This tour starts early Sunday morning with your arrival at Cape Town International Airport. You will be met by a local English speaking guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Cape Town.

From there you will be taken on a half day City Centre Tour. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town is rich in historical and cultural heritage and natural beauty.  Some of the highlight stops on this tour will be the Company Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope and the lively Greenmarket Square – where you can purchase arts and crafts from all over Africa. You will also take a trip through the colourful Bo Kaap area, known as the home of the “Cape Malays”.

Weather permitting, you could choose the option of an afternoon trip up Cape Town’s landmark, Table Mountain, for sunset.

The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, which offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment.

Today you will explore the scenic Cape Peninsula via the Atlantic Seaboard, passing the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno to Hout Bay. In Hout Bay you have the option of taking a boat trip to see Cape Fur Seals on Duiker Island, or you can soak up the ambience of the working harbor and shop for curios at the many vendors. From here you will pass over Chapman’s Peak Drive, known as one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.

The tour will take you into the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, through unique fynbos vegetation, to the tip of the Peninsula, Cape Point. Here you can see two historical lighthouses, accessible either by a funicular or a slightly more strenuous 15 minute walk. From the top you can spend some time appreciating the amazing views of False Bay and the Cape of Good Hope. Another photo stop will be taken at the most South Western Tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope beach.

Continuing along the False Bay coastline, the next stop will be the naval suburb of Simon’s Town to visit the African Penguins at Boulders Beach. From here the tour will take you back towards Cape Town, with a final stop at the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

You will have today at leisure, and can choose between a wide variety of optional tours or activities. Alternatively you may decide to spend the day at the V&A Waterfront to enjoy some shopping and the many other attractions and activities on offer here – the Aquarium, boat trips and scenic helicopter flips to name a few. You could even visit one of Cape Town’s many beautiful beaches to soak up the sun. 

Some suggested optional tours (for your own account) are the Cultural Township Tour (half day), Robben Island (half day – weather permitting), or choose from Half day or full day Adventure Tour options.

This morning, after an early breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a tour of the beautiful Cape Winelands. The first stop will be Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, founded in 1679. On arrival you will join a cellar tour and enjoy an introduction to South African wines. Then take a stroll through the heart of this historic town to admire the well preserved Victorian, Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture. A popular attraction is Oom Samie se Winkel, an old pioneer trading store with all wares from candy to antiques.

From Stellenbosch the tour takes you over the awe-inspiring Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, known as the “Gourmet Capital” of South Africa. Here you will visit a small Belgium Chocolate Factory and enjoy a sumptuous lunch (for your own account).

You will visit four different wine estates for wine tasting on this tour.

After your tour you will be dropped off at your Stellenbosch hotel for the night.

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning we say farewell to Cape Town and travel along Route 62, known as the World’s Longest Wine Route. The scenery along this route is superb, taking you over majestic mountain passes and winding rivers, through vineyards and orchards and past fascinating little towns.  There will be a lunch stop in Barrydale (lunch at your own account), before the tour continues to Oudtshoorn – the ‘Ostrich Capital’ of the world.

Visit an Ostrich Farm to learn more about these giant birds and the history of their farming in this area. If you are brave enough you could even ride an ostrich!

Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner and possibly sampling an ostrich steak.

The day begins with a drive to the picturesque Cango Valley, to explore the famous Cango Caves.

Depart Oudtshoorn and the Klein Karoo over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass, onto the lush, green Garden Route and to the lagoon town of Knysna – gem of the Garden Route.  Embark on an informative and fun cruise to and into the Knysna Heads (weather permitting) on board the Three Legs Rivercat – an advanced river cruiser. 

Lunch will be enjoyed at the Knysna Waterfront (lunch is for your own account).

Your journey then continues to Plettenberg Bay, where you will be based for the following two nights.  You will have time to freshen up for dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a unique experience at the Knysna Elephant Park, where you will be able to personally interact with the rescued elephants living here, while learning more about the almost extinct Knysna Elephants. Touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants under the expert guidance of their rangers. 

After lunch (lunch is for your own account), visit Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world, created for the rehabilitation and eventual release of a variety of African birds.

Time and weather permitting, you could take an optional boat trip (at your own account) on the ocean to view whales and/or dolphins, before returning to your lodge for the evening.

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will journey along the final stretch of the Garden Route to the stunning Tsitsikamma National Park. The scenery here affords wonderful photographic opportunities, showcasing crashing ocean waves, dramatic cliffs and river gorges and dense natural forests. Enjoy an easy walk through the forest and along the suspension bridge, crossing the Storms River Mouth gorge. Time permitting you may even opt to take a short boat trip up into the gorge (at your own account).

We will reach the end of the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth, in the early evening. You will either be dropped-off at the airport for onward travel, or taken to your Port Elizabeth based hotel.

A day to experience an African Safari. Situated in the dense valley of the Sundays River is the Addo Elephant National Park, sanctuary to over 420 elephants, 450 buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in the Addo.

You will be taken on a game drive through the park, and will stop for a picnic lunch (for your own account) overlooking a waterhole.

Once back in Port Elizabeth, the evening will be at leisure

The final day of the tour, you will be taken to the airport for your onward travel.

Depending on the time of your flight, there may be time for an orientation tour of the city of Port Elizabeth (for your own account), or you may choose to do some last minute shopping.

*Please note: This tour can also be run in reverse, with scheduled weekly departures on Sundays, starting in Port Elizabeth and ending in Cape Town.