 |
 |
South Africa
Top 5
| 1.
|
Bethulie, Free State |
| 2.
|
Bulwer, Kwazulu-Natal |
| 3.
|
Cradock, Eastern Cape |
| 4.
|
Gelukwaarts, Western Cape |
| 5.
|
Taung, North West Province |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, the Sunshine Coast, the Transkei, the Wild Coast. Small driving distances daily to enjoy each place
We try in the rural areas to accommodate the upmarket option, but due to choosing the “road less travelled”, some nights will be rustic accommodation..
This trip is for the adventurer. Take in the sunshine of our “wild coast” as you meander towards Durban. We have included extensions with golfing and hiking options alternatively leave the route as is and enjoy rural paradise at its best!
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
You can pick up your car at the Port Elizabeth train station or the airport depending on where you arrive. Port Elizabeth is a city situated in the Eastern Cape Province, at 33°58′S 25°36′E. The city is located on Algoa Bay, and is one of the major seaports in South Africa. Port Elizabeth, often shortened to "PE", and nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", founded in 1820 by Sir Rufane Donkin, the Acting Governor of the Cape Colony, and populated with 4,000 British settlers arriving by sea. He named the new seaport town after his late wife, Elizabeth. Spend your day exploring this historic town and going over your travel documents, (handed to you by your car hire company) for the next 8 days of your self-drive trip to Cape Town. Famous also for its long white beaches, horse rides and museums – Port Elizabeth has something for everybody.
Overnight Port Elizabeth
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Today you continue driving along the beautiful coastline to Port Alfred. Port Alfred set about halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London. Where the Kowie River flows through the town, spanned by two bridges and then flows out into the Indian Ocean. Port Alfred has grown from early settler origins to a premier holiday destination on the sparkling Sunshine Coast. With its unspoilt golden beaches and enchanting countryside for hikes and walks, and friendly pubs, Port Alfred is on of our favourite places on the Sunshine Coast.
Overnight Port Alfred
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
 |
Off
the beaten track: Click
here for unordinary places to discover
in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
After breakfast you can take a leisurely drive to your next major stop East London (Buffalo City), is one of South Africa's richest and most diverse eco-tourism destinations on offer. It serves as a gateway to many visited destinations on the wild coast. Along these routes are destinations of exceptional beauty including open, sandy beaches, daring coastal cliffs, fertile valleys, river and estuary lagoons and indigenous forests. Stop here for lunch before continuing onto Cintsa. Cintsa described as a little piece of paradis e and those who live there know it is true. An abundance of bird life including sea, estuary and river birds as well as inland species is visible. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve – 10 minutes away offers sights of rhino, giraffe, zebra and a variety of buck on guided tours in an open vehicle. When sun tanning, bathing, body surfing and beach games have been exhausted a canoe ride up river at high tide provides a pleasant alternative. Walkers can reach Cefani Mouth or Cintsa West with ease.
Overnight Cintsa
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
After breakfast, you will depart early from Cintsa due to the mountainous terrain and animals on the road. This is one of the most beautiful spots at the Wild Coast is the small community of Coffee Bay. Coffee Bay is still quite rural and still classified as a village. Nestled on one of the most beautiful coastlines, spending the night in this tranquil village is a must. The subtropical coast is stunning and the long sandy beach is untouched between the green rolling hills and the turquoise sea. Coffee Bay surely is one of South Africa's paradises. The bay got its name in 1893 when a ship full of coffee beans ran aground here. Some of the coffee trees did take root, but the soil was not right for the shrubs. With you 4x4, you can go see the famous “hole in the wall”.
Spend tonight on the Wild Coast
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
After breakfast you will explore the Coffee Bay / Port St Johns area. You can go to Mpande for lunch and a swim (optional). Umtata lies between the 2 towns – and is well worth a visit, as it was the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. The bustling Port St Johns is a magical little coastal village. It offers the best of both worlds with an African atmosphere. Also home to a stunning coastal beauty, Port St Johns is a village that typifies the Wild Coast. A mix of crumbling colonial and African buildings makes up the town centre. The 3 beaches: First beach is not safe for swimming, but is a good fishing beach. Second Beach is an excellent swimming beach and Third Beach lies inside the Silaka Nature Reserve, which surrounded by tropical forest makes for Wonderful walks. Meander along the coast; the bird life is abundant and includes exotics like the cinnamon dove, grey cuckoo shrike and the Knysna Loerie. Kingfishers live on the river’s edge and zebra, wildebeest and blesbok live on the fringes of the forest.
Overnight Coffee Bay / Port St Johns area
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Departing Port St. Johns, you will head along the coast to your next stop, Port Shepstone. Port St. Johns is the largest town on the tropical KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in South Africa. Founded in 1867 when marble deposits discovered on both riverbanks near the mouth of the Mzimkulu River. The Port Shepstone harbour immediately sprung up at the opening of the river mouth for marine trade. The first coaster entered the harbour on the 8 May 1880 and inaugurated regular trade between Durban and Port Shepstone. The main exports for many years after that were marble slabs, sugar and lime. The development of Port Shepstone boosted by the arrival of 200 Norwegian farmers noticed the potential for seafaring trade and devoted their time and energy into developing the harbour and its facilities. By 1893, Port Shepstone was functioning as a full fiscal harbour. However, when the railway from Durban reached Port Shepstone, the harbour was doomed. It fell into disuse and eventually the river silted up again making it impossible to use. Port Shepstone is today the administrative, commercial, distribution and transport center of the South Coast. On the outskirts of the town is a charming church that is the cultural and social focus of the Norwegian settler's descendants. Port Shepstone is a perfect stop for tourists wanting to experience some of the beautiful KwaZulu Natal Coast.
Overnight Port Shepstone |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Say goodbye to Port Shepstone as you move towards the Urban City of Durban blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise. The beachfront bordered by five star hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have an idyllic view of the Indian Ocean. The Central Business District, a hive of activity, is within easy reach of all hotels and convention venues. Durban is a major gateway to Africa also the largest and busiest port city on the continent. Due to this, there is an extensive road network leading to and from any destination in South Africa. Serviced by Durban International Airport only a 10-minute drive from the City, access to Durban is easy. Today is your day at leisure and with an impressive list of things to see and do, Durban is sure to keep you entertained. See shark feeding time at the Aquarium. Go for a stroll around Umgeni River Bird Project. Go to the Snake Park and watch them milking venom. Learn more about sharks at the Sharks Board near Umhlanga Rocks. Check out the Natural Science Museum at the City Hall. We also recommend the Bat Centre. Visit the Durban Art Gallery, and the Victoria Street Market. Go to the waterfront bars where you can watch ships come into the Harbor. Also known internationally for being a surfer’s paradise, Durban is full of surf shops and schools – go on, try it.
Overnight Durban |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
After a day at leisure in Durban and some curio shopping – you will make your way back towards Durban International Airport to drop off your car and continue with your onward travel arrangements.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Travel
Tip: Click
here for Travel Tips in this region |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
7 nights accommodation as per itinerary
Meals as per basis at Lodge / B&B / Hotel
8 days car hire and insurance
|
|
|
Flights
Optional Activities
Travel insurance
Entrance / Concession fees
Additional meals and beverages
Personal insurance
Additional nights
Visas if required
Guide / driver
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Prices are indications only and are subject to change. |
|
