South Africa Self Drive Tour – Durban to PE
Summary of this Self Drive Tour
Experience the wonders of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape regions at your leisure on this Drakensberg & Port Elizabeth Self Drive Tour. Embark on an independent self drive holiday to explore the delights of South Africa from Durban to Port Elizabeth.
Highlights on this self drive trip include the striking natural scenery of Drakensberg mountain range, the spectacular Durban coastline, the untouched beauty of the seaside village of Chintsa in the Eastern Cape, the Addo Elephant Park and the hidden secrets of Port Elizabeth, South Africa’s ‘friendly city’.
We will provide all accommodation and rental car bookings – and offer our expert recommendations for the best attractions along the way – but of course, you are entirely free to plan each day of your self drive journey, as you prefer.
Itinerary for this Tour
Please Note: This self drive tour package is merely a sample itinerary that can be tailored for your self drive holiday in South Africa.
Self Drive Tour Highlights
- Durban: Begin in the coastal city blessed with beautiful, sun-drenched beaches and balmy Indian Ocean waters.
- Drakensberg Mountains: Experience incredible vistas across an untouched mountain range stretching several hundred kilometres.
- Chintsa East: Stopover in this picturesque seaside hamlet and revel in its deserted empty beaches, vast undulating sand dunes and coastal bush.
- Addo Park: View elephants and other game in South Africa’s third largest national park (optional).
- Port Elizabeth: Discover the hidden treasures and welcoming atmosphere of South Africa’s ‘friendly city’.
Day 1: Durban – South Africa
This self drive tour of South Africa starts in the coastal city of Durban, one of the most popular seaside holiday destinations in the country.
Once you have arrived at King Shaka International Airport, pick up your rental vehicle at the Avis Car Hire Depot, then enjoy the city at your leisure. Visit any of the myriad exciting activities around the city, or make your way to one of Durban’s stunning golden sand beaches, where you can enjoy some dolphin spotting or just relax under the tropical African sun.
- Accommodation: Riverside Hotel (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
Day 2 & 3: Drakensberg Mountains – South Africa
Head inland for an incredible two nights in the Drakensberg, a World Heritage Site renowned for its rocky clifftop crags, untamed indigenous forests and fresh mountain streams. Also known by its Zulu name ‘uKhahlamba’ (‘Barrier of Spears’), the Drakensberg is South Africa’s largest mountain range. Topping out at 3,482 metres at its highest point and stretching for almost 1000 kilometres, the ‘Berg offering the visitor a wide array of exceptional landscapes to explore and enjoy.
- Accommodation: Drakensberg Garden (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (x2)
Day 4 & 5: Chintsa – South Africa
Leaving the majestic mountains of KwaZulu-Natal it’s time for the beach holiday part of your trip. Drive from the undulating highlands of the Drakensberg Mountains, through to the perfectly picturesque pastoral scenery of the Eastern Cape, for an overnight stay in the village of Chintsa, on South Africa’s rugged Wild Coast. Often described as a little slice of paradise, this secluded seaside hamlet features a river, quiet lagoon, long, wide and often deserted beaches, overlooked by towering dunes and wild coastal scrub. Here you can choose to participate in a variety of activities or you may choose to simply enjoy its beautiful beach.
- Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (x2)
Day 6 & 7: Addo Elephant Park – South Africa
Next up, the game viewing highlight of your self drive tour – Addo Elephant National Park. Setting an international example as a wildlife conservation park, Addo offers visitors a unique game viewing experience. While best known for its elephants, the 4.3-square-kilometre park is also home to a wide array of wild animals, including lion, leopard, buffalo and black rhino. Traverse the park at your own pace in your hired vehicle – or continue your quest to see the Big 5 in our optional open vehicle game drive on your second day here.
- Accommodation: Zuurberg Mountain Inn (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (x2)
Day 8: Port Elizabeth – South Africa
A few hours from Chintsa is one of South Africa’s largest cities, Port Elizabeth or PE, which is widely regarding as its most welcoming – hence its title ‘the friendly city’. Located in the nub of the vast Nelson Mandela Bay, PE is home to a selection of attractions and activities, as well as several great beaches. Whether you spend the last afternoon of your South Africa self-drive tour at the seaside or exploring the charms of PE is entirely up to you.
- Accommodation: The Beach Hotel (rooms, en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant), or similar.
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Port Elizabeth – South Africa (End of Tour)
Following breakfast, you will depart for Port Elizabeth Airport to return your rental vehicle in time for your outbound flight bringing your self drive holiday to a close.
- Meals: Breakfast
Pre-Departure Tour Information
Please take note of the following travel stipulations and requirements:
Tour Transport
Your South African self-drive safari encompasses vehicle rental of a VW Polo Vivo or similar (Avis Car Hire Group B). This includes Premium Insurance, which covers collision damage and theft waiver, as well as personal accident insurance, unlimited mileage, a location surcharge, third party and general public liability insurance.
It also includes a VAT and claim administration fee and a tourism levy, plus windscreen damage and repair, water, sandblasting and undercarriage damage as well as rim, tyre and hubcap damage.
It does not include your fuel or a refundable rental deposit, the contract fee for your vehicle rental, charges for a one-way drop off, delivery and collection fees, fees for the administration of any traffic fines you may incur, nor the cost of an additional driver, GPS navigation or a child safety seat should you require these. Additional spare tyre rental and deposit are also excluded.
Self Drive Tour Accommodation
We utilise mid-market or standard African lodge accommodation on this self drive tour package. These will be a variety of lodge types, which will come with en-suite bathrooms. Some also feature restaurants, bars and entertainment areas and swimming pools.
Tour Meals
Breakfast will be available in the restaurants or dining areas of the accommodation establishments. If you have any special dietary requirements, please notify us ahead of time.
Tourist Visas
It is your responsibility as the client to ensure you have applied for and received in good order any visas you may require to legally enter South Africa before your departure date.
Travel Insurance
Kindly note that travel and cancellation insurance is a mandatory requirement for all of our guests and obtaining this insurance is your sole responsibility. You must ensure that you arrange insurance with protection for the entirety of your self drive trip covering personal injury, damage and loss of personal items, such as but not limited to cameras and other electronic items and accessories, loss or theft of luggage, medical costs, repatriation costs, etcetera. For more information see our Travel Insurance guide or talk to one of our travel experts for assistance with obtaining suitable travel insurance.
Image Gallery
Click the image to enlarge
