12 day Cape Town & Garden Route (CT-CT)

Upon arrival into Cape Town International Airport, you are transferred to your hotel in the V&A Waterfront.

Rest of the day spent at leisure or exploring the Waterfront.

With the soaring Table Mountain behind us we travel inland on the N1 highway via Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn. As soon as you leave Cape Town, the scenery starts to change dramatically. It’s often said that South Africa has one of the most varied landscapes of any country, and there’s nowhere better to see this than on the drive from green, lush Cape Town to the semi-arid desert like Klein Karoo. Enjoy a comfort stop in the small artists town of Barrydale at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains that rise out of the plains surrounding them.

Back onto Route 62 we head towards the heart of the Klein Karoo. In a secluded valley, which was once a lake, we’ll discover Calitzdorp, South Africa’s port wine capital where we will enjoy lunch (own account). Port can be a bit of an acquired taste due to its strength and sweetness, but that’s a journey we are happy to help you start on.
In the late afternoon you can embark on an ostrich farm tour (own account) to learn about these exotic birds and their industry, then dare to ride the world’s biggest bird species. They may have eyes larger than their brains, but they are nevertheless, very impressive (and taste wonderful).

Relax and enjoy the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality, with dinner (included) at the lodge.

Enjoy a country breakfast at the hotel, before we make our way to a 20 million year old natural treasure at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves. Descend the 200 steps of Jacob’s Ladder into the Great Hall and continue into King Solomon’s Mine. Leaving this subterranean wonderland, we head back towards Oudtshoorn, which boasts the highest number of sunny days compared to any other place in South Africa.

Depart the Klein Karoo, and travel over the Outeniqua Pass towards the Garden Route via George to Wilderness. Surrounded by mountains, ocean, lakes and lagoons Wilderness makes for a tranquil and splendid destination. Enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point and Map of Africa look out points (weather permitting).

Dinner (included) tonight will be enjoyed at famous JJs restaurant in the Knsyna Waterfront.

Today is a full day of adventure in Knysna & Plettenberg Bay where we can enjoy ...

> Ocean Safari to view dolphins and whales in Plettenberg Bay
> Hike along the Robberg Peninsula in Plett
> Featherbed Eco Experience
> Knysna Elephant Park
> Hog Hollow Horse Trails
> Enjoy a 10km beach walk from Brenton on Sea to Buffalo Bay.

We also explore the Tsitsikamma region where you will have the chance to do the worlds highest commercial bungy jump at Bloukrans Bridge, enjoy a gentle hike to the suspension bridge over Storms River Mouth (included) and then tuck into lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

The list of optional activities seem endless in this adventure region:
> Treetop Canopy tour through the forest canopy.
> Monkeyland
> Birds of Eden
> Tenikwa Wildlife Centre
> Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary

Dinner (excluded) can be enjoyed at one of the great restaurants on Thesen Island.

Depart to Wilderness where you can enjoy a kayak (own account) on the Touws River. Surrounded by mountains, ocean, lakes and lagoons Wilderness makes for a tranquil and splendid destination. Enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point and Map of Africa look out points (weather permitting). 

A short visit to the historical harbour town of Mossel Bay which was the first place that Europeans landed on South African soil.  Visit the Dias Museum Complex which is made up of several different museums, among them the Shell and Maritime Museums. The Maritime Museum sports a life-sized replica of the ship that Dias sailed in 1488. At the centre of the museum complex is the Post Office Tree. An ancient Milkwood tree that has served as a post office since 1500. As was done 500 years ago, you can leave a message for a loved one to read under a bottle or a horse shoe.

Lunch will be enjoyed (own account) at The Point before we make our way to the seaside village of Arniston on the Cape South Coast, we will travel along the N2 passing through Swellendam and then turn due south for the coastline again.

You can either enjoy dinner (own account) at the hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean or maybe take a short stroll into the historic fishing village of Kassiesbaai where you are invited to take part in a traditional evening meal by candlelight in one of the fishermen’s houses. The meals are prepared by the fishermen’s wives, a rather authentic experience.

Today is all about relaxing in this beautiful village, also renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November).

Later in the day we can visit the windswept beauty of the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. A place where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic, the Cape of Storms has caused many an ancient mariners to brave its waters and wreck their ships in the name of exploration and adventure.

After a relaxing morning, we head onwards to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November).

Spend a full day in Hermanus walking the cliff paths viewing whales, maybe joining a boat based whale watching trip in Walker Bay (your guide can arrange) and there is also the Hemel-en-Aarde valley behind the town for some great wine tasting and picturesque lunch venues.

Continue our sweeping coastal route through Bettys Bay for a visit to Stony Point Penguin Colony, before enjoying Clarens Drive overlooking False Bay with its panoramic views of Cape Point and Table Mountain, before arriving back to the mother city of Cape Town. 

Free day for some shopping or to use as a weather day in case we had to cancel an earlier day tour.

Enjoy the last morning at leisure  before your private transfer to Cape Town International Airport to catch your onward flight.