8-day Set Departure Small Group Tour: Cape Town & Garden Route

Day 1: Cape Town

Arrival in Cape Town - Individual Airport Transfers 

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your driver will meet you in the arrival hall with a name board showing your name. Please call or WhatsApp the emergency contact number on your travel vouchers in the unlikely event that you do not manage to locate your guide.

Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your own leisure, depending on your arrival time there are several options of things to do in the city.

Optional Activities (at an additional cost):

  • Visit the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions to enjoy
  • Sunset Cruise in Table Bay
  • Sunset Kayak Experience along Table Bay Coastline

Activities and Services

Day 2: Cape Town

Full Day Cape Town City Tour including Table Mountain

Pick-Up Time: 08.00 at hotel reception
Drop-Off Time: 17.00 at hotel
Included: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway return tickets. 
Dinner at the V&A Waterfront included: 19.30 - 22.00
Excluded: All entrance fees to museums – for own account if interested to visit and time depending. 

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Cape Town City Orientation Tour to learn about Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant cultures.  The day starts with a cableway trip to the top of one of the World’s Natural Wonders – Table Mountain, also the city’s most iconic and recognisable landmark. Explore the walking trails at the top and take in the many different views point across the City Bowl, Table Bay, Atlantic Seaboard and Peninsula.

From Table Mountain your guide will take you back down into the city to visit the colourful Bo Kaap (Cape Malay Quarter), enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens and Greenmarket Square and an orientation drive taking in some of the important historical buildings (for example the Castle of Good Hope – South Africa’s oldest building), streets and features.

There will be time for lunch (for own account) and time at the V&A Waterfront in the afternoon. Recommended for lunch is the Time Out Market. You will return to the hotel to freshen up for your welcome dinner this evening. 

Highlights:

  • Table Mountain and the aerial cableway (weather depending)
  • Bo-Kaap – one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots thanks to its picturesque colourful houses and cobblestone streets
  • The Company Gardens – a large public park lined with oak trees and surrounded by iconic historical buildings, museums and art galleries
  • Vibrant Greenmarket Square market offering a wide range of African arts and crafts
  • Orientation drive to see The Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, Grand Parade and Adderley Street with its many statues and historical buildings

You can also choose from a wide range of optional activities and excursions that Cape Town has to offer.

Optional Activities (at an additional cost):

  • Paragliding from Signal Hill or Lions Head
  • Scenic helicopter flight
  • Robben Island Excursion 
  • A visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a walk, including the Boomslang Treetop Canopy Walkway
  • If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to a local Food Market (e.g. Oranjezicht City Farm or Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill)
  • Constantia Winelands Zip and Sip Trip (half day Ziplining and Wine Tasting in the Constantia Valley) or half day wine tour in the Constantia Valley
Table Mountain Cableway

Day 3: Cape Town

Private Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour

Pick-Up Time:    08.30 at hotel reception
Drop-Off Time: 17.30-18.00 at hotel
Included: Chapman’s Peak (weather depending), entrance fees for Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (Cape Point) and Boulders Beach (Penguins). 
Excluded: Seal Island boat excursion – for own account and subject to availability, weather and time. Funicular at Cape Point. Lunch.
Dinner Transfers: 19.30 - 22.00. Dinner for own account. 

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour. Cape Town is frequently acknowledged and awarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful places – this tour will show you why! Experience the spectacular natural splendour and abundance of life of the Cape Peninsula. With scenic views to take your breath away and photo opportunities galore this trip also takes you through a World Heritage Site – the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, passing magnificent beaches and the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. From the busy fishing harbour at Hout Bay you have the option of a boat trip to see the thousands of Cape Fur Seals living on a rocky outcrop. Browse for souvenirs at the Hout Bay Craft Market or take a walk on the beach and paddle your feet in the sea.

The tour continues over Chapman’s Peak, known as one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world, all the way along the Peninsula to the southern tip at Cape Point. An invigorating walk takes you to the two lighthouses at the top and bottom of the headland, from where you will enjoy extraordinary views of the cliffs and the ocean below. Alternatively, you could take an optional short funicular ride to the top. Take a photo down at the most south-western point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope beach.

Lunch (for own account) will be enjoyed at a seaside restaurant before we make our way along the False Bay coastline to the Naval village of Simon’s Town. We will visit the delightful African Penguins of Boulders Beach and then the drive takes us back via Cape Town’s coastal and southern suburbs.

Highlights:

  • Drive along the Atlantic Sea Board passing the beautiful beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay
  • Photo stop at Maidens Cove to take in the views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay Beach and Lions Head
  • Stop at Hout Bay Harbour – a busy fishing harbour
  • Optional boat ride to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive – known as one of the World’s most beautiful drives
  • Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – most South-Western point of Africa and the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, spectacular scenery
  • False Bay Coastal Road – look out for whales between June and November
  • Visit the comical African Penguins at Boulders Beach
  • Simon’s Town – home to South Africa’s Naval Base
  • Picturesque drive past Kalk Bay and Muizenberg – see the famous colourful beach huts
  • Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – optional and time dependent

Day 4: Cape Town

Private Full Day Cape Winelands Tour

Pick-Up Time: 08.30 at hotel reception
Drop-Off Time: 17.30-18.00 at hotel
Included: 2 wine tastings at 2 different wine estates (3-5 wines per tasting – minimum 6 wines tasted), a chocolate OR cheese and wine pairing is included in these. 
Excluded: Additional and premium wine tastings and purchase of wine – for own account. Lunch
Dinner Transfers: 19.30 - 22.00. Dinner for own account. 

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Full Day Cape Winelands Tour. Situated only 45 minutes away from Cape Town, the Cape Winelands are surrounded by majestic mountains, beautiful vineyards and typical Cape Dutch style architecture. The Cape Winelands include the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl and are home to more than 150 wine estates and wine farms producing top-quality world-class wines. This region is also highly acclaimed for its many award-winning restaurants.

Head off to the heart of South Africa's wine industry, Stellenbosch, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historical buildings. With the sheer vastness of wine estates on offer, we are truly spoilt for choice when we enjoy our first wine tasting of the day.

Travel over the spectacular Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek, historically dating back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town, in a most picturesque valley, retains a French Huguenot style. Enjoy a wine tasting before taking time to enjoy the fabled culinary skills of the Franschhoek chefs at one of the many restaurants (excluded and for your own account).

Onward to Paarl, one of the Cape’s first farming districts, for a final wine tasting. The town is set at the foot of the cluster of remarkable granite domes from which it takes its name. Return to the bustle of city life after an enthralling day in the countryside.

Highlights:

  • Stellenbosch historical walking tour
  • Visit Oom Samie se Winkel an interesting and old fashioned general dealer
  • 3 Wine Tastings, with a chocolate OR cheese and wine pairing included, at various wine estates
  • Franschhoek town walk
  • The Huguenot Monument commemorating the Huguenot settlers of the 1680s who had a big impact on wine production in the region
  • The Paarl wine area – overlooked by Paarl Rock (otherwise called Pearl Mountain), an enormous granite rock

Alternative activity at supplement cost: Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai

Day 5: Oudtshoorn

Cape Town to Oudtshoorn via Route 62
420km Approximate driving time 5 hours (8 hours with stops)

This morning your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel reception (please ensure your bags are packed and you have checked out of the hotel) at 09.00 to depart on the next leg of your South African adventure – exploring the beautiful Garden Route.

Travel along the famous Route 62 from the Cape Winelands en route to Oudtshoorn. This route has previously been named "World's Best Road Trip Destination" by CNN! There are lots of interesting stops and places to discover along the way and it is also known to be “The World’s Longest Wine Route”. 

The first stop along the way will be at a famous wine estate in Robertson where you will have the choice of a number of unique tasting and pairings. Some of the options include, but are not limited to: dealcoholised wine pairing, kiddies pairing, beer tasting, infused gin tasting, sparkling wine, brandy & whiskey... You will be able to make your choice ahead of time!

We will then stop for lunch (own account) in Montagu and continuing along Route 62 stop at the famous Ronnies Sex Shop - not what it seems! 

On arrival in Oudtshoorn you will check-in at your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque setting in a charming countryside valley. Dinner (for your own account) can either be enjoyed at your accommodation or at a restaurant in the town, dinner transfers included.

Activities and Services

Day 6: Knysna

Full day Oudtshoorn, Transfer to Knysna

Pick-Up Time: 09.00 at hotel reception – please note a prompt departure is essential in order to fit in all the planned activities of the day
Drop-Off Time: 18.00 at hotel in Knysna
Included:
Standard Heritage Tour at the Cango Caves at 10.00 (1-hour tour)
Entrance to and Standard Tour at Cango Wildlife Ranch from 12.00 (1-hour tour)
Tractor Tour at Safari Ostrich Farm at 15.00 (1-hour tour)
Lunch: Included at Cango Wildlife Ranch
Excluded: Animal Encounters at Cango Wildlife Ranch and any other activity/excursion not mentioned as included.

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area at 09.00 sharp and taken on a full day trip in Oudtshoorn. After the tour you will travel to Knysna which lies 120km (2-hours drive) from Oudtshoorn, traveling over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass and onto the Garden Route.

Your first stop will be at the Cango Caves, which are situated 30km / 30-minutes’ drive outside of Oudtshoorn. Here you will join the Heritage Tour at 11.00 - an easy walk through the first six largest and most spectacular halls and continuing through to the "African Drum room". This tour commences with information on the real discoverers and inhabitants of the cave and then winds its way through the rest of the Caves’ cultural and historical heritage. A comfortable walk through the most majestic of the cave chambers.  Experienced and knowledgeable guides will accompany you on this journey of discovery and knowledge which takes around 1-hour to complete.

Next you will go on to the Cango Wildlife Ranch in time for a quick lunch at the restaurant there, followed by a guided 1-hour tour of the facility. The ranch has been in existence for 35 years and comprises of over 90 different species of animals. The guided tours provide a voice for each species and create animal and environmental awareness. Enveloped in a fun and unique setting, this is a one-of-a-kind centre that has something for everyone, 365 days of the year!

Your last stop for the day is Safari Ostrich Farm for a guided tractor tour where you will get to meet and learn more about these large flightless birds that have had such a big impact on the economy of the town. This tour also takes 1-hour, after which you can shop for some ostrich leather products in the shop.

You will then travel to Knysna, arriving at your hotel in the early evening. Dinner (for own account) will be at your accommodation tonight. 

Interior Diving with Crocodiles

Day 7: Knysna

Visit to Tsitsikamma Storms River Mouth. John Benn Sunset Cruise

Today you will visit the Tsitsikamma Storms River Mouth and enjoy an easy 2km hike through the forest along boardwalks to the swing bridges crossing the river mouth. You will also have the option to bungee jum from the Bloukrans Bridge - the highest commercial bungee jump in the world! 

In the late afternoon on return to Knysna enjoy a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon aboard the John Benn boat. 

Enjoy dinner (for your own account) tonight at the Knysna waterfront where there are a variety of options to choose from. 

John Benn in the Heads

Day 8: End of Itinerary

Departure - drop-off at George Airport or Cape Town 

Today is your departure day, you can choose to either be dropped off at George Airport for an onward flight, or travel back to Cape Town for a drop off in the city or at the airport (if booking your flight this should not depart earlier than 20.00).

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