21 Day Cape Town and Garden Route

Day 1

You will be met at Cape Town International Airport and transferred to Breakwater Lodge in the heart of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Use this time to (weather permitting) take a trip up Table Mountain and enjoy the splendid views of the city and the peninsula.

Day 2

Spend the morning in and around the city centre visiting the historic Company Gardens, Greenmarket Square, the fascinating Bo Kaap, and the poignant District 6 areas. The latter being a sensitive example of the forced removal policies during the apartheid era. Head around the mountain to Kirstenbosch, and spend some time browsing around the unique, and beautifully laid out National Botanical Gardens.

Day 3:

After breakfast we depart for Cape Point via the coastal route passing through Camps Bay, past the Twelve Apostle Range, through Hout Bay and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads to be found in Africa.

We will arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, the South Western most point of the African continent, is one of the world’s most beautiful places, a stretch of rocky mountain jutting southward into the sea. The Fynbos Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species.

Stop off at Boulders Beach to view the resident African Penguin colony nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point. Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African penguins and magnificent wind sheltered beaches.

Day 4:

Enjoy a round of Golf at the Westlake Golf Club, where local advice is “putt towards the mountain, even if it is behind you!”. Afterwards visit one of the local Constantia or Steenberg vineyards on completion of the round, enroute back to Cape Town.

Day 5:

Today is a day at Leisure and you can spend this day doing anything you’d like. Perhaps treat yourself to a spa experience, head to one of the many popular beaches, take a stroll on the Promenade or perhaps climb up Lions Head. Alternatively just relax, and do whatever the mood dictates.

Day 6:

Check out of the Breakwater Lodge, and spend a day casually exploring the nearby Winelands areas, including the historic university town of Stellenbosch, which will be our home for the next few nights.

Visit local estates in the area where you can enjoy a variety of tastings such as wine, cheese, chocolate, biltong and a host of other South African favourites! If time permits, also visit the village of Franschoek, “Gourmet Capital” of South Africa, as well as the Taal (Language) Monument on the slopes of Paarl Mountain.

We will stay at Klein Zalze in Stellenbosch.

Day 7:

Enjoy a round of Golf at the nearby De Zalze Golf Club, situated in the middle of the vineyards with a backdrop of mountains from every tee. Relax at leisure for the remainder of the day and enjoy the facilities that the accommodation has on offer.

Day 8:

Explore the roads less travelled on the Eastern side of False Bay, and the scenic coastal route of Clarens Drive from Strand (Gordon’s Bay) to Betty’s Bay. Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and enjoy the peaceful gardens before meandering on to the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, on the slopes of the Hemel ‘n Aarde Valley, overlooking magnificent views of Walker Bay.

Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the holiday town of Hermanus, the world’s best land based whale viewing area.

Day 9:

Leave Stellenbosch, and travel through the rolling fields of the Overberg to Swellendam, the third oldest permanent settlement in South Africa. Swellendam lies in the shadows of the Langeberg Mountains, and possesses several historic landmarks.

Depart Swellendam, and travel over the historic Tradouw Pass into the Klein Karoo, and continue through the “Country Route” to Oudtshoorn via the mission villages of Zoar and Amelienstein, and the Port “Capital” of South South Africa, Calitzdorp.

Arriving in Oudtshoorn, “Ostrich Capital” of South Africa, check into Mooiplaas Guest House for two nights.

Day 10:

Today is a different and varied day. Firstly we head to the nearby Cango Caves and enjoy a tour of these unique limestone caverns and structures in the company of an experienced Caving Guide.

We then, head to one of the most spectacular Mountain Passes in South Africa, and the highest in the Western Cape. The Swartberg Pass separates the Little Karoo from the Great Karoo and is mainly gravel road, albeit well maintained and well worth the experience.

Enjoy the typically Victorian village of Prince Albert for a casual lunch before returning to Oudtshoorn via the equally impressive Meiringspoort.

Day 11:

After breakfast take a fascinating private tour of the Mooiplaas Ostrich farm before heading over the Outeniqua Mountains back to the Southern Cape coastal region.

Meander through the natural environment of the Lakes Wilderness area to Knysna, beautifully situated on the shores of South Africa’s second largest estuary. Check into the centrally situated Log Inn for three nights.

Day 12:

A round of Golf at the Simola Country Club, perfectly situated on the mountains overlooking Knysna, and the lagoon estuary. After golf, spend the remainder of the day at leisure using your time as you would like.

Day 13:

Spend the morning enjoying the Featherbed Nature Reserve experience, which consists of a ferry across the lagoon to a private reserve, viewpoints at the top of the Knysna Western Head and an optional, but highly recommended walk back to the jetty through indigenous forest and estuary side pathways. The experience ends with a buffet lunch before returning to the Eastern Head.

On returning to the town of Knysna you have the afternoon free to explore.

Day 14:

After breakfast we continue East to the upmarket holiday town of Plettenberg Bay. Tour this area, including a forest drive, visits to various viewpoints around the beautiful bay and visit Robberg Nature Reserve, where there is an option to take a walk which gives impressive views of the coastline from different vantage points.

Check into the very comfortable Fynbos Ridge Guest House for the next two nights, set in it’s own private Nature Reserve, and beautiful gardens, overlooking the Outeniqua Mountains.

Day 15:

Today we play golf at the informal and friendly Plettenberg Bay Country Club, with views of the nearby bay on some of the higher lying holes. After golf enjoy your day at leisure.

Day 16:

We continue East, stopping briefly en route to witness the “human lemmings” throwing themselves from the world’s highest Bungi Jump, at Bloukrans River Bridge.

Detour into the Tsitsikamma National Park, and the rugged coastline at Storms River Mouth. There is also an opportunity for a short walk through indigenous rainforest to the rivermouth itself. Leave the Garden Route at Storms River Bridge, and travel through to the friendly city of Port Elizabeth and overnight before commencement of the big five safari and wildlife experience the following day.

Day 17:

After Breakfast we depart for the nearby Addo Elephant National Park. We spend the best part of the day in search of the big five and all the other wonderful game life that exists in the parks. Tonight we will stay at Amakhala Game Reserve.

Day 18 & 19:

We will take part in all the wonderful activities on offer at Amakhala Game Reserve, during which, there is also time to relax.

Day 20:

We will transfer to Port Elizabeth airport for a domestic flight back to Cape Town where we will spend our final night and prepare for departure the following day.

Day 21:

Spend your final hours at leisure until it is time for your transfer to Cape Town International Airport and check in for the return flight home.