Cape Town & Garden Route Safari

14 DAYS, 13 NIGHTS FROM £2 460 PER PERSON SHARING

This adventure starts Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town and ends at Port Elizabeth International Airport in Port Elizabeth

HIGHLIGHTS
  • City streets and endless beaches in scenic Cape Town
  • The vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere of Cape Town
  • Various full/half day trips available to explore the Cape Winelands
  • The best land-based whale watching in Hermanus (in season)
  • Malaria-free game drives
ADVENTURE UNLEASHED
  • Sip on a cocktail while watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean
  • Indulge in excellent food, wine and olives in the winelands
  • Go shark cage diving in Gansbaai
  • Visit the Congo Caves and ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn
SPECIALLY CREATED FOR…
  • Self-drive enthusiasts
  • Nature and city lovers of sightseeing
  • Action adventure traveller
  • Family vacation

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by a member of the team, who will assist you through passport control and baggage claim, and will drive you to the Dock House Hotel.

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. 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. Home to South Africa’s first Mosque, oldest wine farm, a 350 year-old garden and timelessly beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise the legendary Flying Dutchman and his spectral ship have spent eternity sailing the city’s shores. A grand architectural gem, the Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa has been painstakingly transformed into an exclusive and elegant hotel. Understated grace meets contemporary yet classical glamour in the well appointed interiors. Individually decorated rooms are imbued with Victorian elegance, while retaining contemporary style and comfort. Ground floor rooms open up onto spacious verandas overlooking the lush garden and sparkling swimming pool, while upstairs rooms feature balconies that gaze out onto the scenic harbour of Cape Town’s famed Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Delectable breakfasts are served in the bright and elegant morning room, while al fresco dining is available in the open pool area or in the privacy of your room. The hotel’s four sister restaurants are located in close proximity, while the vibrant shopping malls, eateries and entertainment options of the V&A Waterfront are within easy walking distance. Guests can indulge in a rejuvenating treatment in the designer spa, work out in the state-of-the-art gym or while away a few quiet hours in the private library Relax for 3 nights at Dock House in a standard room with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes breakfast.

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Day 2-4

Today your rental vehicle will be delivered at your hotel at 09h00 for your next 9 days.

Your vehicle will be a Toyota Corolla 1.6 or similar – Manual – Super Cover & GPS Rental. Make your way from Cape Town to Hermanus (approx 2 hours driving time). Acknowledged as the best land-based whale watching site in the world, Hermanus even has an official whale-crier! Once hunted almost to extinction, these gentle giants loll around within stone’s throw of the rocks, where one can sit and commune with them for hours. Sir William Hoy, General Manager of SA Railways, lived here in the early 1900s and his refusal to have the peace disturbed by noisy trains is the reason Hermanus has no railway. From its perch on the cliffs of Hermanus, the elegant Birkenhead House and Villa offers unsurpassed vistas of Walker Bay, (a whale watcher’s paradise) and the Overberg Mountains. Superbly-appointed rooms offer guests the ultimate in seaside luxury and relaxation. All rooms are individually decorated, and are equipped with ensuite bathrooms and original artwork. A selected few boast spectacular sea views. Guests can savour delectable dishes either in the restaurant or on the beautiful veranda. A sparkling infinity pool awaits after a rewarding day of sightseeing. The in-hotel bar offers a fine selection of local wines. A range of adventures, including bike riding, whale watching, local wine tours, horse riding, golf, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and explorations through the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, can be arranged for guests. Unwind for 2 nights at Birkenhead House in a standard room with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes local beverages, house wines, all meals, snacks, all coffees, speciality teas, wireless Internet, laundry, full mini bar, shuttle to/from Hermanus

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Day 6

Today you make your way towards Plettenberg Bay (approx 5 hours & 40 minutes driving time

Most people believe that Cape Town was home to South Africa’s first settlers – when it was, in fact, Plettenberg Bay. Originally named Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese navigators, the vessel Sao Gonzales was anchored here for two months in 1630 for repairs. A storm wrecked the ship and the hundred surviving crew members spent several months building two new boats and a tiny wooden chapel from the remains of the wreck. Beautiful Bay suffered a name change in 1778, when Governor Joachim van Plettenberg (clearly not a modest man) was so taken with the area that he named it after himself! Today, Plett is an upmarket resort town and, in spring, home to whales who calve in the shallow waters of the bay The Plettenberg is built on a rocky headland with breathtaking vistas of the sea, mountains and kilometres of golden sand. All suites have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and spectacular views. Dolphins and whales in the bay can also be sighted from the hotel’s terraces. In addition, the Plettenberg offers guests seaside accommodation in the form of the self-contained Beach House and the delightful Lookout Villa. Spend 5 nights at The Plettenberg in a double room with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes breakfast.

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Day 11

Make your way from Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth International Airport (approx 3 hours driving time) where you can return you rental vehicle.

Upon your arrival at Port Elizabeth International Airport you will be met and privately driven to Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (approx 2 hours driving time) A province of dramatic contrasts, South Africa’s Eastern Cape is home to some of the country’s most varied landscapes. From the arid stretches of the Karoo in the interior to the lush rolling hills of the Transkei, the scenic mountain ranges of the Garden Route and the golden beaches along the coastline, the Eastern Cape is a tourist mecca. Over 800 km of pristine, unspoiled beaches, including the surfer’s paradise of Jeffrey’s Bay, combine with the lush forests of Tsitsikamma, a number of Big Five game reserves and even the country’s only ski resorts to form a region full of intrigue and adventure. It comes as no surprise that an area of such diverse beauty should be the landing place and home of the 1820 British settlers, as well as the birthplace of South Africa’s most famous son, Nelson Mandela. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game viewing area in the Eastern Cape and all of South Africa. The reserve is a renowned conservation and community success story. The magnificent Great Fish River Lodge is set along the lush banks of the Great Fish River in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. The guest area features a beautiful thatched roof, soaring grandly overhead, which is adorned with imposing chandeliers. Large fireplaces with massive stone chimneys cast warmth and light over the classic-contemporary African-inspired décor, with its natural palette and earth-toned fabrics. The nine luxurious suites boast swirling overhead fans and air conditioning. Complete with bath and both indoor and outdoor showers, the ensuite bathrooms offer unmatched views over the landscape. Floor-to-ceiling doors fold back to reveal uninterrupted wilderness vistas. Each suite also features a spacious thatched veranda and private plunge pool with terrace. Delicious Pan African meals are served on private decks, in the candlelit dining room or in the boma, beneath a magnificent starlit sky. Delight in 3 nights at Great Fish River Lodge on Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in a luxury suite with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local & premium brand spirits, beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, 1 hour nature walks accompanied by armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip and complimentary child-minding.

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Day 14

After your early morning game activity and breakfast you will be transferred from Kwandwe Private Game Reserve to Port Elizabeth International Airport arriving in time for your scheduled flight onwards to your next destination or back home.

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