CAPE TOWN - GARDEN ROUTE - GREATER KRUGER

Day 1 : Taj Cape Town, Cape Town (B / - / -)

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by your driver-guide, who will be with you for the duration of your time in Cape Town, and transferred to your hotel. Your guide will meet you in the arrival hall with a name board showing your name. Please call or WhatsApp the emergency contact number on your travel vouchers in the unlikely event that you do not manage to locate your guide.

Your hotel is located in the heart of Cape Town's vibrant city centre.

Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your own leisure, depending on your arrival time there are several options of things to do in the city.

No driver-guide and vehicle included.

Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
•    Visit the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions.
•    Sunset views from Signal Hill
•    Sunset Kayak Experience along Table Bay Coastline

Overnight : Taj Cape Town    
Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 2 : Taj Cape Town, Cape Town (B / - / -)

Private Half Day Cape Town City Tour & Table Mountain 

Pick-Up Time: 09.00 at hotel reception
Drop-Off Time: 18.00 at hotel

Included: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway return tickets
Excluded: All entrance fees to museums – for own account if interested to visit and time depending.

Note: Services of driver-guide and vehicle end after the tour finishes unless booked on a full day basis with driver-guide and vehicle at disposal – additional cost.

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Half Day Cape Town City Orientation Tour to learn about Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant cultures.  The day starts with a cableway trip to the top of one of the World’s Natural Wonders – Table Mountain, also the city’s most iconic and recognisable landmark.

Explore the walking trails at the top and take in the many different views point across the City Bowl, Table Bay, Atlantic Seaboard and Peninsula.
From Table Mountain your guide will take you back down into the city to visit the colourful Bo Kaap (Cape Malay Quarter), enjoy a walk through the Company Gardens and Greenmarket Square and an orientation drive taking in some of the important historical buildings (for example the Castle of Good Hope – South Africa’s oldest building), streets and features.

In the later part of the afternoon you will enjoy a 1-hour champagne pre-sunset cruise. With the bubbles of sparkling wine and superb views of the coastline from the Atlantic, it’s the perfect precursor to evening fun or the perfect ending to a busy day.

Highlights: 
•    Table Mountain and the aerial cableway (weather depending)
•    Bo-Kaap one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots thanks to its picturesque colourful houses and cobblestone streets
•    The Company Gardens – a large public park lined with oak trees and surrounded by iconic historical buildings, museums and art galleries
•    Vibrant Greenmarket Square market offering a wide range of African arts and crafts
•    Orientation drive to see The Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, Grand Parade and Adderley Street with its many statues and historical buildings

The rest of the day will be at your own leisure, you can choose from a wide range of optional activities and excursions that Cape Town has to offer.

Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
•    Visit to the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions.
•    City Tour by Bicycle or E-Bike
•    Paragliding from Signal Hill or Lions Head
•    Scenic helicopter flight
•    Lions head guided hike (morning or sunset)
•    Robben Island Excursion - with option of a private guided tour with Christo Brand as the guide (Nelson Mandela's prison guard who became his friend)
•    A visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens for a walk, including the Boomslang Treetop Canopy Walkway
•    Cape Malay Cooking experience in the Bo Kaap
•    If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to a local Food Market (e.g. Oranjezicht City Farm or Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill)
•    Constantia Winelands Zip and Sip Trip (half day Ziplining and Wine Tasting in the Constantia Valley) or half day wine tour in the Constantia Valley

Overnight : Taj Cape Town    
Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 3 : Taj Cape Town, Cape Town (B / - / -)

Private Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
Pick-Up Time:    08.30 at hotel reception
Drop-Off Time: 17.30-18.00 at hotel

Included: Chapman’s Peak toll fee (weather depending), entrance fees for Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (Cape Point) and Boulders Beach (Penguins)
Excluded: Seal Island boat excursion and entrance to Kirstenbosch Gardens – for own account and subject to availability and time – note that there is only time for ONE of these two activities. Funicular at Cape Point.

Lunch: For own account

Note: Services of driver-guide and vehicle end after the tour finishes unless dinner transfers are booked – additional cost.

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area and taken on a Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour. Cape Town is frequently acknowledged and awarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful places – this tour will show you why! Experience the spectacular natural splendour and abundance of life of the Cape Peninsula. With scenic views to take your breath away and photo opportunities galore this trip also takes you through a World Heritage Site – the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, passing magnificent beaches and the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. From the busy fishing harbour at Hout Bay you have the option of a boat trip to see the thousands of Cape Fur Seals living on a rocky outcrop. Browse for souvenirs at the Hout Bay Craft Market or take a walk on the beach and paddle your feet in the sea.

The tour continues over Chapman’s Peak, known as one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world, all the way along the Peninsula to the southern tip at Cape Point. An invigorating walk takes you to the two lighthouses at the top and bottom of the headland, from where you will enjoy extraordinary views of the cliffs and the ocean below. Alternatively, you could take an optional short funicular ride to the top. Take a photo down at the most south-western point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope beach.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a seaside restaurant (excluded and for your own account) before we make our way along the False Bay coastline to the Naval village of Simon’s Town. We will visit the delightful African Penguins of Boulders Beach and then the drive takes us back via Cape Town’s coastal and southern suburbs.

Highlights: 
•    Drive along the Atlantic Sea Board passing the beautiful beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay
•    Photo stop at Maidens Cove to take in the views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay Beach and Lions Head
•    Stop at Hout Bay Harbour – a busy fishing harbour
•    Optional boat ride to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals
•    Chapman’s Peak Drive – known as one of the World’s most beautiful drives
•    Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – most South-Western point of Africa and the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, spectacular scenery
•    False Bay Coastal Road – look out for whales between June and November
•    Visit the comical African Penguins at Boulders Beach
•    Simon’s Town – home to South Africa’s Naval Base
•    Picturesque drive past Kalk Bay and Muizenberg – see the famous colourful beach huts
•    Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens – optional and time dependent

There are also a number of other exciting ways to explore the Cape Peninsula and fun activities which can be included as an alternative to the standard routing above:

Optional Activities (at additional cost): 
•    Snorkelling with Seals from Hout Bay
•    Kayaking with Penguins from Simon's Town
•    Waterbike Ocean Adventure from Simon's Town
•    Surfing lesson in Muizenberg
•    Explore the Peninsula or a section thereof via Side-car
•    Self-drive the Peninsula in a classic convertible Cobra

Overnight : Taj Cape Town    
Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 4 : La Plume Boutique Guest House, Oudtshoorn (B / - / -)

Cape Town to Oudtshoorn via Route 62, 420km Approximate driving time 5 hours (7 hours with stops)

This morning your driver-guide will meet you at your hotel reception (please ensure your bags are packed and you have checked out of the hotel) at 09.00 to depart on the next leg of your South African adventure – exploring the beautiful Garden Route.

Travel along the famous Route 62 from the Cape Winelands en route to Oudtshoorn. This route has previously been named "World's Best Road Trip Destination" by CNN! There are lots of interesting stops and places to discover along the way and it is also known to be “The World’s Longest Wine Route”. A good place to stop about half way through the journey is Barrydale, where there a few options for lunch (for your own account).

Check-in at your accommodation and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque setting on a working ostrich farm. Dinner (for your own account) can either be enjoyed at your accommodation or at a restaurant in the town – dinner transfers are included in the services.

Overnight : La Plume Boutique Guest House 
Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 5 : St James of Knysna, Knysna (B / - / -)  

Full day Oudtshoorn and Transfer to Knysna

Pick-Up Time: 09.00 at hotel reception, please note a prompt departure is essential in order to fit in all the planned activities of the day

Drop-Off Time: 18.00 at hotel in Knysna

Included:
Standard Heritage Tour at the Cango Caves at 10.00 (1-hour tour)
Entrance to and Standard Tour at Cango Wildlife Ranch from 12.00 (1-hour tour)
Tractor Tour at Safari Ostrich Farm at 15.00 (1-hour tour)
Note: All the above tours are on a scheduled/shared basis at each attraction.
Excluded: All meals and drinks, Animal Encounters at Cango Wildlife Ranch and any other activity/excursion not mentioned as included.

Lunch: For own account at Cango Wildlife Ranch

You will be met by your guide in your hotel reception area at 09.00 sharp and taken on a full day trip in Oudtshoorn. After the tour you will travel to Knysna which lies 120km (2-hours drive) from Oudtshoorn, traveling over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass and onto the Garden Route.

Your first stop will be at the Cango Caves, which are situated 30km / 30-minutes’ drive outside of Oudtshoorn. Here you will join the Heritage Tour at 11.00 - an easy walk through the first six largest and most spectacular halls and continuing through to the "African Drum room". This tour commences with information on the real discoverers and inhabitants of the cave and then winds its way through the rest of the Caves’ cultural and historical heritage. A comfortable walk through the most majestic of the cave chambers.  Experienced and knowledgeable guides will accompany you on this journey of discovery and knowledge which takes around 1-hour to complete.

Next you will go on to the Cango Wildlife Ranch in time for a quick lunch at the restaurant there, followed by a guided 1-hour tour of the facility. The ranch has been in existence for 35 years and comprises of over 90 different species of animals. The guided tours provide a voice for each species and create animal and environmental awareness. Enveloped in a fun and unique setting, this is a one-of-a-kind centre that has something for everyone, 365 days of the year!
Your last stop for the day is Safari Ostrich Farm for a guided tractor tour where you will get to meet and learn more about these large flightless birds that have had such a big impact on the economy of the town. This tour also takes 1-hour, after which you can shop for some ostrich leather products in the shop.
You will then travel to Knysna, arriving at your hotel in the early evening.

Overnight : St James of Knysna

Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 6 : St James of Knysna, Knysna  (B / - / -)

Full day at leisure in Knysna

Enjoy the day exploring the area, there is a wide variety of activities and excursions to enjoy around Knysna. All entrance fees, activities and excursions will be at an additional cost and for your own account – pre-booking is recommended. 

Optional Activities Tsitsikamma Area:
- Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park Storms River Mouth - walk to the suspension bridges
- Kayak & Lilo Adventure 
- Zip Lining, Quad Biking, Scootours or Segways in the Tsitsikamma Forest 

Optional Activities Plettenberg Bay Area:
- Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jump - highest in the world
- Hiking in the Robberg Nature Reserve
- Boat-based marine life encounters - dolphin and whales
- Visit to animal sanctuaries: Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Jukani Cats, Tenikwa Wild Cats, Wolf Sanctuary, Elephant Park
- Wine tasting in South Africa's smallest wine growing region
- Horse Drawn Carriage ride or wine tour
- Horse Riding Trails
- Learn to surf
- Keurbooms River boat trip with Stand-Up-Paddling 
- Keurbooms River Gorge boat trip

Optional Activities Knysna Area:
- Featherbed Eco Experience with lunch
- Kayak or SUP (stand up paddle) on the Lagoon
- Whale Watching boat excursion
- Sunset Cruise or Sunset Sail
- Champagne & Oysters Cruise 
- Lagoon Cruise
- Hiking Trails 
- Paragliding in nearby Sedgefield

Activities : Boat trip exploring the upper lagoon

Enjoy a complimentary 90 min cruise on "The Boat" at the St James.  Skipper Alex Mvandaba will take guests upriver to the Belvidere and the White bridge section of the lagoon. This section is only really accessible by private boat as most of the other cruises are to the Heads and back. This area is steeped in history – in fact the early ships used to moor in front of the Belvidere area, rather than the current harbor area.

The Knysna Estuary is biologically the richest estuary in the Cape, and one of the largest. “A remarkable diversity of species is recorded here, the highest of any South African estuary. It is of course also home to the unique Knysna Seahorse, Hippocampus capensis.”

Overnight : St James of Knysna
Meals : Bed and Breakfast

Day 7 : Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve (B / L / D)

Knysna to Greater Kruger via George and Johannesburg Airports 

This morning will be an early start with a transfer to George airport for your morning flight to Johannesburg and onward flight to Hoedspruit. 
In Hoedspruit you will be met and transferred a short distance to your lodge in the Kapama Private Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger area. Check-in will be followed by your first afternoon game drive and then dinner back at the lodge. 

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Stretching across 13 000 hectares, towards the Kruger area in South Africa, Kapama Private Game Reserve provides an authentic African safari experience. The reserve offers a range of stylish accommodation options across four refined lodges and bush camps from a traditional African safari camp to top-notch luxury suites. Kapama is home to the Big Five and is known for its diverse wildlife experiences which can be enjoyed on one of many game drives offering fascinating encounters with plentiful wildlife. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful activities including: excellent game viewing, enjoying a relaxing spa experience and stargazing after a lamp-lit dinner under the African night sky.

Game Drive

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.

As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

Overnight : Kapama River Lodge

Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities 
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included

Day 8 : Kapama River Lodge, Kapama Private Game Reserve (B / L / D)

Full day on Safari

An early morning wake up call for a game drive with a coffee/tea stop and breakfast on your return. Enjoy some leisure time around the pool or enjoy a spa treatment (not included and optional cost). Lunch will be served before departing on an afternoon game drive after some relaxation time. Later that evening enjoy dinner back at the lodge. 

Game Drive

Across all of Kapama’s lodges, two daily game drives are offered and are included in the tariff. Accompanied by a skilled ranger and tracker, guests can expect to encounter a diverse range of animal and bird species on game drives. Since this is a Big Five reserve, seeing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo is possible over a two-day safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve.

The day starts with an early wake-up call between 5am and 5:30am. Tea, coffee and rusks are enjoyed together before heading out at first light. While seeing big game is always exhilarating, there are many other smaller species that are also captivating, and birding enthusiasts will be delighted at the approximately 350 species of birds recorded on the reserve. Halfway through the game drive, there’s a stop for hot drinks and snacks, before returning to the lodge at around 9am for a full breakfast. Throughout the day, it’s likely you will see wildlife around the lodge - nyala antelope and vervet monkeys are frequent visitors, though seeing some of the Big Five is also not uncommon.

At around 3:30pm, everyone gathers for a decadent high tea, before heading out with your ranger and tracker for the afternoon game drive through the reserve. En route, you’ll stop for a sundowner drink and will have a chance to stretch your legs as you watch the sun set over the distant peaks of the Drakensberg mountains.
As darkness falls, the nocturnal animals of the bush come out. The skilled tracker will scan the landscape using a spotlight, which illuminates animals’ eyes. A variety of completely different species can be seen on the night drive back to the lodge. Arrival is at the lodge is usually around 7pm, allowing time to freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
   
Bush Walks

Feel Africa underfoot on a guided bush walk with a highly trained game ranger. The experience offers an intimate encounter with nature and wildlife, and medicinal and other plants are identified en route.

Rangers also teach walkers to track wildlife in the traditional way, using animal footprints and scat. Expert trackers are able to tell the gender of many animals just from their footprints. Large and dangerous animals are avoided on walks, but many other species can be viewed from a safe distance at ground level. A bush walk through Kapama Private Game Reserve is a truly memorable and authentic encounter.

Overnight : River Lodge Spa & Wellness Centre

Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities 
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included

Day 9 : End of Itinerary (B / - / -)

Transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for Departure

This morning after you last game drive and reakfast at the lodge you will be transferred back to Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg and onwards. 

Meals : Bed and Breakfast

End of our services.