CPT Autotour and Garden Route 7 nights

Safari Information

Project CPT Autotour and Garden Route 7 nights 8 days / 7 nights

D1 01/03/22 Tuesday: Cape Town airport - Cape Town (30 km)

Meet and Greet • Transfer • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Afternoon)

            - Meet and greet at Cape Town International Airport. This personalised service sees your guide meet you off your flight. While you enjoy a complimentary beverage, our guide will explain your itinerary in detail, give you general advice and information that will help you along your trip. Before handing over your travel documents and escorting you to your onward transportation, our guide will assist you with any queries you may have before you embark on your holiday.

            - Transfer from Cape Town airport to Cape Town

            - Marvel at the views of Cape Town from the aerial cableway and plateau on Table Mountain. The Mother City is synonymous with the striking mountain that is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west, providing a dramatic backdrop to the city. Table Mountain holds an unusually rich biodiversity and forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a protected area. Rock hyrax, or dassie as they are locally known, are often seen scampering through the scrub and the views from the summit over Table Bay, Robben Island and the Atlantic seaboard are breathtaking. The cable cars depart every 10 to 15 minutes and rotate 360 degrees as they travel up to 302 metres above sea level, giving passengers panoramic views over the city. Five minutes is all it takes to reach the summit and once there you can marvel at the views, have a bite to eat in the restaurant or do a bit of shopping at the extensive curio shop. The cableway only operates when weather permits.

            - Overnight: Antrim Villa Guest House (Luxury Double room - Bed and Breakfast)

D2 02/03/22 Wednesday: Cape Town

Scheduled Tour: Cape Peninsula FD incl. Penguins

            - Breakfast

            - Prepare for a glorious day out on the Cape Peninsula. You will be collected from your hotel for this full day Cape Peninsula tour to discover both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines. The first stop is at the charming fishing village of Hout Bay, located in a beautiful valley on the Atlantic seaboard before continuing along the Atlantic coastline to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point – the most south-westerly tip of Africa and the mythical meeting place of two great oceans, flanked by striking seaside cliffs and blanketed in rich indigenous plant life. On the return trip, pass through the naval base of Simon's Town, and then traverse the fishing port of Kalk Bay and the lush suburb of Constantia. The day will end with a visit to the renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before returning to your hotel.

            - Overnight: Antrim Villa Guest House (Luxury Double room - Bed and Breakfast)

D3 03/03/22 Thursday: Cape Town

Scheduled Tour: Cape Winelands FD

            - Breakfast

            - Pick up from your hotel for a full day Cape Winelands tour. Learn everything there is to know about wines, from the vineyard to the bottle. The Cape Wine Route is defined by the triangle that forms the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Stellenbosch is a charming old town with oak-shaded avenues and historical buildings. Franschhoek owes its name to the French Huguenots, who came to settle there in 1685 and planted the first quality vineyards, while Paarl has been a centre for the Afrikaner culture since the 19th century. Along the Route, wine estates welcome you to taste wines and cheeses and invite you to learn how the wines are made before you are returned to your hotel at the end of the tour..

            - Overnight: Antrim Villa Guest House (Luxury Double room - Bed and Breakfast)

D4 04/03/22 Friday: Cape Town - Mossel Bay (529 km)

Museum: Mossel Bay Diaz Complex • Post Office Tree • 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive

            - Breakfast

            - Embark aboard you car with your driver - guide: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Cape Town (D4 04/03/22 Friday) to Cape Town airport (D8 08/03/22 Tuesday)

            - Travel to Mossel Bay

            - Visit to the Bartolomeu Diaz Museum Complex in Mossel Bay. Bartolomeu Diaz was the first explorer to sail around the southern tip of Africa, landing in Mossel Bay in the 14th century. The grounds of the museum complex are on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the very site that European explorers first came into contact with indigenous African people. There are many attractions at the centre but one of the most popular is the post office tree, the first official post office in the country. Other attractions include the Maritime Museum with a huge, life-size replica of the ship in which Diaz first sailed to southern Africa. Here you can also follow the fascinating maritime history of the early Dutch, Portuguese and English navigators. The Shell Museum houses a collection of shells from around the world, a whale and dolphin exhibit and a touch tank and aquarium where you can learn about sea life along the South African coastline. The Granary at the entrance of the museum displays a live specimen table with examples of plants and flowers found in and around the Mossel Bay area.

            - Trace the beginnings of the South African postal system at the Post Office Tree, located within the Diaz Museum Complex in Mossel Bay. History documents that early Portuguese explorers hung an old boot in this large milkwood tree in order to leave letters for others who came ashore. Thus a tradition was born, where sailors bound for the East left messages and packets for others making their way back to Portugal. The Post Office Tree is still operational to this day and letters can be posted in the boot-shaped post box at the foot of the tree. Why not give a loved one back home a treat and send them a letter from the oldest existing postal tree in southern Africa. The tree is over 500 years old and has been declared a heritage site.

            - Arrival at the Garden Route Game Lodge. Located at the entrance of the famous Garden Route and set against the silhouette of the resplendent Langeberg mountain range, the Garden Route Game Lodge provides memorable game viewing amidst a fynbos and aloe-strewn landscape. The luxury suites and bush chalets lie sheltered between forests, woodlands and scrub biomes where the Big Five roam along with giraffe, elephant and many more mammal species. Besides guided game drives, guests can partake in spot-lit night drives, bird watching, nature walks, and reptile encounters that take full advantage of the diverse flora and fauna around the lodge. Time at leisure can be spent relaxing at the pool, taking a picnic, indulging in a spa treatment, or quietly enjoying a private dining experience while relishing memorable moments under a starry African sky. The lodge’s ideal combination of modern amenities and immaculate bushland has established it as a firm favourite with travellers looking for a wild and liberating break, complete with luxurious touches.

            - Lunch

            - 4×4 afternoon game drive in an open air land rover in the Garden Route Game Lodge Reserve. The reserve boasts striking indigenous vegetation and beautiful fynbos for which the Western Cape is well known. During your game drive you will be treated to up-close encounters with various wild animals that include rhino, lion, elephant, giraffe and various other plains game. As the sun begins to set behind the surrounding Langeberg Mountains, you will have the opportunity to alight from your vehicle and enjoy a sundowner and the marvellous vistas that surround you. The last leg of your safari adventure takes place as night falls and the possibility of spotting predators such as lion significantly increases.

            - Dinner: Garden Route Game Lodge

            - Overnight: Garden Route Game Lodge (Lodge Room - Fully Inclusive)

D5 05/03/22 Saturday: Mossel Bay - Oudtshoorn (212 km)

4x4 Morning Game Drive • Oudtshoorn

            - Breakfast

            - 4×4 morning game drive in an open air land rover in the Garden Route Game Lodge Reserve. This reserve is a popular stopover for those travelling between Mossel Bay and Cape Town and provides an authentic safari experience in the Garden Route. Visitors are virtually guaranteed of spotting a good diversity of game due to the relatively small size of the reserve and the consequent density of animals. Besides the Big Five, other animals found in the reserve include zebra, giraffe, springbok and cheetah. The reserve is also filled with a large diversity of bird species that are best seen in the early morning. Enjoy the fresh morning air and wonderful smell of the indigenous fynbos as you make your way through this beautiful reserve.

            - Spend some time exploring Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. Residential suburbs are flanked by acres of ostrich farms where these large flightless birds are bred and raised. A tour of an ostrich farm is naturally one of Oudtshoorn’s main attractions, where visitors can view the birds and browse boutiques full of exotic ostrich leather, and the brave can try to ride an ostrich. Another famous landmark in Oudtshoorn is the Cango Caves, an almost fantasy limestone cave formation that stretches on for several kilometres. A large variety of hiking and biking trails surround the town and there are also numerous rivers and waterfalls to be explored. Animal lovers can have close encounters with the world’s fastest land mammal at the cheetah breeding station or pop in to see prehistoric predators at the crocodile park.

            - Overnight: De Denne Country Guest House (Luxury (Deluxe) room - Bed & Breakfast )

D6 06/03/22 Sunday: Oudtshoorn - Knysna (136 km)

Knysna Discover • Cruise

            - Breakfast

            - Travel to Knysna

            - Combine adventure and relaxation in Knysna. The picturesque town of Knysna along the Garden Route is surrounded by magnificent coastal forests and an extensive lagoon that boast the town’s most famous landmark, the Knysna Heads. While the Heads provide a treacherous channel into the ocean, the lagoon itself is peaceful and ideal for boat cruises and water sports. The Featherbed Nature Reserve lies on the southern Head and the beautiful Garden Route National Park is only a short drive from the town.

            - Lagoon cruise to the Knysna Heads on the John Benn, a fully enclosed luxury ferry. Enjoy the sea air and the sound of the water lapping around you as you cruise out onto the large lagoon towards its mouth, the Knysna Heads. The Heads are two imposing rocky outcrops that appear to stand sentinel at the mouth of the lagoon, with waves crashing on one side and smooth, calm water on the other. The beautifully appointed ferry has magnificent yellowwood decks, sourced from the local Knysna forests, and you will be treated to stunning scenery and a unique experience during the 90-minute cruise. Warm clothing is advisable as being out on the lagoon can get chilly; however, inside the ferry itself the atmosphere and temperature is warm, cosy and hospitable.

            - Overnight: Umiama Guest Lodge (Ex Stannards Guest Lodge) (Standard Room - Bed and Breakfast)

D7 07/03/22 Monday: Knysna - Winelands (467 km)

Swellendam City Tour • Hermanus Discover • Winelands

            - Breakfast

            - Travel to Winelands

            - Familiarise yourself with the history and sights of Swellendam. This agricultural town lies midway between Cape Town and George. It is noted for its large number of provincial heritage sites and holds many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. The town is surrounded by the Langeberg Mountains, among the most beautiful in South Africa, and rests adjacent to the Breede River, the largest navigable river in the Western Cape. The colourful town is full of art, music and good food with a multitude of restaurants to choose from, dishing up everything from traditional South African fare to home baking.

            - Visit Hermanus, a thriving holiday village offering residents and holiday makers all modern amenities, yet retaining its fisherman's village charm. Situated between mountain and sea, Hermanus has gained world-wide recognition as the world's foremost land-based whale watching destination (the whale season is between June and December). This has resulted in the former fishing village showing a tremendous growth over the last few years. Contributory factors to the success of the town are the natural scenic beauty, the mild climate, the range of outdoor activities available, and the close proximity to Cape Town. Hermanus is the ideal base from which to explore the Western Cape and the Cape Overberg.

            - We recommend a full day visit of the Cape Wine route. Defined by the triangle that forms the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, the Cape Wine Route is the longest in the world. Stellenbosch is a charming old town with oak-shaded avenues and historical buildings. Franschhoek owes its name to the French Huguenots, who came to settle there in 1685 and planted the first quality vineyards, while Paarl has been a centre for the Afrikaner culture since the 19th century. Along the Route, wine estates welcome you to taste wines and cheeses and invite you to learn how the wines are made.

            - Overnight: Baruch On 29 Lovell (Luxury Room - Bed and Breakfast)

D8 08/03/22 Tuesday: Winelands (79 km)

Stellenbosch Orientation • Stellenbosch Village Museum • Paarl • Wine Tasting

            - Breakfast

            - Wander through the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch. Lying at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains and within the grandiose Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch is internationally renowned for its award-winning wines, fantastic restaurants, trendy culture and historic buildings. The town is the perfect place to explore on foot with its many side-walk cafes and buzzy student vibe, owing to the large and prestigious university that is an icon of Stellenbosch culture. Many leading wine estates are found here including Spier, Tokara and Delheim, as well as some of the country’s best restaurants where dining can be an informal al fresco affair or something more elegant and black tie. Art lovers can explore the copious galleries while outdoor enthusiasts have plenty of nature activities available to them at Jonkershoek.

            - Relive history at the Stellenbosch Village Museum. The historic village of Stellenbosch was developed around a Cape Dutch style town and the Stellenbosch Village Museum is composed of four different period houses, each representing the way people lived at that time and a different era in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The Schreuder House was built in 1707 and depicts a modest pioneer cottage while the Bletterman House is a Cape Dutch H-shaped dwelling and an example of a gabled house from the 18th century. The Grosvernor House is a grand old mansion, whose furniture is indicative of the increasing influence of British taste on local design when neo-classicism was at the height of fashion. End your journey through time at the O.M. Bergh House, reflecting a typical middle-class Stellenbosch home during the mid-1800s. Guests may also stroll through the V.O.C. Kruithuis, the only remaining powder magazine in South Africa.

            - Discover Paarl. A mere hour's drive from Cape Town brings one to a giant granite outcrop with three rounded domes, the prominent one of which was initially called Peerleberg or Pearl Mountain. This solid rock was to become the name of a town, which today is renowned for its very beautiful countryside, excellent wines and some incredible architecture. The town of Paarl has a unique character, not least because vineyards still grow in between residential neighbourhoods, maintaining a country feel to a town virtually the size of a small city, but also because it is here that the struggle to gain recognition for Afrikaans as a written language was achieved. Today, the Afrikaans Language Museum bears testament to this accomplishment and there is a monument to this unique language on the slopes of Paarl Mountain.

            - Wine tasting at the Nederburg Wine Estate. Nederburg was first established in the Paarl Valley in 1791 and today is one of South Africa’s most trusted and awarded brands, winning recognition locally and internationally. In 1990 the stunning farm became the first in the country to be declared a conservation area and the stately and grandiose Manor House is now a national monument. The Paarl Wine Route is legendary for the noble red wines it produces and Nederburg’s range of wines is extensive, so you are bound to find one that is perfect for you. The cellar tour gives insight into how wine is made as you are taken through the state-of-the-art facilities and the old Cellar Museum, while wine tasting takes place in the Visitor’s Centre under the guidance of knowledgeable sommeliers.

            - End of our services

Note: Distances indicated in the itinerary are calculated from the GPS coordinates for each service included in the itinerary, they are given as an indication. The photographs displayed in the itinerary serve as a general illustration of the destination and providers only and do not constitute a contractually binding description of specific services.

Our Rates Include

- 7 nights accommodation as per program, 1 of which is in a private game reserve where activities are included as per program
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
- Luggage porterage (except for self-catering accommodation and camp site)
- Guide and transport as per programme: from D4 04/03/22 Friday 09:00 (Cape Town area) to D8 08/03/22 Tuesday 18:00 (Cape Town Airport),
- Local taxes as VAT or bed levy are included at the rate applicable at the time the costing is done and can change without notice.

Our Rates Exclude

- International flights
- Tips and personal expenses
- Unless otherwise indicated, our rates do not include the entrance fees for parks or game reserves. They are to be settled by the clients directly at the entrance. Unless otherwise indicated, our rates do not include the meals.