Knysna to Cape Town
 

We hope to take a trip to South Africa in March 2010 for about 14 days taking in Knysna, Cape Town and, possibly, George. We would like to drive and take in scenery, garden route, fine wineries and restaurants.

Any recommendations for good value accommodation (hotels, B&B or self-catering). Also, driving route, recommended timings and places to visit. We have been to Cape Town many times and been to Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Sandton. This trip we would like to travel more but also to be as safe as possible.

Perhaps a few days on the beach at Camps Bay at the end of the trip would be good too. Our return flight will be to and from Cape Town.

We are a "young at heart" middle aged couple with an keen interest in value for money but would pay a little extra for a little more luxury.

All suggestions welcome, thank you.

We are planning a trip very similar to yours in Feb 2010. We are also in our mid 50's and like to think of ourselves as young at heart too! Thought you might like to hear our plans.
It has taken me a year to decide on the hotels (Guesthouses etc) we are staying in, but at this point I feel they are all the best places for us.
4 nights Winchester Mansions in Sea Point . Like the fact it is along ocean, has a good restaurant and is on the topless bus tour stop as we are not renting a car while in Cape Town.
Car Rental from Avis
3 nights Whale View Manor south of Simon's Town. A guesthouse right on the ocean with it's own little beach close to everything on the Cape Peninsula. We have also booked the Walk with Baboon Matters which is 10 min away
2 nights at Amanzi Island Lodge in Knysna. It just looks beautiful!
1 night Sands @ St. Francis. Along our route and this place looked really nice with good reviews and a lovely sea front restaurant
2 nights Pumba Game Lodge. You didn't mention game viewing but this is our first trip so this is where we decided
1 night Dungbeetle River Lodge. Close to Pumba and Addo and they offer tours from their guesthouse to Addo which we are taking
Final night Linkside 2 Guesthouse in Mossel Bay. Looks nice and the owner was terrific to deal with. Half way location back to Cape Town to fly home to TO Canada on red eye.
As a further note my husband also loves golf and we are hoping to make times at Pezula in Knysna and somewhere near Cape Town on our final day perhaps Arabella
Will only be able to tell you what these places are like when we return! Have fun planning ,I always do!!!

Laurelie
If your husband is keen on golfing you should have a look at the Fancourt in George.

Happy travels!

SV

Thanks SV We will look into the Fancourt!

When I was there for the Garden Route (GR) a couple of years back, I stayed at the Protea Wilderness for 3 nights, which is a decent ***hotel (I think goes for about $150/night your time of yr). I stayed in Wilderness because (1) I was landing at nearby George at dusk, and, although I do OK driving on the left, I prefer not to do much night driving when fatigue could cause me a problem and (2) I was next heading to Hermanus and, with Wilderness being on the west side of the GR, my driving time would be shorter.

I ranged from Wilderness over the GR as far as Tsitsikamma National Park (so I could hike a bit and see Storms River Mouth). The Wilderness location was convenient enough, though I can understand people preferring to be in the Knysna area.

Best of luck, Steve

We are traveling that route in about 4 weeks. Bob will be doing a trip report as we go along, so stay tuned and we will let you know what we find. k

Thanks for your replies - all very useful. Look forward to hearing about Bob's trip report.
In the meantime have posted further questions regarding accomodation. Thanks.