14 Day Cape Town & Garden Route
ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN & DAY AT LEISURE
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town offers a diversity of cultures, cuisines, activities and landscapes. With the picturesque backdrop of of Table Mountain, the coastal city of Cape Town lies at the southern tip of South Africa. Also the gateway for most trips to South Africa, Cape Town, known as the Mother City, lives up to her name by being the mother of all holiday destinations. From history and culture to adventure and scenery all found within the city, you are sure to experience multiple breathtaking adventures here in the Motherland.
Transfer to accommodation
Your driver will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel.
Once checked into your accommodation situated close to a beautiful beach in the Cape Town area, spend the day walking the promenade, going to the park or sinking your toes into the soft white sand that the beaches are known for, with the picturesque Table Mountain backdrop.
Check in at The Charles Cafe
Perfectly positioned in the heart of De Waterkant Village, The Charles is an intimate and charming Guest House.
Inspired by traditional European City boutique hotels, The Charles has 11 rooms, 3 duplex cottages and a quaint cafe serving some of the best coffee and breakfast in the city.
Our guests enjoy exclusive use of the roof decks overlooking the city as well as access to the tours and adventures desk to ensure you make the most of your stay.
Classic Rooms at The Charles are intimate and charming and feature views of the quaint court yard or village. Guests can look forward to room features such as complimentary uncapped Wi-Fi, Satellite television and refreshment stations complete with tea and coffee making facilities.
EXPLORE CAPE TOWN AND TABLE MOUNTAIN
After breakfast, it's time to explore the City of Cape Town.
Start with an early morning to head up to Table Mountain. Take the cable car up from the lower cable-way station and explore the top of this glorious natural wonder. Descent back down over magnificent views of Cape Town and the ocean.
Afterwards, your local guide will meet you for a Historic Walking Tour through the streets of this unique city. The tour showcases the heroes and villains of colonialism, drama and harmony and a great deal of personal insight in living and being a real Capetonian. Get introduced to the different eras of Cape Town and South Africa’s history along with the people who shaped it. Visit sites like the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, The Castle of Good Hope and The Slave Lodge to name a few.
Dinner at Gold Restaurant
Experience Africa with storytelling through music, singing and dancing which includes praise singing to welcome you, Mali puppetry, and dancing to marimba percussion and djembe drums.
Feast on African foods traditionally shared and enjoyed with family and friends. A 14-dish tasting menu is served in generous portions and brought to your table.
Honouring African culinary traditions, combined with modern flavours and techniques, a sophisticated African feast is assured. Feel the heartbeat of Africa with a pre-dinner interactive djembe drumming session.
TIME AT LEISURE & ROBBEN ISLAND
Spend the day as you wish - relaxing, walking around looking for a great photography opportunity and visiting Robben Island.
Currently there are tours that runs as follows; 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00 (in summer). The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island (Depending on the boat used as they have different travel times).
You will disembark at Murray’s Bay Harbour situated on the east coast of the Island and take a short walk to buses that will transport you to all the historical sites around the Island. On the way to the buses, you will pass buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s. The buildings were used for family and lawyer visits to prisoners.
You will meet your Tour Guide when you have boarded the busses. The prison tour will be conducted by a Robben Island Tour Guide. This is part of our integrated tour model.
They are fully conversant and knowledgeable about the Island’s multi-layered 500-year-old history. The tour route includes the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.
CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR
Cape Point tour
This optional full-day tour will take you around the entire Cape peninsula and show you the wonders of Cape Town. Explore the majestic scenery off the Cape Peninsula from the pristine beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, amazing views from Chapman's Peak Drive and of course the spectacular sight of Cape Point Nature Reserve. Along the way you will spot a penguin colony and naughty baboons.
PHOTO MOMENTS:
Chapmans Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Chapman’s Peak Drive is affectionately known as “Chappies” and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic scenery of Cape Town.
Cape Point
Rugged rocks and sheer cliffs towering more than 200 metres above the sea and cutting deep into the ocean, provide a spectacular background for the park’s rich bio-diversity. Cape Point falls within the southern section of Table Mountain National park. The natural vegetation of the areas – fynbos – comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms.
CAPE TOWN FOODIE WALKING TOUR
Cape Town Foodie Tour
This Optional tour takes you through some of the most historic parts Cape Town, while sampling the locals’ favorite food and drink along the way. You’ll be able to soak up the city’s diverse vibe as you visit 7 – 8 iconic and hidden food institutions and try some tasty treats and authentic flavours.
We’ll meet inside a centrally located coffee shop in buzzing Kloof Street and walk, talk and eat our way through the city from there.
The tour lasts approximately 4-5 hours and the total walking distance is 3-4km. While the walking is mostly flat not strenuous, you may spend a significant portion of the tour on your feet.
Kloof street
Meet your guide, receive a brief orientation and meet the rest of your group before setting off on your food tour adventure
Loop Street
Cape Town is bustling with trendy new vegan eateries. Get introduced to plant based foods, taste some interesting snacks and enjoy revitalising juice shots
Bo-Kaap
Visit one of the oldest spice shops in Cape Town and sample unique local delights such as samoosas and koeksusters
Bo-Kaap
Experience the cultural heritage and Malay influences of the Bo-Kaap and grab the chance to take pictures of the renowned colourful houses with Table Mountain as a backdrop
Heritage sqaure
Taste locally produced craft gin, including interesting infusions of 'fynbos' from the Cape floral kingdom
Heritage Square
Experience the flavours of South African heritage cuisine, paired with local wine
Bree street
Sample modern African cuisine in a cutting edge art gallery
Loop Street
Taste our staple braai (BBQ) or something special from the smoker and enjoy a local beer in a modern tavern (or 'shabeen' as its locally known) setting
Long Street
Enjoy a sweet ending to your tour with a locally produced artisanal dessert
DEPART CAPE TOWN TOWARDS HERMANUS
Hermanus Whale Watching
After collecting your car rental, depart Cape Town and make your way towards Hermanus.
Car rental: Toyota Corolla or similar
* Super Cover with an excess
All extras are payable when picking up your car
Hermanus is rich in breathtaking scenery; with its unparalleled scenic beauty, modern infrastructure, upmarket shops and endless adventure options, it is no wonder that Hermanus is transformed into a bustling hubbub of activity in-season as well as out-of-season. For any intrepid tourist or appreciator of nature's wonders, Hermanus is the ideal location for an unforgettable experience.
It is built along the beautiful shores of Walker Bay and is the official Whale Watching Capital of the World as well as a popular holiday destination. Hermanus is surrounded by majestic mountains, indigenous Fynbos and spectacular natural beauty while its residents are the heart and soul of the town providing an unforgettable holiday experience. This coastal resort offers the best land based whale watching in the world. The Southern Right Whales visit Walker Bay from July until December every year. About 60 to 100 of these magnificent animals come here from Antarctica to breed and rear their young. Tourists are often treated with close up displays as these creatures often come to within 10 meters of the coast. The cliff tops in Hermanus offer tourists great views and the ability to watch the whales close up.
WHITE SHARK CAGE DIVING
Shark Cage Dive: You are put in the natural habitat to observe and learn what Great White Sharks are really like. On board, a Marine Biologist will teach you about this predator. Shark Cage Diving is family friendly and an educational environment surrounded by experts and researchers. Guests meet at The Great White House in Kleinbaai to register your wetsuit size, pre-trip safety briefing about what to expect during the trip to Dyer Island. You will anchor for 2 hours on average, but depends on shark activity, conditions, and number of divers. All trips are weather and tide dependent so launch times may vary and will be confirmed with you the day prior.
After the morning activity you can return to Hermanus and enjoy the afternoon at leisure exploring the small town and its sights. The walk along the promenade is popular and offers magnificent sights over the ocean and surrounding area.
HERMANUS TO KNYSNA VIA SEDGEFIELD VIA WILDERNESS
Travel via Cape Agulhas to see the most southern point of Africa, and then to Knysna via the Wilderness National Park, and if you are up for it, try your luck at Canoeing.
PHOTO MOMENT:
Wilderness
Wilderness is a popular spot for water sports and is great for birding as many water birds breed here. Make sure to stop at The Map of Africa lookout point, where the bends of the Kaaimans River imitate the African continent.
Knysna is situated in the heart of the Garden Route and is the perfect town to stay while exploring the surrounding areas. With a host of luxurious Guest Houses, fully-equipped Caravan Parks and up-market
hotels there is a spot that everyone can call home for just a while. Activities in the area are endless.
Knysna is one of the Garden Routeˊs best known travel destinations and was recently named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World and one of the Top 25 in Africa in the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards.
Sedgefield
Sedgefield is one of 140 Slow Towns in the world, registered under the Cittaslow movement. This means that it’s recognized as being laid-back with plenty of community interaction and a respect for cultural events.
Surrounding Knysna are the towns of Sedgefield, Brenton, Noetzie, Rheenendal and Buffalo Bay. Indigenous forests, fynbos, lakes, rivers and mountains and beautiful coastlines combined with a moderate climate, make the Knysna area a natural Eden for flora and fauna lovers.
Activities in Knysna include visiting the Knysna Waterfront, doing the John Benn Lagoon Cruise, the Knysna Heads, or exploring the nearby forest.
FULL DAY IN KNYSNA AND LEISURE
Knysna
After breakfast take a drive to the Knysna Elephant Park, which offers a rare and exciting opportunity to get close to these gentle giants who live in a controlled, free range environment.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the Top 10 Restaurants in the Garden Route.
The tour continues with a ferry trip to the world famous Featherbed Nature Reserve, a South African Heritage site on the Western Head of Knysna, where you will embark on a wonderful eco-experience which includes a 4x4 trailer ride and guided walk, stopping at spectacular viewpoints. Optional extra: a guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves.
Leisure time to explore the quaint town with its many art and craft shops, visiting the view sites at the Knysna Heads.
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
Tsitsikamma National Park
Adrenalin adventures in Tsitsikamma National Park
Pristine wild and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day. From a morning spent admiring the views from the imposing Knysna Heads to ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump, or ziplining over a gushing river gorge in the Tsitsikamma forest.
The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go? This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma area provides the requisite photo opportunity.
As you head to the coastal belt, paradise-like towns such as Plettenberg Bay show why it and the Tsitsikamma National Park are favourites with holidaying locals. The short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone and you’ll likely get a thrill as fellow explorers test its swing factor.
The large white caps (or seahorses as the locals call the wave crests) of Jeffreys Bay mark your departure from the official Garden Route and your arrival into South Africa’s quintessential ‘Surf City’. Hang ten with the locals, hire a board and hit the beach, sandboard on the dunes, shop and slip into a relaxed frame of mind.
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK SAFARI, EXPLORE JEFFREY'S BAY
Addo Elephant Park
Start the day with a pre-dawn wake-up call for your hour-long drive to head out into the African bush. Spend the morning on a game drive in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa's third-largest national park. Keep an eye out for Africa's giants as well as other members of the Big 5 as you navigate the dusty dirt roads in search of wildlife.
Return to "J'Bay," the local name for Jeffrey's Bay, for an afternoon of free time. Catch up on sleep or hit the discount outlets for some shopping. If surfing is your thing (or you want to learn), rent a surfboard or sandboard and make the most of the area's famous waves and sand. For a relaxing beach adventure, go for a horseback ride along the sandy shores of a secluded beach nearby.
CANGO CAVES AND OSTRICH FARM
Oudtshoorn, Caves and Ostriches
South Africa delivers on its contrasts with landscape and lifestyle as you leave the Indian Ocean shoreline behind and wind your way through the Langkloof Mountains to the arid lands of the Klein Karoo. Here, the ostrich reigns supreme. Bird-filled paddocks line the highway with colourful feather stalls and show farms around every corner as you head into Oudtshoorn. The palatial sandstone homesteads stand tall, harking back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold.
A visit to the Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak.
Now it's time to delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves' limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights into the formation and dripstone evolution. Or, by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.
Subject to availability, return to the wild for an optional 4x4 game drive with a knowledgeable game ranger at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve for a possible sighting of resident wildlife.
Oudtshoorn hospitality is second-to-none, and the serving sizes are generous. Ostrich steak or kebabs complete the experience for those with an adventurous appetite. If you have the chance to try the Karoo lamb or local ostrich, don’t be shy – they are delicious.
OUDTSHOORN TO STELLENBOSCH
Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch
After your morning adventure, it’s time to head back to Cape Town along the famous Route 62, modelled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour. Route 62 is more than just burgers and beers, farm stalls or small country towns, the highway is also the longest wine route in the Western Cape. Oenophiles will be in their element with a wine pit stop to sample Port-style wines en route to Stellenbosch.
DEPARTURE FROM CAPE TOWN
Departure
Today you will depart South Africa with wonderful memories to hold onto forever. After breakfast you may have a bit of free time before driving to the airport, dropping off the rental car and checking in for your onward flight.
