Affordable Cape, Whale Coast & Garden Route

11 days
4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Highlights

  • Stay in the cosmopolitan heart of Cape Town
  • Explore Cape Town's beaches & vineyards
  • Watch whales from your cliff-top lodge
  • Spot Africa's fiercest marine predator in a shark cage dive
  • Wind your way along the scenic Garden Route
  • Canopy tour in the treetops of the Tsitsikama Forest
  • Relax on beautiful golden-sand beaches
  • Search for the Big 5 in the private Shamwari reserve

Overview

Experience the best of Cape Town, the Whale Coast and Garden Route plus the Eastern Cape on this 12-day South Africa adventure. Stay in beautiful accommodation, enjoy incredible scenery and take advantage of all the activities and experiences on offer.

Start your journey in Cape Town and the charming Welgelegen House. Cape Town has plenty to keep every member of the travel party enthralled. A rich and storied past for the history buff, picturesque city beaches, award-winning restaurants and wines for the foodies and wine-lovers, an array of adventurous activities for the adrenaline seekers, and of course the city and surrounds provide plenty of family-friendly outings for all ages.

Enjoy a romantic cliff-top stay just outside the coastal town of Hermanus where in season you'll be able to observe southern right whales from your balcony. Just next door to Hermanus is Gansbaai - world-renowned for large numbers of great white sharks where you'll to the waters for a thrilling shark-cage diving expedition.

The journey continues along the coast on the beautiful Garden Route to Knysna where you'll stay on a small island on the idyllic Knysna Lagoon and enjoy a canopy tour in the tranquil Tsitsikamma Forest. Finish off in the Eastern Cape with an authentic African Big 5 safari in the Bayethe Tented Lodge in the beautiful Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

Summary

  • Tour Duration: 11 Days

Accommodations Visited

Day to day

Itinerary

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Welgelegen-Boutique-Guest-House
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Day 1-3: Explore Cape Town, The Mother City

Cape Town, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Detailed breakdown

Day 1-3: Explore Cape Town, The Mother City | 3 Nights

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Cape Town, Cape Town Central, South Africa

Your journey begins on arrival at Cape Town International Airport. Collect your rental vehicle and take in the views as you drive to Welgelegen House, a charming boutique hotel close to fashionable Kloof Street at the heart of the city. Your home for the following three nights is ideally located to discover the beauty and vibrance of the Mother City.

Settle in and get ready to explore: visit the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, cool off with a sea-view cocktail afterward and take a drive down the dramatic peninsula to Cape Point, stopping off at the colourful towns of Kalk Bay or Simons Town for lunch and a stroll along the seafront and into working harbours.

You can also enjoy fantastic views of the city from the top of Table Mountain or go on a boat cruise around the harbour, and don't forget that historic Robben Island is just a ferry ride away. A stroll down the Sea Point Promenade with an ice cream in hand is another way to enjoy the stunning sea views and the sunset before dinner at one of the city's many top-class restaurants.

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Welgelegen--lounge
welgelegen-Standard-Room

Days 4-5: Experience the Whale Coast | 2 Nights

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Whale Coast, South Africa

After a delicious breakfast at Welgelegen, head out on the scenic drive to The Whale Coast and check in for your stay at The Cliff Lodge. Close to Hermanus - the epicentre of The Whale Coast - and situated just outside the old fishing town of Gansbaai, this lodge boasts elegance, style and incredible views over the vast Indian Ocean.

Relax on the all-weather conservatory and seafront deck and enjoy 180-degree views as you sip on a glass of wine and settle into your home for the following two nights. In whale season (July to October, peaking in September), you'll be able to see southern right whales as they roll and display in the waters not too far from the shore.

The following day brings with it the opportunity for more adventure: included in your tour is a shark-cage diving excursion that will bring you close to the ultimate predator - great white sharks. It's an extraordinary experience to share the water with these terrifying yet magnificent creatures.

Unwind after this heart-pumping experience with a leisurely horseback ride, a round of golf or a visit to one of the nearby wine farms.

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Days 6-7: Explore the Garden Route | 2 Nights

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Garden Route, Knysna, South Africa

Continue your journey today as you drive along the ever-popular Garden Route to the holiday town of Knysna. Head to its large lagoon and check in at The Leisure Isle Lodge, set on a tiny island in the middle of the lagoon's tranquil waters.

Take stock of your calm and beautiful surroundings as you either relax at the lodge or swim in the lagoon. Head down to one of the beautiful local beaches or take a short drive to Noetzie where you'll find some of the country's most incredible beaches.

Also included in your tour is a canopy tour in the idyllic Tsitsikamma Forest where you'll experience this indigenous forest and its wildlife from above, and to finish off you can perhaps spend an afternoon browsing the town's art galleries and shops or taking a walk around the small harbour.

Leisure Isle Rooms

Days 8-11: Search for Big Game in Shamwari | 3 Nights

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Eastern Cape, South Africa

Carry on along the Garden Route and cross the Bloukrans Bridge, a famous bungee jump spot, into the Eastern Cape. Arrive at your final accommodation for the tour, Bayethe Tented Lodge in the Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the perfect location to end your journey with a luxurious Big 5 safari experience.

Go on game drives and other exciting game viewing activities in the restocked and rejuvenated Shamwari - thousands of animals including lion, rhino, buffalo and elephant roam this diverse and fascinating reserve and you will enjoy the information and stories delivered by your expert rangers who will tell you everything you need to know about this slice of wilderness.

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Day 12: Say Goodbye to South Africa

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Savour your last morning at Bayethe before departing Shamwari reserve for Gqerberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth) where you drop off your car and catch your flight home.

Inclusions tick icon

Inclusions

  • 12 days Car rental
  • Shark cage diving whilst staying at Cliff Lodge
  • Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour whilst staying at Leisure Isle Lodge
Exclusions tick icon

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals and drinks not specified
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature

Rates

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Dates Price
2023-07-01 — 2023-07-31 $2,830
2023-07-31 — 2023-08-31 $2,870
2023-09-01 — 2023-09-30 $3,290
2023-10-01 — 2023-10-31 $3,340
2023-11-01 — 2023-11-30 $38,945
2023-12-01 — 2023-12-20 $3,960
Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:
  • All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.