Join our eight-day private tour and discover the natural gem of South Africa, one of the most diverse and exciting countries in the world. Sample locally produced wines and glorious cheeses. Visit and farm and see large flocks of ostriches. Explore the Cango Caves, discovered by the San almost 10’000 years ago. Have authentic safari and wildlife experiences at Addo Elephant National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park. Admire South Africa’s extensive coastline and spectacular views and travel to the continent’s most south-western point, this trip will fill your senses and satisfy your curiosity about this thrilling country.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Paarl: One of the most popular stops along the Paarl wine route, Fairview is more than just a winery, it’s also famous for its range of cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses, which have won numerous awards and are distributed countrywide.
The Cango Caves: are situated in the foothills of the Swartberg mountains, 30 kilometres outside of Oudtshoorn. The cave system with more than 80 caverns extends 5 kilometres into the mountain. A 1.2-kilometre stretch is open to visitors.
Addo Elephant National Park: stretches over 12.000 hectares between the Zuurberg Mountains and the Sunday River. It was established in 1931 to save the last Cape Elephants from extinction. Today it is home to more than 400 elephants as well as buffalo, kudu, black rhino, various antelopes and lions.
Tsitsikamma National Park: The untouched, indigenous nature stretches from the Outeniqua Mountains, over coastal plateaus and down to the Indian Ocean. Hikers encounter small inhabitants of the forest and experience the unique plants of this area, including over 800-year-old yellowwood trees.
Day 1: ARRIVAL CAPE TOWN – PAARL (55km – 45min)
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival and completing entry formalities, your guide will meet you in the Arrivals Hall. You will then continue to your accommodation, situated in the picturesque wine lands of the Western Cape. Enjoy a Wine & Cheese tasting on Fairview's Wine Estate en route or after check-in (included). A range of local produce can be purchased directly from the farm, cheese and olive oil from the deli, fresh bread from the bakery and vino from the cellar. If you prefer dining indoors, you can follow up a wine tasting with a Mediterranean meal from the farm's Goatshed Restaurant (own expense).
Overnight in Paarl.
Day 2: PARL – OUDTSHOORN (375km – 4.5hrs)
After an early breakfast, depart from Paarl and drive through the Winelands to the mighty Du Toits Kloof Mountains that are flanked by vineyards. On the other side of the mountains lies Worcester, which through its position is a centre of commerce and industries. The town offers many schools and institutions for children and adults with impairments, for example, the Institute for the Blind. The route continues along the Hex River Mountains and the Langeberg Mountains through the fertile Breede River wine lands to Robertson, Ashton and Montagu, a quaint little town with a number of National Monuments. It is an ideal stop for a stroll and some refreshments. Montagu is also a centre of the apricot and peach industry and well known for its sweet Muscadel wines. Pass the small town Barrydale and drive to Ladysmith. Towering above the town is the landmark Towerkop. It is said that the top was split by the broom of an angry witch as she fled over the mountain peak. You continue through the Little Karoo, drive over the Huisriver to Calitzdorp, the capital of the local South African Port wine industry and onto Oudtshoorn. Late afternoon visit the famous Safari Ostrich Farm, where you enjoy a guided tour of the farm. Safari Ostrich Farm is a working farm where visitors see large flocks of ostriches. The tour informs about the life and behaviour of these large birds, from egg to adult bird. Depending on the season, one sees breeding pairs, eggs in incubators, hatching chicks and little ones of various ages. The tour also covers information about a different type of ostrich feathers and the processing of ostrich skins is showing the different parts of the skin and their use.
Overnight in Oudtshoorn.
Day 3: OUDTSHOORN – SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY (400km – 5hrs)
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the famous Cango Caves at around 10:00 in the morning. The Great Hall is more than 107 meters in diameter, 16 meters high and displays various stalagmites and stalactites. Thereafter and weather permitting we take the stunning route via Meeringspoort Pass towards Port Elizabeth and Addo Elephant National Park. Arrive late afternoon, check-in and prepare for dinner (not included).
Overnight in Sundays River Valley.
Day 4: SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY – ADDO N. PARK – SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY (40km – 30min)
Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Today we will travel to Addo Elephant National Park for a game drive in our touring vehicle. Addo Elephant National Park stretches over 12.000 hectares between the Zuurberg Mountains and the Sunday River. It was established in 1931 to save the last Cape Elephants from extinction. Today it is home to more than 400 elephants as well as buffalo, kudu, black rhino, various antelopes and lions. Visitors can also see the dung beetle, which has become a rare sight. Animals can be viewed along circular routes in their natural surroundings and at various water holes. Visitors can participate in guided game drives in open 4x4 vehicles.
Overnight in Sundays River Valley.
Day 5: SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY – KNYSNA (320km – 4hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Greater Addo towards Knysna. After breakfast, we leave Greater Addo towards Knysna. On the way, we will stop at Tsitsikamma National Park, which is part of the Garden Route National Park and take a leisurely walk to its suspension bridge (weather permitting). Breath-taking views reward you for the approximate 30 minutes walk. A walk, leading from the parking area through lush forest to a hanging bridge, offers spectacular views over Storms River Mouth.
Overnight in Knysna.
Day 6: KNYSNA – CAPE SOUTH COAST (365km – 4.5hrs)
Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a day at leisure. We recommend enjoying the Featherbed John Benn cruise on the famous Knysna Lagoon (not included, payable on the spot). The John Benn is a double-decker floating restaurant offering daily Lagoon cruises to the Knysna Heads. The John Benn is a fully enclosed luxury ferry, beautifully appointed with her upper and lower decks constructed from Yellowwood sourced from the Knysna Forest. This legendary floating restaurant is for eating, drinking and having fun! In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the hotel in Cape South Coast. In the afternoon, continue your journey along the Garden Route towards Cape Agulhas.
Overnight in Cape South Coast.
Day 7: CAPE SOUTH COAST – HERMANUS (115km – 1.5hrs)
Indulge in a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and travel via Cape Agulhas to Hermanus today. Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent has received its name from Portuguese seafarers. It is derived from the word “needle” and refers to sharp cliffs just off the coast. Cape Agulhas is the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. One of Hermanus best-kept secrets must be its Hemel en Aarde Wine Route-Creation Wines offers exciting wine pairing with excellent food, an opportunity not to be missed (included). Thereafter check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The lighthouse reaches 60 kilometres and is still guiding ships. It houses the only lighthouse museum in South Africa.
Overnight in Hermanus.
Day 8: HERMANUS – DEPARTURE CAPE TOWN (100km – 1.5hr)
All good things come to an end and our journey ends today in Hermanus. Hop on the transfer back to Cape Town to return your car and catch your flight back home. Depending on your flight time, you might want to experience an optional boat-based whale watching tour in Hermanus or come eye to eye with one of SA's most feared predators: The Big White! We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa!
Boat-based whale watching in Hermanus (June - November): From June to November, the Arctic whales grace our coastline. The shallow, sandy-bottomed and sheltered bays are perfect for mating, calving and nursing their babies. The best ways to enjoy watching these gentle giants is on a specialized boat where you have the chance to get within meters of whales. Even if the boats are not permitted to approach whales up to 50 meters, it is them usually turning and approaching the boat. The species usually met is the Southern Right whale that has no dorsal fin on its back. The boat trip lasts approx. 2 hours starting from and returning to Hermanus new harbour. Boat-based whale watching in Hermanus (June - November; weather dependent; trip duration 1.5hr to 3hrs, departure times: (09:00, 12:00 & 15:00)
Shark Cage Diving: Sharks are possibly some of the most feared animals. From the small sand shark to the enormous white shark, they are sleek, strong but agile swimmers. Without a doubt, there are the most evolved predators in the ocean. Shark cage diving offers the opportunity to dive and meet a Great White Shark face to face. Divers will learn about this magnificent creature that is highly misunderstood. Incredible sightings of the shark can also be viewed from the boat, with activities taking place on or close to the surface. (Weather dependent, approx. 4h at sea; Time related itineraries and collection times are dependent on tides, weather conditions and the number of scheduled tours for a particular day. Exact collection times are therefore only available after 16h00 the day before and may vary between 4:30 and 11:30)
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in South Africa. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Parents travelling with children will be requested to provide an unabridged birth certificate (including the details of the child's father as well as the mother) of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children. When children are travelling with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parents proving permission for the children to travel. The above applies to foreigners and South Africans travelling to or from South Africa as well as travellers in transit.
