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FROM US$2,340-US$2,910

Waterbuck self-drive

A classic Cape and Garden Route self-drive taken at a leisurely pace and staying in charming boutique hotels. Great food and wine paired with spectacular scenery and an exciting array of activities.

Waterbuck self-drive: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Waterbuck self-drive. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Cape Town International Airport

Cellars-Hohenort
Days 1-4

Cellars-Hohenort

3 nights
Bed & BreakfastCape Town, South Africa

In the heart of Constantia, one of Cape Town’s leafiest and most affluent suburbs, The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel lies close to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It’s a Relais & Châteaux hotel, set in nine acres of manicured, award-winning gardens, for which it is well known, with a small vineyard and forested area. The name relates to the original cellars of the 18th-century Klaasenbosch wine estate, and the Hohenort Manor House – both of which have been beautifully restored.

Cellars-Hohenort

In the heart of Constantia, one of Cape Town’s leafiest and most affluent suburbs, The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel lies close to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It’s a Relais & Châteaux hotel, set in nine acres of manicured, award-winning gardens, for which it is well known, with a small vineyard and forested area. The name relates to the original cellars of the 18th-century Klaasenbosch wine estate, and the Hohenort Manor House – both of which have been beautifully restored.

"This is one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. "

Mr R & Mrs MfromUK

Arrived 23 Mar 2018, 1 night

The Cellars-Hohenort is a luxury hotel offering a relaxing place to stay in beautiful surroundings close to Cape Town’s city centre and major attractions. The tasteful mix of contemporary and antique furniture creates an elegant ambience, and the staff are professional, friendly and polite. It’s the ideal choice for a Cape Town hotel with a quiet country feel. See our full report on Cellars-Hohenort

93%
6 reviews of Cellars-Hohenort by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Canoeing

Cultural excursion

Dune-boarding

Fishing

Helicopter

Horse-riding

Hot air ballooning

Kayaking

Microlight

Mountain biking

Quad-biking

Scuba-diving

Self-guided walking

Snorkelling

Watersports

Le Quartier Francais
Days 4-6

Le Quartier Francais

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastWinelands, South Africa

For those seeking a peaceful spot in a tiny town surrounded by vineyards, the excellent Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek may be the answer. (It's recently joined the Relais & Château group.) Open log fires, sumptuous rooms and a couple of superb restaurants ensure a very comfortable stay here. The town itself has a diverse array of art galleries, high fashion clothing boutiques, jewellers, local artisans, coffee shops and restaurants. As with everywhere in this region, excellent wine estates are close by.

Le Quartier Francais

For those seeking a peaceful spot in a tiny town surrounded by vineyards, the excellent Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek may be the answer. (It's recently joined the Relais & Château group.) Open log fires, sumptuous rooms and a couple of superb restaurants ensure a very comfortable stay here. The town itself has a diverse array of art galleries, high fashion clothing boutiques, jewellers, local artisans, coffee shops and restaurants. As with everywhere in this region, excellent wine estates are close by.

"superb hotel in this little tourist town that really lived up to its reputation"

Mr & Mrs LPfromSW London

Arrived 15 Oct 2019, 2 nights

Le Quartier Français has the most convenient location for walking into the little town of Franschhoek. In fact, the entrance to their award winning restaurant lies right on the high street. But, the rooms are behind this - in a much quieter setting. We loved this property. It's sophisticated, offering top-class service combined with understated luxury. See our full report on Le Quartier Francais

96%
14 reviews of Le Quartier Francais by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Schoone Oordt Country House
Day 6

Schoone Oordt C. House

1 night
Bed & BreakfastSwellendam, South Africa

Schoone Oordt Country House is located in the historic town of Swellendam, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. A beautiful Victorian house dating back to 1853, it is a convenient halfway stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route. The house is set in landscaped gardens and has been lovingly restored by its current owners as an upmarket guesthouse.

Schoone Oordt Country House

Schoone Oordt Country House is located in the historic town of Swellendam, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. A beautiful Victorian house dating back to 1853, it is a convenient halfway stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route. The house is set in landscaped gardens and has been lovingly restored by its current owners as an upmarket guesthouse.

"Fantastic breakfast beautifully presented, as was the evening meal."

Mr & Mrs TfromExeter

Arrived 28 Jan 2024, 1 night

Schoone Oordt Country House is a beautifully restored guesthouse with friendly staff, an inviting atmosphere and good-quality accommodation. It offers a convenient base to explore Swellendam and the surrounding area. See our full report on Schoone Oordt Country House

92%
26 reviews of Schoone Oordt C. House by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Rosenhof Country House
Days 7-9

Rosenhof Country House

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastLittle Karoo, South Africa

The elegant Rosenhof Country House occupies a mid-19th-century single-storey homestead on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, in South Africa’s Little Karoo. It is well placed for visits to the Cango Caves and several ostrich farms in the region. During our last visit, the rooms were being renovated and refurbished.

Rosenhof Country House

The elegant Rosenhof Country House occupies a mid-19th-century single-storey homestead on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, in South Africa’s Little Karoo. It is well placed for visits to the Cango Caves and several ostrich farms in the region. During our last visit, the rooms were being renovated and refurbished.

"We enjoyed a really excellent evening meal ..."

Prof & Dr MfromSheffield

Arrived 9 May 2019, 1 night

Rosenhof Country House offers high-quality accommodation in peaceful surroundings. See our full report on Rosenhof Country House

90%
14 reviews of Rosenhof Country House by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa
Days 9-11

Turbine Hotel

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastKnysna | Garden Route, South Africa

The Turbine or, as it’s more formally known, ‘The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa’, is located on Thesen Islands, beside the town of Knysna, on South Africa’s Garden Route. Converted from an old power station, and beside one of this small island’s waterways, The Turbine is particularly interesting for its history and for the original machinery, which has been incorporated into its modern design.

Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

The Turbine or, as it’s more formally known, ‘The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa’, is located on Thesen Islands, beside the town of Knysna, on South Africa’s Garden Route. Converted from an old power station, and beside one of this small island’s waterways, The Turbine is particularly interesting for its history and for the original machinery, which has been incorporated into its modern design.

With slight echoes of the set on ‘The Truman Show’, a location on Thesen Islands won’t be to everyone’s taste. However, the Turbine’s sensitive, modern design with chunks of its industrial past give it a character that transcends its immediate neighbourhood. Come for a safe and comfortable base for a few days, to explore the Knysna Lagoon and the wider Knysna area. See our full report on Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

0%
0 reviews of Turbine Hotel by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Boat trip

Canoeing

Dune-boarding

Elephant encounter

Fishing

Helicopter

Horse-riding

Kayaking

Mountain biking

Quad-biking

Scuba-diving

Self-guided walking

Snorkelling

Watersports

Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Days 11-13

Hog Hollow

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastTsitsikamma | Garden Route National Park, South Africa

In the heart of the Garden Route, in an area known as The Crags, lies Hog Hollow Country Lodge. This tranquil property, where the only sounds are birdsong, baboons barking and monkeys chattering, is set on a hillside, overlooking the Matjies River Gorge below and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Just 18km east of the popular holiday town of Plettenberg Bay, it is well positioned to explore this stretch of the South African coast.

Hog Hollow Country Lodge

In the heart of the Garden Route, in an area known as The Crags, lies Hog Hollow Country Lodge. This tranquil property, where the only sounds are birdsong, baboons barking and monkeys chattering, is set on a hillside, overlooking the Matjies River Gorge below and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Just 18km east of the popular holiday town of Plettenberg Bay, it is well positioned to explore this stretch of the South African coast.

"We had an excellent stay here which we wished could have been longer"

Mr R & Mrs MfromUK

Arrived 10 Mar 2018, 2 nights

Hog Hollow isn't overly luxurious; in fact, on first appearances, it seems fairly simple. However, over the years it's been very consistent in offering really excellent, personal service and incredibly good food. It stands in some stunning scenery and we regard it as a lovely, comfortable retreat, offering good value for money. See our full report on Hog Hollow Country Lodge

95%
30 reviews of Hog Hollow by travellers since August 2007

Activities

Day 13

Ends: Port Elizabeth International Airport

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Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Winelands Private Tour

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
100% (2 reviews)
Cape Point and Peninsula 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
91% (7 reviews)
City and Table Mountain Tour

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
93% (3 reviews)

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