Classic South Africa self drive vacation
Highlights
Cape Town | Robben Island | Table Mountain | Winelands | DeHoop National Park | Garden Route | Plettenberg Bay | Tsitsikamma Forest | Kruger National Park | Optional boat trips to Plettenburg Bay or Featherbed Nature Reserve |
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Tailor made vacations
This trip can be tailor made to create a unique vacation for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
There is an opportunity to visit a large number of national parks and reserves: Table Mountain National Reserve Park, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National park, The Featherbed Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park. The majority of the parks and reserves in South Africa run environmental educational programmes, support research projects and many have developed their own environmental projects. For example, The De Hoop Nature Reserve is an associate of the CapeNature organisation, which aims to transform biodiversity conservation into a key component of local economic development through eco-tourism. Your visit to this park will actively support this project. Nottens Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve is a family run lodge employing local Shangaan staff from the small rural villages outside the Kruger and actively support the local communities. The lodge has no electric lighting and generates its power from natural sources.The companies we recommend to use for whale watching and the Ocean Safari are also FTTSA-certified for their Responsible Travel work practices. The FTTSA-credited company that we recommend for whale watching is extensively involved in marine conservation, assisting scientific research and supporting several conservation organisations, such as CapeNature. They are also actively involved in the rescue and care of injured birds and seals and the clearing of marine litter in the area. In addition, the company runs educational tours for local school children to expose them to the marine environment and also initiated the Nolwandle Project which takes into consideration the social, economic and environmental impact of the cruises that they operate.
The Impacts of this Trip
The property you will stay at for safari is one that has been accredited by Fair Trade and Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). FTTSA awards this status to qualifying guest houses as a way of signifying their commitment to Fair Trade criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing, fair operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment. By electing to stay at an FTTSA-certified establishment, tourists are assured that their travel benefits local communities and economies, and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
All the other recommended accommodation are all locally owned and employ local staff who are learning the hospitality industry providing them with qualifications for the future. Because they are owner-run the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the local area is vast and the staff will sit with you helping you plan your days so you get the most out of this amazing country.
There is an opportunity to visit a large number of national parks and reserves: Table Mountain National Reserve Park, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National park, The Featherbed Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park. The majority of the parks and reserves in South Africa run environmental educational programmes, support research projects and many have developed their own environmental projects. For example, The De Hoop Nature Reserve is an associate of the CapeNature organisation, which aims to transform biodiversity conservation into a key component of local economic development through eco-tourism. Your visit to this park will actively support this project. Nottens Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve is a family run lodge employing local Shangaan staff from the small rural villages outside the Kruger and actively support the local communities. The lodge has no electric lighting and generates its power from natural sources.The companies we recommend to use for whale watching and the Ocean Safari are also FTTSA-certified for their Responsible Travel work practices. The FTTSA-credited company that we recommend for whale watching is extensively involved in marine conservation, assisting scientific research and supporting several conservation organisations, such as CapeNature. They are also actively involved in the rescue and care of injured birds and seals and the clearing of marine litter in the area. In addition, the company runs educational tours for local school children to expose them to the marine environment and also initiated the Nolwandle Project which takes into consideration the social, economic and environmental impact of the cruises that they operate.
The Impacts of this Trip
The property you will stay at for safari is one that has been accredited by Fair Trade and Tourism South Africa (FTTSA). FTTSA awards this status to qualifying guest houses as a way of signifying their commitment to Fair Trade criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing, fair operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment. By electing to stay at an FTTSA-certified establishment, tourists are assured that their travel benefits local communities and economies, and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
All the other recommended accommodation are all locally owned and employ local staff who are learning the hospitality industry providing them with qualifications for the future. Because they are owner-run the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the local area is vast and the staff will sit with you helping you plan your days so you get the most out of this amazing country.
3 Reviews of Classic South Africa self drive vacation
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2019 by Karin Hilton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Safari
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
book a driver for a day
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Grrrreat
Reviewed on 04 Dec 2017 by Jill Roberts
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
So many memories as it was so varied - the safari experience, the wildlife and the birdlife, dramatic coastlines and mountain passes.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Try to not to have too many short stays so that you can have time to appreciate the different places properly - take the advice of the experts!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our tour operator is committed to being socially responsible and environmentally friendly which was clearly reflected by the places where we stayed and the places that we were recommended to visit.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent for a first time visit to South Africa
Reviewed on 22 Aug 2016 by Philippa Roll
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our trip took in 5 different areas of South Africa and every single part of it was unforgettable. We spent 3 nights in the northern Drakensburg, 3 nights in The
Battlefields and 3 nights on safari in Thanda, KwaZulu Natal. Then went on to 3 nights in Cape Town and 2 nights in Hermanus. Every single aspect of the
vacation was memorable: the scenery, people, wildlife, food, wine.....I could go on.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The vacation will be planned entirely around your likes and preferences, so think carefully about what you want to get out if your trip. Then take advice from
the experts at the vacation providers, they really do know the country and will know what's feasible/best within your timescales and budget. Other providers may be slightly cheaper, but we were so thankful for their expertise and pro-active customer service.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All the hotels/guesthouses used were locally owned and investments were being made in projects to support their communities - education, health and
conservation. There was a high level of concern for the environment (Soth Africa has been suffering an extended drought) and green energy sources.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A-MAZ-ING in every single aspect!! Also, our youngest son broke his ankle one week before we flew. This was no problem for Anna at the vacation provider, who
arranged wheelchair assistance with the airlines and contacted the guesthouses to request rooms on the ground floor or close to communal areas, as applicable. So special thanks are in order.
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