Spot the Big Five at the world-class Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, the Marine Five at Grootbos Nature Reserve and enjoy a few days in charming Cape Town on this tailormade self-drive tour.
Day 1-4: MannaBay, Cape Town
You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to MannaBay Fine Boutique Hotel. This hotel is one of the Mother City's most sought after destinations, an exclusive retreat in the heart of Cape Town with spectacular cityscape views where the evening sun plunges into the Atlantic beyond. At the foot of the towering Table Mountain, MannaBay is surrounded by shops, bars and cafes, the perfect base from which to explore the Cape Peninsula or just kick back and catch some rays in luxurious comfort.
Enjoy the myriad attractions of the Mother City, from a guided tour around the peninsula to a day of wine tasting, or just soak up the sun on beautiful beaches. Visit the townships on the outskirts of the city, and sample traditional cuisine, wine and dine in the Cape's esteemed restaurants and stand on top of the world on Table Mountain, before taking sundowners in Camps Bay.
We can organise your guided day tours and transfers in Cape Town - contact us now!
Accommodation: MannaBay, Cape Town
Day 4-7: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Route 62
From Cape Town, you make your way out of town onto Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, passing quaint towns, jagged mountains and rolling vineyards. It is a scenic 2-hour drive to Sanbona, a 54,000 hectare reserve nestled between the towns of Montagu and Barrydale. Upon arrival at the gates, you will be greeted by a ranger and transferred to your lodge through this pristine wilderness. Sanbona is home to the Big Five, as well being one of the few places in the world to see free-roaming white lions, and acts as a beacon of conservation in the region. The towering Warmswatersberg peaks will take your breath away while the indigenous fynbos is a supreme example of the wonders of the Cape Floral kingdom.
You will be staying at Dwyka Lodge, a luxury tented camp nestled in a horseshoe ravine beneath dramatic cliffs. The setting is stunning and the camps are the epitomy of luxury, with private plunge pools and decks that open out into the African bush. Enjoy guided game drives and bush walks with your expert ranger, or a tailormade cycle excursion through the reserve. Sanbona was once a roaming ground for the San (Bushmen) and you can visit some of the prehistoric rock art sites scattered throughout the reserve.
Accommodation: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Day 7-10: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
After your Safari at Sanbona, you meander out of the semi-desert Klein Karro and head towards the coast, a scenic 2-hour route that meanders over mountain passes and rolling vineyards. This multi-award winning 2500 ha reserve is nestled on the cliffs above Walker Bay, frequented by Southern Right Whales on a regular basis, while Great White Sharks plough the nearby waters of Gansbaai. The reserve is a beacon of biodiversity with more than 750 different species of plants ranging from protected Fynbos (fine bush in Afrikaans) to massive Milkwood Forests, all part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest but most diverse of the world's floral kingdoms.
Take your pick from two unique 5-star accommodations – Garden & Forest Lodge – as well as an exclusive Villa nestled in the fynbos clad hills on the reserve, each one offering the lap of luxury in the most stunning of settings. Kick back on your private deck and take in the uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, with whales in full view in season (July-November), go hiking and birding in Milkwood forests, horse riding along miles of unspoilt beaches and come face to face with Great Whites from the safety of a cage!
Grootbos also supports a number of social responsibility programs, designed to uplift the local communities and protect this fragile ecosystem. You can visit and partake in these projects during your stay, making yours a holiday with a difference!
Accommodation: Grootbos Forest Lodge or Garden Lodge
