Full Itinerary
Day 1 - Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town! You will be met at the door of your aircraft by a Big Safari Company Representative and assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You’ll be transferred to your hotel that is located on the slopes of Table Mountain in the residential suburb of Tamboerskloof. Trevoyan Guest House is a beautifully restored Victorian gem, you can relax in the lounge, library or outside in the shaded garden, patio or take a dip in the heated pool.
You might want to get some fresh air after your long haul flights, and a great way to start your trip can be a visit to the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which stretches through Cape Town’s southern suburbs. Covering five of South Africa's six different biomes, it's a great green space to stretch your legs and soak up some sunshine. A highlight of the garden is the Tree Canopy Walkway, which provides an elevated spot with stunning views. You could also take a cab down to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and enjoy the flair of Cape Town Harbour with its selection of restaurants and shops.
Included meals: None
Accommodation: Trevoyan Guest House
Optional activities: Visit of Long Street, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Day 2 - Cape Town
Today you could explore the Cape Peninsula, where rugged cliffs, breathtaking views, roaring sea and stunning nature await you. For the trip down to the famous Cape of Good Hope you should make some stops along the way. A great first stop is the beautiful Muizenberg beach, which is famous for its colourful wooden houses that are used as changing rooms and have become the landmark of Muizenberg. The long beautiful beach consists of a velvety-soft powdered sand and is a hotspot for surfers.
Only a few kilometers away from Muizenberg, the next highlight of the Cape Peninsula is already waiting: Boulders Beach with its African penguins. The white beach is located in a wind-protected bay just behind the historic town of Simon's Town and offers a magnificent home to around 2.000 penguins.
On the Southern tip of the Cape Peninsula lies the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, which offers different routes down to the Cape Point. You’ll see a Cape lighthouse at the highest point where you can enjoy magnificent views over False Bay, Diaz Beach and the Cape.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Trevoyan Guest House
Optional activities: Cape Peninsula, Muizenberg Beach, Boulders Beach Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Day 3 - Cape Town
For your last full day in Cape Town you still have many options: Visit Robben Island, the former prison and now UNESCO world heritage site, where Nelson Mandela served most of his sentence. Some of the tours are guided by former prisoners and offer a deep insight into what it was really like during the struggle against apartheid. You could also visit the colorful Bo-Kaap district, or hike to Lions Head and enjoy the view of Table Mountain or alternatively explore the Cape Winelands on one of the region's wine routes to enjoy the local wine, beautiful landscapes, manor houses, gardens and fine-dining restaurants.
The perfect ending to your last day in Cape Town would be watching the sunset from Table Mountain. A cable car will take you up to the platform and you can enjoy a spectacular panorama.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Trevoyan Guest House
Optional activities: Robben Island, Lions Head, Bo-Kaap, wine tasting and pairing
Day 4 - Hermanus
After breakfast your hire car (automatic, small SUV) will be delivered to the guest house. The car comes with unlimited mileage, third party liability insurance and public liability insurance.
Today’s 2.5 hr long drive takes you to the small town of Gansbaai, on Western Cape’s “Whale Coast“. The jagged coastline winds along the Atlantic Ocean and is flanked by mesmerising mountains. The area boasts charming coastal villages, farms, rivers, valleys and, from June to November, whales. During your stay there is so much you can do and see; the whales, sharks, wine routes, fynbos, birding, golf courses, mountain biking and hiking trails..the choice is yours!
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cliff Lodge
Optional activities: Whale watching, golf, mountain biking, hiking trails
Day 5 - Hermanus
This morning you can look forward to a boat trip around Hermanus, known as the whale watching capital of the world. Keep an eye out for these majestic creatures and observe the gentle giants in their natural habitat. In the afternoon you can hike along the beautiful “Cliff Path“ that offers some of the world’s best land-based whale watching opportunities.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cliff Lodge
Optional activities: Whale watching, golf courses, mountain biking, hiking trails
Day 6 - Klein Karoo
Today you leave the coast behind you and take a 4 hour drive inland into Little Karoo, a semi-desert region. In the heart of the Klein Karoo, on an expansive, working ostrich farm, lies the stylish Mooiplaas Guest House. This family-run authentic farm-stay is just south of the quaint town of Oudtshoorn, and has great views of the magnificent Swartberg Mountains – this is big sky country. You can enjoy a visit to an ostrich farm, an afternoon walk, or simply relax with sundowners in the atmospheric pub & savour delicious traditional Karoo cuisine.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mooiplaas Guesthouse
Optional activities: Visit an Ostrich Farm
Day 7 - Klein Karoo
Today you can visit the nearby Cango Caves, one of the largest and most extensive dripstone cave systems in the world. You could also join a tour to explore the geological, historical and natural treasures of the Swartberg Mountains and the Little Karoo.
Another special experience is a meerkat tour, where you’ll visit a habituated meerkat group in the Karoo. The tours commence daily at sunrise and are weather dependent since these little creatures will not venture outside their burrows on cold and rainy days. It is a fun experience & pretty rare for us to be able to get this close to these little creatures in the wild.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mooiplaas Guesthouse
Optional activities: Cango Caves, Swatberg Mountains, Meerkat experience
Day 8 - Plettenberg Bay
Your journey continues on towards the beautiful coast to Plettenberg Bay, one of the most popular seaside towns along the Garden Route. Spend the next few days on the endless sandy beaches, take a trip to Robberg Nature Reserve or stroll through the streets of the coastal town.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge, outside Plettenberg Bay, is nestled in indigenous forests and perched above the dramatic Matjies River Gorge. Enjoy sumptuous dinners in the conviviality of the main house, or outside on the deck, on balmy African evenings. Perhaps settle at the pool area, and let the fresh air and sun soothe away any stress.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Optional activities: Beach, Robberg Nature Reserve, Horse riding trails, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden & the Elephant Sanctuary
Day 9 - Plettenberg Bay
Today you should set off for Tsitsikamma National Park, with its beautiful, scenic landscape, Fresh sea air, rugged cliffs, green slopes and the turquoise-blue ocean. There are many activities for nature lovers in the National Park, such as various hiking trails along the coast or through the forests, a high ropes course through the treetops or kayak tours on the Stroms River.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Optional activities: Tsitsikamma National Park
Day 10 - Kariega Private Game Reserve
A highlight of your journey awaits you at the Kariega Private Game Reserve. With 10,000 hectares of pristine Eastern Cape wilderness to explore, Kariega is home to the famous Big 5 and is also a paradise for birdlife, including resident and migrant birds. The reserve incorporates two dramatic and picturesque river valleys - the Kariega and Bushmans. A variety of safari activities are on offer to ensure you enjoy the spectacular wilderness. Your all-inclusive stay will include twice daily game viewing from open safari vehicles with qualified game rangers, river cruises, guided bush walks, canoeing, river fishing and beach trips by boat.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and selected beverages
Accommodation: Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Optional activities: Spa treatments (payable locally)
Day 11 - Kariega Private Game Reserve
Enjoy your day on safari.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and selected beverages
Accommodation: Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Optional activities: Spa treatments (payable locally)
Day 12 - Kariega Private Game Reserve
Enjoy your day on safari.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and selected beverages
Accommodation: Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Optional activities: Spa treatments (payable locally)
Day 13 - Port Elizabeth and home
After breakfast return the hire car to Port Elizabeth airport for your connection to your international flight home.
Included meals: Breakfast