Contrasts of the Cape
17 days from £3,099 per person
We Love
Savouring every mouthful during a fine dining experience (created by one of South Africa’s leading chefs, no less) in the culinary hotspot of Franschhoek.Summary
South Africa’s two most southerly provinces offer everything from thriving cities to classic safaris, exceptional scenery to world-class wine tasting. Join us as we explore Cape Town, including its extraordinary botanical garden below Table Mountain. Look out for the Big Five as we take a thrilling late afternoon safari in the Kariega Game Reserve. Stand in awe of the Valley of Desolation’s 120-metre-high columns of Dolerite rock. And toast the end of your adventures with a fine-dining experience in Franschhoek’s winelands.
Your holiday includes:
14 excursions and visits
- Excursion to Kirstenbosch and Cape Town orientation tour
- Visits to Hermanus; Storms River Mouth; and Cango Ostrich Farm
- Walking tour of Arniston
- Cruise on the Keurbooms River
- 4 game drives and activities at Kariega Game Reserve
- Guided tour to the Valley of Desolation
- Drive along the spectacular Route 62 from Oudsthoorn to Franschhoek
- Franschhoek wine tram pass
- Fine-dining dinner in Franschhoek
Plus:
- 14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)
- International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways or Emirates from London Heathrow or Gatwick - Emirates flights via Dubai. Supplements may apply from other airports
- 28 meals: 14 breakfasts (days 3-16) 5 lunches (days 7, 9-10 and 13-14) 9 dinners (days 2, 5-6, 9-11 and 13-15) 2022 departures don’t include dinner on days 7 and 14
Plus
- Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
- Local Titan tour manager and guide
- Travel in destination by coach
- Porterage
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Day 1 UK - In flight
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Cape Town.
In flight
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Cape Town
Our hotel has magnificent views of Table Mountain and distant Robben Island. On our first afternoon we explore the buzzing Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This attractive bustling harbour has something for everyone and is filled with speciality shops, craft markets, theatres, pubs and restaurants, ready for you to explore.
The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)
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Cape Town
Enjoy a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, considered Africa’s most beautiful garden. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, it’s filled with over 7,000 species of plants from southern Africa, ready to be discovered on a relaxing stroll. We then head into the city for an orientation coach tour, passing the Castle of Good Hope, and the Bo-Kaap area. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe catch the hop-on-hop-off bus to Table Mountain. Or you may have pre-booked a trip to explore Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.
The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)
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Cape Town
Today is free. Maybe choose an optional excursion to visit the Cape’s fabulous winelands to taste the local wines, or to the Cape Peninsula. The Cape of Good Hope is rich in cultural and natural heritage - baboons, seals, zebra and hundreds of bird species inhabit this spectacular area. See the lighthouse at Cape Point, historical Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, a sheltered beach home to a colony of rare African penguins.
The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)
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Hermanus - Arniston
We head off for a scenic journey to Arniston, so have your camera at the ready. We stop in Hermanus en route for some free time and, as one of the world’s best land-based whale watching destinations, a stroll along the coast could be well rewarded. We arrive in Arniston with time for an interesting walk to explore the Dutch colonial fishing village. The quaint, thatched and whitewashed cottages, and the rugged coastline and golden sand dunes attract many artists and photographers. It’s also another great place to try to spot whales.
The Arniston Hotel (4-star)
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Knysna
We depart for Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route, arriving mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free; get back to nature again on a scenic walk along the nearby banks of the Knysna River.
The Moorings (4-star) or Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)
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Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
We drive to Keurbooms River Nature Reserve and board a lunch cruise on this spectacular river. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of mountain valleys, forests and quiet river beaches, the river is a sanctuary for indigenous trees and plant life. It’s also home to the Cape clawless otter and many bird species.
The Moorings (4-star) or Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)
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Knysna
Today is a free day to explore the lovely town of Knysna. Once a major town in the timber industry, you’ll find several shops offering beautiful woodwork. Maybe stroll through one of the many markets for souvenirs, or stop and watch the world go by, with a refreshing drink at one of the trendy cafés. If you’d like some relaxation time, why not spend some time paddling in the cool waters on the famous lagoon. Over lunch or dinner, be sure to try some fresh seafood, perhaps some of the town’s famous oysters.
The Moorings (4-star) or Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)
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Storms River - Kariega Game Reserve
Today’s journey takes us to the mouth of Storms River, where the water crashes dramatically against the rocks. Choose to relax and enjoy the powerful river and sea, or take a walk to the suspension bridge. Then we continue to Kariega Game Reserve, where our safari experience begins. We take a game drive as the animals become more active in the cool of late afternoon. Feel the excitement of what’s to come as we set off in our open game drive vehicle - you never know what’s around the corner!
Kariega Main Lodge (4-star)
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Kariega Game Reserve
Enjoy a full day at Kariega, a family-owned malaria-free reserve home to all of the Big Five. We’ll head out on a morning game drive, to search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and more. Sit back and relax on a river cruise, with time afterwards to join a guided bush walk to spot more of the abundant birdlife. Top the day off with another game drive this evening.
Kariega Main Lodge (4-star)
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Kariega Game Reserve - Graaff-Reinet
After your fourth game drive early morning, we leave for a scenic drive into the Great Karoo (Place of Thirst). Be on the lookout for black rhino, buffalo and Cape mountain zebra in this large, semi-desert region. This afternoon we arrive at our hotel, in the heart of the historical town of Graaff-Reinet. Wooden buildings with balconies transport you back to 1786 and we stay overnight in the renovated old slave quarters. You’ll have some free time to relax or you might decide to begin your explorations.
Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet (5-star)
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Graaff-Reinet - Valley of Desolation
Graaff-Reinet has retained the character of a typical 19th-century town, and this morning you’re free to explore all that it has to offer. Learn about life 200 years ago in one of the many dwellings there, and take a stroll through the town to browse the museum and shops. When you’ve finished exploring, perhaps stop for a relaxing coffee, or take a look at Obesa, the world’s largest cacti collection. This afternoon we visit a geological phenomenon - the Valley of Desolation - where, over 100 million years, volcanic rock has eroded into vertical cliffs and 120m tall columns. We take a tour, with a chance to walk along the valley floor to fully appreciate the scale. Hopefully we’ll spot some of the many birds and mammals that live here amidst the mountain flora.
Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet (5-star)
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Willowmore - Prince Albert, Swartberg Mountains
Our route today takes us though old characterful towns. We stop in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world stop, break for lunch in Willowmore, a town filled with historical architecture, and then head to the beautiful Swartberg Mountains. We stay in Prince Albert. This quaint Karoo village is set amongst acres of tobacco plantations, which merge into the vast nature reserve, with views of snow-capped mountains. The afternoon is free to relax. Before bed, don’t forget to gaze at the extraordinary night sky- an experience not to be missed.
Swartberg Country Manor (4-star)
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Swartberg Mountains - Franschhoek
We depart for the Cango Ostrich Farm. On our short tour you’ll learn from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides and have fun hand feeding these peculiar birds. We then join the spectacular Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Sit back and enjoy towering cliffs, crystal clear streams, verdant forests and quaint country towns. We’ll stop for lunch in Barrydale, a small town with magnificent views of the stark Klein Karoo and the fertile Tradouw Valley. Our journey then continues to Franschhoek, set amidst the serene Franschhoek Mountains.
Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (4-star) or Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)
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Franschhoek
Today, why not take advantage of your ticket for the local hop-on-hop-off tram? It allows you to taste wines and cheese at local wine farms or just enjoy their beautiful gardens. Tonight, we enjoy a very special wine pairing and fine-dining experience at Le Coin Français (the French Corner), where you’ll meet chef Darren Badenhorst.
Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (4-star) or Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)
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Day 16 Cape Town - In flight
Take the shuttle into the village or relax at the hotel before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
In flight
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Day 17 UK
Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Arrive Home
