Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari

Arrive independently to Cape Town International Airport where your V.I.P meet & greet service will meet you at the door of your aircraft and assist you through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You will then transfer to the fabulous Cape Grace Hotel right on the V&A Waterfront, your home for the next 4 nights. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some time to explore wonderful Cape Town at your leisure today.

At an agreed time, your car rental will be delivered to you at the hotel today.

This itinerary has been planned to allow you a minimum of 3 full days to explore Cape Town and its surrounding areas. Scenically beautiful, Cape Town is a compelling mix of trendy modern and old-world elegance. Glamorous hotels, world-class dining and stunning vistas merge seamlessly with dynamic student suburbs and vibrant nightlife. Malay and African heritage is evident in the cuisine, traditions and entertainment while the architecture reveals a strong Dutch, German and English flavour and style.

You may choose to take a short boat cruise to Robben Island, just over 7 kms from Cape Town harbour, where you can experience a sense of hopelessness inside the prison cell where South Africa's most beloved legend, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years hard labour. It is difficult to imagine how anyone could rise above the horror of incarceration to become arguably the most iconic and compassionate leader of our era.

An exciting trip up Table Mountain in a cable car provides panoramic views over the "Mother City" and other attractions include the Cultural History Museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Greenmarket Square's local crafts markets and the Bo-Kaap's colourful Cape Malay buildings add a sense of authenticity to your trip, and Long Street's vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs come alive after dark. Perhaps wander around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a working harbour and hub of entertainment and shopping opportunities.

With car hire included, you may also wish venture further afield. Take a road trip around the spectacular Cape Peninsula coastline, visit the quirky boutiques and antiques stores of Kalk Bay, discover the richly historic Simon’s Town or take a drive out to see some of Cape Town’s famous penguin beaches. Whatever you choose to do, your time in Cape Town is certain to be unforgettable.

An easy drive from Cape Town, the Winelands dramatic mountains stand guard over a quilt of working vineyards, elegant Cape Dutch estates and quaint towns boasting top restaurants, hotels and spas. Sample some of the regions award-winning wine offerings, stroll through exquisitely maintained gardens or explore art galleries and antique shops in the oak-lined streets of the local towns. The buzzing university village of Stellenbosch was named after the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel and, as the historic hub of the Winelands, it is surrounded by around 200 wineries.

Franschhoek, a charming town with French Hugenot heritage is arguably the culinary headquarters of the country and home to the creative genius of a number of resident chefs. Framed by a majestic backdrop of the Helderberg Mountains, Paarl lies peacefully nestled amongst vineyards laden with the harvest's finest offerings.

Enjoy gourmet meals lovingly prepared by experienced chefs and served in lush gardens, or stylish restaurants. Sample local wines and explore the cellars of well-established wine farms. The Winelands is all about stepping back from the hectic pace of modern living, and appreciating the finer things in life in some of the most gorgeous and tranquil locations this country has to offer.

Your accommodation is at the wonderfully beautiful Babylonstoren Farm where activities include a private guided garden visit and farm walk, cycling and canoeing/rowing on the farm dam, fishing, Harvest tour, bread baking with bakers and cellar tour and wine tasting.

Away from the big city lights, the Klein Karoo is a region of semi-arid desert, imposing mountain passes and surprisingly beautiful oases. It's about endless skies and natural wonders. Closer to the heart of the country, the Klein Karoo's farming communities, quirky towns and wide open spaces are as appealing as the warm hospitality of its people. Towns such as Montagu, Calitzdorp, De Rust and Oudtshoorn offer home-style meals, local arts and crafts, and historical treasures.

Route 62, the longest wine route in the country, extends past eccentric little villages, farming communities and established fruit and wine producers. The route is an off-the-beaten-path glimpse of life in the more remote regions of the Cape, and its charm lies in its tranquillity and unpretentiousness. Striking mountain passes such as the Swartberg, Mitchell's and Prince Alfred's Pass cut through the region affording panoramic views from winding roads.

View the Cango Cave's underground limestone caverns and dripstone formations as well as Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms: Oudtshoorn, known as the Ostrich Capital of the world, has a large farming industry based on these birds. Community tours, a visit to the habituated meerkat colony and numerous activities and adventure sports are available in the region: biking, hiking, ballooning, micro-lights, caving and abseiling.

Accommodation for the night is provided at the beautiful Robertson Small Hotel.

One of the world’s best and most famous drives, the Garden Route is an area of natural wilderness with endless expanses of untamed primal forest and pristine beaches. Imposing mountains line the roads and waterfalls cascade from dramatic cliffs into blue-green seas. Lush, vegetated hills drop down to rocky coastlines and ravines shaped by thundering seas.

This majestic stretch boasts Storms River, the mouth of which is located within the Tsitsikamma National Park, and bustling resort towns are found dotted amidst the picturesque landscape. Plettenberg Bay is well regarded for its sandy beaches and Wilderness, its hospitality. The vibrant town of Knysna nestles on a massive lagoon, the entrance to which is guarded by the iconic Knysna Heads.

Numerous outdoors activities allow guests to explore the peaceful trails and country tracks which wind through towering trees and shaded glades, across sun-splashed shores and along "barely-there" paths. Ocean and lagoon cruises, good wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves add to the attraction of the Garden Route.

The wonderful Fairview House Hotel is located perfectly for exploring this remarkable region.

The final portion of your South Africa self-drive itinerary may well be the most exciting as you make your way to the Eastern Cape region for the safari element of your trip. On day 11 you will make your way to Port Elizabeth Airport to return your vehicle to the car hire depot. From there you will take a private transfer to the magnificent Kichaka Game Lodge on the Eastern Cape.

The birthplace of many of the country's big names, Mandela, Hani, Biko and Sisulu, the Eastern Cape reaches from a coastal region of pristine beaches and forests, to the arid desert landscape of the Karoo. Such varied scenery means you could be watching whales off a craggy coastline, bouncing along through a grassland reserve, and exploring the lunar landscapes of the desert all in a matter of days. Sweeping views of barren plains stretch as far as the eye can see, and ancient rock formations jut dramatically from the earth, reaching for the heavens. Aloes and brightly coloured Xhosa houses dot the topography, a splash of colour in the stark countryside.

One of the main draws to the area, however, is the many private and national game reserves that are here, one of which is the fantastic Lalibela Game Reserve which is home to the Kichaka Game Lodge. It’s time to start your search for the Big 5!

You can now enjoy 3 days of thrilling game drives in search of some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife! Early wake-up for a game drive, and out into the bush. This semi-arid region is diverse, with wide-open grasslands, making it easy to view the elephant, buffalo and endangered rhino, from a distance. Dense thickets are ideal for a myriad of birds found here. Ideally, hide out in a cool shady spot during midday, or if you are feeling energetic, perhaps a guided walk may be for you. Head out again in the late afternoon and early evening, in search of the animals which come out to play as the sun goes down. Nocturnal species start to move about, and the sounds change completely. Organized night drives open up a whole new world.

Today you say your fond farewells as your private transfer takes you back to Port Elizabeth airport to begin your journey home or on to your next destination.