine as well as wine-tasting included.
After a day spent enjoying the winelands, you return to Cape Town Airport in time for your onward flight. (45 minutes drive)
Sample pricing shows for a family of 4 with 2 children under 12 years. Ask us for a quote if you have teenagers or more/less children. This tour starts and ends in Cape Town so there are no domestic flights.
Meals and accommodation as shown in digital brochure (Bed & Breakfast for 6 nights, 3 nights on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and 4 nights on Full Board & Game Activities (excl drinks) (we are assuming 2 children aged under 12 sharing with their parents), Group CΒ car rental with unlimited kilometres and super cover insurance. Upgrades to larger vehicles easily arranged.
EXCLUDESInternational flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified.