There’s no feeling quite like getting behind the wheel in a foreign country, with nothing but a road map, some snacks and a thirst for adventure. And with its good open roads and spectacular scenery, South Africa is one place that’s best discovered on a leisurely, tailormade self-drive.
The Garden Route is a dream drive – behind the wheel on a bespoke Hayes and Jarvis trip, you’ll be seduced by this stretch of Western Cape coastline with its distinctive topography, fairytale forests and pounding seas. The distances aren’t that great, but the key is to go slow and relax into the pretty towns, wild reserves and white-sand beaches along the way.
Begin your journey by partaking in a meet-and-greet with the Big Five: leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Amid the pristine parklands of the Shamwari Game Reserve you can see them all – a great introduction to the Garden Route. For an extreme animal close-up, head for Knysna Elephant Park, which offers a rare and exciting opportunity to help feed these magnificent mammals, and learn about the vast herds that once roamed here.
Want more wildlife? Head for Oudtshoorn, home to more than 400 ostrich farms, such as Highgate Ostrich Show Farm. This part-desert, part-cape landscape is all about close encounters with the world’s biggest bird, as well as white Bengal tigers and Nile crocs. For even more avifauna, try the Birds of Eden Aviary, where you can make more than 3,500 feathered friends.
Swap feathers for fins, in the town of Hermanus, on the edge of Walker Bay – deemed one of the best whale-watching spots in the world. From June to December, keep a look out from the clifftops for the numerous southern right whales that swim within metres of the shore. These endangered cetaceans are known for their mournful songs and playful nature, and you can watch them breaching, spouting and lob-tailing without even having to leave dry land.
The Garden Route isn’t all about wildlife, however; check out the towns en route too. Stop off at Mossel Bay, a picturesque seaside settlement with a mild climate, overlooking a sparkling azure bay that’s famed for its mussels and oysters. If it’s beaches you’re after, try Plettenberg Bay, which boasts miles of golden sands and surf breaks.
Our South Africa experts also recommend the Tsitsikamma Forest, an enchanting fairyland of giant trees, dramatic mountains and charming valleys. This is hikers’ heaven, offering everything from casual day strolls to overnight treks. Try the five-day Otter Trail, which tests your abilities over coastal cliffs, lush hills, deep rivers and lofty mountains.
The beauty of self-driving in South Africa is that whatever your interest – whether it’s wildlife, landscapes or adventure – you can tailormake your own itinerary to your own tastes and then take to the open road…
Insider secret
“Although there are many scheduled touring options in South Africa, we feel a self-drive is a great way to really get under the skin of the place, with less pressure on you to conform to group schedules... and they drive on the left!” Harriet Spicer, Travel Designer
Practical information
WHEN TO GO: The Cape and the Garden Route have a Mediterranean climate. Summers (November to March) are warm and dry (24-27°C); winters (June to August) are mild and moist (7-18°C).
VISAS: Not required by UK nationals.
FLIGHT TIME: Around 11.5 hours from London to Johannesburg, or 12 hours to Cape Town
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2
MONEY: South African rand (ZAR), currently around 17.5ZAR to the UK£.
Speak to the expert
Take the ‘Garden Route and Eastern Cape Safari’ to go wildlife-spotting in Hermanus, Klein Karoo and Knysna, discover the hustle and bustle of Cape Town, and cruise along the scenic Garden Route. To fi nd out more about this 12-day tour (for £1,349pp in May 2015), please give us a call on 01293 738041 to speak to our South Africa experts, or visit: www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk/discover
