Culture & Wildlife Discovery of Cape Town & The Garden Route 12D11N, Guided

Hello South Africa! Make your own way to Port Elizabeth Airport where you’ll gather together to begin a 1 hour drive to Amakhala, a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The Amakhala crew will welcome and help you settle into this breathtaking safari lodge. This intimate 4-star lodge is a splendid oasis nestled in nature’s ambience in the Amakhala Game Reserve, surrounded by indigenous bush and the sights and sounds of Africa’s most majestic creatures.

Unwind with a relaxing lap in the glimmering waters of the outdoor swimming pool. Later in the afternoon, we go for our first game drive to see stunning wildlife and the topography of Amakhala. During the drive, we stop for a cheese and wine sundowner, a quintessential safari experience to round off your first day.

The spectacular Amakhala Game Reserve spreads across 18,000 acres (7,280 ha), hosting five of seven biomes in South Africa and a huge diversity of wildlife. Sightings here may include lions, buffalos, rhinos, elephants, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and several antelope species.

This morning after a hearty and filling breakfast, we head out on an adventure quest. For our early morning game drive, we use open-air 4WD safari vehicles to search for wildlife at this time when the reserve is most active.

There will be breaks to relax and enjoy the incredible facilities at the lodge over lunch, visit the spa, or take a dip in your private plunge pool overlooking the bush. Afterwards, we head back into the reserve for an afternoon game drive, searching for species we may have yet to encounter. Enjoy another wine and cheese sundowner on this afternoon's game drive.

This evening, we relish a traditional braai (South African barbecue) under the southern hemisphere night sky if the weather permits.

We begin our day with a final game drive in Amakhala before heading west to the official start of the Garden Route - Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Deriving its name from a local word meaning 'place of abundant water' and covering land and sea, Tsitsikamma National Park is a diverse wilderness of lush forest, impressive canyons and stunning coastal panoramas.

Arriving at the park, we traverse the forest along boardwalks and suspension bridges where you can take a glimpse of the frothy waters of the Storms River below. This is the perfect opportunity to behold abundant birdlife, with the presence of sea, forest and scrubland species. Learn the unique features of the surrounding nature while you are here.

Our accommodation is a short transfer away in the peaceful seaside town of Plettenberg Bay, Christina Lodge, a private and luxurious 4-star boutique hotel poised on a hillside using the glimmering waters of the Indian Ocean as a backdrop. Settle into one of the elegant suites that showcases a seamless blend of sophistication and relaxation, emphasising the warmth of African-inspired design elements. Relax and unwind with a dip in the private plunge pool or soak in the serene views at the terrace.

In the evening, venture out to one of the nearby restaurants to indulge in a delicious platter of fresh seafood or an array of local cuisine, your choice. Pair your meals with some of the best wines, with Plettenberg Bay being home to one of the best wine estates in South Africa.

We're dedicating today to enjoying the Plettenberg Bay area. Named after the Baron governor of the Cape colony in the 18th century. This rich land is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, wildlife and thrilling outdoor activities. We embark on a short drive to Robberg Nature Reserve, exploring this peninsula of craggy cliffs, remote beaches and scenic hiking trails. As a World Heritage site and National Monument, it is one of the quintessential Garden Route destinations and home to seals, dassies (rock hyraxes) and abundant bird life.

You have the rest of the day to relax at our beautiful lodge, enjoy delicious local cuisine in one of the many fantastic restaurants or explore the nearby white-sand beach. Saunter the calming sands of the beach or take it further and dip your toes in the soothing waters of the Indian Ocean.

Wake up to a platter of delicious breakfast entrees before continuing along the Garden Route. Along the way, visit one of its most scenic points, Knysna Heads. It is a pair of sandstone cliffs that create a channel that splits the calm waters of Knysna Lagoon from the turbulent Indian Ocean. Behold these two stunning watermarks and the Outeniqua mountain in the distance. We stop at Mossel Bay for lunch—this scenic coastal town is home to The Post Office Tree, a landmark where seafarers once left letters to be taken home by Portuguese sailors.

Today's journey ends at De Hoop Nature Reserve where your accommodation awaits. You’ll stay at a De Hoop Collection in the charming Cloete Suites. Unwind in your picturesque suites with some boasting views of the grasslands where bontebok, eland and mountain zebra are often seen grazing. Relax by the quaint boules courtyard, take a refreshing dip in the pool or enjoy a game at the tennis court.

You'll have time to explore the spectacular setting before dinner.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is a wildlife paradise. This World Heritage site houses 86 mammal species, more than 260 bird species, and the smallest and most threatened plant kingdom on the planet: the Cape Floral Kingdom. The reserve covers some 84,000 acres (34,000 ha) and includes 3 mi (5 km) of marine reserve, one of the largest in Africa. It is one of the best locations in South Africa to see migrating southern right whales from shore (from late August to November) and is way less busy than nearby Hermanus.

We have the whole day to explore this preserved environment and try out some optional activities, such as a guided eco-boat tour, an interpretative marine walk, birdwatching and mountain biking.

Later in the afternoon, we trek along the beach boardwalk to a lookout point that is perfect for whale watching in season.

We go on a short transfer to Cape Agulhas, a jagged headland, officially the southernmost point in Africa. We proceed to Hermanus, the whale-watching capital of South Africa, where southern right whales arrive from Antarctica between late August and November to calve in the sheltered waters.

After a sumptuous lunch, we trek from the harbour and along the cliff edge, hopefully sighting these gorgeous animals as they come close to shore. Today's destination is the historic town of Stellenbosch, at the heart of the South African Winelands. On arrival, we head to our home for the next two days, Cultivar Guest Lodge. Located in a hidden gem nestled right in the heart of the lush Cape Winelands, creating an immersive and picturesque setting. Settle in one of the 16 uniquely designed spacious guest rooms that offer an escape from reality.

After setting down, we convene for a dinner featuring mouth-watering delights with African-infused flavours.

In the Western Cape, Stellenbosch has the ideal winemaking conditions: fertile soil and a temperate climate. Today, we will visit two of the best wine estates in Stellenbosch. We start at the Waterford Estate, where we pair the regional cabernet sauvignon and shiraz with dark and milk chocolates. Afterwards, we visit the Middelvlei Estate to enjoy the pairing of their chardonnay, merlot and pinotage with Boerebraai tapas.

In the afternoon, retreat back at your lodge to unwind in the pool or gardens and soak in gorgeous views of the Stellenbosch mountains and vineyards.

We enjoy a slow start to the day before heading down to Simon's Town in time for lunch at a restaurant next to Boulders Beach. This beach houses a colony of approximately 2,000 - 3,000 penguins, a protected and endangered species. The granite boulders provide shelter from the elements, and the beach falls under a protected area of Table Mountain National Park, making this a haven for the colony. This is the only place in the world to enjoy the soul-stirring experience of getting close to African penguins.

After exploring the colony, neighbouring dunes and boardwalks, we go on a short drive to our centrally situated hotel next to the harbour. Quayside Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel that exudes a historic charm alongside contemporary designs with modern amenities and offers breathtaking views over False Bay and the majestic Simon’s Kloof mountains.

Tonight, you can venture to the hotel’s restaurant on your own to indulge in delectable European cuisine from the à la carte menu.

We begin the day early and drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve for a two-hour walk along this gorgeous coastline. We start with a short climb up the Old Lighthouse and are rewarded with scenic vistas of False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Our route takes us through the boardwalk along the coast, past secluded beaches and craggy cliff faces, before reaching the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. The nature reserve houses elands, bonteboks, grysboks, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches, and we may be lucky enough to behold a few.

Our next stop is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Following lunch, we take the rest of the afternoon to discover the abundant bird and plant life of this famed botanical garden as well as appreciate its magnificence from the canopy walkway. The day ends in Camps Bay, a prosperous suburb of Cape Town between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain National Park.

Our home for the rest of the trip is the Ocean View House. This 4-star family run guest house is situated on the Bakoven side of Camps Bay facing its stunning rock beaches, utilising the calming sounds of the ocean in the background. Once you are settled in, put on your swim wear for a relaxing time in the hotel’s solar-heated swimming pool.

The Cape Town skyline with Table Mountain towering over the city is well-known worldwide. The vistas from this 3,495 ft (1,065 m) mountain are awe-inspiring. Fortunately, we can get there by cable car, saving us from hiking up the steep mountain slopes. The best way to appreciate Cape Town is to look out from the cliff; you can see the Lion's Head, Robben Island and the city centre.

You have the rest of the day to stroll the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, join a township tour or learn about Nelson Mandela's incarceration on a visit to Robben Island.

Savour a delightful breakfast and depending on flight schedules, you may have some time to explore Cape Town or relax on the stunning grounds of our hotel. Bid farewell and make your own arrangements for your onward travel. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.