Cape Town (Airport Transfer + Unguided Free Time)

Cape Town International Airport - Embark on a 10-day unforgettable journey with just one click: Discover the wonders of South Africa. Explore the highlights in and around Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Cape Point, and the renowned Garden Route on a small-group tour that allows for optional activities to enhance your African adventure.

This tour package includes multiple tours and free days in Cape Town. The itinerary may be reversed or rearranged, and guides or transportation may vary throughout the trip. This guideline outlines the itinerary if you start by exploring Cape Town, then tour the Garden Route, concluding back in the Cape.

Begin with a pick-up from Cape Town International Airport. If you arrive before the 10-day tour, inform us to arrange a pre-tour airport pickup on your arrival date.

Accommodation is not included in this package but can be arranged post-booking. A tour consultant will contact you to discuss available options.

Camps Bay - Enjoy free time today to acclimate, shake off any travel fatigue, and get acquainted with South Africa’s Mother City. Known for its vibrant culinary scene, food enthusiasts will thrive along Long and Bree Streets in the CBD. In South Africa, no sundowner is complete without a colorful sunset. Camps Bay, a short Uber ride from the city center, is a prime spot to enjoy the view, as is the elegant Leopard Bar at The Twelve Apostles Hotel.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden - If you’re eager to start exploring, a variety of activities can be pre-arranged. Consider an optional helicopter ride or paragliding over Cape Town, a scenic hike up Table Mountain, or a hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing bus tour. From horse riding to shark cage diving, there’s plenty to do, so feel free to make spontaneous requests.

Please note that your arrival time in Cape Town will determine the activities available. During booking, let us know your plans for the day (we will suggest activities too) to ensure they are booked in advance. As this day is at your leisure, all transport except for the airport service will be at your own expense.

Cape Peninsula (Guided Tour)

Hout Bay - Begin with a pick-up from your Cape Town accommodation. Hout Bay, a quaint fishing village on the northern side of Chapman’s Peak, is the first stop. Visit the seal colony of Duiker Island (optional with extra cost) or explore the local harbor market and capture Instagram-worthy photos of colorful fishing boats.

Chapman’s Peak Drive - Leaving Hout Bay, you’ll navigate 114 breathtaking bends over nine stunning kilometers. Chapman’s Peak Road, or “Chappies” to locals, is renowned as one of the world’s most scenic drives. Rugged mountains meet the Atlantic, and the road, an engineering marvel, offers unparalleled views of the ocean below.

Cape of Good Hope - Chappies sets the stage for the afternoon as you head to the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point of Africa. Here, water and wilderness create a picturesque jagged shoreline adorned with fynbos. Pay tribute to ancient seafarers like Bartolomeu Dias and pioneers like Vasco da Gama, who navigated these treacherous waters.

Cape Point Nature Reserve - Indigenous fauna line the winding paths to the Cape’s whitewashed lighthouse, with views worth the climb. Local wildlife, including ostriches, baboons, and various antelope species, add interest and photo opportunities. An optional funicular eases the journey to the lighthouse top.

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony - As the day progresses, travel to Simon’s Town on False Bay’s shores, home to the South African navy. Nearby lies Boulders Beach, a sandy stretch with granite boulders, home to a large colony of African penguins. Boardwalks provide the perfect vantage point to see these charming creatures. Return to Cape Town by late afternoon.

Cape Winelands (Guided Tour)

Stellenbosch - Join a small group day tour of the Cape Winelands to visit at least three wine estates, including Dieu Donné, Simonsig, Mitre’s Edge, Middle Vlei, Vergenoegd, and more, depending on your departure day.

Your guide will collect you from selected hotels in Cape Town city (around 8am-9am).

On Mondays and Tuesdays, explore two wine estates in the beautiful Franschhoek region, stroll through this charming town with your local wine guide, and enjoy a delicious lunch in South Africa’s culinary capital. Then, visit a third wine estate in Stellenbosch for a cheese and chocolate wine pairing in a local winemaker’s cozy home, followed by an informal cellar tour.

Mitre’s Edge Wine Estate - From Wednesdays to Sundays, explore two estates in the historic Stellenbosch region, known for its Cape Dutch architecture and significant role in South Africa’s wine scene. Enjoy vineyard tours, an informal cellar tour, and, during harvest, barrel tastings. For lunch, savor a traditional South African meal paired with exceptional wines. Visit a third wine estate for a cheese and chocolate wine pairing in a local winemaker’s cozy home, followed by an informal cellar tour.

After over 15 wine tastings and visiting three wine estates, your winelands exploration concludes, returning to Cape Town by late afternoon (± 5:30 to 6:30pm, subject to traffic or itinerary).

Subject to availability, a similar trip with a different supplier may be booked.

Cape Town - City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus and Table Mountain (Unguided Day)

Table Mountain - Enjoy a free day in Cape Town with numerous options; use your included hop-on hop-off bus day pass or Table Mountain Cableway ticket. Table Mountain captures much attention in Africa’s Mother City, but the beaches, Winelands, and cosmopolitan charm offer strong competition.

One of the best ways to visit top attractions and maximize a short stay is to hop on Cape Town’s bright-red, open-topped buses. Let the drivers handle traffic and parking while you enjoy the views.

Choose from available routes to explore the city and beyond. The blue line extends from the V&A Waterfront to Kirstenbosch, while the purple line follows Cape Town’s inner-city wine route to Constantia. The red line passes through Camps Bay (time your trip for a sunset) and to Table Mountain.

If the weather cooperates, take the chance to summit one of the Seven Natural Wonders aboard Table Mountain’s aerial cableway, which runs non-stop (weather permitting) during the day. At the summit, find a small eatery, souvenir shop, and plenty of trails. You might even enjoy an impromptu singing session as your cable car driver descends. End your day exploring Cape Town’s foodie scene.

Cape Town - Oudtshoorn (Guided Tour)

Garden Route - Begin with a morning pickup (between 6 am to 8 am, subject to your address) from your Cape Town accommodation to reach the Garden Route by afternoon.

Van Loveren Family Cellar - Early morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch (usually between 6 to 8am, subject to traffic and your drop-off address). You will receive your pickup time a day before.

Start this epic road trip along ever-changing scenery from Cape Town to the Southern Cape. Traverse mountain passes and prepare for Route 62, modeled after America’s Route 66, but with a local twist and known as the longest wine route in the world. Route 62 showcases local culture, food, characters, and world-class wines. Wine lovers will enjoy a Wine Tasting stop to sample local produce midway to your overnight stop.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities - End the day traveling through rugged plains and towering cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, in the semi-desert Klein Karoo.

Oudtshoorn - Spend the evening at leisure in Oudtshoorn. Your guide can help book a restaurant or join the backpacker’s group to taste local delights, such as ostrich “sosaties” (kebabs) and “pot brood” (bread cooked on open flames) at an optional ‘braai’ barbecue experience at extra cost. Enjoy a peaceful evening relaxing at your accommodation around a crackling fire or under the vast starry night sky.

Oudtshoorn - Addo (Guided Tour)

Oudtshoorn - Wake up in Oudtshoorn, where ostriches are prominent. If you haven’t noticed from the bird-filled paddocks and farms or the colorful feather stalls on the way to town, you will from the show farm signs and palatial sandstone homesteads reminiscent of an era when ostrich feathers were more valuable than gold.

The Cango Caves - Head to the mountains to explore the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with stalactites, stalagmites, and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights from your guide on formation and dripstone evolution. Alternatively, the Adventure Tour (if available) allows contortionists to squeeze, twist, and wiggle through limestone chimneys on a more adventurous route.

On the way to your next stop, pass through Karoo country to a small-town gem. Visit a “padstal”-inspired restaurant and sample proudly South African cuisine on a special local-treats-taster menu, featuring traditional dishes like “bobotie”, “roosterbrood”, “koeksisters”, and “melktert”. Enjoy a real taste of tradition, served with heart and heritage.

Addo - As you travel to the renowned Greater Addo Region, the dusty plains of the Klein Karoo transform into a greener horizon. This small citrus farming community lies in the Sundays River Valley, surrounded by the Zuurberg Mountains, offering spectacular hiking and game viewing in a malaria-free area. Stay overnight near Addo National Park, ready for a morning safari.

Note that guesthouse accommodation is usually far from bustling backpackers, sometimes 15 to 30 minutes away.

Jeffrey’s Bay - Addo - Jeffrey’s Bay (Guided Tour)

Addo Elephant National Park - Rise early to visit Addo Elephant National Park as the bush awakens. Your guide will use local knowledge to locate the park’s big game animals while navigating the dusty dirt roads in search of the Big Five.

Experience an included 2-hour game drive in the tour bus. The original elephant section of the park was dedicated to providing a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation supports what is now the most densely populated area of wild elephants on the planet. This ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, various antelope, zebra, and other species.

Tsitsikamma - Knysna - Wilderness (Guided Tour)

Bloukrans Bridge - Lush green landscapes and adventure await on this adrenaline-packed day. From ziplining over river gorges, breathtaking ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge, to exploring dense forests along suspension bridges and footpaths in Tsitsikamma National Park, today is all about the “garden” of the Garden Route!

Calling all adrenaline junkies: prepare for the highest Bungy Bridge Jump in the world. Here, seemingly ordinary people plunge face-first down the 216m drop, only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. If you’re feeling daring, why not face your fears and give it a try?

Tsitsikamma National Park - For a more relaxed thrill, try the optional Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. Complete about five individual slides, zip over three waterfalls, and slide down one impressive gorge.

Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park - This region is an outdoor playground, and for those who prefer solid ground, a visit to the lush forests of Tsitsikamma National Park is sure to satisfy. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing, your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be packed. A short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views, but the abundant wildlife, secret waterfall, and sandy beach will amaze and delight you along the forest paths.

Knysna Heads - As you travel along the coastal belt, the paradise-like coastal towns showcase why this region is a favorite with holiday-goers and locals alike. Stop for a photo op at Knysna Heads, a pair of rocky sandstone cliffs on the lagoon’s edge, to enjoy the scenic lagoon views surrounded by ancient forests.

Botlierskop or Mossel Bay - N2 (Guided Tour)

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve - Travel along the N2 national road as you return to the Cape, stopping near Mossel Bay. Opt for an optional Botlierskop 4x4 Safari drive (if you haven’t seen many animals in Addo National Park, this offers another chance to spot the Big 5) at this nearby private game reserve.

After checking off the region’s must-do items and exploring the best spots of the Garden Route, return to the Cape and end with an evening drop-off at your Cape Town or Stellenbosch accommodation around 8pm to 10pm (subject to traffic and your drop-off address).

Cape Town (Airport Drop-off + Unguided Free Time)

Cape Town International Airport - Enjoy more time in the Mother City. Opt for later flights out of Cape Town or extend your stay to make the most of this last free-time day.

Victoria and Albert Waterfront is ideal for last-minute souvenir shopping and the launch spot for a trip to Robben Island (subject to weather and availability). Artisanal delis on Long and Bree Street, local produce at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, a day-trip to Franschhoek for a gourmet feast, or an authentic African experience at Moyo restaurant in Kirstenbosch all add to the Cape’s foodie flavors. Pick up last-minute gifts in Green Market Square or stroll along the Sea Point Promenade.

As this day is at your leisure, all transport except for the airport service will be at your own expense.

End with an included transfer to Cape Town International Airport (if needed on request).

• Hotel & airport pickup and drop-off for guided tours
• 1 day pass for the City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus
• Accommodation for 9 nights if selected “Stay Package” option
• Local English-speaking guide during guided tours/days
• 5 day Garden Route + Addo small group tour
• Addo Elephant National Park Game Drive in tour bus
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan for guided tours

• Meals & drinks not mentioned in trip description.
• Additional optional activities during unguided Cape Town section
• Accommodation package add-on (ask us for a quote)

The iconic sights of Cape Town and the wondrous Garden Route unfold before you on this 10-Day Tour Package. Spend five days exploring the euro-chic city and its famed surrounds. Guided day trips along the Cape Peninsula and Cape Winelands gives you the opportunity to visit several local hotspots and sample award-winning wines with unique pairings.  During your Cape Town stay you can explore the city on your own with an included hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing bus pass; that stops at popular attractions like Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and Constantia. Accommodation in Cape Town is an optional extra that can be added.

The guided five-day Garden Route tour sees you immersed in pure wilderness. Visit majestic national parks, Addo safari; 4x4 game drive; Cango Caves, optional bungy from the world’s highest commercial bridge jump; Knysna heads, optional surfing in J’bay and wine tasting along Route 62 are just some of the activities you’ll experience.

• The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasions, run in reverse or different order.
• Daily drive time: about 4 to 6 hours during group tours / in total about 2000 km route. This packed, fast-paced itinerary is filled with many of the best highlights the area has to offer. Ideal for the young-at-heart, this trip will have you driving along the coast and inland for most of the journey with stops.
• Optional accommodation stay packages can be added (at extra cost) and will overnight in different properties, each listed in the itinerary.
• Accommodation is optional and not included in this tour package and can be arranged after booking. A tour consultant will contact you to offer the available option. Optional accommodation can only be bought directly with the tour operator or you can buy it yourself.
• Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to partake in some optional activities without the legal consent of the adult or consume alcohol.
• Personal travel insurance is excluded and recommended
• The Table Mountain Cableway will be closed to perform maintenance for two weeks in Jul/Aug. Cable car tickets will not be bookable then but the hiking trails remain open.
• It is recommended that you bring: comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, jacket for cooler evenings, beach towel and swimming costume
• Guides and vehicles will vary as this is a combination of standard scheduled tours. According to availability at time of booking, accommodation will be in the mentioned hotel or in one of a similar standard and star rating in a similar area. Sedgefield and Addo accommodation will occasionally be unavailable and then your accommodation will be in nearby town of JeffreysBay, Wilderness or Knysna.
• Some meals and drinks are not included on most tours; giving the ideal opportunity to experience typical South African meals (or your own preference) at local restaurants, shops or eating spots. Do check your tour’s specific included and excluded section to verify the included meals for your tour package. You’ll have free time scheduled daily to buy and enjoy meals. – Breakfast is mostly enjoyed at the accommodation’s breakfast room/restaurant in the morning. Bed & Breakfast multi-day packages include breakfast for each overnight stay. – Lunch will be en-route with limited time & limited options to choose from. – Dinner-time during multi-day tours is scheduled in free-time after each day’s tour schedule. You can dine out at leisure; or book meals with your guide at the overnight accommodation that day. Your guide can recommend the best local restaurants, or most backpackers even have communal kitchens to prepare your own food - should you wish to buy the ingredients after the tour to prepare your own meals.
• Game drive or bush safari drives are shared with other people on especially adopted open-roof converted vehicle or truck.
• Some pairing experiences may be discontinued or sold out, and will be replaced with a similar value of wine tasting experience.
• Backpackers are usually far away from guesthouses / lodges.
• Children under 18 years of age & Adults over 45 years are not allowed to book in Dorm room packages.
• Special Dietary Needs: Vegetarian options are available on request and food allergies can also be informed on tour. We don’t cater for or guarantee availability of more specific special diet options (like: vegan, halal, gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.) - please esnure to plan and budget for your own alternatives. Payment for meals can be made by credit/debit card on tour or your guide can take you to the nearest ATM to draw cash on tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.