Contrasts of the Cape

Day 1 - Cape Town

Join your tour group at the hotel. Our South Africa holidays start on a high - the hotel we've chosen 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)

Day 2 - 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)

Day 3 - 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)

Day 4 - 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)

Day 5 - 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.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Day 6 - 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.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Day 7 - 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.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Day 8 - 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 - a highlight of our South Africa tours. 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)

Day 9 - 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 explore the lodge area. Top the day off with another game drive this evening.

Kariega Main Lodge (4-star)

Day 10 - 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 wildlife in this large, semi-desert region. This afternoon we arrive at our hotel, in the heart of the historical town of Graaff-Reinet. 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)

Day 11 - 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 and hopefully spot some of the many birds and mammals that live here.

Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet (5-star)

Day 12 - Willowmore - Oudtshoorn

Our route today takes us though old characterful towns. We break for lunch in Willowmore, a town filled with historical architecture and then head to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, where we'll stay overnight.

Queens Hotel, Oudtshoorn (4-star)

Day 13 - Oudtshoorn - 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 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.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)

Day 14 - 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), prepared by chef Darren Badenhorst.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)

Day 15 - Franschhoek

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Franschhoek