Cape Town, Garden Route Safari & the WinelandsCape Town, South Africa

Experience one of Africa's most spectacular cities, some startling scenery, and the giants of the animal kingdom.

Discover spectacular Cape Town in its glorious setting beneath Table Mountain and gaze out at rugged Indian Ocean-washed shores, go in search of the Big Five in a private game reserve, then relax in the sun-kissed surroundings of some of South Africa’s finest vineyards.

3 nights Cape Town | 5* Pepperclub Hotel & Spa

5-day Escorted Tour | Garden Route & Addo Safari

2 nights Stellenbosch | 5* Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel & Spa

5* PEPPERCLUB HOTEL & SPA

This luxurious hotel is settled amongst the city's most influential happenings, on Loop Street, hugging the lively Long Street.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you're just a short drive from Table Mountain and Lion’s Head where you’ll have your pick of numerous hiking trails to explore. If you prefer to experience the city at a slower pace, why not unwind in luxury at the Cayenne Spa?

Ruby’s Bakery & Café and COPA Restaurant both offer unique dining experiences, from breakfast, lunch and dinner, to amazing coffee and freshly baked pastries to grab and go on your adventures.

ESCORTED TOUR INCLUDES

Hotel pickup & guided transfers with English-speaking tour guide

Game drive tour of Addo Elephant National Park

Route 62 Wine Tasting

Ostrich Farm Visit & Cango Caves Exploring tickets

Tsitsikamma National Park entry ticket

Accommodation & bedding

Knysna Heads visit

4 breakfasts

ESCORTED TOUR ITINERARY

Day One: Cape Town – Route 62 – Oudtshoorn

Ashton Winery

Early morning pick up from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch (usually between 6 to 8am, subject to traffic and your drop-off address.) You can receive your pickup time a day before. (Travel route today: about 450 km / 6 hours driving) Start this epic road trip journeying along the ever-changing scenery on your first day’s drive from Cape Town to the Southern Cape. Wind your way through mountain passes and get ready for the Route 62, modelled after famous America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour and known as the longest wine route in the world. The Route 62 is more than just a leisurely drive – showcasing local culture, food, larger-than-life local characters, and world-class wines. Wine lovers will be in their element with a Wine Tasting pit stop to sample some of the local produce about midway to your overnight stop.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Activities

Complete the day with a journey through the landscape of rugged plains and towering cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, situated in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. Those seeking a close encounter with Mother Nature can join rangers on an optional Elephant Observation in nature at the Buffelsdrift private game reserve. See these three rescued elephants; Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo, as they roam freely in their natural environment near a natural waterhole. These gentle giants were orphaned when their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. In efforts to keep the family together, they were transferred to Buffelsdrift, bringing their boisterous personalities with them. You are free to take pictures from a distance and can ask the rangers as many questions as you wish.

Oudtshoorn

You’ll spend the evening here at leisure in this countryside town of Oudtshoorn. Your guide can help you book a restaurant or join the backpacker's group to taste local delights, such as ostrich "sosaties" (kebabs) and "pot brood" (bread cooked on open flames) at this optional 'braai' barbecue experience at extra cost. Enjoy a peaceful evening relaxing at your accommodation around a crackling fire or under the vast twinkling starry night sky.

Day Two: Oudtshoorn – Addo

Cango Ostrich Show Farm

(Travel route today: about 400 km / 5 hours driving) Wake up in Oudsthoorn, where the ostrich reigns supreme. If you haven’t picked it up from the bird-filled paddocks and farms lining the highway or the colourful feather stalls on the way to town centre, you will from the many show farm signs and the palatial sandstone homesteads that hark back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold. The Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak and test the toughness of the shells.

The Cango Caves

Head to the mountains to delve deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights your guide provides into the formation and dripstone evolution. By contrast, the Adventure Tour (if available) allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.

Addo

As you journey to the world-renowned Greater Addo Region the dusty plains of the Klein Karoo morphs into a greener horizon. This small citrus farming community lies in the Sundays River Valley surrounded by the Zuurberg Mountains that offer some spectacular hiking and game viewing. Tonight you'll stay overnight close to Addo National Park, making it easy to be ready to go on safari first thing in the morning.

Day Three: Addo Elephant National Park – Jeffreys Bay

Addo Elephant National Park

(Travel route today: about 300 km / 4 hours driving) Rise early for the chance to encounter some of Africa’s Big Five at Addo Elephant National Park. Your guide will use local knowledge to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty roads in search of some of the Big Five animals. You'll experience an included 2-hour game drive in the tour bus. The original elephant section of the park was dedicated to providing a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation provides protection and a rich food source, supporting what is now the most densely populated area of wild elephants on the planet. This finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra and other species.

Jeffreys Bay

The early morning start means free time in the afternoon and J’Bay’s surf shop village – with its discount outlets – is perfect for shopaholics. But, if you’ve always fancied learning to surf (optional activity at own expense), then this town or the sand slopes beyond it are the places to try surfing or horseback ride on the beach (optional activity at own expense) or just chill out on the beach. You can rent surfboards and wetsuits for an additional fee. End the day with dinner at the backpackers accommodation or a night out to a local seafood delicacy restaurant, listening to the sounds of the waves lap against the shore.

Day Four: Tsitsikamma – Knysna – Wilderness

Bloukrans Bridge

After breakfast head to the coastal forest region of the Garden Route. (Travel route today: about 300 km / 4 hours driving) Lush green landscapes and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day... from ziplining over gushing river gorges, breathtakingly-beautiful ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge and exploring dense forests along suspension bridges and footpaths in Tsitsikamma National Park - today is all about the "garden" of the Garden Route! Calling all adrenalin junkies: get ready for the highest Bungy Bridge Jump in the world... 216m! So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go?

Tsitsikamma National Park

For a more relaxed thrill, try the optional Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. You’ll complete about five individual slides, zip over three waterfalls and slide down one impressive gorge.

Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park

This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park is sure to provide your essential forest fix. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing; your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be absolutely jam-packed. A short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone, but the abundant reptile and bird wildlife, secret waterfall and sandy beach is waiting to amaze and delight you along the forest footpaths.

Knysna Heads

As you head along the coastal belt, the paradise-like coastal towns show off and display why this region is a favourite with holidaygoers and locals alike. Stop for the obligatory photo op at Knysna Heads, a pair of rocky sandstone cliffs on the edge of the lagoon, to drink in the exquisitely scenic lagoon views surrounded by ancient forests.

Myoli Beach

Spend the evening soaking in the slow town way of life in Sedgefield, Wilderness. Take a walk along the uninterrupted sandy beach shores at sunset, this place oozes serenity, the ideal way to reset your inner calm. After your recharged stroll check out the rustic beach restaurant if you are in Sedgefield or venture into town for a more intimate dinner if you overnight in the Wilderness area.

Day Five: Botlierskop or Mossel Bay

Kaaiman’s River

(Travel route today: about 500 km / 6 hours driving) Another exciting morning awaits with a trip passing oasis-like coastal towns along the ocean-lined route hugged by forested national parks.

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Venture along the N2 national road as you return to the Cape and stop near a seaside village called Mossel Bay. Choose to do another optional Botlierskop 4x4 Safari drive (if you've not seen many animals in the Addo National Park, this gives yet another option to spot most of the Big 5 animals on safari) at this nearby private game reserve. After ticking off the region's must-do bucket list items and exploring the best spots of the Garden Route, journey back to the Cape and end with an evening drop-off at your Cape Town or Stellenbosch accommodation at about 8pm to 10pm subject to traffic and your drop-off address.

5* COOPMANHUIJS BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA

Built in 1713 as one of the first grand residences in Stellenbosch, the iconic Coopmanhuijs at 33 Church Street underwent three years’ painstaking renovation before emerging as this lavish boutique hotel in 2010. Now, upon entering the foyer, you're enveloped by a gentle, unpretentious fusion of contemporary design and classic approach, grounded in a respect for the organic and the real.

Helena’s Restaurant aims to serve heritage food with finesse, often with a subtle twist in the detail – turning the familiar into the spectacular. The menu is designed to reflect the bounty of the Cape, with specific emphasis on freshness and food provenance. At Helena’s, good unpretentious food and special wine add to the pleasures of life.

Cape Town, Garden Route Safari & the Winelands is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 05/06/2024