CAPE TOWN & GARDEN ROUTE TOURS - ESCORTED TOURS 2003/2004
Cape Town & Garden Route Tours are pleased to present an Escorted Tour that encompasses all of the major attractions of the Cape Town and Garden Route region. From the dramatic coastal scenery of Cape Point to the plains of the Shamwari Game Reserve, you will experience the wonderful diversity that this area of South Africa has to offer. In the company of an expert South African Tour Guide, take the opportunity to explore one of the great regions of the world.
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| ITINERARY |
Day 1 ~ The Departure Lounge
Your host for the holiday to the Western Cape will meet you at Heathrow from where you will fly due south to Cape Town.
Overnight:- On the aircraft
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Day 2 ~ Welcome to Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by your South African Tour Guide, Mervyn Sparks, who will be providing the local expertise, trade secrets and humour for the next two weeks. You will be taken to the Portswood Hotel on the Waterfront to check in. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and settling into the Capetonian way of life.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 3 ~ The wonder of Cape Town
In the morning carry out a casual city orientation, including various areas of historical and cultural interest in and around the city centre, which provides an insight into the backgrounds of South Africa's diverse communities. In the afternoon, the highlight of any stay in Cape Town, a trip to the top of Table Mountain by aerial cableway, weather permitting that is, which provides some of the world's most spectacular views.
In the evening enjoy a sundowner from the top of Signal Hill, a beautiful viewpoint from which to witness the stunning Cape Town sunsets.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 4 ~ The Cape Peninsula Tour
After breakfast embark on a full day Peninsula excursion to the natural attractions of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and the many panoramic viewpoints around Cape Point. You will experience a combination of diverse coastal environments, mountain passes, suburban vineyards and penguins!
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 5 ~ Day at leisure
A day at leisure to do exactly as one pleases, even if it is absolutely nothing. Suggested activities could be - a visit to Robben Island, a browse around the city centre complete with it's craft market on Green Market Square, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, optional excursions to lesser visited areas, or merely let the day take care of itself.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 6 ~ Hermanus and maybe a whale
From Cape Town you will travel east along False Bay, Gordons Bay and Kleinmond en route to the relaxing coastal resort of Hermanus. There is a particular bonus when visiting this area during the months of July through to November, as there are spectacular whale viewing opportunities from some of the best land based sites in the world. From Hermanus you will return to Cape Town via the Houw Hoek and Sir Lowry's Passes.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 7 ~ The Winelands
A true treat for any lover of fine wines. The day will be spent ambling around the winelands regions, starting with a relaxing introductory tour of the historical town of Stellenbosch, before visiting the original French Huguenot town of Franschhoek. Complete the day with a brief visit to the Taal (language) Monument, beautifully situated on the slopes of Paarl Mountain. Wine tastings and a cellar tour are included during the course of the day.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 8 ~ Into the Little Karoo
Depart Cape Town via Du Toits Kloof Pass, and head into the fruit and vineyard areas of the Breede River Valley, before spending a good part of the day travelling through the different environment of the Little Karoo. The day will end in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, with a tour of one of the local ostrich farms, and concluding with a typically local ostrich dinner!
Overnight :- Protea Riempies Hotel, Oudtshoorn |  |
Day 8 ~ Caves, Mountains, Trains, Beaches, Oceans and Lagoons
The day will start with a visit to the well known Cango Caves before heading over the Outeniqua Mountains via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass, and back to the contrastingly different coastal and forestry environment around George, administrative capital of the Garden Route. Spend some time browsing around the fascinating railway museum before boarding the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, and a trip back in time for a relaxing few hours by steam train, via the coast, forests and lakes of the Wilderness area, to Knysna.
Overnight:- Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna |  |
Day 10 ~ Plettenberg Bay
In the morning you will travel the short distance to the upmarket resort of Plettenberg Bay, starting the day by taking a casual cruise up the tranquil Keurbooms River in the company of a knowledgeable river guide. Returning for lunch in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay, spend some time exploring the town and beaches of this popular holiday centre, including a visit to the Robberg Nature Reserve.
Overnight:- Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna. |  |
Day 11 ~ The 'Featherbed Experience'
After breakfast you will take a casual cruise across the Knysna lagoon, to the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve, where a tractor trailer ride to the top of the Western Head will provide magnificent views over coastline and the lagoon itself. Taking an optional walk back through forests, caves and a lagoon side path, lunch is served under the milkwood trees before returning to the mainland. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to browse around this quaint town, possibly in search of genuine local mementoes.
Overnight :- Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna. |  |
Day 12 ~ Welcome to the Eastern Cape
The morning heralds a farewell to Knysna, with the journey east through the Garden Route en-route to the magnificent Game Reserves of the Eastern Cape. The afternoon will be spent at the Addo Elephant Park, where you will search for the biggest of the "Big 5." There are also many other forms of wildlife in the Park - antelope, cape buffalo and zebra to name but a few. In the evening check in to the wonderful Cosmos Cuisine Guest House.
Overnight :- Cosmos Cuisine Guest House, Kirkwood |  |
Day 13 ~ Meet the 'Big 5'
A leisurely mid morning departure to the very well appointed facilities of the internationally acclaimed Shamwari Game Reserve. Arrive in time for a traditional South African lunch at the Born Free Centre, overlooking the Bushman's River. Visit the Khaya Lendaba African Cultural village before embarking into Big Game territory on a 4x4 safari to try and find the 'Big 5'.
Overnight:- Cosmos Cuisine Guest House, Kirkwood |  |
Day 14 ~ Tsitsikamma National Forest
After a casual breakfast, you will travel west to Storms River Mouth, where there is an opportunity to walk through the indigenous forest to the impressive river mouth. From Storms River, you will head to Natures Valley, one of the most stunning beach settings on the Garden Route, and then to the Monkeyland Project, where rescued monkeys are rehabilitated in their natural environment, before being re-released into the wild. From Monkeyland travel the relatively short distance to Wilderness for the final night on the Garden Route.
Overnight:- Protea Wilderness Resort, Wilderness |  |
Day 15 ~ The Overberg crop region
The morning will be spent driving through the delightful Overberg crop region, where the hills roll for miles and miles. The contrasting colours, the open plains and the sense of space are incredibly therapeutic and so typical of this region of South Africa. As Cape Town nears, drive through Sir Lowry's Pass and see False Bay and Table Mountain open up before you. The afternoon in Cape Town will be at leisure.
Overnight:- Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town |  |
Day 16 ~ Checking Out
Spend the last day at complete leisure, with doing nothing being perfectly acceptable. Perhaps an opportunity for that last minute shopping or last minute excursion. In the late afternoon transfer to Cape Town International Airport for the journey home.
Overnight:- On the aircraft | |
Day 17 ~ The Arrivals Hall at Heathrow
Farewells and "thank you" from your tour host and perhaps time to start planning the next trip to the 'Fairest Cape.' | |
PRICES PER PERSON
From £ 1,475.00
PRICE INCLUDES
14 nights twin / double share accommodation in South Africa
Daily breakfast
Lunches on days 11 & 13
Dinners on days 8, 12, 13 & 14
Transportation by air conditioned Mercedes Sprinter mini coach - All transportation covered by Passenger Liability Insurance
Services of Cape Town & Garden Route Tours host
Services of mature South African registered tour guide / driver
Entrances to reserves and attractions stated in the itinerary
Gratuities - for escorted schedules
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PRICE EXCLUDES
Flight from London to Cape Town (prices on request)
Optional excursions, either mentioned in the itinerary, or during the course of the tour
Items of a personal nature, and alcoholic beverages
Lunches and dinners except where stated
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