South Africa: Wildlife, Wine and the Garden Route

View of Lion's Head and Cape Town from Table Mountian ©South Africa Tourism
The colony of African Penguins live and breed on the sands of Boulders Beach near Cape Town ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
Lions ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
Bo-kaap colourful street ©www.thompsonsafrica.com
Ostriches in Oudtshoorn ©www.thompsonsafrica.com

11 day tour

Prices available on request

On this incredible tour, discover the delights of South Africa. From Cape Town, travel along the Garden Route – a paradise bursting with beauty and diversity.

Sensational Cape Town, overlooked by the iconic Table Mountain, is oozing with history and vibrant culture. Explore colourful Bo Kaap, the buzzing harbour or the evocative apartheid museum. Sail across to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned or luxuriate in the beauty of Kirstenbosch Gardens. Combine all this with South Africa’s Garden Route for an unforgettable tour.

The Garden Route is abundant in stunning landscapes. A fantastic place to sit back and admire all the beauty around you is Franschhoek. This wine growing town is breathtaking. relax and sip the local wines in incomparable surroundings. Another natural spectacle is the Cango Caves – a series of limestone caverns crafted by nature. Explore Africa’s southern coastline and the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve.

An undisputed highlight of any visit to South Africa is the wildlife. During this trip, visit a private game reserve for a chance to see the Big Five! See prowling lions, magnificent elephants and a range of other creatures. The reserve is abundant in impressive birds and wildlife, and your knowledgeable guide will share their insight. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, experienced safari guides will create an incredible experience. On this tour, you also visit an ostrich farm, so will encounter this phenomenal bird up close while learning about this industry. This tour also boasts some wonderful marine life. Visit Hermanus, the best town for land-based whale watching. Watch just a short while to see sprays of water shoot out the of sea and tails break the surface. Be sure to pack your binoculars! Furthermore, visit Simon’s Town, where a cheeky African Penguin colony resides.

Dates

Dates on request

Suggested Itinerary by Air

Day 1

Arrive in Cape Town

Fly to Cape Town and transfer from the airport to your hotel. If time permits, spend some time getting to know this incredible city.

Day 2

Oudtshoord

Depart Cape Town and travel through the ‘Little Karoo’, one of the most diverse regions of South Africa, and Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. En route, stop off in the town of Barrydale, for the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community (subject to school terms). Then continue to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich feather capital and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Overnight and dinner in Oudtshoorn.

Day 3

Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm and Knysna

After breakfast this morning, take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Return to Oudtshoorn for a tour and light lunch at an Ostrich Farm. Travel over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George, the administrative hub of the Garden Route area and then on to Knysna, which nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Overnight in Knysna. Dinner at leisure.

Day 4

Knysna

Enjoy a lagoon cruise on board the John Benn accompanied by lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon. Overnight in Knysna. Dinner at leisure.

Day 5

Albertinia

After a leisurely breakfast, travel via George and Mossel Bay to Albertinia, a town set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg Mountain Range. Enjoy an afternoon open vehicle game drive, at a malaria free private game reserve. This reserve is home to an abundance of bird and animal species, including the Big Five. Dinner and overnight in the region of Albertinia.

Day 6

Safari and Hermanus

Your safari adventure continues with an early morning open vehicle game drive. The expert guide will endeavour to spoil you with sightings of the Big Five, general game and prolific bird life. Leaving the bush behind, travel to the picturesque Cape Dutch town of Swellendam. This charming town was founded in 1745 and is famous for its youngberries, eclectic architecture and National Parks, as well as outdoor activities. Continue on to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land based whale watching in the world (Seasonal: Aug-Nov). Dinner and overnight in Hermanus.

Day 7

Wine in Franschhoek

After a leisurely breakfast depart Hermanus and travel to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. Your guide will lead a tour through Franschhoek village, sharing the fascinating history of the French Huguenots and the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Then finally, continue to Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain.

Day 8

Cape Peninsula

Embark on an awe-inspiring tour of the Cape Peninsula, travelling to the southern-most point of the peninsula. Your tour includes stops at Simon’s Town with it penguin colony on Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve and Cape Point. Enjoy magnificent beaches and look out for wonderful wildlife.

Day 9-10

Cape Town

Explore the highlights of this incredible city at leisure. Why not climb or take the cable car up the iconic Table Mountain? Perhaps visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, see the colourful Bo Kaap district and explore the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. There’s plenty of culture to uncover and cuisine to savour.

Day 11

Departure

The time has come to leave the Rainbow Nation behind. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

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