Cape Town & Garden Route Experience in 13 days

Arriving at Cape Town International Airport, you will proceed to collect your rental car then drive to your accommodation and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Cape Town offers a diversity of cultures, cuisines, activities and landscapes. With the picturesque backdrop of of Table Mountain, the coastal city of Cape Town lies at the southern tip of South Africa. From history and culture to adventure and scenery all found within the city, you are sure to experience multiple breathtaking adventures here.

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Cape Town with a visit to Table Mountain. Take the cable car from the lower cable-way station to the top, where you can explore this natural wonder. Enjoy breathtaking views of Cape Town and the ocean as you descend.

Following your Table Mountain adventure, meet your local guide for a Historic Walking Tour of the city. This tour provides insights into Cape Town's complex history, highlighting both its heroes and villains. Gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Capetonian and explore different eras of Cape Town and South Africa's history. Visit notable sites such as the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, The Castle of Good Hope, and The Slave Lodge, among others.

Next, head to Robben Island, where tours are available at various times throughout the day. Ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The tour, which includes the ferry ride to and from the island, typically takes 3.5 hours (duration may vary based on the boat used).

Upon arrival at Murray’s Bay Harbour on Robben Island's east coast, you'll take a short walk to buses that will transport you to historical sites around the island. Along the way, you'll pass buildings and a high wall constructed by prisoners in the 1960s. These structures were used for family and lawyer visits to prisoners.

Your tour guide will meet you once you've boarded the buses. The prison tour will be led by a knowledgeable Robben Island Tour Guide who is well-versed in the island's 500-year-old history. The tour encompasses various sites, including the leprosy graveyard, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, army and navy bunkers, and the Maximum Security Prison, where South Africa’s freedom fighters were once incarcerated for extended periods. The tour concludes with a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell, offering a poignant conclusion to your day of exploration.

Go on a spectacular journey to the Cape of Good Hope, including a visit to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We’ll explore Cape Point National Park on foot by taking a walk up to the lighthouse (or opt to take the “Flying Dutchman” funicular). We will then head to the Cape of Good Hope, the furthest southwestern point in Africa.

Our day will include driving along the beautiful Atlantic seaside suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay, with views of the Twelve Apostles Mountains. We will also enjoy a spectacular coastal drive along Chapman’s Peak, to take in one of the best views in the region.

PHOTO MOMENTS:

Chapmans Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Chapman’s Peak Drive is affectionately known as “Chappies” and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic scenery of Cape Town.

Cape Point

Rugged rocks and sheer cliffs towering more than 200 m above the sea and cutting deep into the ocean, provide a spectacular background for the park’s rich bio-diversity. Cape Point falls within the southern section of Table Mountain National park. The natural vegetation of the areas – fynbos – comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms.

The Western Cape of South Africa is home to more than 500 wineries, and today we will visit a few of our favourites in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or Paarl. We typically visit three wineries, and we like to consult with our clients on the day to tailor the stops to their tastes. Some of our favourites are:

Babylonstoren, at the foot of Simonsberg Mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley, with a fruit and vegetable garden of amazing beauty and diversity

Boschendal, with its garden-to-table restaurant, historic manor buildings, garden picnics, and exceptional food & wine

Waterford Estate, a classic in the beautiful Blaauwklippen Valley, offering a chocolate and wine pairing

Muratie Wine Estate, a Stellenbosch farm dating back to 1685, one of the oldest estates in South Africa (with the cobwebs to prove it)

Today, you will leave Cape Town and make your way towards Hermanus.

Hermanus is rich in breathtaking scenery; with its unparalleled scenic beauty, modern infrastructure, upmarket shops and endless adventure options, it is no wonder that Hermanus is transformed into a bustling hubbub of activity in-season as well as out-of-season. For any intrepid tourist or appreciator of nature's wonders, Hermanus is the ideal location for an unforgettable experience.

Embark on the Elgin Valley tour while driving to Hermanus, which is a perfect day trip for those who love wine, food and nature. Starting with an olive and olive oil tasting at Morgenster in Somerset West, you'll then head to the Peregrine Farm Stall for some coffee and to browse the many locally-produced farm goods. You'll then visit one of the many boutique wine farms in the Elgin Valley to taste some of the best wines in the region, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as sparkling wine.

Enter the natural habitat of the Marine Big Five in South Africa, for the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and great white sharks!

Enjoy a safe, comfortable cruise into the heart of the Marine Big Five to watch graceful whales in their natural habitat.

5 Star Service

Welcome coffee/tea is provided on welcome, with water on board and soup with bread on return. We can cater for all dietary requirements and are the only company in the area who insist our guests wear life jackets, also providing a weather jacket to all clients

Home of the Marine Big 5

The area surrounding Dyer Island and Shark Alley is the world famous home of the Marine Big 5. Depending on the time of year, you have the chance to see whales, dolphins, cape fur seals, African penguins and great white sharks, potentially in a single trip. An absolute must-see destination for wildlife photographers.

Experienced Tour Guides

Our marine tour guides know this area better than anyone and are available to assist with your every need. Whether you want to know more about a species or help on the boat, we're here to make your trip as comfortable and informative as possible.

Shark Cage Dive: You are put in the natural habitat to observe and learn what Great White Sharks are really like. On board, a Marine Biologist will teach you about this predator. Shark Cage Diving is family friendly and an educational environment surrounded by experts and researchers. Guests meet at The Great White House in Kleinbaai to register your wetsuit size, pre-trip safety briefing about what to expect during the trip to Dyer Island. You will anchor for 2 hours on average, but depends on shark activity, conditions, and number of divers. All trips are weather and tide dependent so launch times may vary and will be confirmed with you the day prior. This a optional tour.

After breakfast and checking out of your accommodation, you will begin your drive to Knysna via Oudshoorn. Head to Oudshoorn and enjoy a tour at the cango caves and also at the Ostrich Farm.

Cango Caves

Now it's time to delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves' limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for an easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights into the formation and dripstone evolution. Or, by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.

All tours are lead by experienced, knowledgeable and accredited Caves Guides. All tours are offered in English but Afrikaans, German, French and other language guide may be available (please check guide availability when making reservations).

Highgate Ostrich Farm

We have been telling the fascinating story of ostrich farming in Oudtshoorn for over a hundred years. Our tours surprise, inform, and delight visitors from all over the world.

Meet ostriches face to face and learn more about ostrich farming! We are one of the most popular outdoor activities in Oudtshoorn for all ages.

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm Tours offers interactions with the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, which lays the largest egg, has the most beautiful feathers and eyes that make you want to fall in love and hug them!

After the tours head to Knysna to check in at your accommodation.

After breakfast, head to the privately-owned Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine piece of land situated on the Western Head of Knysna and is only accessible by ferry.

This 4-hour family-friendly outing departs daily including a ferry cruise, 4×4 vehicle drive a 2.2 km guided nature walk. The views are breath-taking, and the knowledgeable nature guides will share their insights of the area, fauna and flora. Once completed, you will be treated to a spectacular outdoor buffet food experience included in the tour.

A must-do trip while in Knysna and suitable for young and old. Good walking shoes are recommended as well as cameras, hats, sunblock in summer and a warm jacket in winter on the ferry.

After breakfast, head to Tsitsikamma National Park and embark on a Kayak and Lilo Adventure.

This two and a half hour Kayak & Lilo Adventure up the Storms River Gorge in the Tsitsikamma National Park is our most popular activity. You’ll get to explore deeper into the hidden world of the Storms River Gorge than most people ever do and experience the long, bottomless pools, deep caves and ancient indigenous forests with nothing but the quiet noises of nature around you

If the ocean is calm, we kayak across the ocean & under the storms river suspension bridge. We paddle from the Storms River harbor across the ocean and pass underneath the famous Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge. From there we Kayak up the beautiful Storms River Gorge.

If the ocean is unsafe to kayak across, we hike to the suspension bridge. If sea conditions do not allow for ocean paddling, we simply change the adventure. We take a short guided hike through the captivating indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest and over the famous Storms River Suspension Bridge and start our Kayaking trip from higher up the river mouth.

KAYAKING UP THE STORMS RIVER GORGE

This is where the true adventure begins – paddling up the majestic Storms River, the ultimate treasure of Tsitsikamma National Park. We paddle right into the bats’ cave and spend time gazing up in awe at the spectacular cliffs all around us – all from the comfort of our double sit-on-top kayaks.

LILO DEEPER UP THE STORMS RIVER GORGE

At the low-water point, we say goodbye to our kayaks and hello to our floater friends – the lilos. (A short information break for those who do not know: A lilo is a small inflatable boat and our unique ones are specially designed for this trip to access the narrow parts of the gorge). From here on, we walk over a short section of rocks and then simply float deeper up the river gorge on the lilos – weightlessly relishing in the serenity of this paradise and feeling insignificantly small as we ogle up at the sky-scraping cliffs surrounding us.

Upon reaching our destination, we make a U-turn and float back down the river to our kayaks.

CLIFF JUMPING

After all the tranquility, we have to keep the balance and add a healthy dose of adrenaline! On the trip back, you will be given the exhilarating opportunity to leap off the overhanging cliff walls of the gorge into deep pools. This offers not only a good test of your bravery but also some good occasions for laughter (or nervous giggling), friendly encouragement (or daring) and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities (because you will need to brag to your buddies at home!). Although cliff jumping is not compulsory – you can simply enjoy the spectacle as you leisurely float on the long pools below – we do recommend not missing out on this family-friendly thrill.

As you can probably comprehend – this unique Storms River adventure is our most popular and best-recommended trip by local and international tourists. Be sure not to miss it!

Check out and drive to Port Elizabeth and check in at Pumba Private Game Reserve.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Embark on an exhilarating journey of observing wildlife in its native realm, as you explore the reserve either from the vantage point of an open Land Rover or through an immersive walking safari. Our dedicated rangers are driven by their passion to deliver exceptional wildlife encounters, fostering a profound connection and affection for the natural world.

A sojourn at Pumba includes two daily game drives, offering guests not only the chance to encounter a diverse array of animals but also to engage in an array of other thrilling pursuits.

SUMMER (15 OCTOBER TO 14 APRIL)

06h00: Wake-up call

06h30: Depart for morning game drive

09h00: Breakfast

11h00: Departing guests to vacate their suite

13h30: Lunch

16h30: Depart for afternoon game drive

19h30: Dinner

WINTER (15 APRIL TO 14 OCTOBER)

06h30: Wake-up call

07h00: Depart for morning game drive

09h30: Breakfast

11h00: Departing guests to vacate their suite.

13h30: Lunch

15h30: Depart for afternoon game drive

18h30: Dinner

A sojourn at Pumba includes two daily game drives, offering guests not only the chance to encounter a diverse array of animals but also to engage in an array of other thrilling pursuits.

SUMMER (15 OCTOBER TO 14 APRIL)

06h00: Wake-up call

06h30: Depart for morning game drive

09h00: Breakfast

11h00: Departing guests to vacate their suite

13h30: Lunch

16h30: Depart for afternoon game drive

19h30: Dinner

WINTER (15 APRIL TO 14 OCTOBER)

06h30: Wake-up call

07h00: Depart for morning game drive

09h30: Breakfast

11h00: Departing guests to vacate their suite.

13h30: Lunch

15h30: Depart for afternoon game drive

18h30: Dinner

After breakfast, you may have a bit of free time before driving to Port Elizabeth airport, dropping off the rental car and checking in for your onward flight.