12 Day Cape Town to Garden Route to Cape Town 3/4 *

This tour takes you around the “Mother City”with all it’s diverse cultures.  Enjoy some scenic drives along the coastal routes and visit some of the highlights Cape Town has to offer.  Enjoy some of South Africa’s best wines in the Stellenbosch Wine Region.  Explore the Ostrich Capital. The towns of Oudtshoorn and De Rust are in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains.  Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world.  The world’s biggest bird is just one of the many attractions in this area of exceptional contrasts and natural beauty.  The region is home to the spectacular Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system; an ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes (succulent karoo, cape thicket and fynbos) converge; and the Swartberg mountain range, which is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site.  Travel to beautiful Tsitsikamma, tucked between the mountains and the sea, offers beautiful forests, plentiful accommodation and numerous exciting activities.  Visit the 3rd largest national park – Addo, located on the Eastern end of South Africa and offering great views of Elephants in the National Park.  Knysna is situated in the heart of the Garden Route and is the perfect town to stay while exploring the surrounding areas.  Knysna is a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches.  She nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon.  A must see!

ACCOMMODATIONS

• Protea Marriott Stellenbosch Hotel (Stellenbosch – Cape Town) – 1 Night – VIEW FACT SHEET
• Thabile Lodge (Oudtshoorn – Klein Karoo) – 2 Nights – VIEW FACT SHEET
• Tsitsikamma Village Inn (Tsitsikamma) – 1 Night – VIEW FACT SHEET
• Zuurberg Mountain Village (Addo – Eastern Cape) – 2 Nights – VIEW FACT SHEET
• Protea Marriott Knysna Quays Hotel (Knysna Waterfront) – 2 Nights – VIEW FACT SHEET
• La Splendida Hotel (Mouille Point – Cape Town) – 3 Nights – VIEW FACT SHEET

KEYS

• BB – Bed & Breakfast
• DBB – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
• L – Lunch
• LD – Lunch & Dinner
• D – Dinner
• FB – Full Board (Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner)
• AI – All Inclusive (All Meals, selected drinks, Game Drives/Walk)
• G/Drive – Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive

Stellenbosch – Cape Town
HOTEL:  PROTEA MARRIOTT HOTEL STELLENBOSCH

Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa’s Western Cape province.  It’s surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountainous nature reserves of Jonkershoek and Simonsberg.  The town’s oak-shaded streets are lined with cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.  Cape Dutch architecture gives a sense of South Africa’s Dutch colonial history, as do the Village Museum’s period houses and gardens.  You will also have a chance to visit the wonderful Winelands of Stellenbosch.  Stellenbosch is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste River at the foot of the Stellenbosch Mountain.  It is the second oldest European settlement in the province, after Cape Town.  The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads.  The town is home to Stellenbosch University. Technopark is a modern science park situated on the southern side of the town near the Stellenbosch Golf Course.

Oudtshoorn – Klein Karoo
LODGE:  THABILE LODGE

Oudtshoorn is home to the world’s largest ostrich population, with a number of specialized ostrich breeding farms, such as the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.  Bhongolethu is a township 10 km (6 mi) east of Oudtshoorn.  Derived from Xhosa, its name means “our pride”.  Oudtshoorn is the busy, vibrant commercial centre of the Little Karoo.  It is synonymous with superior ostrich related merchandise, feathers, art, culture, and the renowned Cango Caves.  This modest Karoo town has transformed over the years to become a flamboyant and cosmopolitan town with a unique character.  Oudtshoorn is the jewel on Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, a paradise for outdoor lovers.  With so many ecological, geographical, and botanical assets, the Klein Karoo is one of nature’s greatest masterpieces.  Breathtaking mountain ranges surround this beautiful town, which provides endless opportunities for adventure, contemplation, and rejuvenation, with sunshine almost every day of the year.  Once a year, in March and April, it kicks up its heels when the Klein Karoo Art Festival, a whirl of entertainment, theatre, art, and craft, comes to town.  With its great variety of interesting curio shops that specialize in ostrich products, excellent restaurants, and accommodation to suit every taste and budget, the town itself is rich in culture, with museums, galleries, and historic buildings at every turn.  In June Oudtshoorn hosts a large ‘Youth Festival’.  The town bills itself as ‘The Ultimate Destination”.

Tsitsikamma – Garden Route
LODGE:  TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN

The Tsitsikamma National Park habitat is a rocky coastline rising sharply through Afromontane forests to fynbos on the higher ground.  Tsitsikamma is a ramblers’ dream.  12 Trails take you into an enchanting world of tangled bush, dominated by forest giants such as the Outeniqua yellowwood, bastard ironwood, and stinkwood.  The principal trail at the Tsitsikamma National Park is the Otter Trail (48km), regarded as Southern Africa’s finest coastal walk.  The trail leads west from the Storms River mouth to Nature’s Valley, crossing a landscape of lonely beaches, rocky shores, tumbling mountains bisected by rivers and ravines, and gentle plateaus covered by leucadendron, ericas, and proteas.  It offers the Otter Trail, Birdlife and the Storms River itself.  Tsitsikamma is an adventure paradise with many trails.  Another popular attraction can be reached after a short walk into the famous Tsitsikamma forests.  The Big Tree, so-called as it is an incredible 36.6m tall with a circumference of 9m, is a must-see.  If you like forest adventures, a canopy tour is in order.  Here visitors can zip line from tree to tree through the forest over giant ferns.

Addo – Eastern Cape
LODGE:  ZUURBERG MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Addo lies in a beautiful part of the world, surrounded by contrasting dense thickets of Spekboom, open grassy patches, and the odd wooded kloof, making this an ideal overnight destination.  Visit the Addo Elephant Park.  When staying at this Lodge, you can expect an unforgettable stay.  Zuurberg Mountain Village is a 150-year-old haven of historical delight situated high up on the Zuurberg Pass in malaria-free Addo.  We are an exclusive mountain top Hotel, set in 160 hectares of indigenous vegetation with breath-taking views of the famous Addo Elephant National Park.  A mere one hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth we offer our guests nature, wildlife, and tranquillity in the most majestic African setting.

Knysna – Garden Route
LODGE:  PROTEA MARRIOTT KNYSNA QUAYS HOTEL

The town is a popular destination for both tourists and senior citizens entering retirement, especially among the British and former expatriates due to the year-round warm climate.  Recently, the town has also become a preferred destination among golfers, as the town boasts several world-class golf courses, including Pezula Golf Course, Simola Golf Course and the well established Knysna Golf Course situated on the lagoon.  It is near the towns of Plettenberg Bay and George, where there are airports.  Knysna is also home to Mitchell’s Brewery although the company no longer brews beers in the town.  The forest, rivers, estuary, and ocean surrounding the town are dotted with hiking trails and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.  Hikers, runners, kayakers, swimmers, and fishermen are known to be particularly fond of Knysna.

Mouille Point – Cape Town
HOTEL:  LA SPLENDIDA HOTEL

Perched between the ocean and the mountain, with a national park as its heart, there is nowhere like Cape Town.  Cape Town, the Mother City”, is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years.  The unique topography of the region makes it easy to orientate oneself as long as you remember that with Table Mountain behind you and Robben Island before you, you are facing north, looking across Table Bay and up the west coast of Africa.  It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum.  Between beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, traditional dancers with painted faces performing in the streets, the smell of spicy Malay cooking, and the taste of a well-made wine, this city will fill your senses.  Cape Town offers top attractions from Table Mountain which you can access via Cable Car OR Hiking, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Boulders Beach with Penguins, Robben Island, Cape Point and many more.  You will also have a chance to visit the wonderful Winelands of Stellenbosch.

NOTE:  Optional Add On’s & Room Upgrades:   Available at an Additional Costs – see day to day info below.

Day 1:   PROTEA MARRIOTT  STELLENBOSCH HOTEL – Stellenbosch  – CAPE TOWN

On arrival in Cape Town.   Car Rental.  Collect car and onwards to Stellenbosch.    Enjoy a wine Tasting @  Rust & Vrede Wine Estate.  You will stay in an Executive Suite.  Dinner @ the Hotel – included.   

• Included:  DBB
• Option/Add On:  Car Rental

Day 2:   THABILE LODGE – Oudtshoorn – KLEIN KAROO

Departure to Oudtshoorn.  Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour included.  You will stay in a Standard Chalet.  Dinner @ the Lodge – included.

• Included:  DBB + Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour

Day 3:   THABILE LODGE – Oudtshoorn – KLEIN KAROO

Today you need to wake up early and drive to De Zeekoe Guest Farm where you will enjoy an AM Meerkat Experience – included.   You can maybe visit the Congo Caves after this (entrance own account).  PM Game Drive Safari @ Buffelsdrift Game Lodge included.  Dinner @ the Lodge – included.

• Included:  DBB + AM Meerkat Experience + PM Game Drive

Day 4:   TSITSIKAMMA VILLAGE INN – Tsitsikamma – GARDEN ROUTE

Depart to Tsitsikamma to Plett and enjoy a Hog Hollow Horse Carriage Trail (own account).  You will stay in The Barn Room.  Dinner @ Marilyn’s 60’s Diner – included.

• Included:  DBB

Day 5:   ZUURBERG MOUNTAIN VILLAGE INN – Addo – EASTERN CAPE

Depart Tsitsikamma – Suspension Bridge.   Bungy Jump @ Bloukrans.  Bloukrans Bridge Bungy is one of the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy at 216 metres above the Bloukrans River. It is situated at Bloukrans Bridge on the N2 Highway at the border between the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape in the Tsitsikamma area of South Africa’s Garden Route.  You can enjoy a PM Game Drive in Addo – included.  You will stay in Edwardian Village Cottages.  Dinner @ Lodge – included.

• Included:  DBB + PM Addo Game Drive
• Option/Add On:  Bungy Jump @ Bloukrans  

Day 6:   ZUURBERG MOUNTAIN VILLAGE INN – Addo – EASTERN CAPE

Leisure day to enjoy activities like Game Drives & Game Walks.  Dinner @ the Lodge – included.  

• Included:  DBB

Day 7:  PROTEA MARRIOTT KNYSNA QUAYS HOTEL – Knysna – GARDEN ROUTE

Depart Addo – Knysna – visit the Big Tree (entrance own account).  Enjoy a Sunset Cruise with John Benn – included.  You will stay in a Poolside View Room.  Dinner @ Sirocco’s – included.

• Included:  DBB + Sunset Cruise on Knysna Lagoon

Day 8:   PROTEA MARRIOTT KNYSNA QUAYS HOTEL – Knysna – GARDEN ROUTE

Today you have time to visit the Knysna Waterfront.  Leisure day. 

• Included:  BB

Day 9:   LA SPLENDIDA HOTEL – Mouille Point – CAPE TOWN

Depart from Knysna to CPT via Hermanus.   On arrival in Hermanus, maybe take time to enjoy an AM Whale Watching Tour (Aug – Nov & weather permitting).   Arrive at the Hotel.  You will stay in a Side View Room.  Free at Leisure.    

• Included:  BB 

Day 10:   LA SPLENDIDA HOTEL – Mouille Point – CAPE TOWN

Visit Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain Cable Car.  Dinner @ City Grill in V&A Waterfront – included.   

• Included:  DBB

Day 11:   LA SPLENDIDA HOTEL – Mouille Point – CAPE TOWN

Explore the beautiful attractions Cape Town has to offer by visiting Kirstenbosch / Boulders / Cape Point (entrances own cost).  Dinner @ Bobo’s Brasserie – included.

• Included:  DBB

Day 12:   LA SPLENDIDA HOTEL – Mouille Point – CAPE TOWN

Visit the V&A Waterfront or drive to Bloubergstrand and get a postcard photo of Table Mountain before departure to Airport.  Drop Rental Car.  Depart back home.

• Included:  BB

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

•  Accommodation as stated (or alternative if not available – this will be communicated to the clients)
•  Breakfast daily
•  9 x Dinners
•  1 x Highgate Ostrich Farm Tour
•  1 x Game Drive at Buffelsdrift Game Reserve
•  1 x AM Meerkat Experience
•  1 x Sunset Cruise on Knysna Lagoon
•  1 x PM Addo Game Drive

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

•  Porterage – not included
•  Transport (Car Rental available to add on / as Option)
•  Flights back & from your Hometown
•  Medical Insurance (for clients own account)
•  Visa’s (clients need to arrange where needed themselves)
•  Service Fees at Restaurants / Lodges not included for staff
•  Entrances at own costs (as indicated on the day to day information)
•  Meals not included in itinerary (see day by day)
•  Drinks not included in itinerary (see day by day)

OPTIONAL ADD ON’s:  Available on various days of the Tour (See Day to Day) at an Additional Costs