Vibrant Cape Town to Garden Route (East)

DAY 1 Cape Town!

Arrive at any time.
You will be welcomed by your friendly guide, in the hotel lobby, at 18:00, for a welcome meeting and a chance to mingle with your fellow travelers.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Portswood Hotel or similar.

DAY 2 Cape Town

Our tour begins!
We start off by letting the Mother City enchant and intrigue us with her centuries-old secrets, stories of colonial time hardships and of modern-day liberation triumphs on our included walking tour of Cape Town.
We also immerse ourselves in the rich historical confluence of cultures and we feed our decadent side with a toothsome foodie tour where we eat traditional African grub at the legendary Mama Christina’s undisclosed hideaway (known only to Sidewalk Africa guides).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Portswood Hotel or similar.

DAY 3 Cape Town

Today we travel around the Cape Peninsula on a full-day tour, stopping at attractions such as:
The 12 Apostles, Hout Bay, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope where the warm Mozambique-Agulhas current, coming from the Indian Ocean, clashes with the cool Benguela current of the Antarctic.
This striking part of the coastline was first spotted in 1488, by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who named it “Cabo Tormentoso” or the “Cape of Storms.” Later it was re-christened to “Kaap de Goede Hoop” or “Cape of Good Hope”
We also say hello to the cute Penguin residents at Boulders Beach.
Photo opportunities abound!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Portswood Hotel or similar.

DAY 4 Stellenbosch

No visit to the Mother City is complete without a Cape Town Cable-Car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain. Before leaving for Stellenbosch we’re lifted 1060m (3477ft) above sea level to take in some spectacular views of Cape Town, the Harbour and the vast Atlantic Ocean. Once we’re back on terra firma we’re off to go wine tasting in the Cape Winelands triangle where some of the most enjoNo visit to the Mother City is complete without a Cape Town Cable-Car ride to the top of Table Mountain. Before leaving for Stellenbosch we’re lifted 1060m (3477ft) above sea level to take in some spectacular views of Cape Town, the Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean.
Once we’re back on terra firma we’re off to go wine tasting in the Cape Winelands triangle where some of the most enjoyable and award-winning wines in the world are to be found.
Wine lovers rejoice!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Stellenbosch Hotel or similar.

DAY 5 Stellenbosch

Today is all about food and wine again as we lunch in fabulous Franschhoek (“French corner”) and taste award-winning wines.
Whilst nobody here really speaks French anymore, Franschhoek today is nonetheless known as the culinary capital of the country and is in fact a member of the Delice Network of Good Food Cities of the World, joining the likes of Barcelona, Bordeaux, Merida, Montreal and Torino.
Bon Appetit!

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Stellenbosch Hotel or similar.

DAY 6 Oudtshoorn

Settle in for a scenic drive on the famous Route 62 towards the Garden Route.
Before dinner we drive over the mountain pass and stop for a quick ‘sundowner’ hike to stretch the legs a bit.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Swartberg Country Manor or similar.

DAY 7 Oudtshoorn

At the Swartberg foothills, just outside Oudtshoorn, we find the mystery of the labyrinthine Cango Caves, forged over countless millennia in Precambrian limestone.
Start the day exploring this incredible natural wonder and then go have lunch on an actual working ostrich farm.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Swartberg Country Manor or similar.

DAY 8 Knysna

A short transfer to the beautiful town of Knysna (pronounced “ˈ/naɪznə/”) will give us access to the Knysna Estuary and its picturesque surroundings.
We enjoy a leisurely cruise on board an old-school paddle cruiser – tasty lunch included!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Protea Knysna Quays or similar.

DAY 9 Knysna

Today we explore the wonderful Featherbed Nature Reserve where we also tuck into a yummy lunch.
In the afternoon we explore the Knysna Heads for it’s iconic view.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Protea Knysna Quays or similar.

DAY 10 Tsitsikamma National Park

Today, on our way to Tsitsikamma National Park, we’re spoilt for choice with optional extras aplenty: Monkey Land, Birds of Eden Dome or take on the challenge of the adrenaline induced Bloukrans Bungy Experience, to name a few.
Lose yourself in the breathtaking Birds of Eden, a two hectare bird paradise of thousands of birds comprising more than 200 species.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar

DAY 11 Tsitsikamma National Park

Today we visit the well-known Tsitsikamma National Park. This beautiful coastal park, with its picturesque day hikes, will delight the senses and edify the soul.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar

DAY 12 Kariega Private Game Reserve

We transfer to the Kariega Private Game Reserve which is a family owned Big 5 Nature Extravaganza. Get close up and hunt for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and leopards with your camera on your first afternoon open vehicle game drive.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Private Game Reserve

DAY 13 Kariega Private Game Reserve

Enjoy an early morning open vehicle game drive, in this untouched bit of African wilderness, followed by a breakfast buffet.
After breakfast we’re free to enjoy all lodge facilities before an afternoon game drive where, once again, we have the opportunity to see the Big Five.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Private Game Reserve

DAY 14

We sneak in one last early-morning game drive experience before we say goodbye to our hosts. Transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport where the tour ends upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast
Post Tour accommodation available upon request.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

• Couch Potato
• Fairly fit  ✔
• Very fit
• Super fit

INCLUDES

• Private minibus transport between all destinations and excursions.
• Certified National Tour Guide
• Thirteen Nights’ Accommodation
• Kariega Game Reserve: Includes game drives, guided bush walks, river cruise, canoeing, fishing
• Entrance fee – Tsitsikamma National Park
• Guided Coastal-hike
• Lunch Cruise in Knysna – Featherbed Reserve
• All Breakfasts – Three Lunches – Four Dinners
• Cable-car experience – Table Mountain
  

EXCLUDES

• Wine tasting
• Entrance – Birds of Eden
• Entrance – Cango Caves

CLIENT FEEDBACK

Well planned itinerary which had a generous amount of varied and inclusive activities, including top accommodation and superb meals. Kariega Private Game reserve was outstanding in quality and sightings of wildlife. Loved the local experiences and the cultural knowledge the guide provided.
Linda – NZ

I found the total tour of immense value for money. The itinerary , activities , local community involvement, local history and the extra community food on offering was mind blowing.
Glen – Scotland