Cape Town & the Garden Route

From Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, we loved every minute of the tour, learning so much about the country, the culture, the people, the food and the wildlife. Our guide Marco had a wealth of knowledge on all of the above and with boundless energy was prepared to go to enormous lengths to make the trip special (he also has a wonderful sense of humour). The group comprising 15 people (about the right size) was so warm and friendly, making it a pleasure to get to know everyone. The hotels were all well equipped, with some better than others: Tsitsikama had amazing views of the sea, House Martin was a clear step up (run by a lovely couple), while The Windsor was great provided you have a sea facing room (do pay for this to avoid overlooking the car park). City Lodge is a typical city travellers hotel but has just been refurbished so it was in good condition. The trip may not be super-active but the pace is full on as you move from activity to activity and from location to location. We ate in some fantastic spots and Marco was always on hand to recommend the local specialities / what not to eat at each restaurant. He even managed to convince us to try Mopane worms by the end! Wine tasting under the trees in Stellenbosch was lovely despite the food and tour around the facility being a little shambolic. When in Cape Town, the Robben Island tour was well worth attending especially for the second part when you are guided by an ex-political prisoner. Our last night of the tour at Marco's Restaurant (not related) in Cape Town which was such a fun way to bring it to an end. Overall, a fabulous trip which we thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend.

The trip was a wonderful way to see some of Southern Africa, we enjoyed the safari's and boat trips. We had wonderful accommodation across the whole itinerary. The people were very friendly and the food and wine along the way was of good quality and plentiful. The coastline is amazing and the weather in October was pleasant. Our group was small , but it meant we had the opportunity to get to know one another quite well. Our guide Marco was very knowledgeable and good company.

This tour was well paced and a great introduction to South Africa, especially for travelers who enjoy exploring the world and finding the unexpected. One of the biggest surprises was the food. The cuisine was so unique and, as our guide advised us, plentiful. Paired with excellent South African wine, you are completely spoiled. Don't hesitate to try new things such as Bobotie or ostrich. All of the areas we visited were beautiful. I particularly loved Hermanus with its charming vibe and a spectacular whale watch, and I will dream of Tsitsikamma for a long time. Gazing into tide pools and spotting a beautiful octopus was incredible. Of course, a big part of Africa is the wildlife and this tour gives you plenty of exposure to many of the animals you hope to see. The elephants at Addo felt like something out of a movie. Cape Town is also fascinating. I had no idea the Cape of Good Hope was so vast. The beauty cannot be surpassed. We were lucky enough to have a perfect view at the top of Table Mountain, as well. The people are incredibly kind and friendly wherever you go and it we enjoyed experiencing the mixture of cultures. The accommodations on this tour vary, but we enjoyed them all. The guesthouse in De Rust was so special as the hosts cooked incredible meals for us each night and treated us like special friends. All in all, the time in South Africa was something I will never forget. The people, the scenery, the animals, the food...all of it was so much more than what I expected.

I have never been so close to the wildlife, from Addo National park to Harmenus - I been with the nature and the its amazing creatures. This trip is a must go if you want to experience good food, comfortable journey, natural beauties and off course the wild life.

This trip is simply wonderful! It has everything you could ask for- wild animals, amazing culture, wonderful people, beautiful landscapes and stunning food and drink. I have always wanted to go to South Africa and thought this trip was a great way to see so much of it but it has exceeded all expectations.