Cape Town Garden Route and Eastern Cape Journey

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, we meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city. You then have the remainder of the day at leisure – relax after your flight or explore at your own pace. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, we pick you up from your hotel for a half day Cape Town city tour. We explore the Mother City’s multicultural heritage and well preserved architecture, from Cape Dutch and Victorian to Edwardian. We visit City Hall, the pentagon shaped Castle of Good Hope – the oldest surviving building in the country – and the Company’s Garden, first planted in 1652 to supply the early settlement. We then continue to the Bo‑Kaap’s narrow cobbled streets and up to Signal Hill for wide views over the city and Table Bay. If conditions allow, you can take the Table Mountain cable car at your own cost.In the afternoon, we board a hydrofoil for a two hour eco tour on Table Bay in search of marine life. Depending on the season, sightings may include humpback and southern right whales, along with pods of dolphins. We look for Cape fur seals around the jetties and unusual species such as sunfish, and watch for African penguins commuting to and from Robben Island. The bay also hosts rich birdlife, including terns, gannets, cormorants and the black browed albatross. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, your guide collects you from the hotel for a full day Cape Peninsula tour, taking in both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines. We begin at the fishing village of Hout Bay, then follow the Atlantic shore to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – the most south-westerly tip of Africa and long associated with the meeting of two oceans. On the return journey we pass through the naval town of Simon’s Town before continuing via the fishing port of Kalk Bay and the leafy suburb of Constantia. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, we meet your guide at hotel reception and set off on a full day Cape Winelands tour. We travel through the wine triangle of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl – each with its own character. In Stellenbosch, we wander past oak shaded avenues and historic buildings; in Franschhoek, we note the influence of the French Huguenots who settled here in 1685; and in Paarl, we see a town long associated with Afrikaner culture since the 19th century. We visit wine estates to learn about the journey from vineyard to bottle and to enjoy tastings of wines, often alongside local cheeses. At day’s end, we return to your hotel. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, we check out and meet the local guide who will accompany us throughout the journey from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. We transfer to Hermanus and, on arrival, check in to the hotel. Hermanus, at the end of Walker Bay between mountain and sea, is renowned for whale sightings from July–November when Southern Right whales come to mate and calve. Nearby nature reserves offer walking trails through unique fynbos found only on the southern tip of Africa – you can explore these at your own pace. Overnight in Hermanus.

After breakfast we depart Hermanus for Oudtshoorn, following the Garden Route. En route we stop at Cape Agulhas – the southernmost point of Africa and part of the recently proclaimed Agulhas National Park. Named Cape Needle by 16th century Portuguese sailors for the accuracy of their compasses here, it is said to be where the cold Benguela current meets the warm Agulhas current amid wild fynbos scenery. We visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse – South Africa’s second oldest, modelled on the Egyptian Pharos, with distinctive red and white limestone walls. Now a national monument and museum, it displays Khoisan fishing relics, and the coastline here is known for its shipwrecks – the Cape of Storms. You may choose to climb the narrow staircase for sweeping views towards the ocean, where the light reaches 30 nautical miles. We then continue to Oudtshoorn and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

After breakfast, we spend the morning exploring Oudtshoorn – the ostrich capital of the world – where residential suburbs give way to expanses of working farms. You can join a tour of an ostrich farm to see these remarkable birds up close, browse boutiques for ostrich leather, or even try an ostrich ride if you wish. You can also visit the Cango Caves, an impressive limestone system that stretches for several kilometres, or use your free time to follow local hiking and cycling trails to nearby rivers and waterfalls. In the afternoon, we drive to Knysna and check in for the night. Overnight in Knysna.

We begin in Knysna, a picturesque Garden Route town edged by indigenous forest and a tranquil lagoon framed by the dramatic Knysna Heads. The lagoon’s calm waters are ideal for cruises and water sports – you can choose to head out on the water or simply enjoy the views. Nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve and Garden Route National Park are within easy reach if you wish to explore further.We continue to Plettenberg Bay, long favoured as a seaside resort and originally named Bahia Formosa for its beautiful setting. Expect sweeping beaches, rocky peninsulas and rich lagoons, with superb views over the Indian Ocean.We visit Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free flight bird sanctuary. Stroll at your own pace through a two hectare dome home to around 280 species, including the striking Knysna loerie. Elevated walkways, viewing platforms and informative brochures help you make the most of your time. Alongside some 3,800 birds, you may also spot free roaming miniature monkeys such as the golden handed tamarin.Next, we head to Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay – an award winning animal preserve and the world’s first free roaming multi primate sanctuary. We join a guided forest safari to observe various species in a natural setting and learn how previously captive primates are rehabilitated in a safe, enriching environment. The centre is a leading eco tourism attraction along the Garden Route.We then drive to Stormsriver and check in to the hotel for the night.

Today we travel to Gqeberha – formerly Port Elizabeth – and visit Bayworld, which brings together the Port Elizabeth Museum, a Snake Park and an Oceanarium. In the museum we trace natural and cultural history, from prehistoric dinosaurs to a 15 metre skeleton of the last southern right whale harpooned in Algoa Bay. The Maritime History Hall displays fully rigged models of sailing ships with related artefacts. Outside, the reptile park houses lizards, tortoises, snakes and crocodiles, and there is a daily seal and penguin presentation. In the Oceanarium we view more than 60 species of colourful fish in the Tropical Tank – also used to house rehabilitated sea turtles before their release. Overnight in Port Elizabeth.

After breakfast we travel to the Eastern Cape and arrive at Kariega Game Reserve – a 10 000‑hectare private reserve set along the Kariega and Bushmans rivers, home to rich birdlife and a mix of riverine forest, grassland plains and classic bushveld. The reserve is home to the Big Five, along with hyena, hippo, wildebeest, giraffe and kudu. A dedicated area allows you to walk safely among non‑predator game, and you can choose to join guided walks, try fishing or take a river cruise during your stay.We sit down to lunch before heading out on an afternoon 4x4 game drive with a professional ranger – an excellent chance to get close to wildlife and learn about their habitats. As the sun sets, we may see hippos leaving the water to graze. Upon return, dinner is served in the main lodge’s dining area.Overnight in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

We start early with a call to meet our ranger and discuss the plan for this morning’s safari. We then head out in an open 4x4 for a game drive of around three hours – perfect for close wildlife viewing – while our ranger explains the reserve’s flora and fauna and how the animals live here. We pause for coffee at a scenic spot before returning to the lodge for a substantial breakfast. The middle of the day is yours – you can unwind by the pool or make use of the lodge facilities – before we set off again for an afternoon game drive. Overnight in Kariega Private Game Reserve.

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, we transfer you to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight home – timings will be coordinated with your departure schedule.