This leisurely self-drive trip around the Cape stops at four different luxurious destinations: 5 nights in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, at the peaceful Camps Bay Retreat; 2 nights at the luxurious Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve in the Cedarberg Mountains, 2 nights at the comfortable Babylonstoren, halfway beween Franschoek and Paarl and 3 nights near Hermanus, Africa's whale-watching capital, at the fascinating Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

Day 1

Starting from London Heathrow, your scheduled South African Airways flight flies non-stop overnight to Cape Town, where you land early the following morning.

Days 2-6 Cape Town, South Africa

On arrival at the airport, pick up your hire car and follow your map and directions for 30 minutes to Camps Bay – a stylish area of Cape Town and one of the smartest beaches on the continent! Here you stay for the next 5 nights at your luxurious hotel –

Camps Bay Retreat (bed & breakfast)

With your own self-drive hire car, the Cape is your oyster! Relax by the pool at the hotel, walk through the hotel gardens to one of Cape Town's best beaches, or drive out and explore the city and environs!

Days 7-8 Namaqualand, South Africa

Leaving Cape Town behind you head north up the east coast through Namaqualand, turning inland towards the Cedarberg Mountains. Here you will find the luxurious –

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve (full board & activities)

Your days here are spent on nature drives, guided visits to see the rock art as well as nature trails. A spa is also available here for those who prefer a bit of pampering.

Days 9-10 Winelands, South Africa

Heading back to the winelands, you will find old, established vineyards dotted around the rolling farmland, offering a warm welcome for wine-tastings and often a fine choice of picnic lunches. Spend 2 nights at on a working wine farm halfway between Paarl and Franschoek –

Babylonstoren (bed & breakfast)

Use your days as you please: relax by the pool or explore the gardens or local wine estates nearby and savour the food in the Babel restaurant.

Days 11-13 Hermanus, South Africa

It's barely 2 hours' drive east to Hermanus, after which you arrive at the coastal Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Overlooking almost-deserted beaches, the team at Grootbos excel at introducing their guests to the area's flora and fauna: from its amazing fynbos vegetation, to the whales that come so close to its coastline. Stay for 3 nights at –

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (full board & activities)

Explore the reserve and the nearby beaches and caves; from August to November, this area offers some of the best land-based whale-watching in the world.

Day 14

After your last day exploring the Cape, it's about two hour's drive to Cape Town Airport where your self-drive trip ends, and you drop your hire car in good time to catch your scheduled overnight flight back to the UK with South African Airways.

Day 15

After a supremely relaxing holiday, arrive back at London Heathrow early in the morning, with the whole day to complete your journey home.

Cost of this trip
From	To	Cost
1-Jan-2012	31-Mar-2012	£3,369
1-Apr-2012	30-Apr-2012	£3,199
1-May-2012	30-Jun-2012	£2,457
1-Jul-2012	31-Jul-2012	£2,558
1-Aug-2012	31-Aug-2012	£2,558
1-Sep-2012	30-Sep-2012	£2,728
1-Oct-2012	10-Oct-2012	£3,185
11-Oct-2012	28-Oct-2012	£3,401
29-Oct-2012	7-Dec-2012	£3,807
Notes: The prices shown are per person sharing; call us for single person supplements. Upgrades to larger hire cars or 4x4s are easy to arrange; ask us for details

This itinerary includes:

• Economy flights as above, to and from London, plus UK and South African airport departure taxes.
  
• All meals and activities as specified.
  
• Group B/C car for the duration of your trip, to be picked up and dropped off at Cape Town airport.
  
• The hire vehicle is covered by the car hire company's Super Cover insurance. Please note that this is only valid for drivers who are aged over 25 years. This covers unlimited mileage, theft, personal accident insurance and almost all damages.
  
• A comprehensive pack of maps and information covering the places that you'll be visiting.

This itinerary excludes:

• Petrol for your hire car. This cover excludes under-carriage, sand and water damage.
  
• Tips and gratuities (which are optional)
  
• All meals and activities not specified.
  
• See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions.

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