Country
Duration
8 days
Style
Highlights
Cape Town
Hermanus
Franschhoek
+2 destinations
South Africa – 8-day Cape & Garden Route Classic – Tailored Self-drive
From $1,205
Includes
Excludes
Itinerary
Cape Town, South Africa
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Kensington Place
Day 1 - 3
Kensington Palace is located in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Higgovale and is situated below Table Mountain. The hotel offers eight spacious suites that feature Wi-Fi access, a television and private outdoor terrace that overlooks the city and its harbour. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at the onsite restaurant as well as unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar. The hotel also offers a lush quiet garden and an intimate outdoor swimming pool.
Day 1
Day Notes:
Upon arrival in Cape Town, collect your rental car at the airport and head to your hotel to kick off your first night in this vibrant city. If you find yourself with some extra time, seize the opportunity to explore the city at your own pace with your rental car or consider adding a city tour to your itinerary for a guided adventure.
Driving time: ~30 minutes
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Rental car pick-up
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Self Drive from Cape Town International Airport [CPT] to Kensington Place
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Check-in to Kensington Place
Day 2
Day Notes:
Discover the Cape Peninsula at your own pace with the flexibility of a self-driven excursion, or add a guided tour to your itinerary. Journey along the picturesque Chapman's Peak Drive, reaching the iconic Cape of Good Hope. On your way back towards the city, make a worthwhile stop in Simon's Town to observe the charming penguins. A visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is recommended for those with a penchant for botanical beauty.
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Cape Peninsula
Hermanus, South Africa
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Abalone Guest Lodge
Day 3 - 4
Abalone Guest Lodge, located at Sievers Point in Hermanus, offers a unique blend of luxury and artistic charm. Nestled between the town center and Blue Flag beaches, it provides direct access to the scenic Cliff Path, renowned for whale watching. The lodge features en-suite rooms with amenities such as air-conditioning, Nespresso coffee makers, and TVs. Guests can relax in the sauna or take a dip in the swimming pool. Additional facilities include a treatment room, gym, and Wi-Fi access throughout the property.
Day 3
Day Notes:
After breakfast, leave Cape Town and make your way to the charming seaside town of Hermanus, known as one of the best whale-watching places in the world. From here, you can even watch whales from shore. Whale season is typically from June - November. But also outside of whale season, Hermanus has a lot to offer, with its stunning scenery, which can be taken in on beautiful coastal walks; its rich history, and vibrant culture.
Driving time: ~2 hours
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Check-out from Kensington Place
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Self Drive from Kensington Place to Abalone Guest Lodge
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Check-in to Abalone Guest Lodge
Franschhoek, South Africa
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La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection
Day 4 - 5
Indulge in luxury at La Fontaine, our exquisite boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Franschhoek. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, rolling hills and vineyards and just a short drive from Cape Town, you’ll be able to escape to this peaceful haven and enjoy unparalleled access to Franschhoek’s celebrated culinary scene. Immerse yourself in the comfort of La Fontaine, where every moment is truly a treat. And with our fleet of tour vehicles on hand, you can easily see the best of the region.
Day 4
Day Notes:
After breakfast, leave Hermanus and make your way to the stunningly beautiful landscapes of the Cape Winelands. Check-in at La Fontaine Boutique Hotel and then head out for a wine tasting. Consider joining a tour aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Driving time: ~1 1/2 hours
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Check-out from Abalone Guest Lodge
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Self Drive from Abalone Guest Lodge to La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection
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Check-in to La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection
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Franschhoek Wine Tram
Oudtshoorn, South Africa
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De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve
Day 5 - 6
Only 7km outside Oudtshoorn, in the Garden Route, surrounded by the famous Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, is one of the world’s 17 "hot spots" with 3 overlapping flower zones. This owner managed, 2000 hectare working lusern farm, is malaria free and child friendly.
De Zeekoe offers a unique in the world opportunity to walk with Wild Meerkats (Five shy Meerkats) and to be part of the shy 5 experience!
Day 5
Day Notes:
Plan for an early departure from Franschhoek for the scenic drive along Route 62 through the Little Karoo. Your destination today is Oudtshoorn, which is known for its ostrich farms and the famous Cango Caves. If you arrive early enough, you can still visit both this afternoon, if not, you can visit one in the morning before making your way to Knysna.
Driving time: ~5 hours
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Check-out from La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection
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Self Drive from La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection to De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve
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Check-in to De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve
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Cango Caves
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Ostrich Show Farms
Knysna, South Africa
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Elephant Hide of Knysna
Day 6 - 8
Nestled in the scenic Garden Route of South Africa, the Elephant Hide of Knysna offers an exquisite retreat with nine luxury African-themed suites, each designed for comfort and indulgence. Guests can expect stunning lagoon views, surrounded by lush Knysna forests and beautiful beaches. The lodge features a family-friendly atmosphere, ideal for creating lasting memories, along with a delicious African-themed menu that showcases traditional dishes inspired by the continent’s rich culinary heritage. With personalized hospitality and exceptional service provided by the owner-managed establishment, each guest feels warmly welcomed and well cared for, ensuring that their stay is as memorable as the breathtaking aesthetics and relaxing immersion offered by the private suites.
Day 6
Day Notes:
Before you depart for Knysna, it is highly recommended that you join the 'Into the Wild' tour from De Zeekoe to encounter their little Meerkat colony (can be prebooked through us, but must be paid directly). Drive through George, Wilderness and Sedgefield on your way to Knysna.
Driving time: ~2 hours
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Five Shy Meerkats Meerkat Tours
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Check-out from De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve
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Self Drive from De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve to Elephant Hide of Knysna
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Check-in to Elephant Hide of Knysna
Day 7
Day Notes:
There is so much to see and do in the areas surrounding Knysna! Relax on one of the Garden Route's unspoiled beaches, visit the Featherbed nature reserve, or take a drive to Tsitsikamma, home of some of the most beautiful hikes and ocean views in South Africa.
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Tsitsikamma National Park
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Featherbed Nature Reserve
Day 8
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Check-out from Elephant Hide of Knysna
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Self Drive from Elephant Hide of Knysna to George Airport [GRJ]
End of Itinerary
Destinations
Cape Town
Hermanus
Franschhoek
Oudtshoorn
Knysna
Accommodations
Kensington Place
Abalone Guest Lodge
La Fontaine Boutique Hotel by The Oyster Collection
De Zeekoe Guest Farm & Reserve
Elephant Hide of Knysna
6 January - 30 April & September 2026
- Per person sharing: ZAR 22,715
- Single traveller: ZAR 37,395
- Solo traveller: ZAR 39,945
May - August 2026
- Per person sharing: ZAR 20,390
- Single traveller: ZAR 32,165
- Solo traveller: ZAR 34,915
1 October - 24 December 2026
- Per person sharing: ZAR 23,580
- Single traveller: ZAR 38,840
- Solo traveller: ZAR 41,590
25 December 2026 - 5 January 2027
- Per person sharing: ZAR 24,305
- Single traveller: ZAR 40,085
- Solo traveller: ZAR 42,835
SOUTH AFRICA – SABI SAND SAFARI & GARDEN ROUTE SELF-DRIVE ADVENTURE
My husband and I travelled to South Africa recently and was looking for someone with hands on experience to help with organising/booking our trip. We came across Indigo Safaris and specifically dealt with Ines who was amazing. They run a very professional efficient business, replying within 24 hrs (even though we are in Australia and they Seychelles). All our bookings etc were fantastic and very much to our liking everything ran very smoothly and would not hesitate in using Indigo Safaris (Ines) again and highly recommend anyone else to use them.
South Africa: 19-day Cape Town, Garden Route & Madikwe Safari
This was my second trip through Indigo Safaris, after Papua New Guinea in August. It came about at the last minute as the coup in Madagascar cancelled a trip booked previously through another company. Christopher spring into action and put together a wonderful itinerary for a trip combining a self-drive along the Garden Route that was so much easier than I thought it would be, tours around Cape Town, and a safari to Madikwe before returning to the Cape.
The accommodations were excellent, and that was before we got an upgrade in Cape Town, the scenery so varied, and the wildlife stunning. I'm looking forward to seeing what can be put together for our next trip with more than one week's notice!
South Africa: Garden Route and Karoo Self-Drive
Totally awesome ! We had the best time and saw lots of birds, beautiful landscapes and we were very happy with the boutique hotels. driving was easy and fun, Klein Karoo and the meerkats were superb.
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A truly unforgettable trip. All due to the organisation by Indigo safari. Thank you we will be using them again.
Namibia Etosha Safari Self-Drive
We used Indigo Safaris to book a self-drive safari in Namibia. Michelle was incredibly efficient and responded quickly finding accommodation and supporting with our agenda. Nothing was too much trouble and the organisation was excellent. Everything went smoothly and we had a great time. The value for money was excellent and it took the stress out of our holiday. I'd highly recommend!
South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal Safari
There are only positive things to say about our trip to Rhino lodge and St Lucia: the accommodation was top quality, great food, a very well organised trip and the staff were very helpful.
We saw rhinos, some lions, wild dogs, plenty of different antelope. Plus giraffes, which we got to walk amongst in the veld.
Overall, it was a very special experience for my companions and myself.
Samantha Scott Classic Namibia Adventure – Private Self-drive
Our holiday was phenomenal and Michele was fabulous. Her attention to detail, responsiveness and understanding of what we wanted from the trip was fantastic, helping us with additional suggestions and ideas to make things even better.
Unfortunately we needed to postpone our holiday due to a family bereavement and she was so accommodating and adaptable with the changes, making sure every detail was perfect. We also experienced some initial difficulties when we arrived (nothing to do with Indigo Safaris?) and Michele was able to support us with some additional changes that needed to be made.
If you'd like a stress-free, amazing travel experience then Indigo Safaris is your place!
Linda Kvilten 4 x 4
Makes everything for you to get the best out of your adventure!
I went on a 4 day Soussusvlei and Swakopmund tour and it was absolutely amazing. The contact with Indigo Safaris, in my case Michele, was excellent and she did absolutely everything to make the trip as memorable as I wished for.
When in Swakopmund I suggest you do the 4X4 wheel on the sand dunes in Sandwich Harbour which is the Namibia you´ve probably seen on pictures, where the dunes meets the ocean. Don´t miss this!
Travelling from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei was an adventure itself with the changing landscape along the road.
Also the guide we had, Kennedy, was great and a very good and safe driver.
I definitely recommend this tour and Indigo Safaris!
Karen Head Namibia
High-quality service and excellent experience!
We used Indigo Safaris to book a self-drive safari in Namibia. Michelle was incredibly efficient and responded quickly finding accommodation and supporting with our agenda. Nothing was too much trouble and the organisation was excellent. Everything went smoothly and we had a great time. The value for money was excellent and it took the stress out of our holiday. I'd highly recommend!
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