Day 1London
Fly overnight to Cape Town.
On arrival you will be met by our representatives and given a welcome pack and information for your itinerary including driving directions for the self-drive portion later on in your trip.
You will be driven to the city's V&A Waterfront to Cape Grace where you will stay for three nights and can settle in here and explore the area for the rest of the day.
At leisure in Cape Town, choosing from excursions and sightseeing options depending on your interests.
Today you can do as much or as little as you choose, perhaps taking a half day trip to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, or Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during apartheid.
You will be picked up this morning and driven to the airport for your flight to George, your starting point for the Garden Route. Here you will pick up your hire car, and drive to Plettenberg Bay, a really pretty drive. Settle into your suite at Emily Moon River Lodge and perhaps enjoy a paddle by canoe along the Bitou River.
Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area has plenty to offer in terms of activities. Some of our favourites include the boat trip on Knysna Lagoon to the Knysna Heads, and the Ocean Safari from Plettenberg Bay, where you search for seals, dolphins and whales (in season).
The Tsitsikamma Forest is within easy reach of Plettenberg Bay and offers something entirely different - lush forest, waterfalls and mountain streams. Explore on one of the numerous walking trails, perhaps walking across the Storms River Mouth suspension bridge.
After breakfast you will set off for your safari reserve - Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. You can stop on the way to enjoy lunch, and settle into your suite at Great Fish River Lodge, before going out on an afternoon game-drive to enjoy your first taste of safari.
On safari from Great Fish River Lodge, searching for the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) as well as other wildlife including zebra, giraffe, kudu, warthog and some wonderful bird species.
Activities at Great Fish River Lodge include game-drives in open sided vehicles and guided walking safaris. Both will offer a different perspective on the wildlife in the reserve and the guides are highly knowledgeable.
Depart this morning for Port Elizabeth, where you will drop off your car and fly up to Johannesburg. From here, fly back to London Heathrow overnight.
Day 12London
Arrive this morning in the UK.