Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

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Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

This fascinating holiday is the perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the most strikingly beautiful countries to be found on the face of the Earth. Discover and explore spectacular Cape Town in its glorious setting, rugged Indian Ocean shores, the plain of the 'Little Karoo' and the rolling grassland home of 'Big Five' game, before finally taking in the sunkissed landscape of some of the world's finest vineyards.

What's Included

Experience Table Mountain's rotating cable car
Tour the beautiful Cape Peninsula
Visit famed whale-watching town Hermanus
September to November departures include a spectacular whale-watching cruise
See the extraordinary Cango Caves and visit an ostrich farm
Journey to Knysna, on the beautiful Garden Route
Cruise on the Knysna Lagoon
Visit Tsitsikamma National Park and its towering 'Big Tree'
Spend two nights in the exclusive, privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge
Enjoy four game drives in search of the 'Big Five' at the Garden Route Game Lodge
Discover the magic of South Africa's Cape Winelands and beautiful Western Cape
Enjoy a wine-tasting lunch and tour on a Stellenbosch wine estate
Visit foodie capital Paarl and elegant Franschhoek
Nine nights' carefully chosen bed and breakfast hotel accommodation
One night on the aircraft
One lunch and four dinners
Return scheduled flights to Cape Town via Amsterdam
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager
Single rooms are available for a supplement

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Cape Town, travelling via Amsterdam. Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Day 2

Get to know one of the world's most stunningly located cities, set on the side of the Atlantic Ocean and backed by breathtaking mountain scenery. Enjoy this morning's walk through leafy Company's Garden in the heart of the city, before joining an orientation tour that will include stylish Camp's Bay and its white sand beach.

This afternoon, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car, which offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre high summit. This evening, perhaps spend time at the redeveloped Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Day 3

Enjoy a fascinating full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. You'll see treacherous Cape Point, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean; the beach resort of Boulders, home to a colony of penguins; Kirstenbosch, famous for its Botanical Gardens; Hout Bay and - weather-permitting - the breathtakingly scenic Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most thrilling coastal roads.

Day 4

Head east to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching centre from July to November, and a year-round seaside resort offering stunning views out across the Atlantic waters. In season, enjoy the included whale-watching cruise (Sep-Nov departures), and perhaps visit the Whale Museum and the colourful country market.

Day 4

Visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites, formed over millions of years. You'll then head on to Oudtshoorn, the 'Ostrich Capital of the World', in the heart of the 'Little Karoo' plain. The world's strangest, largest and often most valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years, first for its plumage - and more recently for its high-protein, low-cholesterol meat. Enjoy a taste at this evening's barbecue, after which you'll head to the coastal Garden Route resort of Knysna for a two-night stay.

Day 5

Enjoy an informative early morning cruise on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, which fringes the Featherbed eco-Nature Reserve. You'll then continue travelling east, past the beautiful horseshoe of Plettenberg Bay and on into the Tsitsikamma National Park, where luxuriant undergrowth stretches right to the ocean's edge, providing habitats for birdlife, monkeys and small antelopes. Towering overhead is the famous 'Big Tree', an 800-year-old Yellowwood- a giant amongst giants.

Day 6

Journey along the famously scenic Garden Route, via the historic, sleepy harbour town of Mossel Bay, to spend the next two days in the wonderful surroundings of the Garden Route Game Lodge, a privately operated reserve. During your stay you'll enjoy all the wonders of safari game drives in search of the 'Big Five' of lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo, with accommodation in comfortable lodges and typical African dinners under the stars. This afternoon, enjoy the first of the game drives, then perhaps enjoy a sun-downer drink around the authentic Boma (camp) fire before dinner is served.

Day 7

A second day at the Lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive, and includes a visit to the fascinating reptile centre. Enjoy some free time for a siesta - perhaps by the pool - before setting off on a second evening game drive and enjoying another memorable dinner under the stars.

Day 8

After a final early morning game drive, make the journey west into the beautiful, verdant Cape Winelands region. Here you'll spend a night in Stellenbosch, in the heart of the famous vineyards and overlooked by the mountains. This is every inch the welcoming tourist town, with its centuries-old oaks, its European-style, 'Cape Dutch' houses, village green and historic Dorp Street home to quaint shops and winetasting centres.

Enjoy an included lunch and tasting at a wine estate followed by a walking tour of the delightful town, ending with a glass of bubbly and the chance to sample some local treats. Later, check into your overnight hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure - you'll find countless places in which to dine in style on this, your last South African evening.

Day 10

After a final breakfast, enjoy a last scenic day's touring that will include visits to the beautiful Winelands towns of Paarl and Franschhoek, where designer elegance mixes with Victorian grandeur. Enjoy guided introductions to both towns, and the chance for a bite to eat, before re-boarding the coach and returning to the airport for the overnight flight back to the UK, travelling via Amsterdam.

Day 11

Arrive home this morning, at the end of a wonderful taster holiday in South Africa.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and visas

A visa is not required for UK citizens travelling to South Africa, but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to the country and have two adjacent blank pages. Special entry rules apply for children under 18 years.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road Conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

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