Overview
Explore some of South Africa’s most dynamic sights from the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town to the cliffs and beaches of the Garden Route, from the arid home of the Oudtshoorn Ostrich-barons to Tsitsikamma’s coastal forest. Delve into the rich food and wine traditions of the Winelands and Franschhoek, kayak and go whale watching in Knysna, and travel north to Sabi Sands for an unforgettable big game experience.
Days: 14
Best time to visit: Year-round
Ideal for: Couples
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Cape Town
Arrive and settle into your hotel in the heart of Cape Town, with the trendy bars and restaurants of Kloof Street and the exciting shops of the V&A waterfront—which is still a working harbor—within easy reach.
Day 2 – Cape Town & Table Mountain
Start the day with Cape Town’s most dynamic views, riding up Table Mountain on the cableway above the city. After getting an aerial perspective of Cape Town, continue your full-day tour through Bo Kaap, a colorful and multicultural area of the city, and then head downtown. Explore gardens, museums, and international markets before ending the day with dinner on the waterfront.
Day 3 – The Cape’s Coast
Today’s tour is a journey along Cape Town’s rugged and beautiful coastline, stopping at the historic fishing village of Hout Bay, the penguin colony of Boulders Beach, and traveling out to the isolated Cape Point Lighthouse on the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. This area is rich in maritime history and with mammals and birdlife. On the way back into town, visit the vibrant Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
Day 4 – Explore Cape Town’s History
Learn about South Africa’s difficult past on a full-day tour of Cape Town and Robben Island. Begin the day with a visit to the District Six Museum, which explores the history of apartheid in South Africa, and then visit the Langa and Gugulethu townships, where you will see both the modern legacy of apartheid and the strength of the local communities. In the afternoon, take a ferry to UNESCO-listed Robben Island—infamous for its historical role of isolating and imprisoning political dissidents, including Nelson Mandela.
Day 5 – Cheese, Wine & Chocolate
Drive out into the countryside with your guide to spend the day discovering the fine points of the Cape’s gastronomy. Learn about cheese production on different estates before getting acquainted with some of the area’s most inspiring vintages, paired with local chocolate, at a several top vineyards. Enjoy lunch at an exquisite Winelands restaurant and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring this picturesque wine region.
Day 6 – Explore Franschhoek
Today, travel inland to Franschhoek, which is nestled into a beautiful valley on the edge of the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. The town is known for its culinary and artistic flair, traditional vineyards, and its prime access to the outdoors. Spend the day hiking, cycling, on a horseback tour or fly fishing, and then browse designer shops and enjoy delicious meals back in town.
Day 7 – Knysna & the Garden Route
Today, drive back to Cape Town and catch your flight to Knysna, a vibrant and artsy city spread along a sheltered lagoon where the Knysna River meets the Indian Ocean. Perched between craggy cliffs, and surrounded by beautiful parks, this is the perfect place to get out on a sailboat, hike, or sunbathe on white-sand beaches. The city is flush with upscale restaurants and offers incredible access to the outdoors—you can go for a scenic drive, play a round of golf, or take a cruise and enjoy sipping champagne and eating fresh oysters.
Day 8 – Discover Knysna & Little Karoo
Travel inland from Knysna through the Outeniqua Mountains to the arid landscape the Little Karoo. Visit historic mansions of the Oudtshoorn Ostrich-barons that are set in an area that maintains its ostrich farming tradition today. Sample regional wines at lunch on a working farm and then travel onward to the Cango Caves, some of the world’s most extensive caverns. End the day back on the coast in Knysna.
Day 9 – A Day on the Water
Get out on the water for a day of dolphin and whale watching in Plettenberg Bay, which stretches along the coastal Robberg Nature Reserve. Take a cruise or go for a guided kayak adventure and explore the singular beauty of the warm-water estuaries formed by five rivers flowing from the Outeniqua Mountains to the ocean. The whale season is from June to November, but the area’s incredible array of wildlife makes this a year-round destination.
Day 10 – Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve & Canopy Tour
Explore the indigenous forest of Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, a 50-mile-long stretch of coastal parkland, where you can experience the forest from nearly 100 feet in the air on a canopy tour traversing cable bridges and zip-lines. This untrammeled wilderness also offers great opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and swimming.
Day 11 – Travel to Sabi Sands Bush Lodge
Fly from George, to the west of Knysna, to Johannesburg, and then onward to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. From there you will be picked up and driven to the Sabi Sands Bush Lodge, a luxurious resort surrounded by wild bushveld. Perched on the edge of the Sabi Sands, Mala Mala, and Londolozi game reserves, Sabi Sands Bush Lodge offers an unparalleled opportunity to get an up-close look at some of South Africa’s most charismatic wildlife. Settle in, and enjoy your first evening of dining under a star-filled sky.
Day 12 – Explore Sabi Sands
Join experienced rangers and trackers on walking tours or in open-vehicle driving safaris. This is a wild and mysterious landscape where you can encounter the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—among many other unique species. Relax after an exciting day at the lodge’s magnificent spa facilities.
Day 13 – Sabi Sands Guided Safaris
Spend another day exploring this mystical landscape, where you never know when you might find lions on the hunt, a rhino meandering across the road, or one of the more elusive species like aardwolf might pop into view. Make sure to head out on night safaris as well, when the bushveld takes on a whole new dynamic.
Day 14 – Depart Sabi Sands
Head back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, connecting to Johannesburg and continuing home.
Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.
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