Splendid Garden Route Self-Drive

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will collect your rental car and set off into the Cape Winelands to Franschhoek - a charming old French Huguenot town with a well-deserved reputation as South Africa's gourmet capital.

Make your way to La Petite Ferme, a quaint and peaceful country house where you will spend the next two nights.

Set in an Alpine-style valley studded with elegant wine estates and surrounded by dramatic mountains, Franschhoek is one of the most appealing destinations in the region. Spend some time exploring this beautiful town on foot and wander the streets to stop in at the many boutique shops, galleries and restaurants. Sample excellent wines at the local farms, accompanied by stunning views of the valley, and feast on some of the country's finest cuisine.

Today you will drive down to the town of Hermanus, set at the centre of the beautiful Whale Coast, and make yourself at home at Ocean Eleven Guest House. Spend the next two nights here, perched on the cliffs and overlooking the aquamarine Indian Ocean - these waters are home to large numbers of southern right whales between July and November (peaking in September), and they often come so close to shore that you may even spot them from your suite.

Get closer to the ocean on a whale-watching tour and be on the lookout not only for whales but also for Cape fur seals, dolphins, penguins and even great white sharks. It is these sharks that are the stars of the shark-cage diving show operating from Gansbaai, a small town not far from Hermanus.

To relax, you can take a walk along sandy beaches, go hiking in the excellent Fernkloof Reserve or even play a round of golf at the Hermanus Golf Club.

Continue your adventure onwards, winding your way along the coast and into the Garden Route. Head to the seaside town of Knysna where you'll spend the next two nights at Leisure Isle Lodge, situated on a small island in the glittering Knysna Lagoon.

Days here can be spent kayaking and swimming in the lagoon, relaxing at the lodge and admiring the views, or heading out to explore the Garden Route. There are dozens of adventures and activities within easy reach of Knysna but be sure to take a short drive into the dappled Knysna Forest where you can hug an ancient tree and go on a nature walk to experience life in an ancient Cape forest.

Today you will enter the Eastern Cape and arrive at the town of Port Elizabeth. Settle in at the chic Singa Lodge where you'll be spending the night.

The lodge is situated close to excellent Blue Flag beaches so you could go for a seaside stroll or a swim in the ocean as you enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

A short drive from Port Elizabeth takes you to the Sunday's River Valley and River Bend Country Lodge, a secluded safari retreat situated in a private concession within Addo Elephant National Park.

You'll spend the following three nights here, exploring this beautiful valley on expertly-led game drives and learning all about the conservation efforts and rehabilitation programmes in the area.

You'll also go on drives in Addo itself - elephants are its most famous inhabitants but this large reserve is a Big 5 destination and the game viewing has become better and better over the years. It's also a malaria-free destination and its diverse habitats make for an interesting and varied birdlife.

Leave Sunday's River Valley behind after breakfast and make your way to Port Elizabeth where you will return your rental vehicle and board your outbound flight.