8 Days South Africa Self Drive Tour

This is a great 8 Day / 7 Night Self-Drive Tour and Safari, where we provide you with a rented vehicle and GPS Unit to explore South Africa, including Cape Town and its beautiful surroundings, the Panorama Route, Hoedspruit with a hot air ballooning experience and the famous Kruger National Park!

8 Days South Africa Self Drive Tour

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 1

    Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town

  • Day 2

    Full Day to Explore the Cape Peninsula

  • Day 3

    Full Day to Explore the Cape Winelands

  • Day 4

    Cape Town to Kruger Park Area

  • Day 5

    Hot Air Balloon flight and onto Kruger National Park

  • Day 6 to 7

    On Safari at Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

  • Day 8

    Drive back to Johannesburg

Day 1

Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town

On arrival at the Cape Town International Airport, South Africa, you will make your way to the Avis Desk, where you will collect your rented vehicle (Group C - Toyota Corolla or similar with manual gears and air-conditioning and a GPS Unit). From the airport, you will make your way to the V&A Waterfront area, where you will check in at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel to spend the next (3) nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Cape Town
Walk through the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a complex of shops and restaurants that form part of Cape Town’s Harbour. It is centrally located and enjoys beautiful views of Table Mountain.

Day 2

Full Day to Explore the Cape Peninsula

Today we suggest you take a full day to explore the Cape Peninsula by driving the M6 coastal road that takes you through the beaches of Camps Bay, Llandudno and the small village of Hout Bay. From Hout Bay, you continue along the craggy Chapman’s Peak drive that was carved into the ocean cliffs between 1915 and 1922.

Cape Point, near Cape Town, South Africa

You continue south to the Cape Peninsula (also known as Cape Point) for spectacular ocean views. From here continue with the coast through the naval town of Simons Town and then head north back to the city with a possible stop at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Day 3

Full Day to Explore the Cape Winelands

Today we would suggest you take a drive through the nearby Cape Winelands. The old towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are just three examples of quaint historic villages rich in the Dutch & French influence of years gone by.

The Franschhoek Valley, Cape Winelands, South Africa

Not to mention the many exquisite wine farms in the area, many with top-rated restaurants, wine & cheese tastings, organic food offerings and much more!

Day 4

Cape Town to Kruger Park Area

Early this morning after your breakfast, you will make your way back to the Cape Town International Airport, returning your rented vehicle to board your flight to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg, you will make your way to the Avis Desk, where you will collect your rented vehicle (Group C - Toyota Corolla or similar with manual gears and air-conditioning and a GPS Unit).

Khaya Ndlovu, near Kruger Park
View from the deck at Khaya Ndlovu

From the airport, you will make your way east over the grasslands and farmlands of the Highveld to the mountainous Mpumalanga Escarpment area. You could take in some of the breathtaking viewpoints that look over the Blyde River Canyon (the world’s greenest canyon), before continuing down the escarpment into the bushlands of the Greater Kruger Park, also known as the Lowveld. You continue to the small town of Hoedspruit, and just outside the town you enter the Blue Canyon Conservancy and check in for (1) night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis at the Khaya Ndlovu Manor House.

Day 5

Hot Air Balloon flight and onto Kruger National Park

Early this morning you will make your way before sunrise, to the launch field where you will enjoy a sunrise hot air ballooning flight experience. This is followed by a full English breakfast and citations for bravery! (A light-hearted tradition of hot air balloonists).

Hot Air Balloon Flight near Khaya Ndlovu, South Africa
Lions are the most sought after animals in Kruger Park, South Africa

From here you make your way south and then east and enter the Kruger National Park at the Paul Kruger Gate. You continue to the Rhino Post Safari Lodge.  Here you will spend the next (3) nights on a fully inclusive basis. Included in your stay are: Accommodation, brunch, high tea, dinner, teas/coffees, twice daily game viewing activities and the services of professional ranger and camp staff.

Day 6 to 7

On Safari at Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

Days are spent under the expert guidance of the local rangers on morning and after-game drives, during which you explore the vast wilderness areas of the great Kruger National Park!

Elephants in front of Rhino Post Safari Lodge
Room Interior, Rhino Post Safari Lodge, Kruger Park

Day 8

Drive back to Johannesburg

Today marks the end of your journey and you will end your tour with a drive back to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.  Here you will return your rented vehicle and board your late afternoon/evening outbound flight back home.  (Flight at own arrangements)

Tour Cost

2025
R50,420 per person sharing (Jan - Mar 2024)
R49,255 per person sharing (Apr 2024)
R49,360 per person sharing (May - Aug 2024)
R54,430 per person sharing (Sep - 17 Dec 2024)

Included

03 Night’s accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
01 Night’s accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
03 Night’s accommodation on a fully inclusive basis:  Rhino Post Safari Lodge only:  Brunch, high tea, dinner, teas/coffees, twice daily game viewing activities and the services of professional ranger and camp staff. 01 Hot Air Ballooning Experience as per itinerary in the Hoedspruit region

Flight: Cape Town - Johannesburg one way excl. taxes

07 Days use of a Group C Vehicle (Toyota Corolla or similar with manual gears and air-conditioning)
Premium Collision Damage Waiver (zero liability)
Premium Theft Loss Waiver (zero liability)
Unlimited Mileage
Third-Party and General Public Liability Insurance
Sandblasting / Water and Undercarriage Damage / Rim and Hubcap damage
Windscreen / Tyre Damage Waiver
Location Surcharge
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
1 x GPS Rental
Claim Admin Fee – only in the event of an accident or theft
Value added tax 15%
Young Driver Surcharge

Excluded

Visas if required
Flights not specified
Airport taxes
Meals not specified
Bar accounts / beverages & premium imports
Laundry
Additional activities/sightseeing/entry fees/park fees
Personal items and gratuities

Car Rental notes and excludes:
All these charges will be billed directly to the renter and are subject to change without notice
In the case of tyre damage, only Avis-approved suppliers may be used for the purchase and replacement of tyres. This will ensure the correct brand and specification of tyre is fitted at the Avis negotiated price. Avis will only refund if the correct brand and specification of tyre has been fitted.
Accident towing fee
Additional Driver fee
Additional Spare Tyres
After-Hours Check-out Fee
Call-out Fee – negligence
Claim Administration Fee
Collision Damage Waiver
Cross Border Fee
Delivery and Collection Fees
E-toll Administration Fee
Fuel
Location Surcharge
E-tags
One Way Cross Border fees
One-Way Fees within South Africa
Overdue Rental Administration Fee
PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) – per day per Rental Agreement
Paraplegic Hand Controls Free of charge
Refuelling Service Fee
Refundable Rental Deposit
Rental Contract Fee
Replacement Tyre Delivery Fee
Sandblasting
Special Equipment one-way fees (GPS, Baby Seats, Bicycle Racks, Wifi)
Theft Loss Waiver
Tourism Levy 1% of T&M
Traffic Fine Administration Fee
Tyres, Rims and Hubcaps
Under-carriage and Water Damage
Valet (Vehicle cleaning fee)
Young Driver Surcharge
GPS accessory replacement
Road Side Assistance
Windscreen, Tyre Damage Waiver
Worldwide Adapter

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Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
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