Mixed Cape & Garden Route

Day 1: City Tour – Table Mountain

Upon your arrival at Cape Town airport, you'll be met by your German-speaking tour guide and taken to your hotel. After check-in, the sightseeing tour begins! On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful sights the city has to offer. Amongst others, you will visit the 'Castle of Good Hope', the oldest remaining building in Cape Town, as well as the 'Bo Kaap', the Malay Quarter. Our tour starts with a walk through the 'Company's Garden' and we'll continue, on foot, towards the bright colours and lively activity of Green Market Square. Thereafter, if the weather permits, we'll take the cable car up Table Mountain. This over 1000m high landmark offers the most spectacular views of the city and the sea.

To conclude the first day, you may choose to be taken to the V&A Waterfront or head home to wind down at the hotel.

B/B Cape Town

• Airport transfer
• Company's Garden
• Green Market Square
• Malay Quarter/ Bo Kaap
• Table Mountain
• (weather permitting)
• V&A Waterfront

Day 2: Peninsula Tour

Discover the natural environment of Cape Town with a trip around the peninsula. Starting off in Clifton, the tour takes you along the scenic Atlantic Coast, past Camps Bay to Hout Bay. From here, we'll make our way to the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve and Cape Point via Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most scenic coastal roads. From the tip of Cape Point, which can be reached on foot or via funicular, a breathtaking panoramic view unfolds. On the way back, we'll drive along False Bay and stop at Boulders Beach to visit the Penguin colony. An appropriate end to this nature rich day will be played out at the lush Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

B/B Cape Town

• Trip along the Atlantic coast
• Hout Bay/optional boat trip to Duiker Island
• Chapman's Peak Drive
• Cape of Good Hope
• Nature Reserve
• Cape Point
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Day 3: Cape Town – Hermanus – Cape Agulhas – Swellendam

Today, we'll venture out of Cape Town and head off in the direction of Swellendam. Along the way we'll make a stop at the charming fisherman's village of Hermanus. During the months of June to December, the Southern Right whales frolic in the Bay, making Hermanus one of the best land-based whale-watching areas in the world. On our way to Swellendam, we'll stop at the southernmost point of the African continent, Cape Agulhas. While in Swellendam, South Africa's third oldest city, we'll visit the Drostdy Museum. The Drostdy was built in 1747 – and was the seat of the landdrost, a magistrate-cum-commissioner of the Dutch East India Company. A walkabout around the grounds reveals the Dutch architectural style of the buildings as well as a strong Victorian influence. Another point of interest is the church comprising an eclectic mix of architectural styles.

B/B Swellendam

• Hermanus
• Cape Agulhas
• Drostdy Museum

Day 4: Swellendam – Mossel Bay - Knysna

On the way to Knysna, we've planned a stop in Mossel Bay, where we'll be visiting the Bartolomeu Diaz Museum Complex. Portuguese born Bartolomeu Diaz landed here in 1488 in search of shelter from a storm. The museum, put up in commemoration of the sea voyage, houses a life-size replica of Diaz' original ship, the Caravel. The other attractions worth seeing in Mossel Bay include an interesting Shell Museum and the 500 year old Post Office Tree. Next on our tour itinerary is Knysna, known as the pearl of the Garden Route. Knysna is situated in between lush forests and a wide lagoon. Two rocky promontories called 'The Heads' protect the lagoon from the flow of the Indian Ocean. The oyster festival is another thing Knysna is renowned for. Perhaps one of the guests would like to give it a try?

B/B Knysna

• Diaz Museum Complex
• Knysna Waterfront

Day 5: Knysna

Today starts off with a boat ride over the lagoon. You will be transported by ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve, a private nature park area on the west 'Head' of Knysna. The excursion includes the ferry ride, a tractor ride at the summit of the West Head and a 2km walk, with a tour guide, through the forest and along the spectacular coastline. Upon our return, a first class buffet table awaits under the shade of the Milkwood trees. After lunch we head back to Knysna. Now the afternoon is yours. You may want to relax at the poolside and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere or go for a leisurely stroll at Knysna's Waterfront.

Knysna B/B

• Knysna Featherbed Nature Reserve
• Afternoon at leisure

Day 6: Tsitsikamma National Park – Plettenberg Bay - Knysna

After breakfast, it's off to the Tsitsikamma National Park where we'll take a walk to Storms River Mouth. After the National Park visit we'll make a stop at the Bloukrans River bridge and hopefully get to watch a bungee jumper dive down into the depths of the valley. Next you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a snack at the Bramon Wine Farm, followed by a visit to either Monkeyland or Birds of Eden. On the way back to Knysna we'll make a quick stop in Plettenberg Bay and enjoy the beautiful view over the Bay – also known as 'Baia Formosa'.

B/B/L Knysna

• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Bloukrans River Bridge
• Bramon Wine Farm
• Monkeyland or Birds of Eden
• Plettenberg Bay

Day 7: Knysna - Oudtshoorn

The day starts with a guided tour through the Cango Caves, which have an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites and are the biggest cave network on the African continent. Accompanied by an experienced tour guide the group will have the opportunity to explore a section of the caves on foot. Next on our agenda is a visit to an ostrich farm. Another guided tour with an expert on the subject of the large birds, will be held. Lunch will be enjoyed at the farm's restaurant where, naturally, ostrich meat features prevalently on the menu. The overnight stay for tonight will be at the Game Reserve's lodge. Later in the afternoon you will experience the first safari.

B/B/L/D Oudtshoorn

• Cango Caves
• Ostrich Safari Farm
• Safari

Day 8: Oudtshoorn – Franschhoek - Stellenbosch

An early morning safari is first on our agenda. A qualified ranger will accompany you and inform you of many interesting facts regarding the surrounding nature and wildlife. This lovely start to the Day will be followed by a hearty breakfast. Afterwards we'll take the Route 62 and pass Calitzdorp and Ladismith to get to Barrydale. From Barrydale we'll travel through the Tradouw Pass to reach Swellendam. From Swellendam we'll pass Villiersdorp and go through the Franschhoek Pass to Franschhoek, the former French Quarter. We will visit the Cabrière Wine Farm, which produces lovely champagnes (Cap Classic) for a champagne tasting. Franschhoek is known as the culinary capital of South Africa.

B/B Winelands

• Safari
• Franschhoek
• Huguenot Memorial
• Champagne Tasting

Day 9: Classic Wineland Tour

Today's tour takes you to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. You'll have the opportunity to explore the town with its many historical buildings in the Cape Dutch style. You will visit the Dutch Reformed Church and the historically rich Dorp Street. A visit to the Village Museum will transport you back to the 18th century. As one of the main attractions, it has a complex of four adjacent historical dwellings from different time periods. After this cultural journey we will continue on to Paarl and visit the Taal Monument – a memorial to the Afrikaans language. The vined slopes of Paarl Mountain are the true landmark of the town. Of course, wine tastings are a must on this trip into the Winelands. Farewell dinner.

B/B/D Winelands

• Village Museum
• Walkabout in Stellenbosch
• Paarl
• Wine tasting

Day 10: Stellenbosch – Cape Town

The day is at your disposal.