Garden Route and Eastern Cape Self Drive Holiday

Start this tour by picking up your car from the arranged location.

Drive to the superb Lavender Farm Guest House in a Lavender Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 1 night.
 
When it comes to finding an exclusive getaway in Franschhoek, with creature comforts best described as world class, one would certainly struggle to find Franschhoek Accommodation that could rival the grace and beauty that is Lavender Farm Guest House. With Accommodation for a maximum of 28 guests at any given time, exclusivity is an ideal that the live by. Situated in the picturesque Winelands of Cape Town and encapsulated by a 3 hectare purple Lavender field and Mountains that just seem to extend as far as the eye can see, Lavender Boutique Farm Guest House boasts the honour of being lauded as the only Guest House on a lavender farm in Franschhoek. After a hard day of sightseeing, wine tasting, exploring, lying by the pool or just shopping in and around the breathtaking surrounds of Franschhoek, what better way to end the day than to retire to the comfort of your luxurious room.
 
Option includes: Accommodation and breakfast

Continue your journey to your next accommodation at Swellendam Country Lodge in a Garden Rooms (Rooms 3/4/5 and 6) on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 1 night.
 
Situated in a beautiful landscaped garden, this Guest House is a perfect place to unwind. It provides quality in every detail, excellent service, and a warm atmosphere. The characteristic interior combines a natural, modern style with classic elements.
 
Secluded in the garden is a large sparkling pool for the warm summer days. Generous breakfasts are served outside on the veranda of the main house, or indoors near the fireplace on a winter morning. For lunch or dinner you can stroll to the terrace of one of the restaurants next door to enjoy their good country food. Other excellent restaurants and shops are nearby.
 
Swellendam Country Lodge has six comfortable guest rooms surrounded by yellowwood trees, fruit trees and palms. All rooms have a private veranda overlooking the beautiful garden. You will enjoy this friendly environment with a variety of colourful South African plants and birds.
 
The accommodation is styled with an eye for detail: reed ceilings, natural colours and quality fixtures and fittings.
There are four well-equipped luxury rooms with a spacious bathroom en suite. Two other rooms are standard rooms: comfortable, slightly smaller garden rooms, suitable for a shorter stay.

On day 3 continue your adventure to the Greater Plettenberg Bay Area, where you will spend 3 nights at Hog Hollow Country Lodge in a Standard Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
 
Just 18km east of the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay along the renowned holiday destination of the Garden Route is Hog Hollow Country Lodge & Villa, set on the edge of indigenous forest with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and Tsitsikamma Mountains. The Villa at Hog Hollow is 400m from the main Lodge overlooking the forests and mountains and is ideal for families or 3 couples travelling. Overlooking the Matjies River Gorge, this congenial hub is where it all happens. Kick off your shoes, grab an icy drink from the bar and relax. There are three lounge areas to escape to with a book, a pair of binoculars, or just your thoughts. The reading room offers a quiet haven and a leafy vista of the indigenous forest valley and Tsitsikamma Mountains. If you’re a bird lover we advise you to head straight for the Ficus lounge where an ancient fruit-laden tree is a favourite with Plett’s prolific bird community. The pool lounge leads out onto cool blue waters where you may find others lazing about on comfi-recliners. The Boma is a place for festive occasions and the day’s end where guests can kick back on a pile of comfy cushions, a fire crackling nearby, and their favourite night cap in hand.
 
The sixteen suites are all situated in the gardens surrounding the main house. Decorated in earthy colours, with hand crafted artefacts scattered throughout, all feature king size beds (or twin if you prefer), a well stocked mini bar and a hi-fi. Sit out on your private wooden deck listening to the sounds of a garden humming with life, enveloped in the warmth of the African sun.
 
Option includes: Accommodation and breakfast

On day 4 you will take part at the Scheduled Dolphin Encounter.
 
Situated in the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay (20 minutes from Knysna), Ocean Blue Adventure offers a rare and powerful experience through permitted boat based whale watching & dolphin encounters. We also offer an “at one with the ocean” kayaking tour, and township tours. All tours are guided with expert crew and tour operators who are internationally qualified. Call us today for a booking or more advice. Ocean Blue is a licensed SABBWWA permit holder, which enables us to approach whales from 50 metres instead of 300 metres. Should the whales approach our vessel we do not have to move away. The guests therefore get an up close experience with these majestic mammals in the bay.
 
In summer you have a great chance to see the rare Humpback Dolphins found in only certain areas of the South African coastline! You will also see Bottlenose Dolphins and Common Dolphins… We will also take you to the Robberg Seal Colony where you will see around 5,000 seals in their natural environment.
 
Option includes: Still water will be provided, snack pack / trail mix, mints, gift, Coffee and Tea on arrival and departure will be provided, guide and skipper, hydrophones will be available to ensure an adventure of a lifetime.

Day at leisure.

On day 6 make your way to the Sandals Guest House, where you will stay in a Standard Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis for 1 night.
 
Sandals is one of the top guest houses in picturesque St Francis Bay. The ambience of this boutique guesthouse is a blend of superb hospitality, cuisine and service. Our palm-fringed thatched house is decorated in a tropical-African flavour. Situated 150 meters from the main beach, Sandals offers you unsurpassed luxury with its pool bar, holiday setting and spacious wooden decks. Our swimming pool is set in a lush semi-tropical garden. The vibrant and earthy African - Caribbean decor creates an elegantly charming and cheerful ambience for your dining enjoyment. Sandals' cuisine embraces South Africa's rich natural abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and shellfish. Sample imaginative local and international dishes infused with African spices and Indian Ocean flavours, capturing the essence of our South African cuisine.
 
Sandals have large en-suite luxury bedrooms, all with baths, showers and extra length beds. All of the accommodation is spacious and the individually decorated bedrooms with their African or Caribbean décor, all have sliding doors which open onto either a private balcony or into the sub-tropical garden, giving you the best of all worlds.

Spend three nights at the glorious Kariega River Lodge in a Luxury Suite on a Fully Inclusive - Selected Local Beverages - basis.
                
Kariega Game Reserve is a family-owned and operated private game reserve in South Africa stretching across 9,000 hectares of pristine wilderness in the Eastern Cape. The Reserve is situated along the famous Garden Route and is a 10 minute drive from the sleepy coastal village of Kenton-on-Sea, and a mere 140 km outside of Port Elizabeth. Incorporating luxury safari lodge accommodation, magnificent Big 5 and other game viewing as well as breath-taking vistas over the hills, valleys and rivers below. Experience close up viewing of the Big 5, as well as multitudes of other South African safari wildlife from the comfort of an open game drive vehicle. Complement your safari experience with a boat cruise down the Kariega River sighting abundant river birdlife, or take a kayak onto the river for a quiet paddle. River Lodge is one-of-a-kind, nestled on the banks of the Bushman’s River, this Lodge is unique in that it connects a Big-5 game reserve to the sea. The optional daily boat cruises ferry guests through the quaint village of Kenton-on-sea to its picturesque and user friendly beaches.
 
Spacious, luxuriously appointed, en-suite thatched suites. All air-conditioned with an overhead fan. Guests can relax, viewing game and enjoying the stunning vistas from their private patio.
 
Option includes: Accommodation, all meals, selected beverages and activities.
 
Compulsory Conservation levy will be included in quotations and bookings. (Valid from 01/01/2018)

Day at leisure to enjoy the activities and game drives at the lodge and reserve.

Day at leisure to enjoy the activities and game drives at the lodge and reserve.

Your tour ends today. Drive to Port Elizabeth airport for car drop off and onward flight.