Route 62 Gourmet Self-Drive

Cross the Cape from coast to coast on an indulgent two-week road trip that takes in the cosmopolitan foodie delights of Cape Town, the celebrated wine region’s headline acts and lesser-known gems along Route 62, and a host of other gourmet experiences from oyster lunches by the sea to high tea and sundowners in a private game reserve.

Itinerary, Self-drive
14 nights
Self-Drive

£6,195 - £6,825pp including international flights

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Arrival in Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town, you’ll collect your hire car and make the 40-minute journey – straightfo...

Day 2

Cape Town

Cape Town’s vibrant mix of cultures, a legacy of its position on what was once a major trade rout...

Day 3

Cape Town

After breakfast, al fresco overlooking the sea, you have another day to discover more of Cape Tow...

Day 4

Cape Town & Franschhoek

Today you’ll leave Cape Town and head inland to Franschhoek, a drive of just over 1-hour. This hi...

Day 5

Franschhoek

Make the most of your second day in Franschhoek with some leisurely exploration. The French Prote...

Day 6

Franschhoek & Robertson

It’s time to take to the road again for a relaxed 90-minute journey to your next destination, Rob...

Day 7

Robertson & Oudsthoorn

After a farm-fresh breakfast, set off on the longest drive of your trip so far: 3.5-hours eastwar...

Day 8

Oudsthoorn

Today, you’ll be glad to have your own car to take you into the heart of Oudtshoorn’s super-sceni...

Day 9

Oudsthoorn & Plettenberg Bay

Swap the semi-arid Klein Karoo for the sea as you make your way to Plettenberg Bay this morning. ...

Day 10

Plettenberg Bay

Your first full day in Plettenberg Bay is the perfect occasion to explore the area’s natural beau...

Day 11

Plettenberg Bay

There’s more to Plettenberg Bay than its beaches, wildlife and landscapes. Plett is also the smal...

Day 12

Plettenberg Bay & Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Leaving Plettenberg Bay behind this morning, you’ll make the 3.5-hour drive to Shamwari Private G...

Day 13

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Brace yourself for an early start, made easier by a wake-up call and freshly brewed coffee. Your ...

Day 14

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

You’ll have more opportunities to spot everything from lions, leopards and cheetahs to secretary ...

Day 15

Eastern Cape Game Reserve & Departure

After breakfast, make the one-hour drive to Port Elizabeth International Airport where you’ll ret...

Day 1

Arrival in Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town, you’ll collect your hire car and make the 40-minute journey – straightforward thanks to the fact they drive on the left here, too – to your accommodation for the next three nights. With the hotel perfectly located at the foot of iconic Table Mountain, you could follow the trail from the gardens into the National Park for a post-flight leg stretch complete with ocean views and exotic indigenous plants. Or you could take advantage of the hotel shuttle to spend your afternoon exploring the V&A Waterfront with its cafés and shops, rounding it off with an optional sunset cruise on a vintage sailboat. Overnight at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa.

Day 2

Cape Town

Cape Town’s vibrant mix of cultures, a legacy of its position on what was once a major trade route, has left its mark on everything from its buildings to its culinary scene. Spend your first full day exploring this laidback coastal city however you choose, whether that means diving into microbreweries and foodie markets, checking out the local galleries and museums, or learning some recent history on a boat trip to the infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was a prisoner. End the day, perhaps, with superb seafood – fine dining-style or fresh from the braai – in one of your hotel’s highly rated restaurants. Overnight at The Twelve Apostles & Spa.

Sidecar tour of the city

Cape Town

Experience a tour of Cape Town like no other – in the sidecar of a decommissioned military bike. Strap in for a ride along the wondrous landscape of the Chapman's Peak Drive via the Atlantic Seaboard, where you'll pass by the scenic sights of Camps Bay, Hout Bay and the Constantia winelands in this unique adventure. Suitable for all ages, there are also longer sidecar tours available with the option to tailor-make your own two, four or eight-hour routes.

My Cape Town City Tour

Cape Town

Discover Cape Town on this day trip, where you’ll experience everything from Table Mountain to Bo-Kaap street food and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The day starts with a cable car ride up Table Mountain where you’ll enjoy views over the city to the coastline and Robben Island. Your guide will point out the mountain’s exotic fynbos and wildlife such as the rock hyrax. After taking the cable car back down, the tour continues in Bo-Kaap, which was originally home to slaves from Malaysia and Indonesia who were brought over by the Dutch in the 1760s. The area is famous for its colourful houses and offers a mix of history, culture, music and flavour. Taste some samosas and vetkoek, a type of doughy bread that can be filled with jam, cheese or curry. From here, you’ll visit the nearby Company Gardens, where many of the Cape Malay people worked, supplying Dutch ships with fresh fruit and vegetables. Next, you’ll be driven to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which has thousands of species of plants and trees set over 528 hectares. There are themed areas to explore, such as a fragrance garden and greenhouses, canopy walkways and lawns where summer concerts are held. Then you have a choice of two options for the remainder of the day, visiting either the Groot Constantia winelands or Kalk Bay. Groot Constantia is the oldest wine farm in South Africa. Here you’ll enjoy a three-course lunch and wine tasting session at Simon’s Restaurant, in the stunning vineyard. Alternatively, you can go to Kalk Bay for lunch at Harbour House, which overlooks the ocean and is known for its fresh seafood. Boulders Beach lies Just 20 minutes from Kalk Bay, where you’ll finish the tour by observing a colony of cute African penguins.

Day 3

Cape Town

After breakfast, al fresco overlooking the sea, you have another day to discover more of Cape Town’s natural and manmade delights. With your own set of wheels, you could go in search of the perfect beach for swimming, surfing or African penguin-spotting, explore the rugged scenery of the Cape Peninsula or head to one of the city’s oldest and classiest suburbs, Constantia, for your first winery visit. Keen photographers will also find plenty to capture closer to home, from the pastel-painted houses of Bo-Kaap on the slopes of Signal Hill to the panoramic vistas from the top of Table Mountain, reached by a five-minute cable-car ride. Overnight at The Twelve Apostles & Spa.

My Cape Peninsula Tour

Cape Town

Discover the Cape Peninsula on this private scenic day trip, at your own pace, which includes the option of vineyard lunches, penguin encounters and kayaking with seals. The tour starts with a 30-minute scenic drive down the peninsula to Cape Point, one of the southern-most points in Africa. You can either walk from here or take the Flying Dutchman funicular railway to the Cape Point Lighthouse for the best views over the coast. For the second portion of the tour you have three options. The first is to stop at Boulders Beach, which is a breeding site for African penguins, followed by lunch at Cape Point Vineyard, a mountainside estate with views over Noordhoek Beach. Alternatively, you can visit Hout Bay, where you’ll take a short boat trip to Seal Island which is home to a colony of Cape fur seals. You’ll have time to observe the seals from the boat before heading back to Hout Bay for a seafood lunch. The last option is perfect for adventurous travellers as it involves a kayaking trip from Simon’s Town, to view the penguins. Whichever tour you choose, you’ll make your way back to Cape Town in the afternoon via Chapman’s Peak Drive. This spectacular curvy road twists alongside the ocean and the 12 Apostles Mountain Range. You’ll drive by the popular sandy beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton before being dropped at your hotel in Cape Town. This tour is a great way to get out of the city for a day and explore the Cape’s incredible nature, wildlife and scenery.

Day 4

Cape Town & Franschhoek

Today you’ll leave Cape Town and head inland to Franschhoek, a drive of just over 1-hour. This historic town is the gourmet capital of South Africa and offers centuries-old vineyards and fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. You can get an overview of the landscape from the trails of Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve and of the history at the Huguenot Memorial Museum, but the main act is definitely the superb culinary scene. Indulge your senses with multi-course tasting menus complete with wine pairings at a highly regarded local restaurant – there’s no shortage to choose from – or dine à la carte if you’d prefer. Overnight at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa.

Day 5

Franschhoek

Make the most of your second day in Franschhoek with some leisurely exploration. The French Protestant refugees who arrived here in the late 17th century brought the secrets of viticulture with them, and many of the farms they established are now celebrated wineries that welcome visitors. Whichever you choose to stop at, you’ll have an experience to remember, with tastings and cellar tours complemented by all manner of other attractions, from shady gardens to an artistic pig. If you’re planning to stop at several wine estates and would rather not drive, there are alternatives to a taxi, such as a relaxed guided bike tour or a vintage-style tram that will take you to several different estates. Overnight at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa.

Wine Tram - Hop on & off and Curated Wine Experience

Franschhoek

Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of the Franschhoek Valley on the elegant Wine Tram. On rails where trains once carried farm produce to market, reproduction double-decker trams based on a 1920s design from Blackpool now carry passengers through lush vineyards against a backdrop of mountains to long-celebrated wine estates. The Hop-on Hop-off Experience gives you a choice of eight lines served by tram and open-air tram-bus, which open at 9.30am or 10.00am, each connecting eight estates. Once you’ve picked your line, the next decision is which and how many estates to stop at: visitors say four is the ideal number. Within the limits of the timetable, you’re free to stay for as long as you like at each one, enjoying everything from wine tastings and cellar tours to art galleries and family-friendly gardens, depending on the particular stop, not forgetting a long lunch at one of the many fabulous restaurants. For those looking for a more structured day, the Curated Wine Experience is a grown-ups-only treat for the senses. Starting at 10.30am, your gourmet adventure includes visits to three world-renowned estates accompanied by a specialist wine guide and a three-course lunch at a top restaurant. Along the way, you’ll enjoy premium tastings and pairings, a cellar tour and an enjoyably informative stroll among the vines and end the day (at around 5pm) with a far better understanding of Franschhoek’s wine culture.

Day 6

Franschhoek & Robertson

It’s time to take to the road again for a relaxed 90-minute journey to your next destination, Robertson, pausing at manmade lakes and natural beauty spots along the way. This quaint little country town on South Africa’s famous wine route, Route 62, may often be overshadowed by more headline-grabbing Cape Winelands, but it’s no less appealing for being a little under the radar. Just before arriving in town, it’s well worth visiting the Graham Beck vineyard, home to some of South Africa’s best-known sparkling wines. Robertson is a place for strolling - along the banks of the Breede River and down streets lined with ornate Victorian houses and purple-flowered jacaranda trees - before returning to your hotel for delectable farm-to-fork cuisine. Overnight at The Robertson Small Hotel.

Day 7

Robertson & Oudsthoorn

After a farm-fresh breakfast, set off on the longest drive of your trip so far: 3.5-hours eastward along Route 62 to Oudtshoorn. This charming rural town in the Klein Karoo grew rich on the profits of ostrich farming in the 19th century, and it’s still known as ‘the ostrich capital of the world’. You can encounter the giant birds at several local farms that offer tours, or you may prefer to drop in at a boutique olive estate for a tasting with a difference. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, a refreshing dip at a beautiful local waterfall or in the hotel pool is almost certain to be on the cards. Overnight at Rosenhof Country House.

The magic of the night sky in Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn

The Little Karoo, or Klein Karoo, is one of the best places in the world for stargazing due to its huge panoramic landscapes and very low light pollution with just a few small towns. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year – clouds are rare so the night skies are exceptionally clear. The experience is described as ‘Exploring the High Five’ - the stars, galaxies, globular clusters such as Omega Centauri, planets, and constellations including the Southern Cross. Because the Earth is rotating, the sky looks a little different every night, so the focus will be on whatever the highlights are at that particular time of year. The stargazing experience is brought to you at some of the most popular guesthouses in town, so after supper just walk outside and meet the guide; the telescope is set up and ready to use right away. The telescope is used to point out the significant attributes of planets or stars that you can’t see with the naked eye and your guide will share some startling facts about them.

Day 8

Oudsthoorn

Today, you’ll be glad to have your own car to take you into the heart of Oudtshoorn’s super-scenic surroundings, where extraordinary landscapes are home to some fascinating plant and animal life. If you’ve begun the day with a sunrise ‘meet the meerkats’ encounter, you could follow that with anything from a memorable road trip into the UNESCO-listed Swartberg Mountains to a journey underground into a vast complex of limestone caves formed more than 20 million years ago. For the energetic, there are also several nature reserves complete with well-signposted hiking trails where you can work off the effects of some of those gourmet meals. Overnight at Rosenhof Country House.

Meerkat Excursion, Oudtshoorn

The Garden Route

Rise early to catch the start of a meerkat’s day on this morning excursion. As a clan (or a gang, or mob) of meerkats come out of their burrows to go about their daily activities, you’ll experience some time up-close to these endearing upright creatures with a knowledgeable guide to fill you in on the goings on. Endemic only to Southern Africa, this is a wonderful way to view these animals in their natural habitat.

Day 9

Oudsthoorn & Plettenberg Bay

Swap the semi-arid Klein Karoo for the sea as you make your way to Plettenberg Bay this morning. It takes about 2.5-hours by the most direct road, but once you hit the coast you’ll find plenty of reasons to stop and linger, from scenic viewpoints to roadside craft shops. Break for lunch in Knysna, where you can feast on superb local oysters overlooking a lagoon framed by mountains, or even enjoy an optional oyster cruise. Another 30-minutes driving brings you to the holiday playground of Plettenberg Bay – ‘Plett’ to the locals – with its sweeping golden Blue Flag beaches and laidback vibe, your base for the next three nights. Overnight at Laird’s Lodge.

Knysna Oyster Cruise

Knysna

Take a scenic cruise around Knysna and across its famous lagoon. Pass ‘The Heads’, a pair of cliffs that form a natural opening into the lagoon and out into the Indian Ocean. Learn about one of the world’s most decadent foods as you try some of the freshest oysters you can find. A famous delicacy in Knysna, you’ll taste both wild and cultivated oysters and, accompanied with some wine, it’s a luxurious way to experience the local cuisine.

Day 10

Plettenberg Bay

Your first full day in Plettenberg Bay is the perfect occasion to explore the area’s natural beauties and get a spot of gentle exercise at the same time. You could enjoy a pre-breakfast dip in the Indian Ocean if that’s your thing, take to the water in a host of different ways, from whale and dolphin-spotting trips to kayaking adventures, or walk the scenic trails of Robberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site and a National Monument in one. After that, you’ll no doubt be keen to check out the excellent local food scene, where anywhere from casual beachfront seafood grills and rustic cafés to fine-dining country restaurants are guaranteed to provide a meal to savour. Overnight at Laird’s Lodge.

Dolphin excursion/Marine eco tours

Plettenberg Bay

Go in search of dolphins and marine life on this eco-friendly boat trip in the protected marine reserve of Plettenberg Bay. You will meet 30 minutes before the boat departs for a safety briefing and to be fitted with a life jacket and, if necessary, a poncho. The boat trip lasts around an hour and a half and begins with an exciting beach launch. The boat gets dragged into the ocean by a tractor and then launched into the waters. The geography of Plettenberg Bay is very special, with the Robberg Peninsula, creating a half-moon shaped bay that stops a lot of open-water swells. There are two marine protected areas that attracts whales, dolphins, seals and sharks. As you cruise alongside Keurbooms beach towards Arch Rock, endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins may be seen. There are only about 500 left in South Africa so it’s a special experience if you do get to see them. Bottlenose and common dolphins often surround the boat and occasionally you may see whales. You will get to see plenty of seabirds such as the Cape gannets that dive into the water after fish. As you sail past the cliffs of Robberg, there is a colony of 7,000 Cape fur seals and where sometimes you may see great white sharks. The tour ends with a thrilling beach landing. A proportion of the cost of this tour goes towards the ORCA Foundation to continue vital conservation and research work.

Day 11

Plettenberg Bay

There’s more to Plettenberg Bay than its beaches, wildlife and landscapes. Plett is also the smallest – and one of the newest – of South Africa’s Wine of Origin regions, and discovering some of the 18 wine farms on and around the highway between Harkerville and the Crags is a fabulous way to spend a day. Thanks to the cooler climate, the grapes that thrive here are different from the ones you’ll find further west: think Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Semillon. Visit selected farms and estates to taste excellent sparkling wines made using the traditional Champagne method, eat lunch in a vineyard or even have a tour by horse-drawn carriage. Alternatively, follow paths used by migrating elephants on an optional guided tour through the majestic Tsitsikamma Forest, a 35-minute drive east of Plett. Overnight at Laird’s Lodge.

Day 12

Plettenberg Bay & Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Leaving Plettenberg Bay behind this morning, you’ll make the 3.5-hour drive to Shamwari Private Game Reserve for a three-night safari adventure. You should have time for a late brunch and a cool-down in the pool overlooking the waterhole before high tea, the prelude to your first late-afternoon game drive. Thanks to 25 years of diligent conservation work, Shamwari has a thriving population of everything from big cats to elephants and hippos, not to mention a wealth of spectacular birdlife. That means you’re all but certain to have lots to discuss over dinner, whether that’s indoors or under the stars. Overnight at Long Lee Manor.

Day 13

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Brace yourself for an early start, made easier by a wake-up call and freshly brewed coffee. Your first of two game drives in the company of a skilled local ranger will give you an insight into the morning routines of many of the reserve’s wild inhabitants and is a perfect way to begin the day. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll pay a call to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre, where you’ll hear about some of the animals that they’ve rescued from captivity, and which remain in their care, and their goals for the future. After lunch, you could laze by the pool or treat yourself to a spa treatment before heading out for your second game drive of the day as the air cools and the sun dips in the sky. Overnight at Long Lee Manor.

Visit the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Education Centre was established in partnership with Virginia McKenna’s Born Free Foundation. Guests of Shamwari Private Game Reserve can visit the centre to learn the importance of keeping wildlife in the wild. Behind each of the big cats in their care, there is often a traumatic story. The rescued lions and leopards at the sanctuaries have grown up in appalling conditions of captivity. Whilst they should have been born in the wild, where they belong, unfortunately re-wilding them is not possible. With a dedicated team to monitor them as they adapt to their new surroundings, the sanctuaries give them a better home than they have ever known. There are two centres that Shamwari guests can visit. Located in the southern part of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the Julie Ward Centre was established in 1999 and provides sanctuary for the rescued cats. Education is also a vital role of what they do and at the Jean Byrd Education Centre, in the northern part of the reserve,  guests, local schools and colleges come to learn about South Africa’s wildlife and the importance of conservation for future generations.

Day 14

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

You’ll have more opportunities to spot everything from lions, leopards and cheetahs to secretary birds on today’s early-morning and late-afternoon forays into the reserve’s five biomes, as well as learning about habitats, tracking and the history of the area from your expert ranger. In between, you’ll drop in at Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where injured and orphaned animals are cared for until they can be returned to the wild; it’s a fascinating insight into the challenges that they face in this modern world. All too soon, it will be time for a final delicious evening meal and a chance to trade not-to-be-forgotten wildlife encounters with your fellow guests. Overnight at Long Lee Manor.

Day 15

Eastern Cape Game Reserve & Departure

After breakfast, make the one-hour drive to Port Elizabeth International Airport where you’ll return your hire car before flying to either Cape Town or Johannesburg for your return flight to the UK or onward travel.

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Guide price information

Low Season

01 May - 30 Sep

£6,195pp

High Season

01 Jan - 30 Apr, 01 Oct - 31 Dec

£6,825pp

Guide price information is based on the included flights from London, accommodation, transport and experiences detailed in the itinerary above. Guide prices do not include optional things to do. Call us for up to date prices – the cost of your holiday depends upon the time of year you travel, how long you go for, preferred departure airport, airlines, hotels and things to do. Based on 2 people sharing.

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