Cape Town & the Garden Route - 8 days

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to our centrally located start hotel, for a three night stay. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in South Africa's enchanting Mother City.

After breakfast set out on a scheduled half day guided tour of Cape Town. Our drive through the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We will also pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. Then we visit at Diamond Cutter to learn about the art of diamond cutting and the history of the Diamond and Gold Trade in South Africa.

The final stop of the tour is Table Mountain, where you can ascend to the top by revolving cable car (weather permitting; cable car fee not included). See wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, independently exploring the city. We recommend a visit to Robben Island (weather permitting) or a stroll around the V&A Waterfront, which offers an abundance of shops and entertainment.

Embark on a full day Cape Peninisula tour after breakfast today. We begin with a picturesque drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the stylish suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay, where you'll enjoy stunning views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the iconic Table Mountain range. From there, we continue past the quaint harbour of Hout Bay and head into the Cape Point Nature Reserve—home to more than 17,000 acres of indigenous flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as baboons, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok, reebok, and even the elusive eland. The reserve is also known for being one of the world's largest breeding areas for tortoises, and birdwatchers will find an array of fascinating species to spot. This rugged, awe-inspiring coastline is often referred to as "Nature's Greatest Show." Legend has it that Cape Point is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and you may even experience the famed “Cape Doctor,” the fresh sea breeze believed to have health-giving properties.

Following the coastline of False Bay, we make our way back to Cape Town via Simon's Town, with a stop to visit the delightful penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee not included) and the delightful fishing village of Fish Hoek.

Cape Town - Knysna. Bidding farewell to Cape town we travel along South Africa's beautiful Garden Route to the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, where we spend the next two nights. The forested town of Knysna lies at the end of the Garden Route and surrounds a lagoon of the same name. Knysna's most famous attraction is the Knysna Heads, two rugged sandstone formations that mark the treacherous entrance to the Knysna Lagoon, where many an ancient sailing vessel met its doom. This evening there is an optional boat trip across the lagoon and out to The Heads.

Please note, this tour does not visit Knysna in 2026. 2026 itinerary below

2026: After breakfast, we bid farewell to the "Mother City" and set off along the scenic Route 62, renowned for its wine and port tastings (at your own expense). Our journey takes us through picturesque countryside before arriving in Oudtshoorn, a quaint town nestled in the Klein Karoo, famously known as the "Ostrich Capital of the World." Time permitting, we may stop at one of the many traditional farmstalls (padstalle) along the way, where you can browse a variety of locally produced goods, from fresh farm fare to homemade pastries. We arrive in Oudtshoorn in the late afternoon, with time to check in and unwind. The rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

Today we explore Oudtshoorn. Our sightseeing today includes the world-famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and an Ostrich Farm in the ostrich capital of the world, where we learn more about these beautiful birds. We also enjoy animal encounters at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, which is home to cheetahs, leopards and ring tailed lemurs.

Please note: In 2025 we return to Knysna for the night, in 2026 we will spend the night in Oudtshoorn.

Knysna/Oudtshoorn - Hermanus. After breakfast we travel on to the quaint fishing town of Hermanus, where the rest of the day is free to independently explore or enjoy some of the local activities on offer.

Built along the beautiful shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus is the official Whale Watching Capital and offers the best land-based whale watching in the world. The Southern Right Whales visit Walker Bay from July until December every year and tourists are often treated with close-up displays as these creatures often come to within 10 meters of the coast. Besides whale watching, there are a variety of activities on offer; from horse riding, paragliding, kayaking, shark cage diving, fishing, hiking, plane trips to simply swimming and sunbathing at one of many gorgeous beaches.

Hermanus - Stellenbosch. Bidding farewell to Hermanus we travel along the N2 over Sir Lowry’s pass to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town of South Africa. En route to this pretty university town in the heart of South Africa's wine region, we stop for a spot of wine tasting.

Stellenbosch - Cape Town. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.