South Africa

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Mellow Cape

This popular and leisurely self drive tour, using Premier accommodation, begins with Cape Town and meanders through the Winelands and the whale country around Hermanus before continuing via the scenic Route 62, a region of rolling countryside, fruit farms and country villages, to the Little Karoo. It continues with several days enjoying the varied delights of the Garden Route before ending in Port Elizabeth. It is very easy to add on some time on safari afterwards at one of the Eastern Cape private game reserves or in Addo Elephant National Park, both malaria-free. Uses mainly intimate country lodges of a premier standard.

Meals Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation Mix of Premier and Luxury
Departure Dates On request
Transport Group B rental car with unlimited kilometres. Upgrades to larger vehicles easily arranged.
Price Includes Meals and accommodation as shown in text, Group B car rental
Price Excludes International flights, visas, items of a personal nature, meals not specified
Minimum Number 2
Climate Mediterranean in the Cape (winter rains, hot dry summers), summer showers on Garden Route
Best time to go All year round but especially October/November through to May
Health Requirements None - sunblock essential
Combines well with Eastern Cape Safari or Coast and Karoo self-drive

Day 1 - Arrive in Cape Town for 3 nights
On arrival at Cape Town Airport you collect your rental car and drive to Les Cascades de Bantry Bay 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.

Les Cascades is an elegant lodge perched on the hillside below Lion's Head. The immediate area is reminiscent of the Italian Riviera - with glamorous houses cascading down to the Atlantic Ocean. Sweeping sea views, on several levels, set the scene at Les Cascades. The luxurious Main Lodge offers deluxe rooms and superior suites. The more modest Villa below has a further four rooms. All rooms incorporate elements of contemporary art, latticed shutters covering large windows, sea views and private balconies. Each building has its own sitting/dining area, terrace for alfresco dining and swimming pool. Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Cascades de Bantry Bay

Day 4 - 2 nights Paarl, Cape Winelands
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.

Spend two nights at Roggeland Country House surrounded by vineyards. Roggeland is one of our favourites, a restored Cape Dutch homestead in a tranquil setting. It has the architectural character and the warm ambience of a small country hotel, with strong emphasis placed on their acclaimed regional cuisine accompanied by carefully selected Cape wines. Each of the spacious en suite rooms has its own unique character - the "Melkkamer", for example, has a doorway paved with worn cobblestones and retains an old slatted outer door. All have handmade linen and duck down duvets, fresh flowers, polished wooden floors, reed ceilings and deep casement windows with wooden shutters.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Roggeland Country House

Day 6 - 2 nights Hermanus area
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).

Blue Gum lies in a picturesque valley close to Stanford and Hermanus. Here you can relax amid the tranquillity of the 130-acre estate, explore the private mountain reserve or stroll through the vineyards. A game of tennis or a refreshing swim in the pool are attractive alternatives. Five mountain-facing suites, decorated in English country style, have a fireplace and private patio whereas five Manor House suites, decorated in Colonial African style, have private verandas overlooking the valley. The lodge has a lounge, library and veranda and great emphasis placed on the fresh, imaginative cuisine.
Bed & Breakfast. Accommodation: Blue Gum Country Estate

Day 8 - 2 nights Little Karoo
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. Bed & Breakfast Accommodation: La Plume Guest House

Day 10 - 3 nights Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Head to the Garden Route for a three night stay. Plettenberg Bay is a resort town with a stunning location overlooking the beautiful Walker Bay. It is still known for its superb beaches, watersports and also Robberg Nature Reserve on the peninsula. (Approx drive time: 2 hours, 150km)
Emily Moon is a tranquil haven with glorious sweeping views of the river and vlei. The eight chalets are stylishly decorated with interesting African furniture and artefacts and clean simple lines. Each has a sitting area with fireplace, TV, telephone, minibar, ceiling fan and a private wooden deck overlooking the river. Facilities include a swimming pool, canoes for paddling on the river, an acclaimed vibrant restaurant and bar. Aromatherapy massages can be arranged in your room. Only 5 minutes drive to the restaurants and beaches of Plett.
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation: Emily Moon River Lodge

Day 13 1 night Port Elizabeth
Travel through the Tsitsikmma region to Port Elizabeth.
La Provence is a classic mediterranean villa about 15 minutes from the city centre in a lovely country setting. All six well-appointed rooms are en suite and a welcoming pool and tennis court is on offer in the large flowing gardens. As well as visiting the nearby secluded Sardinia Bay beach and the Oceanarium, you might like to take in the Cape Recife nature reserve at the headland, a good place for nature walks, birding and beach-combing. (Approx drive time: 2½ to 3 hours, 230km)
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation: La Provence

Day 14 Return rental car to Port Elizabeth
Today you have the whole day to explore Port Elizabeth before you drop off your rental car at Port Elizabeth Airport in time for your onward flight.

Price per person sharing: 01 Nov 2008 - 30 Apr 2009 = US$1803.00, 01 May 2009 - 31 Aug 2009 = US$1381.00, 01 Sep 2009 - 31 Oct 2009 = US$1934.00