Duration(in days): 8
From: Cape Town
To: Cape Town
See more ideas for: South Africa
Explore South Africa with our 8 day self-drive along the Wine Route from Cape Town. Begin your journey of discovery by finding out a little more about South Africa’s recent apartheid history. With 3 nights in the city, you’ll have time to visit the historic apartheid museum or even Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years. To make the most of your time in Cape Town we suggest you take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views over the whole city, then head down to V&A waterfront for dinner or drinks.
From here, drive out into the beautiful winelands which promise rolling vineyards, gourmet food and world-class wines. You have 2 nights in both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek; Stellenbosch provides a funky vibe with its local art shops and student culture and Franschhoek is foodie heaven, and home to some of South Africa’s finest restaurants. With friendly locals and a fascinating culture, enjoy a wonderful snapshot of South Africa in just over a week.
To make the most of your time in Cape Town we suggest you take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views over the whole city, then head down to V&A waterfront for dinner or drinks.
On arrival in Cape Town you’ll be greeted and taken by private transfer to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure for you to explore. Why not take the hop-on hop-off bus and explore the city? The bus stops at Table Mountain, so time your journey right and you could be enjoying spectacular views across the city at sunset.
With 2 more full days to explore Cape Town, you’ll find plenty to entertain. Head over to Robben Island to see the place where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated and learn about South Africa’s recent history at the Apartheid museum. If you’re yearning for some downtime on the beach, be sure to visit Camps Bay; you’ll find great beaches, plenty of restaurants and bars for a quick glass of wine as you look out over the spectacular ocean views.
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel on your second day here, giving you the freedom to explore even further afield if you wish.
After breakfast, you’ll begin your drive from Cape Town into the wine region and the town of Stellenbosch. A student town full of funky art galleries, boutique gift shops and unique restaurants and bars, Stellenbosch is a great place to stroll around and enjoy a spot of lunch. A trip to the winelands of course wouldn’t be complete without some wine tasting, so be sure to book yourself onto a local tour. Speak to your consultant who will be happy to add this in for you.
After 2 nights in Stellenbosch it’s time to move on to your next stop, Franschhoek. This town is known for its fine dining and restaurants that are home to some of the best chefs in South Africa. Be sure to check out ‘Babylonstoren’, a working Cape Dutch farm. Here you can learn about wine and cheese making, stroll through the lush gardens and enjoy a delicious lunch in their greenhouse restaurant.
After breakfast make your way to Cape Town Airport to continue with your onward journey.
The climate is mild year round, however there are ‘seasons’ you may want consider when planning your trip along the Garden Route. They tend to experience rainfall during the winter months (June to August) when it tends to be greener all round. The rains come in with a cooler air, last maybe a day or two and are then usually followed by champagne days’ of crystal clear air, blue skies and brilliant colours!
The summer months (November to February) are usually warm or hot, and during December to January the surf is often at its best due to the south easterly winds.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you