Experience the stunning coastline of South Africa during this 8-day private tour, filled with amazing spots and activities. Drive through the picturesque wine lands of Paarl and admire its colourful architectural mix of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian influence. Join a tour to winery of Bon Courage Wine Estate in Oudtshoorn, and experience the taste of local wine a homemade products, or get yourself well taught about the life of ostriches, which are so representative for this area, by taking a trip to one of the ostriches’ farm. Admire the beauty of the Mother Nature in Greater Addo reserve, perhaps go to see the Addo Elephant Park and experience the real safari adventure. Lay back in Knysna surrounded by its magical lagoon and lakes, or take a sip of the wine marvellously combined with the nice meal. This trip will fill all your senses and will leave great memories for the lifetime.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Paarl: Explore the rich cultural heritage of the pearl of the wine lands and third oldest settlement in South Africa.
Greater Addo: Explore the incredible Greater Addo, with a chance to visit the world famous Elephant Park.
Cape Agulhas: Visit the southernmost point of the African continent, look out at the ocean with the entire African continent behind you.
Day 1: ARRIVAL CAPE TOWN – PAARL (65 km – 1 h)
Welcome to beautiful South Africa! Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, meet and greet by your driver, before your departure to Paarl, picturesque wine lands of the Western Cape, for your first night in South Africa. Once you check-in to your hotel, you can stay in the hotel to put your feet up and make the most of the available services, or you could choose from one of our optional tours and activities. Fairview Wine Estate is 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. 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 (not included, optional extra).
Overnight in Paarl.
Day 2: PAARL – OUDTSHOORN (375 km - 4.5 hrs)
Enjoy your tasty breakfast at the hotel, check-out and with your driver continue to your following destination, Oudtshoorn, settled on the banks of Grobbelaar's River. Upon your arrival check-in to your hotel and choose from the wide variety of the optional tours and activities. As Oudtshoorn boasts the largest ostrich population in the world, featured at a number of excellent ostrich show farms around the town, like Safari Ostrich Showfarm. It is a working farm where visitors see large flocks of ostriches learn about their life and behaviors from the egg all the way to being an adult. The tour also covers facts about different types of Ostrich feathers and the processing of Ostrich skins, showing you the different parts of the skin and their uses (not included, optional extra). Bon Courage Wine Estate visit can be another option. Situated in the scenic Breede River Valley at the base of the Langeberg Mountains, it makes up part of the Robertson Wine Route. Five distinct wine ranges are produced here, incorporating red, white, fortified and sparkling wines, which are sold both at home and abroad. The estates Café Maude restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch (not included, optional extra).
Overnight in Oudtshoorn.
Day 3: OUDTSHOORN – GREATER ADDO (400 km - 4 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast at your hotel, after which you can book an optional excursion to Cango Caves which starts at 10:00 am (not included, optional extra). The Cango Caves are situated in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, 30 kilometers outside of Oudtshoorn. The cave system with more than 80 caverns extend 5 kilometres into the mountain showcases various stalagmites and stalactites. If you do not feel like speleologist, check-out from the hotel and continue to your next stopping place, Greater Addo, largely dominated by the Addo Elephant Park. It is an incredibly diverse, beautiful region in the Eastern Cape Province that still remains largely ‘undiscovered’. Check-in to your hotel, and explore this gorgeous place at your own rhythm.
Overnight in Greater Addo.
Day 4: GREATER ADDO
Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for today´s adventure. This day is all about the Safari and Wildlife Experience. Travel to Addo National Park, complete the Park’s indemnity form and you are in for an adventure of a lifetime. You may also wish to opt-in for the Addo Elephant National Park, considered to be one of the most scenic parks in South Africa. Apart from the elephants that it is famous for, it is also home to large herds of buffalo, black rhinos, a variety of antelope species, and other South African wildlife (entrance not included). One out of the jungle, return to your hotel with the remainder of the day free to enjoy the area.
Overnight in Greater Addo.
Day 5: GREATER ADDO – KNYSNA (320 km - 4.5 hrs)
Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel before your early drive (not later than 9:00 am) to Knysna. You may wish to visit Tsitsikamma Nationalpark, which is part of the Garden Route National park and take a leisurely walk to its suspension bridge. Breath-taking views reward you for the approximate 30 minutes’ walk. The park also houses a restaurant (not included). Proceed to Knysna, the Pearl of the Garden Route and discover charming Knysna´s waterfront at your own leisure at check in. Knysna is a paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes, and golden beaches.
Overnight in Knysna.
Day 6: KNYSNA – CAPE SOUTH COAST (365 km - 4 hrs)
After breakfast, hop in your car and drive along the Garden Route. If you wish, before a long drive, you could book a featherbed John Benn cruise on the famous Knysna lagoon. The John Benn is a double-decker floating restaurant on a fully enclosed luxury ferry. The upper and lower decks are constructed from Yellowwood – sourced from the Knysna Forest. This wonderful floating restaurant offers a wide dining selection from the a la carte menu and has a bar on each of the upper and lower decks (not included, optional extra). Garden Route is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, and run parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains and colourful rivers and beaches.
Overnight in Cape South Coast.
Day 7: CAPE SOUTH COAST – CAPE AGULHAS – HERMANUS (115 km - 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast at your hotel, continue to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent, receiving its name form Portuguese seafarers, derived from the word needle due to sharp cliffs just off the coast. It also houses the only lighthouse museum in South Africa. Afterwards, travel to Hermanus, and check in to your hotel. One of Hermanus best kept secrets is Hemel en Aarde Wine Route Experience. Join this optional activity in Creation Wine Estate, which is offering exciting wines paired with excellent food (not included, optional extra).
Overnight in Hermanus.
Day 8: HERMANUS - DEPART CAPE TOWN (110 km - 4.5 hrs)
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to South Africa. Enjoy your last breakfast, after which you will be transferred back to Cape Town International Airport for your flight back home. Today you´ll still have the possibility to book optional activities of the whale-watching excursion or Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai (not included, optional extra).
