Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cape and experience South Africa’s diverse wildlife
Winelands, Whales and Wildlife
Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay, Eastern Cape Safari
Adventure
Beach
Food and wine
Family
Big five Safari
Your journey at a glance
This 12-day self-drive adventure brings to life the spirit of South Africa’s beautiful Cape, from its sunny beaches and mountainous landscapes to its exceptionally rich wildlife.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of beautiful Cape Town, from the Cape’s first original settlers to the politically turbulent years of apartheid, and marvel at its magnificent scenery. Explore the scenic Cape Winelands and sample of the country’s finest vintages among its lush and rolling wine estates. Wander the craggy cliffs of quaint Hermanus, site of some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, and drive yourself along the soaring mountains, dense forests and crystal-clear lakes of the Garden Route. Drink in the spectacular scenery of Plettenberg Bay before ending your adventure in search of the Big Five at one of the Eastern Cape’s most prestigious game reserves.
2 nights Cape Town | 2 nights Cape Winelands | 2 nights Hermanus | 2 nights Plettenberg Bay | 3 nights Eastern Cape Safari
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A taste of what to expect…
Day 1: Cape Town
Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th century castle – whose cannons have never been fired in anger – as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls. With Table Mountain, one of the most spiritual places on earth, at its heart and two oceans at its feet; the city of Cape Town, strategically situated at the south-western tip of Africa, has been famed for centuries as the Tavern of the Seas.
Day 2: Cape Town
- Begin the day with a ferry ride to Robben Island, best known as the site of a jailhouse for Nelson Mandela.
- Take the cable car to the top of iconic Table Mountain and marvel at the magnificent views from its flat top.
- Browse through Greenmarket Square, one of the city’s oldest markets.
- Meander through Company Gardens, established by Dutch settlers in 1652.
- Visit the traditional Malay Quarter with its brightly coloured houses dating back as far as the 17th century.
- Stop at spectacular Hout Bay, a former fishing village with a long, sandy beach facing a bay framed by the mountains.
- Drive through breath-taking Chapman’s Peak then head to Cape Point, with its exceptional flora and fauna.
- At an additional cost, you can go shark cage diving – ideal for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Swimming with sharks in South Africa is an electrifying experience and guests can feel the full force of their adrenalin at the prospect of coming face-to-face with a shark, inside the protection of a submerged cage.
- Also at additional cost is the option to take a scenic sidecar excursion through the beautiful Cape Peninsula
Day 3: Franschhoek
- Drive through the picturesque Cape Winelands to tranquil Franschhoek, where you will spend the next two nights.
- The town of Franschhoek is situated in a lush valley tightly hemmed in by spectacular mountains.
- Impressive vineyards and homesteads blanket the exquisite landscape and many still bear their original French names.
- Renowned as the gourmet capital of South Africa, Franschhoek is famous not only for its magnificent wineries and beautiful scenery but also for the excellent restaurants that line its quaint streets.
Day 4: Cape Winelands
- Kick off the day at the Spice Route Winery, where you can indulge your taste buds with wine, beer, chocolate
- Stop at a glass-blowing shop that provides fascinating artistic displays.
- Explore Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm, where you will be taken on a tour of the crocodile ponds.
- End the day at Spier Wine Estate, where wine tasting is combined with a visit to the Eagle Encounter birds of prey rehabilitation centre. Here you can visit the bird enclosure or interact with some of Africa’s largest raptors and owls.
Day 5: Hermanus
- Drive along the Cape coastline to the whale watching town of Hermanus, where you will spend the next two nights.
- Acknowledged as the best land-based whale watching site in the world, Hermanus even boasts an official whale-crier.
- Once hunted almost to extinction, these gentle giants loll in the water within stone’s throw of the rocky cliffs.
Day 6: Hermanus
- Spend some time walking the various pathways along the rugged shoreline.
- Keep an eye out for the magnificent whales or choose to take a whale watching cruise.
- Set off on a kayaking trip in the Hermanus Lagoon or on the Klein River.
- Choose to go kitesurfing, sandboarding and bird watching, or set off to sea in a kayak in search of whales, or come face to face with the mighty predators of the ocean on a shark cage dive.
- Enjoy a more tranquil adventure as you set out on a hike among the scented fynbos vegetation and beautiful mountain views of Fernkloof Nature Reserve or the scenic waterfalls and clear pools of Vogelgat Nature Reserve.
Day 7: Plettenberg Bay
- After breakfast, you will check out and drive up the coast to the Garden Route town of Plettenberg Bay, where you will be spending the next two nights. This upmarket resort town is a stunning haven of pristine beaches, exquisite nature trails and sublime restaurants. In springtime, it is home to whales who nurse their calves in the shallow waters of the bay.
Day 8: Plettenberg Bay
- Enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches of Plettenberg Bay and experience a variety of water sports or choose to explore one of an endless number of trails that lead through the surrounding mountains.
- Enjoy horseback rides along long beaches or through shaded forest.
- Visit nearby Tsitsikamma and embark on a treetop canopy tour or set your heart racing on the world’s tallest bungee jump from a bridge.
- Spend your days relaxing on the beach, frolicking in the ocean, and enjoying superb meals.
Day 9: Eastern Cape Big Five Game Reserve
- Head to South Africa’s Eastern Cape – home to some of the country’s most varied landscapes, including a number of Big Five game reserves.
- Nestled among the scrubby fynbos vegetation, the area’s game reserves boast rugged landscapes and wide open spaces.
- The wildlife of the Eastern Cape includes all members of the Big Five, as well as some unusual species rarely encountered elsewhere in the country, such as springbok, eland, black wildebeest and gemsbok.
Day 10-11: Eastern Cape Big Five Game Reserve
- Explore the diverse surroundings in search of wildlife on twice-daily game drives accompanied by professional rangers.
- Keep your eyes open for predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and herbivores taking advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day.
- Later in the morning, discover the smaller details of your surroundings on a fascinating bush walk that focuses on wildlife tracks, insects, plants and birds.
- After an early morning game drive and breakfast the next day, you will leave the game reserve and drive yourself to Port Elizabeth Airport, where you will return your rented car and check in for your departure flight.
Choose a rate that suits your budget and view the full tour
2023 | 12 Days
From ZAR 35,750 per person sharing
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