Eleven Day Best of South Africa Self-Drive Safari

You'll begin your exploration of South Africa upon arrival, with a half-day city tour and Table Mountain experience immediately after being picked up from the airport!

Your Cape Town city tour includes a variety of cultural and historical highlights, including the South African Museum & Company Gardens, colorful Bo-Kaap, Green Market Square, and much more.

You'll finish off your half-day exploration with a ride on the famous Table Mountain cableway for truly breathtaking views of South Africa's most beautiful city.

Setting off after breakfast, you'll head out on a full-day exploration of the visually spectacular Cape Peninsula.

One of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations, the Cape Peninsula's highlights include the Cape of Good Hope, wildlife viewing with playful penguins and seals, visits to quaint local towns, and some of the most photogenic stretches of windswept coastline you'll find anywhere on earth.

The full itinerary for the day is dependent on the weather and the season, but you'll find your day is jam-packed with insights into South Africa's diverse cultures and wildlife.

It wouldn't be a visit to South Africa without brushing up on your knowledge of world-renowned South African wines.

Departing from your Cape Town accommodation after breakfast, you'll set out for a day of flavourful exploration through historic wine towns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franshoek.

With a minimum of three cellar doors and twelve different examples of South African viticulture, you're sure to return home with a healthy glow in your cheeks and fond memories of your day's exploration.

Today is a blank canvas to be spent at your discretion.

You may wish to take a break from the car and explore Cape Town, or you can consult with your Shadows of Africa safari expert to arrange optional activities ranging from shark cage diving to Robben Island to hiking to tours of nearby townships.

The self-drive portion of your trip will start today, as you'll hit the open road and drive the scenic Garden Route from Cape Town to Knysna.

Hugging the windswept coast for much of the day, you'll pass by breathtaking cliffs, towering mountains, and through the hot dry of the Karoo before reaching your destination.

Along the way, you'll stop in one of the many private conservancies that lie along the route for your first taste of South African safari.

You'll start your day with an exploration of Knysna and the stunning natural beauty that surrounds it. Set amidst lush forest and on the shores of a gorgeous lagoon, this picturesque town offers a range of activities including tours of nearby towns or hiking in the surrounding wilderness.

Once your exploration is done, you'll continue along the Garden Route for today's destination: Oudtshoorn. 

Home to South Africa's thriving ostrich industry, Oudtshoorn is a charming town that you'll enjoy exploring. Your tour of the town also includes a visit to the famous Cango Caves, offering you plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs and snap some photos.

You'll then head back towards Cape Town, stopping off in Karoo for a wine tasting along the way, for your afternoon flight to Kruger National Park, where you'll be staying at the heart of the action in one of the park's many accommodation options.

You'll have two days to explore the majesty of South Africa's most famous game reserve, as your accommodation includes a variety of activities including morning and afternoon game drives, nature walks, sundowners, and much more.

Home to the famous Big Five as well as a huge variety of other iconic African wildlife, Kruger National Park and its surrounding conservancies remains one of the most popular game-drive destinations on earth,

You'll take a drive along South Africa's other famous scenic route today, as your journey to Johannesburg takes you along the aptly named Panorama Route.

This is a drive you'll not soon forget, as you'll pass soaring waterfalls, towering rock formations, scenic hiking trails, and the verdant beauty of the Blyde River Canyon as you make your way towards Johannesburg.

Truly one of the world's most memorable drives, you'll be wishing you had more time behind the wheel by the time you arrive in Johannesburg!

You'll finish your tour of South Africa with a window into its past and its present. Your Johannesburg city tour includes visits to the haunting Apartheid Museum as well as the nearby township of Soweto, giving you a glimpse into the country's long and ongoing struggle with issues of race.

Once your exploration is complete, you'll be taken to your hotel or to the airport.