Day 1: Johannesburg
ARRIVING IN JOHANNESBURG
After arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will receive your holiday vehicle at the car rental desk. This is how your car rental round trip South Africa begins with an initial direct contact with the people at the counter. The first destination is The Peech Hotel in the Melrose district, right by James & Ethel Gray Park, for your first night in Africa. This wonderful boutique style hotel with only 16 rooms will enchant you in particular with the wonderful garden area.
Day 2: The Waterberg Biosphere
JOHANNESBURG - MOKOPANE (248 km/approx. 2:45 h)
Your destination today is Legend Hospitality Golf & Safari Resort. The resort, also known as the “home of the extreme 19th”, is one of the world's most renowned resorts and your home for the next two nights. This unique leisure destination welcomes all travelers, whether you're coming for a vacation, a business trip, a golf or safari experience. Legend has something for every need. It is home to the unique “Signature” 18-hole course, where each of the 18 holes was designed by one of the world's golf legends. In addition, you can play the challenge of the world-famous par 3, the “Extreme 19th Hole.” Game drives, bush walks or even the starry sky at night are also available. As well as a visit to the Wildlife & Cultural Center - with the rare white lions of Africa - the ideas for this day are varied.
Day 3: The Waterberg Biosphere
LEGEND HOSPITALITY GOLF & SAFARI RESORT
How about a round of golf today? Or you can enjoy the luxury resort in the midst of South Africa's wonderful nature. You can practice archery, enjoy water sports on the nearby Doorndraai Dam, or take a hot air balloon ride and see the beauty from above. But maybe the resort's own SPA and wellness area are also something for you today. This variety of activities makes your round trip to South Africa a special experience.
Day 4: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
MOKOPANE - MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (400 km/approx. 5:45 h)
This morning is departure for your safari stage, which will also be a highlight of your car rental round trip in South Africa. The next few days will be dedicated to the wonderful African wildlife. In the Motswari Private Game Reserve, you can watch large and small animals in their natural environment on game drives. You should reach the nature reserve by the afternoon and then set off on your first hunt. Or you can make a detour through the world-famous Blyde River Canyon on the way before you arrive at the Game Reserve. In any case, please allow enough time so that you can relax and arrive at the reserve before sunset.
Day 5: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
It's time to get up very early today! You will be woken up before sunrise. After a cup of coffee and typical South African “rusks” (hard pastries), drive deep into the bush on the open-top off-road vehicle. There is a lot going on here at this time, the nocturnal animals return, the diurnal animals come out of hiding. In the light of the rising sun, the bush shines in wonderful light, a paradise for photographers! After the game drive, it's back to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast is already waiting for you. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax by the pool, read, or maybe catch up on some sleep. But there is always something to see: thirsty animals come to the lodge's own watering hole, colorful birds drink in the pool, and small antelopes roam around the accommodation and enjoy the safety of being close to people. After lunch and often a “high tea”, it's back on a game drive in the afternoon, only interrupted by a sundowner in the bush. From now on, you also have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you can search for the many animals that are not visible during the day. An exciting day comes to an end with a good dinner and a drink or two at the bar.
Day 6: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Today is also dedicated to wild animals. Game drives and/or walking safaris let you get close to nature. Your guides will introduce you to the secrets of nature and will teach you how to assign one or the other trail to the right animal. Feel the bush and smell the wonderful world of safaris. In the evening, a cozy dinner awaits you again and later the experiences of the day are shared around the campfire.
Day 7: Stellenbosch
MOTSWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - EASTGATE AIRPORT (HDS) & CAPE TOWN - STELLENBOSCH (54 km/1:20 h & 34 km/0:40 h)
After the safari is before enjoying! After a short drive to Eastgate Airport, you leave the Lowveld and make your way to the Cape Region. The flight will take approximately 3 hours to cross this vast and breathtaking country. From Cape Town Airport, take Settler's Way (N2) to the intersection with R310 (Baden Powell Drive). Then take it north straight to Stellenbosch. The route is not far later but then varied and takes you through the Jonkershoek and Simonsberg nature reserves. Surrounded by rugged mountains and lovely vineyards, the extremely picturesque little town is picturesquely situated in the valley. Stellenbosch is an ideal base for exploring the region and at the same time a university town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The city's oak-lined streets alternate with cafés, boutiques and art galleries. Like Cape Dutch architecture, the traditional houses and gardens in the Village Museum are reminiscent of South Africa's Dutch colonial heritage. Your car rental round trip to South Africa now takes you to this picturesque region.
Day 8: Stellenbosch
STELLENBOSCH & WINELANDS
Another day to explore and enjoy! Today we recommend a trip to Franschhoek, just over 30 km away. You'll drive through lovely vineyards with a variety of wineries that are open for sightseeing (and wine tastings, of course). Franschhoek is an excellent place to stroll, hike and stop off at one of the exquisite restaurants. The 42 km to Wellington is also worthwhile as a detour to visit the NorSA Community Care project (www.norsacommunitycare.org - please register in advance!) Or enjoy a good steak or an excellent pizza with a glass of wine at the Val du Charron winery. These culinary experiences are another highlight of your car rental round trip in South Africa.
Day 9: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
STELLENBOSCH - DE KELDERS (approx. 170 km/2:20 h)
You are leaving Stellenbosch today towards Franschhoek on the R310 and R45. After a last refreshment, such as a coffee in this wonderful region, you will travel through the Theewaters Nature Reserve via Villiersdorp to Caledon. This small town of only 13,200 inhabitants became famous when Ferdinand Appel opened the first healing springs to visitors in 1710. Seven hot springs of around 50° provide around 900,000 liters of water per day. Hotels, spas and even a casino attract visitors, as does the Caledon Wild Flower Garden with its thousands of fynbos plant species. The R316 and R326 will then bring you closer to your current destination, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve on the opposite side of Walker Bay, just before De Kelders. These scenic and historical highlights are part of your car rental round trip in South Africa.
Day 10: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
WHALE COAST
You'll spend the day in one of the most interesting places on Earth watching the fascinating life in the open sea. Not only the whales, some of which live here all year round and some only seasonally, are a highlight, the area is also known for great white sharks. Neighboring Van Dyks Bay is one of the world's best places to get up close and personal with these huge predators. Various companies have specialized in bringing these fascinating creatures closer to tourists and at the same time fighting for their protection. Only through knowledge and understanding of predators can you alleviate people's fear and protect these magnificent animals. We recommend that you experience this fascinating adventure consciously and also experience the adrenaline rush of seeing these big sharks face to face in a cage. These exciting experiences make your car round trip to South Africa an unforgettable adventure.
Day 11: Cape Town
DE KELDERS - CAPE TOWN (approx. 158 km/2:10 h)
You leave De Kelders today and drive back to Cape Town, but today along the ocean. Along Walker Bay, you'll pass through Hermanus, the so-called whale watching capital of the world. In the season from September to December, with a bit of luck, you can watch the peaceful giants just below the cliff path. So it's worth a stop. It's all the way to False Bay via Betty's Bay along the Kogelberg Nature Reserve on the spectacular coastal road through the town of Gordons Bay to Somerset West, from where Cape Town is quickly reached via the N2. Although you will experience many beautiful beaches today that invite you to swim, you will also drive along the other part of South Africa: In the township of Khayelitsha just outside Cape Town, many a difference is obvious. Your destination today is in Newlands near the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. These contrasting impressions are another part of your car rental round trip in South Africa.
Day 12: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
A full day in Cape Town! There is so much to explore and do. What are you in the mood for? A good way to explore Cape Town on your own is, for example, a city tour with the “Hop On — Hop Off” bus. This gives you a very good overview of the city, you can get off wherever you like and stay as long as you want. A drive up Table Mountain is also an absolute must! The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the Bo-Kaap district are waiting to be explored. Or how about a “high-tea” in the afternoon on the roof terrace of the modern The Silo Hotel on the Waterfront? With a 360° panoramic view, you can celebrate a tea (please make sure to reserve in advance!). And don't forget: Robben Island is also a must see! These diverse experiences make Cape Town a highlight of your car rental round trip in South Africa.
Day 13: Cape Town
CAPE TOWN
One more full day in Cape Town! Today would be a good day for a trip to the Cape Peninsula. There is much more to see here than the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. An unforgettable experience awaits you: spectacular coastlines with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (only here you can swim with penguins) and, of course, the wave-sweeping cape. For lunch, the seafood restaurants in Kalk Bay Harbour are worthwhile. Leave early, you'll need time! These picturesque and exciting places are another highlight of your round trip to South Africa.
Day 14: End of trip
Cape Town
When you arrive at Cape Town Airport, drop off your rental car. If you have not booked a connection program, your vacation is unfortunately already over again. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and made unforgettable impressions. This car rental round trip to South Africa will certainly be fondly remembered.
