Cape and Garden Route Explorer
14 night itinerary taking in Cape Town, then exploring the famed Garden Route on a self-drive basis
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Day 1
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport, where you will collect your luggage. Our representative will meet you in the Arrivals Hall, holding a board with your names on it, and he will transfer you to the Waterfront Village Apartments. The Village Waterfront Apartments make for the perfect Cape Town holiday base. They are situated within the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Development, and are within safe and easy walking distance of numerous shops and restaurants, the Robben Island ferry, and also the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Apartments are sold on a self-catering basis. They will have tea and coffee, milk and sugar upon arrival, and should you like the cupboards to be pre-stocked with groceries, this service is available at an additional surcharge, plus the cost of the supplies. However, one may have breakfast or any meal at any of the numerous hotels and restaurants close by - the Cape Grace Hotel is next door, the One & Only Hotel a short water taxi away. Days 2 and 3 The Waterfront Village Apartments. Privately Guided Tours included during the course of these 2 days: Cape Town City and Mountain: This tour is the best way to orientate yourself on a visit to Cape Town. Your guide will meet you in the reception area of your hotel and first conduct a drive through tour of the inner city pointing out various Historic buildings and explaining some of the past 350 years history of “The Mother City” Visits to “The Castle”, the Bo-Kaap, The Waterfront, Company Gardens, Signal Hill and Table Mountain are included in the Itinerary. Some spectacular view sites are visited so don’t forget your cameras! A drive along the Atlantic Seaboard with a traditional ‘Fish and Chips” lunch is included. (Cable car ticket not included - best booked on the day, as the cable car only operates during good weather); Includes Entrance fees to The Castle Cape Peninsula and Cape Point: Probably the most scenic of all tours. Varying from Mountains, Seascapes, Wild life and of course the bragging rights so say you have been to the end of Africa. The tour starts at 09.00 from your Hotel and follows the Atlantic shore line all the way through Camps Bay, Llandudno, Hout Bay, and (weather permitting) over Chapman’s Peak along the cliff hugging drive and on through Noordhoek and Scarborough to eventually arrive at the Cape Point National Park. Once in the National Park you will visit both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. It is at this point that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are said to meet. In season (June to November) it is highly likely to spot the massive Southern Right Whales. After the visit to the point we follow the beautiful False Bay coastline to visit the Boulders Penguin Colony. Here thousands of African or Jackass Penguins live and breed. Simonstown the SA Navy HQ is next and here we generally have a late lunch stop and have a chance to stretch ones legs around the town centre browsing the curiosity shops, Jubilee Square with the statue of “Just Nuisance” and for views of the Harbour. In the late afternoon you continue along the coastline through Kalk Bay, the Art Deco village of Muizenberg the Constantia Valley and through the “leafy Suburbs” past the Presidential residence finally arriving back at your Hotel around 18.00. Includes: Entrance fees to Cape Point and Boulders. (As these tours are privately guided, you may request to visit any particular places of interest, and your Guide will oblige). Day 4 Your Driver will collect you from the Apartments and transfer you back to Cape Town International Airport, where you will check in for your flight to Port Elizabeth. Upon arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, you will collect your hired vehicle. Drive to the Lalibela Game Reserve, approximately 90 kilometres away. Mark's Camp, situated in the 7,500 hectare malaria-free Lalibela Game Reserve, offers a wonderful family safari experience. The lodge is situated in a wide valley overlooking a waterhole. Stone and thatch chalets are comfortably decorated in a relaxed Pan-African style. Your chalets features an en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning for the warmer summer days. Enjoy the views from your private deck or unwind at the lodge’s sparkling pool. Dining at Lalibela is an informal, shared experience. Savour local specialities and contemporary African dishes – true safari cuisine. Enjoy brunch on the sunlit deck or dine under the diamond African sky in the outdoor Boma. Your stay will be inclusive of 2 game drives (evening & morning), all meals and all drinks at Mark’s Camp and on game drives. Days 5 and 6 Exciting game drives in an open safari vehicle with a passionate guide will leave you feeling enchanted. You will see a multitude of game species from the African elephant, the gentle giants of the bush, to the shy blue duiker. Night drives open up a different world of inquisitive spring hare, elusive bat- eared foxes and the peculiar aardwolf. The atmosphere at Mark's Camp is one of 'relaxed informality', and dining, whether indoors or outdoors, is always around a large central table. Day 7 Departing Mark's Camp, you will drive to Knysna, approximately 221km away. Situated on the west shore of the Knysna Lagoon, Belvidere Manor offers a quiet retreat, with a swimming pool and beautiful gardens, with accommodation in Cape style cottages. Enjoy lazy breakfasts on the terrace of Belvidere House and light lunches at the pool. Dinner is served at Caroline's bistro where country-style dishes are served with South African flair. Meet the locals at The Bell, Knysna's smallest pub, and open daily for light meals. Days 8 and 9 In Knysna, nature quite literally knocks on your front door. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. This exceptional nature's playground of beaches, lakes, mountains, forests and rivers offers an unforgettable holiday. Whether you're an adventurous type or simply like it lolling around in the sun, Knysna has it all. Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon. On the best known attractions is the Heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon, connecting the estuary to the sea. The lagoon is one of the few places along the coast that supports an oyster hatchery. And the Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world Vertical Divider
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Knysna has many attractions in the surrounding area as well, one of the most spectacular being the Knysna Forest, which is still evident in many places within the town as well. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa comprising of tall and ancient trees of local and exotic species, including stinkwood, yellowwood, blackwood, ironwood, white alders and Cape chestnut.
Jubilee Creek provides a tranquil and beautiful picnic area, with many enjoyable forest walks in the area. Buffalo Bay is the closest beach to Knysna, one of the safest for swimming along the coast and enjoyed by many holiday makers every year. It is very rocky in places, making it a great angling spot, there is also a small slipway available for small boats. Outdoor adventures like horse riding, hiking, yachting, fishing and canoeing, or extreme sports like abseiling, paragliding, scuba diving or water skiing are offered here too. In and around Knysna one will find a selection of fine restaurants, activities, cultural and heritage experiences, adventure and natural encounters to match your mood, age, physique and budget. Day 10 Today you will leave Knysna, driving to Jan Harmsgat Country House, approximately 275km away. This historic Cape Dutch farmstead near Swellendam offers a unique experience on the R62, a mere 2-hour drive from Cape Town. The original slave quarters and wine cellar (ca. 1723) lie at the heart of this delightful oasis of exceptional food, ambience and service, set amidst rolling fruit and nut orchards along the and popular Robertson Wine Route. Guests are treated to understated elegance and comfort in four voluminous en-suite rooms, replete with authentic yellowwood detail and 1-metre thick walls. The adjoining original wine cellar now provides the setting for lounge, dining area and library, and offers unashamed relaxation and comfort with great views of the majestic Langeberg Mountains. You will stay in two standard rooms. Fine food is an integral part of the Jan Harmsgat experience, complemented by handmade produce, fresh garden greens, organic vegetables, preserves grown on the farm and delectable dessert, diners are sure to be wowed. The in-house restaurant serves fine dining in magical atmosphere. Guest can enjoy selecting wine from the cellar as well a large selection of fine whiskeys and liqueurs. They6 serve delicious breakfast, lunch and four course dinners in the original wine cellar building or outside, weather permitting. Day 11 Jan Harmsgat Country House is the perfect setting from which to explore the abundant delights offered by nearby Montagu (with hot mineral springs), the Breede River, Bontebok Park, Cape Agulhas, the De Hoop Nature Reserve (offering exceptional whale watching in season), and the delightful town of Swellendam itself, the third oldest town in South Africa, and well worth exploring. For less adventurous souls, or those intent on just a gentle stay-over, there are easy strolls and walks among the orchards - or simply relaxing by the lavender-surrounded pool. Indigenous wildlife such as springbuck, grey rheebuck and ostriches can be seen from an open-vehicle drive on the 680-hectare farm, along with many smaller creatures and birds. Fine wines have been a tradition here almost for three centuries, and the impressively-stocked wine cellar is nestled in the farm’s original fermentation tank. Neighbouring wine estates on the Robertson Wine Route welcome you to sample their acclaimed wares. Day 12 Depart Jan Harmsgat after breakfast, making your way to the historical town of Stellenbosch, approximately 195km away. The Lanzerac Hotel is situated on a private wine estate in the Jonkershoek Valley, surrounded by the Helderberg Mountains. The hotel's rooms, restaurants, bar, lounge and facilities are all located in the estates 300 year old Manor House and out-buildings, amidst 10 hectares of award-winning landscaped gardens featuring numerous ancient oaks, some over 160 years old. The hotel is situated in the centre of the famous South African wine producing areas of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Somerset West, and very close to numerous golf courses and the beaches of the Strand, Gordon's Bay and Cape Town. (From 20 to 70 minutes.) The rooms are modern with free Wi-Fi, are air-conditioned and have a seating area with a satellite TV and a fireplace. Each has a minibar and a tea/coffee maker. The private bathroom comes with free toiletries and under floor heating. A full English breakfast is served daily in the elegant dining room. Guests can enjoy a drink or a cigar in the Esquire Cigar Bar. Room service is available on request. With three hundred years behind her and over thirty of those spent as a hotel, it can safely be said that Lanzerac has established a reputation as one of the best known and best loved hotels in the country. She appeared in a prestigious Thomas Cook publication as one of the top 300 hotels in the world and "by far the prettiest in South Africa". Day 13 After breakfast, you will leave Stellenbosch, driving back to Cape Town (50km), and then on to the Twelve Apostles Hotel. The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa lies where earth, sea and sky meet, poised above Atlantic rollers and flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range in glorious Cape Town, South Africa. This intimate five star hotel fully lives up to its stunning location, with exceptional standards of service and relaxed Cape hospitality providing the perfect counterpoint to its dramatic backdrop. Deluxe guest rooms and spacious suites, two breath-taking heated pools magically perched above the ocean, the glorious Azure Restaurant accompanying exquisite cuisine, wonderful friendly service with endlessly seductive sea views, all barely ten minutes from the bustling heart of Cape Town, with nearby attractions including prime diving spots, nature trails, and seals, dolphins, whales and penguins. The resort was awarded the prestigious honour of being named Southern Africa's only 'Leading Spa' by The Leading Hotels of the World for providing guests with a truly luxurious and exceptional spa experience. Day 14 A chance to spend time on some the most superb beaches of Cape Town, visit Robben Island, or simply relax. Day 15 Return your hired vehicle to Cape Town International Airport, before boarding your onward flight. |
Included in this itinerary:
Road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the Waterfront Village Apartments
3 Nights at the Waterfront Village Apartments in a luxury apartment
A half day privately guided City Centre / Table Mountain tour
A full day privately guided Peninsula Tour
Road transfer from The Waterfront Village back to Cape Town International Airport
Car Hire - for 12 days, including contract fee, one-way fee, unlimited km, and Super cover
3 Nights at Mark's Lalibela Camp in an en-suite chalet
All meals, all local drinks, 2 game drives per night stayed, all taxes and levies, Free Wi-Fi
3 Nights at Belvidere Manor in a Luxury Cottage
Daily breakfasts
2 Nights at Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge in a standard room; Breakfasts
1 Night at Lanzerac Hotel, in a Classic room; Breakfast
2 Nights at the Twelve Apostles Hotel, in a Classic room; Breakfast
Road transfer from the Twelve Apostles Hotel back to Cape Town International Airport
Not included:
Travel and medical insurance
Visa requirements
Meals whilst at the Waterfront Village Apartments
Refundable deposit for the hired vehicle
Additional meals and drinks whilst at Belvidere Manor, Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge and
Twelve Apostles Hotel
Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the Waterfront Village Apartments
3 Nights at the Waterfront Village Apartments in a luxury apartment
A half day privately guided City Centre / Table Mountain tour
A full day privately guided Peninsula Tour
Road transfer from The Waterfront Village back to Cape Town International Airport
Car Hire - for 12 days, including contract fee, one-way fee, unlimited km, and Super cover
3 Nights at Mark's Lalibela Camp in an en-suite chalet
All meals, all local drinks, 2 game drives per night stayed, all taxes and levies, Free Wi-Fi
3 Nights at Belvidere Manor in a Luxury Cottage
Daily breakfasts
2 Nights at Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge in a standard room; Breakfasts
1 Night at Lanzerac Hotel, in a Classic room; Breakfast
2 Nights at the Twelve Apostles Hotel, in a Classic room; Breakfast
Road transfer from the Twelve Apostles Hotel back to Cape Town International Airport
Not included:
Travel and medical insurance
Visa requirements
Meals whilst at the Waterfront Village Apartments
Refundable deposit for the hired vehicle
Additional meals and drinks whilst at Belvidere Manor, Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge and
Twelve Apostles Hotel
Gratuities and items of a personal nature
