EXPLORE THE BEST OF THE GARDEN ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Garden Route
Sensations
Warm Welcome to South Africa’s Mother City
A warm welcome on arrival at Cape Town International Airport, where a friendly driver will escort you to the hotel.
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its majestic Table Mountain backdrop. Cape Town is the oldest town in South Africa and one of South Africa’s jewels. It is filled with culture heritage and is rich in historical experiences, with pristine white beaches along the coastline
Enjoy views of one of the Seven Wonders of the World on your Tour to South Africa
After breakfast, you will be met in the hotel reception by a local English-speaking guide, for a day to explore Cape Town City, Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
On a clear day, the distinctive shape of Table Mountain can be seen from up to 200km out to sea, while its summit provides spectacular views of the city, its Waterfront and Harbour below, the majestic Hottentots Holland mountains to the East and Cape Point to the south.
An Authentic Touch – Why not Abseil down Table Mountain?
You get some serious bragging rights when Abseiling down one of the 7 wonders of nature which is the iconic Table Mountain. The panoramic views from the top of Table Mountain are breath-taking, but the views from the side of it are even better. Descending the side of a sheer cliff you will have Camps Bay, the Atlantic Seaboard, and the deep blue ocean at your feet.
After descending the mountain, however you choose to do it, depart on a tour of the “Mother City”. The tour of the City takes one past Lion’s Head to Signal Hill with its dramatic views of Cape Town, Table Bay, Robben Island, Sea Point and Camps Bay. Signal Hill was first used as a semaphore post for communicating with ships at sea and is still home to the Noon Day Gun, which is fired at midday every day except Sunday. The tour continues past the Grand Parade and City Hall to take in the South African Cultural History Museum, which is housed in a former slave lodge.
You will pass the Fort of Good Hope and District Six on your way to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The Castle of Good Hope known locally as the Castle or Cape Town Castle is a bastion fort built in the 17th century in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally located on the coastline of Table Bay, following land reclamation the fort is now located inland. In 1936 the Castle was declared a historical monument (now a provincial heritage site) and following restorations in the 1980s it is considered the best-preserved example of a Dutch East India Company fort.
District Six (Afrikaans Distrik Ses) is a former inner-city residential area in Cape Town, South Africa. Over 60,000 of its inhabitants were forcibly removed during the 1970s by the apartheid regime. The area of District Six is now partly divided between the suburbs of Walmer Estate, Zonnebloem, and Lower Vrede, while the rest is undeveloped land.
Arrive at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and enjoy your picnic lunch in the gardens.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
Head back to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.
Wining and Dining
After breakfast, you will be met in the hotel reception by a local English-speaking guide, for a day in the Cape Winelands.
A superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional winelands region, and the heavenly scenery…like the breathtaking views from the historical Taal Monument near Paarl.
The area’s rich with history, and we can’t help but feel it as we move through the region to experience a wine cellar tour, where you’ll learn all about the process of winemaking, from grape to goblet. We visit the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could we choose to enjoy lunch.
You will wind your way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. Stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and sneaking into the odd shop or two! A trip to the winelands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so we have organized two at different wine estates. And of course, you will be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home!
An Authentic Touch – Blend your own authentic bottle of wine
Create your very own signature bottle of wine that you get to take home with you. Go on a cellar tour and wine tasting, at the wine estate. Thereafter you will be given three blending components to create your very own blend.
The day will end back to the hotel.
From the Cape to the Coast
After breakfast, depart on a self-drive journey to Hermanus. The journey is approximately 2 hours.
This coastal town is known to be one of the best land-based whale watching destinations in the world. The most diverse floral kingdom and a beautiful hidden valley called the Hemel en Aarde Valley (Heaven on Earth) can also be found here.
On arrival at the hotel, check in relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Sailing the seas
This morning after breakfast depart on an adventure filled Great White Shark Cage Dive OR Whale Watching Cruise (in Season).
Shark Cage Diving
Great White Shark Diving in South Africa is a combination of goosebump thrills, education and relaxation on a luxury boat in the company of experienced experts and researchers! They will show you how to distinguish between a male and female shark and how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and scars.
OR
Whale Watching Cruise (In season – April – December)
Set off from Hermanus New Harbour in search of the ‘gentle giants.’ The purpose-built catamaran provides superior viewing and comfort and the friendly, knowledgeable crew add that personal touch allowing for an all-round great experience, from ensuring the perfect photo opportunities are not missed to serving complimentary light refreshments.
Our Whale Specialist guide will interpret the marine life encountered en route and provide insight into the behaviour of the whales while you are watching them in action. Our videographer will ensure that the best footage is captured.
Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the beautiful surrounds of Hermanus.
Coast to the Karoo
After breakfast, continue the journey to Oudtshoorn. The self-drive journey is approximately 4 hours.
Located in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountain Ranges you will find the town of Oudtshoorn. The Ostrich capital of the world and home to the Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system.
Meet with Meerkats
This morning enjoy an early breakfast before being met by an experienced guide to head out and meet the Wild Meerkats.
Enjoy this unique experience allowing you to observe meerkats in their natural habitat as they wake up to greet the day. The meerkats have not been handled nor fed by humans and are completely wild.
On return to the lodge, check out and depart on your journey to Plettenberg Bay. The self-drive journey is approximately 2 hours.
Plettenberg Bay is an amazing outdoor playground located along the Garden Route. If you are an outdoor activities or adrenalin junkie this is the place for you, whilst at the same time catering for those who enjoy great food and wine and long lazy days on the beach.
Stormsriver Sensation
After breakfast, you will be met by a local English-speaking guide who will take you down to the beautiful Stormsriver for a Black Water Tubing Adventure.
Traverse the phenomenal Stormsriver using a one-man inflatable tube. Including optional cliff and tube jumps, this is a great way to have fun and get in touch with nature.
On return to the hotel, relax and explore the surroundings.
From the Beach to the Bush
After breakfast, continue to Addo Elephant National Park. The self-drive journey is approximately 4 hours.
On arrival at the lodge, relax and enjoy the surroundings before departing on an unforgettable sunset game drive.
Feel the heartbeat and rhythm of Africa as you become part of a Big 5 safari adventure. Experience authentic, wild Africa, guided by an experienced ranger on an open game viewer, enjoy breath taking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife sightings.
A Day in the African Bushveld
Early morning wake up call, before heading out on an exciting and informative safari.
You will enjoy bird watching of approximately 350 species. Halfway through the game drive, stop to enjoy freshly brewed coffee and pastries.
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the surroundings, and experience the wildlife that roams in and out of the lodge.
In the late afternoon depart with a ranger and tracker for an afternoon game drive to a different area of the reserve. Halfway through the drive stop to enjoy sundowner cocktails as the African sun sets. Then enjoy a night drive back to the lodge.
Time to take your memories Home
Early morning wake up call, before heading out on a last African safari.
On return to the lodge enjoy a leisurely breakfast before driving back to Port Elizabeth Airport, for the homeward flight.
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.” Jack Kerouac
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