Cape Genet Self-drive Safari: Summary
Cape Genet Self-drive Safari in a nutshell
Discover the Cape’s stunning coastline with this relaxed self-driven safari. The route encompasses a variety of landscapes and a range of comfortable, differently styled guest houses and estates. Through these stays, explore contrasting environments and enjoy the broad scope of activities on offer.
Beginning in the vibrant Cape Town, the drive starts with the chance to explore this beautiful city’s shops and restaurants. A few hour’s drive south takes you to the world’s prime whale-watching destination, where a stay in Hermanus between August and November may lead to superb sightings.
From Hermanus’s ocean-fronts and lagoons to De Hoop’s Nature Reserve, swap water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing and shark-cage diving for nature and marine walks around the reserve’s beaches, sand dunes and bush. Here you will find a good smattering of wildlife alongside plentiful birdlife.
Secluded country estates then lead to charming guesthouses, first between the popular towns of Knynsa and Plettenberg Bay and then at the heart of Klein Karoo. The penultimate stay offers indulgence in the Winelands before the trip concludes amidst the heathlands of Namaqualand, where colour bursts into life during the famous flower season (late August to early September).
At a glance
| Starts: | Cape Town International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 nights | Victoria & Alfred Hotel - Cape Town, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Ocean Eleven - Hermanus, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | The Opstal - De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa | Room Only |
| 3 nights | Hunters Country House - Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Mooiplaas Guesthouse - Little Karoo, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Galenia Estate - Little Karoo, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 3 nights | Oude Werf - Winelands, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 nights | Farmhouse Hotel - Namaqualand, South Africa | Bed & Breakfast |
| Ends: | Cape Town International Airport |
Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
Ocean Eleven
Hermanus, South Africa
The Opstal
De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Hunters Country House
Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route, South Africa
Mooiplaas Guesthouse
Little Karoo, South Africa
Galenia Estate
Little Karoo, South Africa
Oude Werf
Winelands, South Africa
Farmhouse Hotel
Namaqualand, South Africa
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Cape Genet Self-drive Safari.
- Whale-watching on a boat trip at Hermanus
- Exploring Cape Town’s cosmopolitan waterfront
- Mountain biking around De Hoop’s Nature Reserve
- Relaxing with a massage to stunning views
- Witnessing the Namaqualand flower season (Aug–Sep)
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Cape Genet Self-drive Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Horse-riding
Hot air ballooning
Kayaking
Microlight
Mountain biking
Quad-biking
Scuba-diving
Self-guided walking
Snorkelling
Watersports
Key species to see on the Cape Genet Self-drive Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Cape Genet Self-drive Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
60% chance
0% chance
Side-trips whilst on this trip
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Cape Genet Self-drive Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.
Winelands Private Tour
Full day
Spend a day exploring the beautiful vineyards, mountains and valleys of the Cape Winelands and sample some of the well-known wines they have to offer
More about Winelands Private Tour
Cape Point and Peninsula Tour
Full day - normally nine hours
Get your camera ready for one of South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal drives in the company of an informative guide. Take in magnificent beaches, stunning scenery, wildlife on land and at sea, and the meeting of two great oceans, then round off your day in the tranquillity of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
More about Cape Point and Peninsula
City and Table Mountain Tour
Approximately four hours - AM or PM
From atop the iconic Table Mountain, the panoramic views of Cape Town can be breathtaking – and if the cable car isn’t operating, they’re just as good from nearby Signal Hill. Back at sea level, explore the highlights of this fascinating and pretty city, including the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the Houses of Parliament.
More about City and Table Mountain
Whale watching boat trip
Approximately five hours
Setting out by boat, you’ll head into the marine protected waters of Walker Bay for an exhilarating morning of whale-watching. Here you hopefully get up close and personal to the mighty southern right whale, as well as perhaps, humpbacks and the shy Brydes whale.
More about Whale watching boat tripPlan and book your trip with Expert Africa
All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us plan and arrange your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call or email us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
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When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
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