Cape town, Garden Route and Wildlife

Arrive at Cape Town

After you arrive at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please. In the evening, enjoy the sunset cruise, a unique experience here. The Western Cape offers one of the best sunset experiences on the boat as you can see the last seconds before the sun slips into the horizon. The atmosphere on the cruise is a romantic one with the sound of the ocean lapping against the vessel's hull and the sparkling wine.

Overnight will be spent at Cape Town.

Exploring Cape Town

On day 2, you will head for a half-day tour of Cape Town. During the tour, you will climb the Table Mountain if weather permits, before returning to the city passing through the Malay Quarter. You will then visit the Two Ocean Aquarium and drive past the Castle of Good Hope, Houses of Parliament, and the Company Gardens. Later, you can enjoy the scenic ocean vistas by traveling to Sea Point and Camps Bay. If weather permits, you will take a cruise to Seal Island to meet seabirds and seal and visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

In the evening you can choose to enjoy the Cape Wheel along with a Helicopter sightseeing on Cape Town with breathtaking views of Clifton Beach, Camps Bay, and Table Mountain.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay at Cape Town.

Cape Peninsula excursion

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, head out to explore the beauty of the Cape Peninsula. On your way towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, you will drive along the scenic Hout Bay and spot the Cape Fur Seals and the rare Black Cormorant among the kelp beds. If weather conditions permit, you will travel along Chapman's Peak Drive before continuing to the Reserve enjoying the scenery en route, particularly lovely in spring.

You will see the new lighthouse, which is the most powerful in the world, beaming an electric light of 19 million candle power. You will ascend The Flying Dutchman Funicular, followed by a visit to Boulder Beach's penguin colony and a drive to Simon's Town, a historical naval base. Overnight will be spent at Cape Town.

Exploring Cape Town

You will spend the next few days exploring Cape Town.

There is no match to the beauty of Cape Town that is crowned by spectacular Table Mountain National Park, amazing landscapes, mouth-watering cuisines, and rich culture. Cape Town is recognized by the headline of the flat-topped mountain and spread of unusual natural landscapes. Exploring Cape Town is a delightful experience because of the number of parks such as Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Company’s Garden, and Green Point Urban Park.

Whale watching at Hermanus

Today you will drive down to Hermanus after breakfast at the hotel.

Hermanus is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, as whales swarm the town between June and December. Here, you will find great places for hikes and cliff walks along with estates for wine tasting. During the Hermanus Whale Festival in September and school holidays in December and January, the town gets very crowded.

Enjoy whale watching cruises today.

From June to November every year, Cape coast sees Southern Right Whales and the less common Bryde's and Hunchback whales migration, making whale watching Cape Town's most fascinating experience. The whales grace the coast to breed and nurse their young in the sheltered bays. Hermanus has been famous for its shore-based whale watching for a long time, but now, they also provide boat-based viewing at several spots around Walker Bay. Guests can now take a boat trip from Hermanus as well as Gansbaai and Kelinbaai.

Overnight at Hermanus.

Reaching Knysna

After breakfast at the hotel, drive down to Knysna via the Garden Route.

Knysna is one of the most famous towns in the Garden Route. Embraced by a beautiful lagoon and surrounded by the forests, Knysna has several woodwork shops, remnants of a time when the town was the center of the timber industry.

Check in to your hotel upon arrival and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Later in the late afternoon, according to the weather you will board the double-decker floating restaurant, John Benn. The pleasure boat, which is named after a legendary pilot, offers daily lagoon cruises to the Knysna Heads.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay at Knysna.

Excursion to Oudtshoorn

Today you will have breakfast at the hotel and head out for a full day excursion to Oudtshoorn.

Oudtshoorn is the world's ostrich capital. The area of contrasts is home of the biggest bird in the world and nowhere else can you find the birds in such high numbers and their feathers in such fine quality.

Visit the Cango Caves, a natural wonder sculpted by nature through the ages. Limestone formation at this internationally renowned site occurs in different and fascinating ways. Then, continue towards the Ostrich Ranch to meet the biggest bird in the world.

End your day with a visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where over 300 crocodiles, as small as 50 cm to as big as four meters, inhabit. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel.

Later, in the evening, you are free to explore the lagoon. Overnight stay at Knysna.

Excursion to Plettenberg Bay

Following a quick breakfast, you will set out for a day excursion to Plettenberg Bay today, exploring its long golden beach and the exciting beauty of the Tsitsikamma Forest and Coastal Park.

Boasting some of the most lovely beaches and spectacular Garden Route scenery, Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding areas offer an unparalleled range of activities. Central Beach, with its long white sand stretch and warm water, is the perfect place for swimming, thereby making it suitable for families.

Today you will be free to choose one of the many activities available at the bay (keeping the age restrictions in mind) like snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, sailing, surfing, mountain biking, and canoeing.

Whale watching Cape Town's most recommended activity between June and December months is yet another option for you today. The shoreline allows you to spot the southern right whale along with dolphins, seals, and a wealth of bird and botanical life as you go on your boat-based watching.

After an exciting day, return to Knysna, where the rest of the evening is at your leisure and will stay overnight.

Drinking in South Africa's beauty

After whale watching Cape Town the previous day, on day 9, you will drive down to Port Elizabeth. As you make your way to the city via Plettenberg Bay, you can drink in the natural beauty of South Africa. There will be a stop at the Tsitsikamma National Park. The park's name in Khoisan means 'a place of much water' and accordingly, the park's 49-mile rocky coastline is dotted with stunning sea and deep river gorges that lead to the sea in its high forests. At the Park, you will also come across a mountainous region with mountain fynbos covered secluded valleys.

Later, continue towards Port Elizabeth. Spend the evening in leisure after check-in. Overnight stay at Port Elizabeth.

Free day at Port Elizabeth

Today you are free to explore Port Elizabeth city.

Port Elizabeth, or PE according to locals, was once a British colony that acted as the halfway point between the Cape Colony and Eastern Settlements. The arrival of British settlers in 1820 and the following years were pivotal for the city's history, such that remnants of that time still exist in a way in the city. The victorian housing and wide, open streets are some of the British legacy left behind in the city. Also known as the 'Friendly City' or 'Windy City,' Port Elizabeth is a busy fishing and port town as it was during the British settlement days.

Reaching Kariega Private Game Reserve

After breakfast at the hotel, drive down to Kariega Private Game Reserve. Upon arrival, check in to the safari lodge. After a quick lunch, you will head out for your first game drive in this malaria-free area. Here, you can expect to spot the Big Five as you drive around looking for wildlife in one-sided vehicles.

Kariega Private Game Reserve, home to rivers Kariega and Bushmans, is 10,000 hectares of untouched African wilderness, where you can spot the Big 5 - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard- among other African wildlife. Situated along the garden route, this family-owned game reserve is the perfect accompaniment to a trip to Cape Town for whale watching Cape Town's most sought after activity.

After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Exploring Kariega

It is an early day today, starting with a morning game drive. Following the drive, you will have scrumptious breakfast at the lodge. You can spend the afternoon as you please by choosing among activities like canoeing, guided bush walk, and a river cruise to find more wildlife like the hippo. Alternatively, you can choose to relax in your room. Post lunch, you will head out for the afternoon game drive and enjoy traditional African sundowner.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Departing from Port Elizabeth

On the last of the trip, you can either choose to go on a morning game drive or spend the time at your leisure before breakfast.

Later you head back to Port Elizabeth to catch your flight back home or to your next destination with memories of your trip and whale watching Cape Town's highlighted activities.