Cape Town, Garden Route and Eastern Cape

Join our 12-day South Africa adventure starting with the iconic sights of Cape Town. Head to the scenic Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, sampling renowned wines and local delicacies. Journey along the Garden Route for stunning coastal views at Cape Agulhas and visit an ostrich farm and the spectacular Cango Caves, where you’ll discover ancient limestone formations. Continue to Knysna with its dramatic sandstone cliffs, then to Plettenberg Bay for visits to the Birds of Eden sanctuary and Monkeyland, both home to diverse and unique wildlife. Adventure awaits in Tsitsikamma National Park with its lush forests, coastal views, and thrilling suspension bridges. Conclude this unforgettable adventure with an immersive safari experience at the private, family-owned Kariega Game Reserve, where you'll encounter lions, elephants, rhinos, and a host of other incredible wildlife in their natural habitat.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Cape Town: considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the town is contained in a bowl created by Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Bay.

Cape Agulhas: the southernmost point of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, marked by a windswept coastline and historic lighthouse. Known for its rugged beauty, it offers visitors dramatic ocean views, unique rock formations, and a chance to stand at the symbolic divide between two oceans.

Knysna: a charming town along South Africa's Garden Route, known for its lush forests, serene lagoon, and dramatic sandstone cliffs known as "The Heads" that frame its coastline. A popular destination for boating, seafood, and nature lovers, Knysna offers a blend of scenic beauty and vibrant arts and crafts markets.

Port Elizabeth: known as "The Friendly City," is celebrated for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. It’s a popular spot for water sports, wildlife viewing, and is also part of the scenic Garden Route, making it a gateway to many natural attractions.

Kariega Game Reserve: a family-owned private safari, renowned for its conservation efforts and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five. Set along the picturesque Kariega River, it offers visitors a unique, intimate experience of South African wilderness through guided game drives, river cruises, and walking safaris.

Day 1: ARRIVAL CAPE TOWN (20km – 0.5hrs)

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel in Cape Town. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 2: CAPE TOWN : CITY TOUR AND BOAT TOUR

After breakfast, Pick up from your hotel for a half day Cape Town city tour. Be captivated by the multiethnic character and historical wealth of the Mother City. Cape Town is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of different nationalities and indigenous tribes. Alongside high-rise office blocks, a harmonious blend of architectural styles has been meticulously preserved, including Edwardian, Victorian and Cape Dutch. Narrow, cobblestone streets and the Islamic character of the Bo-Kaap enhance the cosmopolitan ambiance. The itinerary takes you to the City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope – this pentagon-shaped fort is the oldest surviving building in South Africa; the Company's Garden – a large public park, originally Jan van Riebeeck's vegetable garden, which he grew to feed the colony as early as 1652; and Signal Hill with spectacular panoramas over the city. You can visit Table Mountain via the Cable Car (at own cost).

In the afternoon climb aboard a hydrofoil and look for marine life in the ecosystem of Table Bay on a 2-hour eco tour from Cape Town. See species in their natural surroundings, such as humpback and southern right whales (depending on the season). Get the chance to watch pods of dolphins breaching close to the boat and marvel at their acrobatic displays. Be enchanted by Cape fur seals lounging on the jetties and get close to unusual species, such as sunfish. Watch African penguins diving for fish to take back to their breeding colony on Robben Island. Encounter birdlife, such as terns, gannets, cormorants and mighty black-browed albatross.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 3: CAPE TOWN : CAPE PENINSULA

After breakfast, Your guide will pick you up from the hotel  for a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Discover both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines. The first stop is at the charming fishing village of Hout Bay. Then continue along the Atlantic coastline to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – the most south-westerly tip of Africa and the mythical meeting place of two great oceans. On the return trip, pass through the naval town of Simon's Town and then traverse the fishing port of Kalk Bay and the lush suburb of Constantia.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 4: CAPE TOWN – STELLENBOSCH – PAARL – FRANSCHHOEK – CAPE TOWN (200km – 3hrs)

Today, you will learn everything there is to know about wine, from the vineyard to the bottle. After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel reception and depart on your full day Cape Winelands tour.

The Cape Wine Route is defined by the triangle that forms the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Stellenbosch is a charming old town with oak-shaded avenues and historical buildings. Franschhoek owes its name to the French Huguenots, who came to settle there in 1685 and planted the first quality vineyards, while Paarl has been a centre for the Afrikaner culture since the 19th century. Along the Route, wine estates welcome you to taste wines and cheeses and invite you to learn how the wines are made before you are returned to your hotel at the end of the tour.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Day 5: CAPE TOWN – HERMANUS (128km – 2hrs)

After delicious breakfast, check out from the hotel and meet your local guide who will accompany you all along your circuit from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Transfer to Hermanus and upon arrival check in to your hotel. Hermanus, a thriving holiday village situated at the end of Walker Bay between mountain and sea, is well known for whales that come here from July to November to mate and calve. The Southern Right whale is the most common to be seen. Many walking trails lead through nearby nature reserves with unique fynbos that can be found only on the southern tip of Africa.

Overnight in Hermanus.

Day 6: HERMANUS – CAPE AGULHAS – OUDTSHOORN (454km – 5.5hrs)

Today's destination is Oudtshoorn. Depart Hermanus after breakfast and continue your journey up the Garden Route. En route, visit Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa and recently proclaimed Agulhas National Park. Named "Cape Needle" by 16th-century Portuguese sailors due to their compasses’ accuracy here, it’s said to be the true meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, where the cold Benguela current meets the warm Agulhas current amid stunning, wild fynbos scenery. Visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Africa and meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Known for its shipwrecks, this "Cape of Storms" houses South Africa’s second oldest lighthouse, modelled on the Egyptian Faros, with striking red and white limestone walls. Now a national monument and museum, it holds Khoisan fishing relics and offers visitors a climb up its narrow staircase to view its powerful light reaching 30 nautical miles out to sea. Then, continue to Oudtshoorn and upon arrival check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Day 7: OUDTSHOORN – KNYSNA (120km – 2hrs)

After breakfast, spend some time exploring Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. Residential suburbs are flanked by acres of ostrich farms where these large flightless birds are bred and raised. A tour of an ostrich farm is naturally one of Oudtshoorn’s main attractions, where visitors can view the birds and browse boutiques full of exotic ostrich leather, and the brave can try to ride an ostrich. Another famous landmark in Oudtshoorn is the Cango Caves, an almost fantasy limestone cave formation that stretches on for several kilometres. A large variety of hiking and biking trails surround the town and there are also numerous rivers and waterfalls to be explored. In the afternoon you will travel to Knysna, where you will spend the night.

Overnight in Knysna.

Day 8: KNYSNA – STORMSRIVER (100km – 1.5hrs)

Discover Knysna, a picturesque town along the Garden Route, surrounded by lush forests and a tranquil lagoon framed by the dramatic Knysna Heads. The lagoon’s calm waters are ideal for cruises and water sports, while the nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve and Garden Route National Park offer scenic beauty just a short drive away. In Plettenberg Bay, known as the "fashionable" seaside resort, visitors can enjoy expansive, untouched beaches, rocky peninsulas, and rich lagoons. Originally named Bahia Formosa, this town features incredible views over the Indian Ocean, inviting tourists to relax or explore the natural landscape. Visit Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight bird sanctuary, where you can stroll through a two-hectare dome filled with 280 bird species, including the striking Knysna loerie. The tour is non-guided and visitors are free to stroll along the wooden walkways. The peaceful aviary includes viewing platforms and educational brochures to guide you. Besides the 3 800-odd birds here, the sanctuary is also home to some free-roaming miniature monkeys such as the golden-handed tamarin. Next, visit Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay. Monkeyland is an award-winning animal preserve and the world's first free-roaming multi-primate sanctuary. The centre is currently the top eco-tourism attraction along the Garden Route and endeavours to rehabilitate and release previously caged primates. Join a guided safari to observe various species in a natural setting and witness these animals rediscover their instincts in a safe, enriching environment. Then, drive to Stormsriver and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Stormsriver.

Day 9: STORMSRIVER – PORT ELIZABETH (180km – 2hrs)

Today's destination is Gqeberha formerly known as Port Elizabeth. On the way you will visit the Port Elizabeth Museum and Oceanarium. Bayworld is one of the leading tourist attractions in Nelson Mandela Bay that includes a natural and cultural history museum as well as a Snake Park and Oceanarium. In the museum you will embark on an exciting journey through time, from prehistoric dinosaurs to a 15 metre skeleton of the last southern right whale to be harpooned in Algoa Bay, while the Maritime History Hall recreates the romance and drama of a bygone era with fully rigged models of sailing ships and their accompanying artefacts. Outside the museum the reptile park houses an interesting collection of lizards, tortoises, snakes and crocodiles and there is a daily seal and penguin presentation. Over 60 varieties of colourful fish can be viewed in the Tropical Tank that is also used to house rehabilitated sea turtles before they are released back into the ocean.

Overnight in Port Elizabeth.

Day 10: PORT ELIZABETH – KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (140km – 1.5hrs)

After breakfast, you will travel to the Eastern Cape. Arrive at Kariega Game Reserve. Amid the lush wilderness of the Eastern Cape, high atop a fertile river valley, the 10 000-hectare private reserve is supported by two rivers - the Kariega and the Bushmans - that act as important species corridors and also support a thriving bird population. Its awe-inspiring landscape is a combination of riverine forest, rich grassland plains and typical African bushveld that offers dramatic and spectacular vistas. Besides being a delight for bird watchers, Kariega is also home to the Big Five, hyena, hippo, wildebeest, giraffe and kudu, to name just a few. One of the unique features of the park is the opportunity for walking freely and safely amongst wild game, in an area that excludes the more unpredictable and dangerous Big Five. Apart from daily game drives, the reserve also offers guided walks, fishing and river cruises where the peace and tranquillity of the river valley can be enjoyed at leisure.  Lunch will be served, followed by a 4x4 afternoon game drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Delight in the thrill of the great outdoors as you get up close to the wonders of the African wilderness. Your afternoon game drive will be conducted by a professional ranger who knows where to find the animals and can provide insight into their habitats and characteristics. As the sun sets you may also have the opportunity of watching a herd of hippos emerge from the river for a night of grazing. Upor return a delicious dinner is served in the main lodge’s dining area.

Overnight in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

Day 11: KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Early morning wake-up call. Meet your ranger to discuss your expectations for this morning’s safari. The game drive takes place in an open 4x4 vehicle which enables you to experience close encounters and unforgettable moments with various animals, each game drive lasting around three hours. During the outing, your ranger informs you about the flora and fauna of the bush and how the park’s animals live and survive. Enjoy a tasty cup of coffee during a break out in the bush at one of the scenic spots. Upon your return to the lodge, feast on a substantial breakfast. Relax at the pool and enjoy the lodge facilities until it is time for your afternoon game drive.

Overnight in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

Day 12: KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE – PORT ELIZABETH DEPARTURE (140km – 2hrs)

After your early morning game drive and breakfast, you will be transferred back to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight back home.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in South Africa. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.