$4,468 to $5,387 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Welcome to Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town
Your Cape adventure begins with a private road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the popular Victoria & Alfred Hotel — set in the very heart of the V&A Waterfront. Your Loft bedroom on the third floor offers enviable views of Cape Town Harbour, Table Mountain and the city skyline. Welcome to Cape Town!
- Main Destination:
- V&a Waterfront (Cape Town)
- Accommodation:
- Victoria & Alfred Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Table Mountain & Robben Island
Table Mountain & Robben Island
Enjoy a half-day privately guided City Tour this morning, including a ride on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (weather permitting). This afternoon, board the ferry from the V&A Waterfront for a visit to Robben Island — where a shared guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site culminates in a visit to Nelson Mandela's former cell. A humbling and unforgettable experience.
- Main Destination:
- Robben Island (Cape Town)
- Accommodation:
- Victoria & Alfred Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
The Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope
Today's private Cape Point Tour takes you to the dramatic tip of the African continent — through the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, past the famous lighthouse, and along one of the most scenic coastal drives on earth. Baboons, ostriches and bontebok roam freely here. Return to the V&A Hotel in the afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure.
- Main Destination:
- Cape Point (Cape Peninsula)
- Accommodation:
- Victoria & Alfred Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Setting Off Along the Garden Route
Setting Off Along the Garden Route
Collect your Europcar rental vehicle from the nearby Cape Town city depot (approx 5-10 mins away in a taxi) and begin your self-drive along one of the world's most celebrated coastal roads. Your first stop is Hermanus — known as one of the world's best land-based whale watching destinations (Jul-Nov), however even outside of these months the pretty town has much to offer. Harbour House Hotel offers a convenient and comfortable base from which to explore the area, and is just steps away from the promenade overlooking Walker Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Main Destination:
- Hermanus (Whales)
- Accommodation:
- Harbour House Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Whales of Walker Bay
Whales of Walker Bay
Between Jul-Nov, a return shared road transfer will take you to nearby Gansbaai for a whale watching excursion (subject to weather conditions). There are few experiences quite like watching Southern Right whales breach and roll in the waters of Walker Bay up close. These magnificent creatures return each year to the bay, alongside Humpback and Bryde's whales which are also occasionally spotted. Outside of these months, the day is free to stroll Hermanus' famous cliff path, browse the village, and soak up some of the town's cafe culture.
- Main Destination:
- Hermanus (Whales)
- Accommodation:
- Harbour House Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Onto the Klein Karoo
Onto the Klein Karoo
Continue over the Outeniqua Mountains and into the extraordinary Klein Karoo — a sun-baked valley of ostriches, ancient caves and vineyards. De Zeekoe Guest Farm, just outside Oudtshoorn, is set within three overlapping flower zones with views of the riverbed and the Swartberg range, and makes the perfect base for exploring this remarkable region.
- Main Destination:
- Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)
- Accommodation:
- De Zeekoe
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Sunrise with Meerkats
Sunrise with Meerkats
Rise early today and drive the short distance for the shared Meerkat Tour: one of the Garden Route's most charming experiences. These habituated wild meerkats are never fed or handled — arrive at the burrows at dawn for coffee, then watch the colony emerge into the morning sunshine and go about its extraordinary daily routine. A completely authentic wildlife encounter, guided over two to three hours.
- Main Destination:
- Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)
- Accommodation:
- De Zeekoe
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Arrival on the Knysna Lagoon
Arrival on the Knysna Lagoon
Continue your self-drive to the jewel of the Garden Route — Knysna, a vibrant town straddling a spectacular lagoon flanked by the famous Knysna Heads. The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays sits right on the Waterfront, with tranquil lagoon-facing rooms, a heated outdoor pool and multiple restaurants at your doorstep.
- Main Destination:
- Knysna (Garden Route)
- Accommodation:
- Protea Hotel Knysna Quays
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Wild Heads & Hidden Trails
Wild Heads & Hidden Trails
Today's highlight is the Featherbed Nature Reserve — a pristine, privately-owned piece of land on the Western Head, accessible only by ferry. The three-hour excursion includes a shared unguided ferry cruise across the lagoon, a guided 4x4 drive up to the headland, and a guided 2.2km guided nature walk with breathtaking views over the Heads and the Indian Ocean. A must-do for all ages — bring good walking shoes, a hat and sunblock in summer, or a warm jacket for the ferry in winter.
- Main Destination:
- Knysna (Garden Route)
- Accommodation:
- Protea Hotel Knysna Quays
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Wander the Garden Route
Wander the Garden Route
A free day to explore the wider Garden Route at your own pace. Perhaps head east to the vibrant town of Plettenberg Bay — one of South Africa's most beautiful coastal destinations, with pristine beaches, the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve peninsula, and the acclaimed Plettenberg Wine Route, which winds through the valleys behind the town. In the area is also The Crags, home to an Elephant Sanctuary, Birds of Eden and Monkeyland - perfect options for nature lovers. Return to Knysna in the evening for dinner at one of the Waterfront's celebrated restaurants.
- Main Destination:
- Knysna (Garden Route)
- Accommodation:
- Protea Hotel Knysna Quays
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Your Safari Awaits
Your Safari Awaits
Your self-drive continues east along the final stretch of the Garden Route towards your safari lodge. En route, perhap stop at the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park, where ancient Yellowwood forests tumble down to the rugged coastline and the famous suspension bridge over the Storms River Mouth offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the entire Garden Route. From there, cross into the Eastern Cape where Lalibela Game Reserve awaits — one of South Africa's finest privately owned Big Five destinations. Lentaba Lodge is set amongst indigenous bushveld, with sweeping views over the valley and a private waterhole below. Your first safari starts this afternoon!
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Lentaba Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Wildlife & Open Plains
Wildlife & Open Plains
A full day on Lalibela Private Game Reserve — one of South Africa's finest malaria-free Big Five experiences. Head off on morning and afternoon game drives with an expert guide in search of some of the reserve's iconic wildlife, including playful elephants and lions on the hunt. Back at the lodge, the pool and viewing deck await between drives, and outstanding cuisine complemented by delicious South African wines rounds off a truly memorable day in the bush.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Lentaba Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
A Journey's End
A Journey's End
It's time to say goodbye as you drop your rental vehicle at Port Elizabeth International Airport and board your flight back to Johannesburg. From Cape Town's iconic harbour to the whale-watching shores of Hermanus, the ancient Karoo, the lagoons of Knysna and the Big Five of the Eastern Cape — an extraordinary journey from start to finish. Until next time.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
