South Africa's Garden Route is one of the great self-drive journeys in the world. This fourteen night trip takes you from Cape Town along the southern coast, through wine country, past the Outeniqua Mountains and down to the Indian Ocean, finishing with three nights at a private game reserve. Big scenery, incredible wildlife and a route that delivers something new every day.
Four nights at The Onyx Apartment Hotel in Cape Town gives you a proper base to explore one of Africa's most striking cities. A hop-on hop-off bus pass is included, a straightforward way to take in the waterfront, the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the cable car up Table Mountain and the city's main landmarks at your own pace.
From Cape Town, the drive takes you inland into the Cape Winelands and two nights at Maison Chablis in Franschhoek. Franschhoek is a small town in a valley surrounded by mountains, known for its wine estates, excellent restaurants and French Huguenot heritage. The main street is lined with some of the best food in South Africa and the surrounding vineyards are easy to explore on a wine tram that runs through the valley.
One night at Hlangana Lodge in Oudtshoorn marks a shift in the landscape as the Winelands give way to the semi-arid Klein Karoo. Oudtshoorn is best known as the ostrich farming capital of the world, and the Cango Caves nearby are one of the most impressive cave systems in Africa, with vast underground chambers stretching deep into the mountains.
Three nights at Starfish Guest Lodge in Plettenberg Bay brings you to the heart of the Garden Route. Plettenberg Bay sits on a wide blue bay with long beaches and forest hiking trails nearby. Whale and dolphin sightings are common from the shore, and the Tsitsikamma National Park, with its dramatic cliff walks and suspension bridge over the Storms River Gorge, is a short drive away.
One night at The Paxton Hotel in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, acts as a staging post before the final stretch. The city sits on Algoa Bay and has a good waterfront and several wildlife reserves within easy reach.
The trip finishes with three nights at Sibuya Game Reserve near Kenton on Sea, reached by boat across the Kariega River. The River Camp is fully full board throughout, and game drives give you the chance to spot lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in a malaria-free reserve. It is a very good way to end a trip like this.
Return flights from Dublin with Qatar Airways via Doha to Cape Town, and from Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg and London Heathrow to Dublin, 14 days car hire from Cape Town International Airport to Port Elizabeth Airport with inclusive insurance, hop-on hop-off bus pass in Cape Town for 2 adults, and accommodation throughout as follows: 4 nights at The Onyx Apartment Hotel Cape Town (room only), 2 nights at Maison Chablis Franschhoek (bed and breakfast), 1 night at Hlangana Lodge Oudtshoorn (bed and breakfast), 3 nights at Starfish Guest Lodge Plettenberg Bay (bed and breakfast), 1 night at The Paxton Hotel Port Elizabeth (room only), 3 nights at Sibuya Game Reserve River Camp Kenton on Sea (full board). Flights depart Dublin on 01 November 2026. Price is correct at the time of posting (29 April 2026). Offers are subject to change.
Price from €3,600 per person
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