Cape Town with Garden Route and Vineyards, Self-drive

Upon arrival, clear immigration, collect luggage, pass through customs and take delivery of your rental car. Your unique African adventure awaits you! We recommend visiting the Wine & Cheese Tasting at Fairview's Wine Estate, en-route or after check-in (not included, travel distance 64km approx.): 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. If you prefer dining indoors, you can follow up a wine tasting with a Mediterranean meal from the farm's Goatshed Restaurant (own expense). 

Overnight in Paarl.

Your day starts early since there is a lot of driving to do. Depart from Paarl and drive through the Winelands to the mighty Du Toits Kloof Mountains that are flanked by vineyards. On the other side of the mountains lies Worcester, which through its position is a centre of commerce and industries. The town offers many schools and institutions for children and adults with impairments, for example, the Institute for the Blind. The route continues along the Hex River Mountains and the Langeberg Mountains through the fertile Breede River wine lands to Robertson, Ashton and Montagu, a quaint little town with a number of National Monuments. It is an ideal stop for a stroll and some refreshments (own expense). Montagu is also a centre of the apricot and peach industry and well known for its sweet Muscadel wines. Pass the small town Barrydale and drive to Ladysmith. Towering above the town is the landmark Towerkop. It is said that the top was split by the broom of an angry witch as she fled over the mountain peak. You continue through the Little Karoo, drive over the Huisriver to Calitzdorp, the capital of the local South African Port wine industry and onto Oudtshoorn. Late afternoon visit the famous Safari Ostrich Farm (included), where you enjoy a guided tour of the farm. Safari Ostrich Farm is a working farm where visitors see large flocks of ostriches. The tour informs about the life and behaviour of these large birds, from egg to adult bird. Depending on the season, one sees breeding pairs, eggs in incubators, hatching chicks and little ones of various ages. The tour also covers information about the different type of ostrich feathers and the processing of ostrich skins is showing the different parts of the skin and their use. 

Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the famous Cango Caves at around 10:00 in the morning (included, please arrive at least 15 min before). The Great Hall is more than 107 meters in diameter, 16 meters high and displays various stalagmites and stalactites. Thereafter and weather permitting you can take the stunning route via Meeringspoort Pass towards Port Elizabeth and Addo Elephant National Park. Arrive late afternoon, check-in and prepare for dinner (not included).

Overnight in Sundays River Valley.

Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Today is all about Safari and Wildlife Experience. Travel to Addo National Park in your own vehicle, complete the Park's indemnity form and you are in for an adventure of lifetime conservation (entrance fee not included, to be paid upon entry to the Park). Animals can be viewed along circular routes in their natural surroundings and at various water holes.

Overnight in Sundays River Valley.

After breakfast, leave the hotel no later than 9:00 am and make your way towards Knysna. On the way stop at Tsitsikamma National Park, 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 (entrance fee not included, to be paid upon entry to the Park). Late afternoon you can enjoy the Featherbed John Benn cruise on the famous Knysna Lagoon (not included, departure time: 5:00 pm April to September / 6:00 pm from October to March). The John Benn is a double-decker floating restaurant offering daily Lagoon cruises to the Knysna Heads. A memorable family activity on Knysna Lagoon. One of the best floating restaurants in Knysna. The John Benn is a fully enclosed luxury ferry, beautifully appointed with her upper and lower decks constructed from Yellowwood sourced from the Knysna Forest. This legendary floating restaurant is for eating, drinking and having fun! The galley team onboard the vessel is young and energetic, serving tasty food made from the freshest local selection. Eating out in Knysna can become a whole new experience as a family activity (own expense). 

Overnight in Knysna.

After a delicious breakfast, you will continue your journey along the Garden Route. Just after Wilderness, the road turns inland and towards the Mossel Bay area. This town’s history dates back to 1488 and to Bartholomew Dias. It was in this area, the first European set foot in South Africa. Tiny Albertinia is the home of a thriving Aloe Vera production. Various products of this natural remedy can be bought directly at one of the two factories. The road passes many canola fields. Canola and wheat are the main produce of the Overberg area. Next villages are Riversdale, Heidelberg and Swellendam, one of the oldest European administration centres going back to 1747. Today's destination is Arniston, a small fishing village located near the most southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. 

Overnight in Cape South Coast.

Indulge in a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and travel via Cape Agulhas to Hermanus today. Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent has received its name from Portuguese seafarers. It is derived from the word “needle” and refers to sharp cliffs just off the coast. Cape Agulhas is the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. One of Hermanus best-kept secrets must be its Hemel en Aarde Wine Route-Creation Wines offers exciting wine pairing with excellent food, an opportunity not to be missed (at own expense). Thereafter check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. The lighthouse reaches 60 kilometres and is still guiding ships. It houses the only lighthouse museum in South Africa.

Overnight in Hermanus.

All good things come to an end and our journey ends today in Hermanus. Drive towards Cape Town International airport to return your car and catch your flight back home. Depending on your flight time, you might want to experience the optional activities, listed below. If you book an optional activity, the recommended time of departure is after 6:00 pm. If you don’t book an optional activity then recommended time of departure is after 12:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa! 

Boat-based whale watching in Hermanus (June - November): From June to November, the Arctic whales grace our coastline. The shallow, sandy-bottomed and sheltered bays are perfect for mating, calving and nursing their babies. The best ways to enjoy watching these gentle giants is on a specialized boat where you have the chance to get within meters of whales. Even if the boats are not permitted to approach whales up to 50 meters, it is them usually turning and approaching the boat. The species usually met is the Southern Right whale that has no dorsal fin on its back. The boat trip lasts approx. 2 hours starting from and returning to Hermanus new harbour. Boat-based whale watching in Hermanus (June - November; weather dependent; trip duration 1.5hrs to 3hrs, departure times 9:00, 12:00 & 15:00)

Shark Cage Diving: Sharks are possibly some of the most feared animals. From the small sand shark to the enormous white shark, they are sleek, strong but agile swimmers. Without a doubt, there are the most evolved predators in the ocean. Shark cage diving offers the opportunity to dive and meet a Great White Shark face to face. Divers will learn about this magnificent creature that is highly misunderstood. Incredible sightings of the shark can also be viewed from the boat, with activities taking place on or close to the surface. (Weather dependent, approx. 4h at sea; Time related itineraries and collection times are dependent on tides, weather conditions and the number of scheduled tours for a particular day. Exact collection times are therefore only available after 4:00 pm the day before and may vary between 4:30 and 11:30)