Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five SafariEscorted Tour, South Africa

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

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

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Nine nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Hermanus (1), Albertinia (2), Mossel Bay (2), Stellenbosch (1) and Cape Town (3 nights), plus two nights on the aircraft

Return flights to Cape Town via Johannesburg

Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Three lunches and four dinners

Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout

ITINERARY

Day One – Fly to Cape Town

Fly from the UK, via Johannesburg, to Cape Town.

Day Two – Transfer to Hermanus

Upon arrival at Cape Town, meet your guide and journey east to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching centre from July to November and a year-round seaside resort. En route to Hermanus, you’ll call at Stony Point, home to a unique colony of African penguins.

Departures between September and November will include a whale-watching cruise. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at La Pentola, close to your hotel.

Day Three – Included game drive at the Garden Route Game Lodge

This morning you’ll journey to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you'll spend the next two nights. During your stay here, in the shadow of the Langeberg mountains, you’ll enjoy all the wonders of safari game drives to see the Big Five (lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo) while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying typical African dinners looking out over the reserve.

This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps enjoy a sun-downer beside the authentic Boma (camp fire) before dinner.

Day Four – Two included game drives

A second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive. Enjoy some free time for a siesta - perhaps by the pool - before setting off on a second evening game drive and enjoying another memorable dinner under the stars.

Day Five – Included visit to the Cango Caves and the Little Karoo

Travel on to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World, in the heart of the Little Karoo plain. The world’s strangest, largest and often most-valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years – first for its plumage, and more recently for its high-protein, low-cholesterol meat. Enjoy a taste at your barbecue lunch, before visiting the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites, before transferring to Mossel Bay for a two-night stay.

Day Six – Knysna Lagoon and the Garden of Eden

This morning, you'll travel to coastal Knysna for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, which hugs the edge of the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve. After the cruise, you’ll travel in a 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. A buffet lunch will be served at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees.

After some free time to explore Knysna’s charming waterfront, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden of Eden in the Harkerville Forest. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a traditional South African barbecue.

Day Seven – Included Winelands tour and visit to Franschhoek

Head west into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to wine-producing Franschhoek for lunch (own account) and a wine tasting in the fabled Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of this scenic landscape.

With its oak trees and picturesque, European-style Cape Dutch houses, Stellenbosch is a delightful place to spend a night.

Day Eight – Included Stellenbosch and wineries tour with Cape Town and Table Mountain excursion

Enjoy a guided introduction of historic Stellenbosch, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat. Lunch will be included in a wine estate.

On arrival in Cape Town, set out on an orientation tour of the city. You'll see historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and the leafy Company’s Gardens. You’ll also enjoy a stroll past the colourful Bo Kaap colonial district and, weather permitting, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car that offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre-high summit.

Day Nine – Included Cape Town peninsula tour

Rise early this morning ahead of a captivating day on the road as you take to one of the world's most scenic routes along Hout Bay and the Cape Peninsula. Flanked on either side by vast mountains and Cape Town's wild coastline, you'll have the chance to enjoy the very best of the region's natural landscapes as you make your way along the winding roads of the Chapman's Peak route, famous for its 180-degree views and picturesque picnic spots.

Moving further south, you'll arrive at Cape Point, a verdant headland overlooking Cape Peninsula's most southerly point. Home to rolling hills and rugged bays, this area is a sight to behold and falls in the Cape Floral Region - which boasts around 20% of Africa's total flora. Take a moment to admire the native Fynbos which add vibrant splashes of colour to the surrounding greenery.

This afternoon, board the cable-drawn Flying Dutchman Funicular - named after the legendary ghost ship destined to sail the seas for eternity - for a gentle ride up to the summit. Here, you'll have the chance to relax in the company of the Cape's breath-taking vistas or pay a visit to the stalwart lighthouse that watches over the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans for unobstructed views of the coast.

This evening, you'll have time at leisure to spend as you please. Perhaps explore the Mother City, with its renowned Waterfront and cultural landmarks such as the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa or vibrant Bo Kaap.

Day Ten – Kirstenbosch Gardens and afternoon at leisure

Journey to Kirstenbosch this morning, famous for its flourishing Botanical Gardens. Nestled against the eastern face of Table Mountain, the gardens here are widely acclaimed as some of the most biodiverse on the planet.

This afternoon, you're free to relax in one of the world’s most stunningly located cities with time at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred waterfront or explore the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, with a short trip across the bay. Fascinating, informative and deeply poignant, this museum is an unmissable experience.

Day Eleven – Free time and return flight

Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home via Johannesburg.

Day Twelve – Arrive in the UK

You'll land back home this morning, at the end of a wonderful holiday in South Africa.

Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari is located in Escorted Tour, South Africa. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 22/08/2024