Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari 2022

SAVE UP TO 15% ON 2022 - 2024 HOLIDAYS - OFFER EXTENDED

Experience one of Africa's most spectacular cities, some startling scenery, and the giants of the animal kingdom. Join us for a perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the world’s most beautiful countries, on an extraordinary-value tour crammed with unforgettable highlights. Discover spectacular Cape Town in its glorious setting beneath Table Mountain, see rugged Indian Ocean-washed shores, cross the arid plain of the Little Karoo, go in search of the Big Five in a private game reserve, and relax in the sun-kissed surroundings of some of South Africa’s finest vineyards.

Highlights

Three game drives in search of the Big Five
Ride Table Mountain's rotating cable car
Spend two nights in the privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge
Tour the beautiful Cape Peninsula
Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus
Discover South Africa’s Cape Winelands and beautiful Western Cape
Wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate
See the extraordinary Cango Caves and visit an ostrich farm
Journey to Knysna, on the beautiful Garden Route
Take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon
Tour of Stellenbosch with included bubbly and nougat experience

Inclusions

Nine nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Cape Town (3 nights), Stellenbosch (1), Mossel Bay (2), Albertinia (2) and Hermanus (1), plus two nights on the aircraft
Three lunches and four dinners
A spectacular whale-watching cruise (September to November departures only)
Return flights to Cape Town via Johannesburg
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly from the UK, via Johannesburg, to Cape Town.

Day 2

Today you're free to relax in one of the world’s most stunningly located cities. Perhaps take a stroll along the V&A Waterfront, where you'll find several cultural landmarks, including the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art. This evening, you might choose to join the optional sunset cruise on the bay.

Day 3

Meet your tour manager for an orientation tour of the city. You'll see historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and the leafy Company’s Gardens. You’ll also enjoy a stroll past the colourful Bo Kapp colonial district before returning to your hotel by lunchtime. This afternoon, you can choose between enjoying some time at leisure or joining the optional tour to infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Day 4

Enjoy a fascinating full-day tour on which you'll visit treacherous Cape Point, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, Kirstenbosch, famous for its Botanical Gardens and Hout Bay, and – weather-permitting – breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive. This afternoon, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car that offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre high summit.

Day 5

Head east into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to wine-producing Franschhoek for lunch and a wine tasting in the fabled Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of this scenic landscape. Enjoy a guided introduction of Stellenbosch, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat. With its oak trees and picturesque, European-style Cape Dutch houses, Stellenbosch is a delightful place to spend a night.

Day 6

Travel 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 your barbecue lunch, before visiting the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites. Later, you’ll continue to the coastal Garden Route resort of Mossel Bay for a two-night stay.

Day 7

This morning, you'll travel to coastal Knysna for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, which hugs the edge of the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve. After the cruise, you’ll travel in a 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. A buffet lunch will be served at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees. After some free time to explore Knysna’s charming waterfront, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden of Eden in the Harkerville Forest, before returning to Mossel Bay for a traditional South African barbecue.

Day 8

Journey via the historic, sleepy harbour town of Mossel Bay to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you'll spend the next two days. During your stay here, in the shadow of the Langeberg mountains, you’ll enjoy all the wonders of safari game drives to see the Big Five (lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo) while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying typical African dinners looking out over the reserve. This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps enjoy a sun-downer before dinner.

Day 9

A second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive. Enjoy some free time for a siesta - perhaps by the pool - before setting off on a second evening game drive. Upon your return to the camp, enjoy a complimentary refreshment beside the authentic boma (camp fire), before you savour another memorable dinner under the stars.

Day 10

After a final early morning game drive, you'll journey west to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching centre from July to November and a year-round seaside resort. Departures between September and November will include a whale-watching cruise. Later, enjoy a fantastic dinner with a panoramic view of Walker Bay at La Pentola restaurant.

Day 11

Begin your last scenic day of touring as you make the dramatic descent from Sir Lowry’s Pass onto the Cape Flats. Take in the spectacular views of distant Table Mountain, before returning to Cape Town airport, via Stony Point Nature reserve to see the penguin colony, for your overnight flight home via Johannesburg.

Day 12

You'll land back home this morning, at the end of a wonderful holiday in South Africa.

Further Information

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.

2023 departures

Please note, passengers travelling in 2023 will do the itinerary as listed, but in reverse.

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.

Terms and conditions

Terms and Conditions: Save up to 15% discount applies to specific 2022-2024 holidays and tours only. All tours are marked with the discounted percentage. The ‘Dream it.’ offer applies to new bookings only for 2022 -2024 departures booked between 6 June and 31 Aug 2022 inclusive. The Offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Lapland, Andre Rieu, and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have percentage discount applied on our website. The discount applies to the tour price (excluding extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. The Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.