Western Cape self-drive discovery

Today you will be taken on a full day shared tour of the Cape Peninsula's beautifully rugged coastline, passing through pretty towns and villages. You will visit Cape Point which is one of the most iconic spots in South Africa. Here you can take a funicular to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline. You will also see the African penguin colony at Boulders Bay and take a stroll through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to a variety of native flora.

Today you will take the half-day excursion to Robben Island. You will learn about where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and learn the history of the island and of apartheid. The trip departs from the V&A Waterfront and takes about three and a half hours including the ferry ride.

This morning your hire car will be delivered to you at your guesthouse before you drive for around an hour and a half to the town of Franschhoek in the Winelands, passing through a patchwork of vineyards and green countryside. After settling into your accommodation, spend the rest of the day exploring the town with its variety of charming boutique shops. Franschhoek is widely regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa, so we recommend dining in one of its many award-winning restaurants.

Today you will make the most of your location in the Winelands by visiting some of the area's wine estates. You will be on board the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which leaves the town several times a day and runs on a circular route, stopping at various wineries along the way where you can hop on and hop off. A portion of your route involves being transported on the tram which is open-sided so you can enjoy views over the countryside. Many wineries can prepare a picnic for you to enjoy in their vineyards if booked in advance.

We can arrange for you to have a private guided wine tour of the area. One of the best is led by Pietman Retief, who can tailor the tour to your interests, bringing in his knowledge of history, culture and architecture as well as wine. You visit various wine estates to sample local wines, and can even take a bottle home with you at the end of the tour. Alternatively, you may wish to drive to other nearby wine towns, such as Stellenbosch (the second-oldest town in South Africa) or Paarl, which is set at the foot of dramatic granite domes.

Leaving Franschhoek behind, drive for around an hour and a half through the Winelands to the town of Tulbagh. Situated in the Land van Waveren mountain basin, the town is surrounded by towering mountain peaks. Your accommodation is a Victorian farmhouse set within the private Bartholomeus Klip Nature Reserve, and you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in your beautiful surroundings while looking out for passing wildlife. If you fancy a bit more activity, you could try your hand at archery or go for a peaceful walk through the fields.

Today can be spent exploring the reserve, home to around 40 mammal species including the rare Cape zebra, herds of eland, springbok and black wildebeest, baboons, bat-eared foxes and ostriches. The lake also attracts birdlife such as fish eagles, kingfishers and occasional pelicans. You can head out on guided game drives to see some of the wildlife, with the sunset drive being particularly atmospheric.

Another day to enjoy in and around the reserve. You could try to tick more wildlife species off your list, or choose from some of the other activities on offer here, including swimming, canoeing and fishing on the lake, mountain biking and walking. If you're visiting in the spring (August to October) you may be able to admire carpets of wildflowers, which bloom following the spring rain showers, transforming the landscape.

Leaving Tulbagh behind you, drive for around two hours to the quaint fishing village of Paternoster on the coast. The whitewashed buildings and brightly painted fishing boats lining the shore add to the laid-back atmosphere here, and after checking in to your accommodation you can relax before heading out to explore. Stroll along the sandy beach and dine on fresh seafood in one of the restaurants that face the ocean.

Spend a relaxing day in Paternoster and the surrounding area. Make the most of your coastal location by taking beach strolls and exploring the coves and bays of Cape Columbine Nature Reserve just outside the village. Horse rides along the beach, kayaking and deep-sea fishing are also options. Around half an hour's drive from Paternoster is the West Coast Fossil Park, where you can see fossils of sabre-tooth cats, bears and short-necked giraffe dating to millions of years ago.

Today you could take a trip to Langebaan Lagoon — around half an hour's drive south of Paternoster — which is a haven for birdlife such as flamingos and African black oystercatchers. The town has plenty of shops and cafés where you can enjoy some lunch. A little further south is the West Coast National Park, which is also an ideal spot for nature lovers, providing a habitat for over 350 bird species and a variety of plant life — you can cycle or hike along the paths to see what you can find.

You depart Paternoster today and drive for around two hours back to Cape Town. Drop off your car at the airport's car depot before boarding your onward flight.