Self-Drive Tour of South Africa's Garden Route

Rich in breathtaking scenery and teeming with adventure, Hermanus offers a wealth of opportunities for nature exploration and cultural experiences. Walk the town's iconic Cliff Path, a nature trail offering an ideal vantage point for whale-watching, and visit the spectacular Grotto Beach. Stop by one of the many small galleries that dot the town and embark on a culinary tour through the city's outstanding dining scene. Freshen up with a dip in the hotel's private tidal pool, beautifully situated afront the ocean. 

Explore the De Hoop Nature Reserve with a variety of explorative activities on offer. Discover the region's rich biodiversity on an educational nature walk, traverse across the rugged train on a self-guided mountain cycling excursion and witness the herds of eland antelope, bontebok, and Cape mountain zebras that roam the reserve on a nature drive. Experience wild swimming and snorkelling in the reserves pristine protected rock pools and marvel at whales swimming in the distance while you relax on the white-sand beachfront. 

Explore the area on an immersive bike tour, showcasing the area's spectacular beauty on various mountain trails, offering breathtaking waterfront and forest views, and view the forest from above on a thrilling zipline excursion through the canopies. If time allows, pay a visit to the Birds of Eden, a free-flight sanctuary homing over 3,500 birds over 220 species.

Renowned for its stunning golden beaches and marine life-rich waters, and gorgeous hiking trails, Plettenberg Bay is ripe for exploration. Undertake the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness whales thrust out of the sea on an expert-led boating excursion. Marvel at the rocky gorges in the Tsitsikamma National Park on a kayaking adventure and, if you're feeling brave, go shark cage diving and encounter these incredible creatures in their own natural habitat. 

During your stay at the lodge, you'll embark on a marvellous game drive through the Kariega Game Reserve, one of South Africa's finest. Spanning a total area of 10,000 hectares, the reserve is home to a diversity of wildlife, including the unmissable Big Five. You'll get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures as they wander the reserve's various habitats, which include savannah grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woods, and valley bushvelds.

Witness the wildlife from a different perspective on an immersive canoe ride down the Kariega and the Bushman's rivers, the two rivers that border the reserve. The ideal vantage point to spot herds of elephants cooling off by the banks and hippo families emerging for a graze, this wonderful excursion is sure not to disappoint.