X Highlights of Cape Town and the Garden Route

Summary

For fourteen days, this fantastic tour takes you on a journey through the most awesome destinations of the Cape and Garden Route. After an intimate stay in South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ you travel in search of whales and sharks, and enjoy hikes amongst gigantic trees! What's more, you'll get to visit incredible limestone caves, experience cultural and culinary delights, and finish off with some safari days in Big-5 territory!

TOUR TYPE	Self-drive or guided
PRICE	From ZAR 16000 per person
FOCUS	Nature and culture
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS	6
MALARIA RISK	None

Key highlights

Cape Town

Visit the famous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was kept in prison for 18 years
Ascend Table Mountain
Shop till you drop in the V&A Waterfront
Go on the Cape Point Tour and see Cape of Good Hope, penguins and more!

Garden Route

Visit Hermanus, world’s best place to spot whales from land (June-November)
See incredible stalactites in the Cango Caves
Enjoy an amazing stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and see hippos and elephants from your porch
Go on a game drive in the ‘Klein Karoo Ecosystem’ and spot a meerkat!
Explore the Knysna Lagoon by boat and enjoy some of the many restaurants in Knysna
Hike in Tsitsikamma National Park and visit the ‘Big Tree’
For the adventurous: do the highest bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans or go on a Canopy Tour and zip line between the trees of the rainforest
Finish off with 2 days of safari looking for the Big-5 in Addo Elephant Park!

Itinerary

Here at Tailor Made Safaris, we will happily adjust the itinerary below should you wish to see any changes. Of course it is possible to add some days or take some out, and don't forget to take a look at our add-ons! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this tour.

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town

Today you will arrive at Cape Town International Airport and make your way to your accommodation for the next few nights. Depending on your time of arrival, more activities can be planned for this afternoon or you may prefer to simply relax at your comfortable guesthouse.

Day 2: Robben Island

What about visiting Robben Island today, the famous island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years? Here you will go on an extensive tour of the prison and learn about what happened during those years. In 1997 a museum was built and the entire island is declared as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. This iconic place is well worth a visit.

Day 3: Table Mountain and v&A Waterfront

Ascend Table Mountain, the choice is yours as to whether you walk to the top or catch a cable car up. Once at the top of the mountain, expect to want to spend a few hours walking around while enjoying the natural surroundings and taking in the magnificent views. Afterwards, you will visit the V & A Waterfront. Here you can enjoy the bustle of the harbour and shops, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, or treat yourself to a delicious lunch at one of the many terraces or fish restaurants.

Day 4: Cape Point Tour

Discover the Cape of Good Hope today on a stunning tour that includes the following must-see destinations: Muizenberg, Simon’s Town (with the penguins), Noordhoek, Hout Bay, and Cape Point (with time for a walk in Table Mountain National Park). If you are a wine lover, a visit to the Klein Constantia Wine Farms should also be considered. Try the absolutely delicious, world-renowned ‘Vin de Constance’.

Day 5: Drive to Hermanus, Whale watching (JUNE-November)

After visiting the most beautiful parts of Cape Town and the surrounding area you will now depart to Hermanus. Hermanus is known for its excellent whale watching and for good reason. Every year, between July and November, hundreds of whales calf and breed in the bays around Hermanus. These impressive animals frequent this stretch of coastline and swim close to the shore, which makes them easy to see from land. If you visit during the whale season, a walk along the coast is definitely in order! These beautiful coastal trails are also recommended for out of season visitors, who can admire the rugged coastline and dazzling blue ocean.

Day 6: Whale Watching (JuNE-November), Sea Kayaking or Shark Cage Diving

Relax and unwind at your guest house, explore the modern town centre, or choose one of the following thrilling activities and discover the variety of marine species living off the coast.

During the whale season (June-November) you can join a whale watching tour on the ocean. For the more adventurous, encounter these magnificent mammals on a guided sea kayaking tour instead (from a safe distance, of course). Sea kayaking tours are available year round, and outside of the whale season you can still find an abundance of marine life, such as seals, dolphins, penguins and other seabirds. If you're feeling extra brave, Gansbaai is roughly 1 hours' drive from Hermanus. Here you can shark cage dive in the Great White Shark Capital of South Africa!

Day 7: Buffelsdrift game lodge

Today you will travel from Hermanus to Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. This lodge is situated just outside Oudtshoorn in the semi-desert of the 'Klein Karoo'. You will be offered lunch on arrival, after which you will have some time to relax in your luxury, fully equipped, safari tent. You can also enjoy a drink on the terrace of the lodge where you overlook the waterhole and hopefully spot some hippos, with the Swartberg Mountains as a magnificent backdrop. In the afternoon you will explore the park on a guided game drive. Look out for rhinos, meerkats, giraffes, zebras and many other species. For a good dinner, you need look no further than the restaurant at the lodge, which has an extensive menu. Be sure to try one of the many wines from the wine list; the restaurant won the award for "Top Wine List" last year!

Day 8: Cango Caves, ostrich farm, and elephant interaction

This morning you will visit the impressive Cango Caves. The San people used these caves as a shelter, however, after the extinction of this population, knowledge of the cave was lost until 1780 when a local farmer rediscovered it. Today these caves are open to the public and you can see the beautiful stalactites. For the truly adventurous, it is also possible to do the special "adventure" tour of the caves. Here you scramble through narrow tunnels and holes in the rock walls. It is certainly not suitable for people with claustrophobia! After visiting the caves you will visit the Cango ostrich farm. Up until the Second World War, ostriches were very important as their feathers had a very high commercial value. Although this market collapsed completely after World War II, ostriches are still farmed today, but now it is mainly for their meat. During your visit, it is possible to feed, to touch or to ride the ostriches. After returning to the lodge, an elephant interaction is possible. These elephants are raised by hand, and therefore they are accustomed to contact with humans. This is a truly awesome and memorable experience.

Day 9: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Knysna

This morning you wake up early for a morning game drive, but don’t worry, it is definitely worth it! The beautiful surroundings are simply stunning at sunrise. In the open safari vehicle you will be on the lookout for animals that you haven’t seen yet. After breakfast you will leave beautiful Buffelsdrift and head to Knysna, situated back on the coast. Here you will stay in a chalet with stunning views over the Knysna Lagoon. For dinner you can choose one of the several restaurants in Knysna. Try the delicious oysters, which Knysna is famous for.

Day 10: Knysna Lagoon boat cruise - Tsitsikamma

This morning, you will participate in a boat cruise on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, the only way to see the famous Knysna Heads up close. After this boat cruise, you will head east to Tsitsikamma. Located between the ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains is Tsitsikamma Forest. This area has a fascinating ecosystem and is the only place in South Africa where you'll find rainforest. Walk through the giant trees of Tsitsikamma Forest to the 'Big Tree' and immerse yourself in this spectacular environment. The Big Tree is estimated to be between 600-800 years old and has an incredibly impressive stature - the tree stands 36.6m tall and its trunk has a huge 9m circumference! After visiting the "Big Tree" you will leave the forest and travel to your accommodation in Storms River, where you will spend the next few days.

Day 11: Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park

The best way to discover the beauty and nature of Tsitsikamma Forest is hiking through it. We highly recommend the Waterfall Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park. This trail is approximately 6km long and is located along the impressive, rugged coastline, where you will find plenty of viewpoints to rest and enjoy the stunning scenery. At the end of this trail is a beautiful waterfall. For those who like adrenaline, today you could book a canopy tour, or drive the short journey to Bloukrans and bungee jump the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (at 216 meters)

Day 12: Tsiksikamma – Addo Elephant National Park

After breakfast it's time to leave the forest and discover your final destination, Addo Elephant National Park. This reserve was established in 1931 to conserve a small population of elephants in the region. Since then the park has expanded considerably and is now the third largest national park in South Africa; home to over 700 elephants, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino, as well as a variety of antelope species, zebra and hyena. After checking in at your accommodation, there will be time for you to explore this amazing park and it's wonderful residents on a safari!

Day 13: Addo Elephant national Park

Today you have a full day to explore the magnificent Addo Elephant National Park. Addo Elephant Park has in recent years expanded to a park with a great variety of landscapes, and thus a great diversity of flora and fauna. You will explore from the green south, to the drier north, while you pass through the Zuurberg Mountains and the Sunday River valley. It's best to leave early in the morning, to see as many animals as possible.

Day 14: Addo elephant national park - port elizabeth - cape town

Enjoy your last morning in the park before departing for the airport in Port Elizabeth. From Port Elizabeth you will fly back to Cape Town.

Please note: Accommodation can potentially differ from the establishments mentioned in this itinerary (if fully booked). In such cases we will look for suitable and similar accommodation. Any changes will be discussed with you. We can only book accommodation after you have confirmed your booking with us.

The European ANVR Travel and Booking Terms & Conditions apply to your booking with us. For full details, click here.

Price Overview

Self-drive tour

Price per person:

	With 2 persons	With 4 persons	With 6 persons	With 8 persons
Priced from	R 18700	R 17500	R 17050	R 16000

For the most recent exchange rate see www.XE.com.
Prices are partly dependent on which type of rental vehicle you choose. For more information about car rentals, click here.

Includes: Car hire, extensive self-drive pack including GPS navigation device & South African cell phone and SIM card, all accommodation, all meals and guided activities as mentioned as included in the quote above/table below, 14% Value Added Tax (VAT).

Excludes: Airfares, travel and cancellation insurances, petrol, road tolls, parking fees, entry fees, meals & activities mentioned under excluded in the table below, snacks and drinks, gratuities for guides and local restaurants.

Included in the car rental is the Super Cover insurance with zero liability and unlimited kilometres. Not included are the following fees though, which will be charged to your credit card upon collecting the vehicle:

AVIS contract fee: ZAR 85 (once off)
Additional driver fee: ZAR 385
Fuel: cost of refuelling if the car is not handed in full
One-way fee (if the car is returned to a different location from where it was picked up): Between ZAR 869-1177 depending on distance)
If the car is handed in late you will be charged an extra day of rent

These costs cannot be paid by us and therefore will be charged on your credit card by AVIS. AVIS also requires a refundable rental deposit (between ZAR 3500-4000). This sum will be taken off your credit card at the beginning of your trip and if all is well it will be deposited back into your account at the end. For renting a vehicle the driver must be over 18 years old and must have had a valid drivers licence for over a year, which must be valid for at least a year at the start of the rental period, and a valid passport and credit card. Please note that without a credit card, you cannot rent a car!

Download the quote overview for this tour: