Affordable Cape, Whale Coast & Garden Route

Itinerary information

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.

Itinerary information

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.rnrnUnwind 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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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.

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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.

Itinerary information

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.