This sensational five week trip of a lifetime will take you and your classic car to the most beautiful and historical parts of South Africa.
Travel more than four thousand miles from Cape Town to Durban, via Kruger Park and Swaziland, visiting cosmopolitan cities, wonderful countryside, mountains and beaches, and experience the rich and varied culture, along with a true African safari.
We are also able to offer this trip in two parts, for those who are unable to get away for five weeks. The first section will be for 15 nights and travel from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and the second section will be from Port Elizabeth to Durban. Please have a look at the ‘itinerary’ and ‘details’ section for further information.
South Africa offers an unparalleled touring experience: Following a route that has been specifically chosen to encompass some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes, we shall be visiting the most scenic parts of southern Africa, including Cape Town and its surrounding area, the glorious Winelands, the Little Karoo, the beautiful Garden Route, Addo Elephant Park, East London, the Wild Coast, Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho, the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer War battlefields, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, St Lucia Wetlands Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, Dolphin Coast and finally, Durban.
Accommodation
The tour will mainly stay in small, privately-owned hotels, guesthouses and lodges, where possible booked solely for the use of this tour. The delightful accommodation includes elegant Cape Dutch farmsteads, a converted missionary station, stylish game lodges, sophisticated town houses, and African Colonial-style homesteads. All the hotels have wonderful character and individuality, whilst being of a very good standard - all 3, 4 & 5 star, or equivalent. Due to the nature and age of many of the buildings, all the rooms are different, and will vary from charmingly comfortable to the utmost luxury.
All the accommodation is hand-picked and, wherever possible, we have visited the hotels and guesthouses to ensure they have an enchanting atmosphere, as well as suitable parking for your car. All the accommodation is en-suite, and breakfast is included each morning, except in Kruger Park.
Itinerary
May be subject to change without notice
Day 1
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport in the morning, where you will be met and taken to collect your car. Just a short 20 minute drive to the hotel will be followed by a free afternoon to settle in. In the evening there will be a champagne reception and welcome dinner. The first four nights of the tour will be based at this highly acclaimed hotel, set amongst the vineyards of a private wine estate, in the exclusive garden suburb of Constantia, just ten minutes from central Cape Town. Dinner is included each night at the hotel, or you may take the opportunity to sample the delights of one of the many restaurants in the area.
Day 2
Spend the day exploring the exciting ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town. Visit the renowned V&A Waterfront and take a boat trip to Robben Island. Wander around Bo-Kaap, the city’s oldest residential area with colourful Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture.
Day 3
Drive the fabulous circular route to Cape Point. Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, and then head onto the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The Cape of Good Hope makes for a good photo stop. Return via the sensational Chapmans Peak Drive to Hout Bay and wind your way back over the mountains to Constantia.
Day 4
Another day to explore Cape Town and the surrounding area. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, at the foot of Table Mountain, are well worth a visit. The view from the top of the iconic Mountain must be experienced, and you can either hike up or take the revolving cable car. Afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel would finish off a perfect day.
Day 5
Head out to the Winelands and Stellenbosch, about an hour away. There will be a vineyard and cellar tour with wine tasting, followed by a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the numerous vineyards (there are over 100) in the area. Dinner will be an unforgettable outdoor dining experience that captures the essence of the unique Cape African culture at a local wine estate.
Day 6
For thrill seekers, there will be the opportunity to fly over the vineyards in a Tiger Moth. Visit the Winelands Auto Museum, with the country’s largest collection of classic cars or treat yourself to more vineyard tours. It is a short drive to Franschhoek, where you will stay for the next two nights in an exquisite converted chapel, now a wonderful guesthouse with gastronomic restaurant.
Day 7
A free day in Franschhoek to explore the delightful town, discover more vineyards, or take part in one of the many activities available, such as hiking or horse riding.
Day 8
Head over the Franschhoek Pass to Grabouw and Cape apple growing country, with its acres of orchards. Drive over Sir Lowry’s Pass and take the stunning coastal road to Betty’s Bay and onto Hermanus to stay at a very stylish guesthouse on the coast. Hermanus is on Walker Bay, venue of the best land-based whale watching in the world. A very relaxing afternoon can be spent watching the Southern Right Whales in the bay.
Day 9
After a morning’s whale watching, drive to the fetching little town of Swellendam, South Africa’s third oldest settlement. Journey either via Cape Argulhus, the southern-most point of the African continent, or over the Caledon. Spend the afternoon exploring Swellendam and its pleasant museums. The tour will stay in two adjacent guesthouses one a manor house and the other a beautifully contemporary building.
Day 10
Leave early to drive north over the Tradouws Pass in into the Klein Karoo. Visit Calitzdorp, which is renowned for its production of Port. Head onto the Cango Caves, fantastic cavernous spaces with dripping rocks and columns, for a guided tour. Drive over the Swartberg Pass, which is a sensational untarred mountain pass, considered one of the best in the world, with amazing rock formations and beautiful scenery, to Prince Albert in the Karoo. Stay in a gorgeous guesthouse on the edge of town. Dinner will be a braai in the garden cooked by a renowned local chef.
Day 11
Leave Prince Albert and drive through stunning Meiringspoort, leave the Karoo and head down to the coast. Travel along the coast and the Garden Route from Wilderness to stay for three nights in a wonderful guesthouse between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Day 12
Take a ride on the Outeniqua Steam Train and then lunch in Knysna on the quay. Spend the afternoon exploring the town, the Heads and the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Day 13
Another free day to relax. Plettenberg Bay is an endearing town with beautiful beaches and great restaurants, or drive out to Nature’s Valley for the scenery.
Day 14
Drive along the Tsitsikamma Coast to Port Elizabeth, and onto Addo Elephant Park. For those daring enough the route passes the world’s highest bungee jump! Stay for two nights at a guesthouse renowned for its good food.
Day 15
Addo is home to the densest elephant population on Earth. Take an open truck safari drive to see these magnificent creatures. There will also be an opportunity to take a tour of the citrus farms in the surrounding area.
Day 16
Departure for those who are just participating in the first part of this tour from Port Elizabeth. Leave Addo and drive along the coast, visiting the lovely university town of Grahamstown, and coastal resort of Port Alfred. Arrival for those participants on the second part of the tour. Stay overnight at a hotel right next to a beautiful beach in East London.
Day 17
Drive north through the fascinating Transkei, dotted with traditional Zulu thatched huts to the southern Drakensberg Mountains, bordering Lesotho. Drakensberg means ‘barrier of spears’ in Zulu, and the range is very imposing - South Africa’s premier mountain wilderness and a World Heritage Site. Stay overnight in a comfortable inn at the bottom of the Sani Pass.
Day 18
Take a trip up the infamous Sani Pass to Lesotho, either by 4×4 or quad bike. Stop for a drink at the highest pub in Africa. Descend into the Natal Midlands and stay in what was once the beautiful home to the family of the last Prime Minister of the Colony of Natal, now a hotel with its award-winning gardens and acclaimed fine dining.
Day 19
After breakfast take a tour of Summerhill stud, the most famous thoroughbred stud in the country. Drive to the middle of the Drakensberg and stay for two nights at a luxurious hotel situated high in the mountains. Accommodation is full board.
Day 20
Spend the day relaxing or exploring the ‘berg. The area is famed for its hiking, and also makes for great horse riding country. Alternatively golf and trout fishing are available locally.
Day 21
Leave the Drakensberg behind and head east to the battlefields. The area is rich in history from the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles. Visit Spionkop, Ladysmith & the siege museum, before heading to Isandlwana to a phenomenal luxury lodge overlooking the hill and battlefield.
Day 22
Spend the day touring the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift with a distinguished historian who recaptures the events in rich detail. In January 1879 it was site of one of the most dramatic and enthralling events in Zulu history
Day 23
Travel north to visit the Talana Hill battlefield with its excellent museum. Stay in Newcastle in the grounds of a farm house once owned by the acclaimed author, Sir Rider Haggard. The original farm house was declared a National Monument in 1981.
Day 24
Head further north still into Mpumalanga and the Lowveld, an area once closely associated with turn of the century fortune-seekers, hunters and gold-diggers. Stay overnight in a graceful Colonial homestead.
Day 25
Spend the morning discovering the mountainous Escarpment. Visit Pilgrim’s Rest, a restored gold-mining town, marvel at the view from God’s Window and enjoy the unusual Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Relish the dramatic scenery of Blyde River Canyon and drop into the Lowveld of the Northern Province to Hoedspruit. Arrive at a private game lodge in time to enjoy a late afternoon game drive, before a traditional African dinner around a boma fire.
Day 26
Experience an early morning game walk, with knowledgeable guides, before breakfast, followed by another game drive and lunch. Drive to Kruger Park and stay for two nights in individual rondavels overlooking the Oliphants River.
Day 27
A free day to relax and watch the wildlife as it comes to drink at the river, or take a game drive with guides from the camp, or drive yourself around Kruger at your own pace. There is an optional excursion to of a late afternoon game drive to watch the sunset and then, with telescopes, to learn about the southern hemisphere skies and African star lore, viewing the stars, planets and moon, before returning to camp on a night game drive.
Day 28
Drive through the park about 90 miles to Skukuza Camp in the south, spotting game along the whole route. There will be an evening game drive, which then leads to a bush braai, whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and the distant animals calling. Skukuza has a fascinating museum and library, as well as a good shop, garage and fuel station.
Day 29
Leave Kruger through the Malelane Gate in the south and drive into the kingdom of Swaziland. The Kingdom of Swaziland is the last traditional kingdom in Africa. The Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day to day lives. The countryside is beautiful and extremely varied - it ranges from magnificent mountains and waterfalls in the west to lush valleys of the middleveld and the low lying bushveld of the east. Stay overnight in a hotel situated in the highlands at the heart of the kingdom.
Day 30
Leave Swaziland and head down the St Lucia National Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site covering five distinct ecosystems. The lake is flanked by mountainous dunes up to 200m above the beach which protect the wetlands from the Indian Ocean. The area is renowned for its warm tropical seas, coral reefs and endless sandy beaches, alongside reed wetlands and dry savannah. Stay for three nights in a lodge set in lush tropical gardens at the St Lucia Estuary.
Day 31
Visit the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, famed in particular for rhino, and is the best place in the world to see them. The vegetation is subtropical jungle forest with hilly topography and offers yet another type of game viewing experience. The park is home to 84 species of mammal, including the Big Five, and close to 350 varieties of bird.
Day 32
Spend the day exploring the wetlands. Take a boat safari to see crocodiles or hippos in the estuary, or whale watching along the coast. It is also possible to see the Giant Leatherback turtles nesting on the beaches.
Day 33
Drive down coast through the hills of sugar cane plantations to Ballito, on the Dolphin Coast. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure on the beach or watching dolphins either from the shore or a boat. It is also possible to take a microlight flight along the coast. Stay in a luxury beach-front retreat and dine overlooking the ocean.
Day 34
Just a short drive to Durban, a vibrant cultural melting pot and an exciting hub around the busy harbour. For the final two nights of the tour stay in a gracious Victorian town house hotel.
Day 35
Durban has beaches on its doorstep, fabulous bars and restaurants and is also home to an enviable array of museums and galleries. The last day is free to do any last minute shopping and packing. Visit the colourful and bustling markets offering a variety of curios, collectibles, spices and clothing. There is a final farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 36
After a leisurely morning, take your car to the shipping agents, and then fly home in the evening.
Details
Dates
Duration: 15, 20 or 35 days. This trip can be taken at any time.
Complete 35 night tour:
£7,895 per person - based on 2 people sharing accommodation, including shipping of one vehicle per 2 people from UK.
£5,395 per person - based on 2 people sharing accommodation, without vehicle shipping or car hire.
Classic car hire is from approximately ZAR30,200 (approx. £3,000) to ZAR 99,400 (approx. £9,500) (depending on the car) for the duration of the tour. See ‘requirements’ for further information.
What’s included
- Full Tour participation
- Shipping of your car from the UK in secure containers, including customs, marine insurance and handling in both the UK and South Africa - if applicable
- All accommodation (based on two people sharing a twin or double room)
- Breakfast every morning (except in Kruger park)
- Tour book for each car - includes a brief history of South Africa and Swaziland, basic Afrikaans dictionary, emergency details, maps and directions, accommodation information, and a very detailed account of sights and visits for each day. The book effectively eliminates the need for any other guide books.
- Two game drives & one game walk in the private game lodge
- Night game drive and astronomy night in Kruger Park
- Bush braai and game drive in Kruger Park
- Battlefield tours of Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift
- Traditonal dance entertainment after dinner in Swaziland
- Tour of Summerhill Thoroughbred Stud
- Conservation fees for Kruger Park
What’s not included
- Flights or travel to South Africa and the start of the tour
- Car hire, if applicable
- Fuel
- Road tolls
- Dinners or lunches
- Entry into attractions and activities, and participation on some tours are extra
- South African comprehensive motor insurance for the duration of the trip (for foreign, shipped vehicles only) will be arranged, but not included, as each car will be quoted for individually
- All drinks are extra to accommodate individual preferences
Requirements
- Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland to participate on the tour.
- All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour.
- You will also need your vehicle registration documents, and an international insurance green card, if you are shipping you own vehicle.
- A driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best) for each driver
- Please check with your travel insurers that you are covered for travel in the required countries.
- You are also required to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
Classic Car Hire
Classic Travelling can arrange the hire of a suitable classic or sports car on your behalf in South Africa. We have teamed up with Motor Classic of Cape Town to offer you a superb variety of classic and sports cars, all at very favourable rates for this tour.
Specially agreed rental rates for this tour are from ZAR30,200 (about £3,000) for a VW Beetle convertible to ZAR99,400 (about £9,500) for a Jaguar E-Type. The rental price includes VAT, comprehensive insurance, transport back from Durban to Cape Town for the car, and 4,500 free kilometres. An excess of ZAR15,000 applies to all rentals.
Please have a look at www.motorclassic.co.za for further information and the range of vehicles available.
Booking
Apart from our scheduled, escorted group tours, none of our itineraries are set in stone - after all, this is your holiday - so we can fine-tune any aspect of these tours to meet your wishes. Any of our escorted tours may also be taken as a private, independent tour, at a time to suit you.
We work closely with a number of classic and spots car hire companies across the UK, Europe, and beyond, so we can arrange your car hire for you , too. Please contact us for futher details and the cars we have available.
