CAPE TOWN & GARDEN ROUTE

ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrival in CAPE TOWN
Welcome to Cape Town!  Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 4 night stayl

Day 2. CAPE TOWN – Half Day City Tour
You are collected from your hotel and taken to the lower cableway station on the slopes of Table Mountain. Weather permitting, ascend the mountain by aerial cable car, and from a height of 1067 metres, view the city and Table Bay below, Robben Island, the Atlantic Seaboard as well as most of the spectacular Cape Peninsula. Afterwards, head down into the Malay Quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and colourful Mosques.  Next we continue to Government Avenue where we park at the top and stroll to the National Gallery and SA Museum, as well as view the Houses of Parliament. We then travel to the City Hall on the Grand Parade and afterwards, visit the Castle. Enter the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a region that abounds with shops, pubs, restaurants and entertainment. A visit to the Shimansky Diamond Museum offers an insightful look at the intricate process of achieving the ultimate stone. Shimansky prides itself on offering a unique and unforgettable jewellery and diamond experience at their flagship showroom and workshop in the Clock Tower. Overnight Cape Town. (B)

Day 3.  CAPE TOWN -  Full Day Winelands Tour
This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Head off to the wine-country via the N1 to one of the Cape’s first farming districts – Paarl. Our first stop of the morning is a picturesque Wine Estate. An informative cellar tour and winetasting gives visitors personlised insight into the finer points of wine-making. Proceed to the town of Franschhoek, historically dating back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, this charming town retains a French Huguenot style. Franschhoek complements the artistry of its chefs and winemakers with the breathtaking beauty of its setting. Enjoy a winetasting at one of the numerous wine estates in the area, before taking time to enjoy the fabled culinary skills of the chefs at one of the many award-winning restaurants. Onward to Stellenbosch, via the scenic Helshoogte Pass, the heart of the South African wine Industry, boasting great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African history. Walk down the canal-lined avenues, in the shade of giant oak trees and beautifully preserved historic buildings. With the sheer vastness of wine estates on offer, you will be truly spoilt for choice when enjoying the final winetasting of the day in Stellenbosch. Return to Cape Town to overnight. (B/L)

Day 4. Full Day Cape Point Tour
After being collected from your hotel, you will view the exclusive suburbs of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay before continuing via Llandudno to the fishing harbour of Hout Bay. If calm seas prevail, join an optional launch cruise to view the Duiker Island seals and cormorants at close quarters. Travel along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to Kommetjie, and enter the Cape Point Nature Reserve where you will be taken to the best vantage point to view what is erroneously said to be the meeting place of two mighty oceans. After a stop for lunch (own account), the tour continues to an African penguin colony, the Naval hamlet of Simon’s Town and then continues via Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay to Muizenberg. In the early afternoon visit the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Return to the city via Rhodes Drive, which bisects the plush suburbs of Bishopscourt, Claremont and Newlands. The tour terminates at your hotel again in the late afternoon. Overnight Cape Town. (B/L)

Day 5. CAPE TOWN – SWELLENDAM
This morning after breakfast, you will be collected at your hotel to leave behind the beautiful city of Cape Town as you head for Swellendam.  You will travel via Worcester and Robertson and stop at a Wine Estate along the way for a wine tasting or cellar tour. Continue to Swellendam where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure. Nestling at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam has much to offer visitors who have an interest in history, nature and outdoor activities.  Swellendam is situated on the N2, approximately 240km from Cape Town. Overnight Swellendam. (B)

Established by the Dutch East India Company in 1745, the town is the third oldest magisterial district in South Africa and often referred to as the historical heart of the Overberg. The architecture and character of the town clearly reflects the diverse and interesting history of Swellendam and its people. Many of the buildings and gardens have been restored to their former glory and a walk through the museum complex and the town is a feast for the senses.

Day 6. SWELLENDAM – OUDTSHOORN
Today we travel 205km to Oudtshoorn – the Ostrich Capital of the world. En route to Oudtshoorn, visit the town of Calitzdorp.  Calitzdorp is a quaint little town on route62, nestled in the heart of the Klein Karoo. This haven is also known as the port wine capital of South Africa, due to the quality of the port wines made by the local wine cellars.  Continue to Oudtshoorn.

Arrive at a fully operational Ostrich Ranch, where you are taken on a guided tour, which includes an opportunity to ride an ostrich! These flightless birds are rapid runners and can reach speeds of approximately 65 km/hr.  Lunch is included at the Ostrich Ranch. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon.  Overnight Oudtshoorn. (B/L)

Day 7. OUDTSHOORN – KNYSNA
Enjoy a morning tour of the magnificent Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, where limestone formations have been sculptured by nature through the ages. Depart to Knysna.  You are taken to the Knysna Waterfront area where you will board a ferry.  The Featherbed Eco Experience starts with a 25-minute ferry cruise. Your local guide on board will share fascinating tales about the Lagoon, the early shipping industry and oyster cultivation.

On arrival at the Reserve, visitors can enjoy a drive to the top of the Western Head in a 4 x 4 unimog vehicle with trailers, stopping at a magnificent view point en route. Here unsurpassed views of the Lagoon, mountains and Knysna can be enjoyed, whilst knowledgeable guides explain the history and ecology of the Reserve. After the drive, your specialist guide will take you on an optional 2.2 kilometre downhill walk.  This will be followed by a spectacular buffet lunch served in outdoor restaurant under a canopy of the Milkwood trees. After lunch you will return by ferry back to Knysna. Overnight Knysna. (B/L)

Day 8. KNYSNA & Surrounds
Get up-close-and-personal with nature at the Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of the resident African elephants, and the well-informed guides, you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants – the world’s Southern most elephants. After lunch (not included in cost), travel to Plettenberg Bay for a visit to Monkeyland.  Monkeyland is the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary.  Monkeyland has as one of its aims, to create awareness about the plight of primates and to show that with a greater understanding of our primate cousins, that we can all live in harmony.
Return to Knysna where the remainder of the day is spent at leisure, for shopping, taking in the beautiful scenery or just relaxing in at your hotel.  Overnight Knysna (B)

Day 9. KNYSNA – GEORGE & a Fond Farewell…
Today we wish you a fond farewell, as you are collected from your hotel and transferred to George Airport for your onward flight…

CAPE TOWN & GARDEN ROUTE Tour Costs include:

1. Accommodation as stated above, subject to availability.
2. Breakfast daily (except day of arrival)
3. Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle.
4. Day 3: Full Day Winelands Tour includes lunch (incl. 10% gratuity, but excl. drinks).
5. Day 4: Full Day Cape Point Tour includes lunch (incl. 10% gratuity, but excl. drinks).
6. Day 5: Overland to Swellendam includes Wine Tasting.
7. Day 6: Visit to Ostrich Ranch includes tour & lunch.
8. Day 7: Entrance fees to Cango Caves & Featherbed Eco-Cruise including lunch.
9. Day 8: Entrance fees to Knysna Elephant Park & Monkeyland.
10. Services of a professional driver.
11. Services of a registered and experienced tourist guide.
12. Entrance fees and excursions where stated in above itinerary.
13. Welcome Pack: (e.g. itinerary, welcome letter, general information, maps, flags, brochures)

CAPE TOWN & GARDEN ROUTE Tour Costs EXCLUDED:

1. All airfares & airport taxes (if applicable)
2. All other meals other than stated in above itinerary.
3. All other entrances and excursions than stated in above itinerary.
4. Items of personal nature such tips, beverages, laundry etc.
5. Porterage.

COST PER PERSON – Land Only – Daily Departure