SMALL GROUP TOUR: Take in the highlights of South Africa's captivating Mother City and the beautiful Garden Route, on this 8 day tour which starts and ends in Cape Town. Cruise the Knysna lagoon, visit Cango Caves and the Ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn. Enjoy wine tasting in Stellenbosch, explore rugged Cape Point, encounter the Boulders Beach penguins and spend a night in Hermanus, the whale watching capital.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
City tour and Table Mountain
After breakfast set out on a scheduled half day guided tour of Cape Town. Our drive through the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We will also pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. Then we visit at Diamond Cutter to learn about the art of diamond cutting and the history of the Diamond and Gold Trade in South Africa.
The final stop of the tour is Table Mountain, where you can ascend to the top by revolving cable car (weather permitting; cable car fee not included). See wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, independently exploring the city. We recommend a visit to Robben Island (weather permitting) or a stroll around the V&A Waterfront, which offers an abundance of shops and entertainment.
Overnight: Cape Town | Breakfast
Cape Point & Peninsula Tour
Embark on a full day Cape Point and Peninisula tour after breakfast today. Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbour with magnificent mountain views and beach. Carry on over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal drives, to beautiful Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. Then travel on to Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat. Before our return, we'll stop for afternoon tea & cake and a visit to Rhodes Memorial, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain offering spectacular views across the city.
Overnight: Cape Town | Breakfast
Knysna
Cape Town - Knysna. Bidding farewell to Cape town we travel along South Africa's beautiful Garden Route to the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, where we spend the next two nights. The forested town of Knysna lies at the end of the Garden Route and surrounds a lagoon of the same name. Knysna's most famous attraction is the Knysna Heads, two rugged sandstone formations that mark the treacherous entrance to the Knysna Lagoon, where many an ancient sailing vessel met its doom. This evening there is an optional boat trip across the lagoon and out to The Heads.
Overnight: Knysna | Breakfast
Oudtshoorn & Cango Caves
Today we head inland to Oudtshoorn on another full day of touring, taking in the beautiful rugged Garden Route scenery en route. We visit the world-famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and enjoy animal encounters at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, which is home to cheetahs, leopards and ring tailed lemurs. Travelling on to Oudtshoorn we visit an Ostrich Farm in the ostrich capital of the world before returning to Knysna for the night.
Overnight: Knysna | Breakfast
Hermanus
Knysna - Hermanus. After breakfast we travel on to the quaint fishing town of Hermanus, where the rest of the day is free to independently explore or enjoy some of the local activities on offer.
Built along the beautiful shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus is the official Whale Watching Capital and offers the best land-based whale watching in the world. The Southern Right Whales visit Walker Bay from July until December every year and tourists are often treated with close-up displays as these creatures often come to within 10 meters of the coast. Besides whale watching, there are a variety of activities on offer; from horse riding, paragliding, kayaking, shark cage diving, fishing, hiking, plane trips to simply swimming and sunbathing at one of many gorgeous beaches.
Overnight: Hermanus | Breakfast
Stellenbosch
Knysna - Stellenbosch. Bidding farewell to Hermanus we travel along the N2 over Sir Lowry’s pass to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town of South Africa. En route to this pretty university town in the heart of South Africa's wine region, we stop for a spot of wine tasting.
Overnight: Stellenbosch | Breakfast
Cape Town
Stellenbosch - Cape Town. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. The maximum group size is 7. The 'Twin Share' price is per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. The 'Single Room' price is applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Single Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl, Cape Town
Located in the shadow of Table Mountain and just off buzzing Bree Street, the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl is a contemporary award-winning hotel in the heart of the city. The hotel boasts modern, elegant rooms with ensuite bathrooms, free uncapped Wi-Fi, air-conditing, and a rooftop bar. The onsite ground floor restaurant Vigour and Verve features a wood-fired pizza oven and breakfast is served buffet style. There's also a rooftop gym with views of Table Mountain, and an indoor pool.
Knysna Log-Inn Hotel, Knysna
Built in 1998, the Knysna Log-Inn Hotel embodies an "indigenous" concept that combines the character and the spirit of the surrounding indigenous forests with Knysna's romantic history. The hotel is very centrally located, right in the middle of town, and is ideally situated for sight seeing. Within easy walking distance of the hotel - about 200m - are the Knysna Quays (better known as the Knysna Waterfront), as are the ferries to the Knysna Heads.
Misty Waves Boutique Hotel, Hermanus
A boutique hotel situated in the heart of Hermanus and right on the coast, this is a picturesque place to base yourself in South Africa's whale-watching capital. Elegant decor and furniture, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi are available in all rooms, and many boast a balcony and a sea view. The Heritage Restaurant is housed in the hotel garden, serving a daily buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner menu. And there's also a swimming pool with sun terrace and a private cinema for guests to use.
Hermanus Boutique Guest House, Hermanus
The Hermanus Boutique Guest House sits in an idyllic ocean front location overlooking Walker Bay. Guest rooms are elegant and decorated in neutral tones with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The property also features a small pool and stylish restaurant offering a delicious breakfast. Sat across the road from the scenic coastal path and the famous Fick's Pool, this is a prime location to base yourself for whale watching.
The Devon Valley Hotel, Stellenbosch
Hidden away in a lush corner of South Africa's Winelands, every room in The Devon Valley Hotel boasts an amazing view out of the window. The 1947 cedarwood main building endures today, and houses many of the hotel's rooms, mixing colonial charm and modern elegance. Ensuite bathrooms house walk-in showers and the majority have access to their own private courtyard or decking area. All rooms feature satellite TV, minibar, Wi-Fi access, and air-conditioning. Guests can eat at the signature Flavours restaurant or the Cedarwood Lounge & Bar, while breakfast is served buffet style. The Vineyard Terrace is the perfect place to unwind in the evening and there's a swimming pool for cooling down in the day.
Hotel Krige, Stellenbosch
Centrally located in Stellenbosch close to quaint eateries and wine bars is the stylish and brand new, Hotel Krige. The apartment-style guest rooms are individually decorated with modern furnishings and include a kitchenette area, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Easily accessible to the beautiful winelands that surround Stellenbosch and only 20 minutes from Cape Towns International Airport, make this a desirable stay.
At a Glance
