13/09/2024
Luxurious Cape Town, Garden Route & BIG 5 Private Game Reserves in 15 Days
START OF TOUR: 13th SEPTEMBER 2025
END OF TOUR: 27th SEPTEMBER 2025
It is all about photographing the hot spots while enjoying good wine, amazing food, great company and lots of laughter!
Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime!
This unforgettable journey begins in the vibrant city of Cape Town, tucked against the breathtaking Table Mountain backdrop. Savour world-class cuisine and wines in Cape Town and the nearby Wine lands town of Franschhoek. Journey along the cliffs, beaches and quaint towns dotting the scenic Garden Route. Track the "Big Ellies" on safari at Addo Elephant National Park, home to the most dense elephant population in the world.
This tour ticks all the boxes of a classic South African Itinerary, but in addition it has got a strong focus on culinary delights for the discerning traveller with an adventurous pallet. Look out for the different , included lunch and dinner experiences in your day-to-day program.
The grand finale - open-vehicle game drives in malaria-free Kariega Private Reserve to observe lions, leopards, rhinos - more up-close in their natural habitat. From coasts to 'bushveld', vineyards to wildlife, this hand-crafted itinerary showcases the diversity of experiences and natural wonder that South Africa offers. Prepare for a great South African adventure!
Your Destinations:
Cape Town
The 'mother city' of South Africa, Cape Town still entices travellers from around the world. Wander through historic neighbourhoods like the colourful Bo-Kaap and Sea Point. See African penguins at Boulder's Beach and botanical beauty at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Hike to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic city-to-sea views. Indulge in world-class food and wine with locally influenced cuisine and nearby vineyards.
The cosmopolitan Victoria & Alfred Waterfront offers exceptional shopping and dining. With endless opportunities for discovery, from nature and culture to food and wine, Cape Town rewards intrepid explorers with beauty and adventure in this tourism paradise.
The Cape Wine lands Area
Beyond Cape Town lie two jewels of the Cape Winelands - Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest European settlement, with oak-lined streets, charming cafe's, and the country’s top university. Its 300+ wine estates produce world-class Chenin Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons amid stunning scenery. Nearby, tranquil Franschhoek meanders through valley vistas first planted by French Huguenots in the 17th century.
Boutique wineries like La Motte and Maison offer superb wines and cuisine. Wander historical Huguenot Street before hiking the Franschhoek mountains. With award-winning vineyards, refined restaurants, and Cape Dutch architecture, these Wineland towns encapsulate South African culture and hospitality.
Oudtshoorn
Nestled along South Africa's Garden Route lies the quirky town of Oudtshoorn - the ostrich capital of the world. This region earned its feathered fame starting in the 1860s, when farmers began breeding ostriches for their valuable plumes and leather. Today Oudtshoorn's numerous ostrich show farms let you get up close to these tall, speedy birds while learning about their history and biology.
When you've had your fill of these fascinating flightless giants, explore the glittering Cango Caves or drive through wildlife-rich countryside. From rare birds to underground wonderlands, Oudtshoorn is an unexpected Garden Route gem.
The Garden Route
Stretching along South Africa's southern shore, the Garden Route intertwines mountains, forests, wetlands and beaches in breathtaking fashion. Thrill-seekers can bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge or kayak at the mouth of The Storms River, while nature lovers traverse Tsitsikamma National Park's suspension bridges and hike through ancient Knysna tree forests. Quaint seaside towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay punctuate this gorgeous 200km route.
Stop for beach walks, swim in secluded lagoons, walk among towering Outeniqua Mountains, and indulge in farm-to-table cuisine. With endless outdoor adventures and jaw-dropping vistas around every bend, the winding Garden Route rewards those who take the time to unlock its beauty.
Addo National Park
Located in the Eastern Cape, Addo Elephant National Park protects over 600 elephants and an abundance of other wildlife across its 500+ square miles. Daily game drives reveal giant herds of elephants wallowing in mud baths and grazing in grassy plains, along with lions, black rhinos, buffalo, zebras and a diversity of antelope species. In addition to big game, Addo is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 400 avian species.
Visitors can enjoy guided safaris, walking trails, underground hideouts, and waterhole lodges promising intimate wildlife encounters.
Kariega Private Reserve
Set along the Eastern Cape’s scenic Garden Route, malaria-free Kariega Private Game Reserve spans nearly 25,000 acres of pristine wilderness. The Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo – roam Kariega’s landscapes, along with cheetah, giraffe, zebra and diverse antelope species. Guided open-vehicle game drives provide intimate sightings of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Kariega’s family-owned hospitality, expert rangers, and commitment to conservation create an exceptional, eco-friendly safari experience. From bush dinners under the stars to close encounters with iconic African wildlife, Kariega is the ideal private South African game reserve escape.
INCLUDED Lunch & Dinner Experiences
The Nines
If you’re gonna take me, take me to The Nines. A new Cape Town icon and the latest addition to Kove Collection, The Nines is a rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge that refuses to compromise where it counts. Hosted in a ninth-floor penthouse with 270-degree views, The Nines offers a rare perspective of upper Sea Point, magnified by floor-to-ceiling glass with vistas of the blue Atlantic, Lion’s head and unrivalled sunsets. Our menu showcases a repertoire of standouts that speak to provenance and produce-forward cooking. This is a confident, contemporary expression of the dishes and drinks we love. This is restaurant classics done right.
Nikkei Restaurant
Ready to experience a culinary adventure like no other as they bring the vibrant fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours to your plate. A newcomer to the Cape Town scene and a must visit'.
Bo-Kaap Kombuis - Cape Malay Cuisine
We go there not only for the delicious local cuisine, but also for the great view of the Cape Town City Bowl. This restaurant specialise in the mouth-watering Cape Malay cooking style and they will 'wow' you with dishes like Bobotie and Sugar Bean Curry. A Great Local hang-out!
The Table at De Meye - Wine Tasting & Foodie Afternoon
At The Table we source local, seasonal produce for our menu. We support local suppliers, small-scale farmers and delis, and we buy organic as far as possible. We try to get most of our produce from the Stellenbosch/Winelands Region. Our menu changes weekly (and sometimes daily) depending on the fresh produce available, so our set menu is always a fresh and delicious surprise for guests visiting the restaurant! We only offer a set, three course, sharing style menu.
Wine Tram Curated Experience in Franschhoek
Visit three Franschhoek wine farms and enjoy interactive wine tastings complimented by a tour of the vineyards and cellars. Enjoy a three-course lunch complimented by an 'aroma' wine tasting. Savour old-school charm while travelling on the double-decker tram & bus between wine farms.
Emily Moon Restaurant
Emily’s is the most exquisite of dining halls. The spirit of Africa is in every archway, every antique table and in the collectors’ items which adorn every nook and cranny. Lunch by the pool or dine by candlelight and remember the experience for the rest of your life.
There is something particularly special about being able to walk into the garden and pick a few crisp leaves or pull a carrot or two from the soil. At Emily Moon we are fortunate to grow most of the fresh produce on your plate in our very own back yard. That which we do not grow on the property is sourced locally from organic farmers in the area.
INCLUDED Cruises
Sunset Catamaran Cruise - Cape Town Harbour
Enjoy a sunset cruise at the start of the trip on the The Mirage Catamaran. Photograph the Cape Town city skyline, The Waterfront and the iconic Table Mountain while bobbing around on the icy blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Yacht Cruise on the Knysna Estuary - Lunch Included
Travel to the Knysna Heads, with the Springtide Yacht, across the estuary to take stunning pictures of this 'gateway' to the Indian Ocean. The excursion is complimented by a yummy lunch and African hospitality.
BASIC TOUR FRAMEWORK
LUXURY Cape Town, Garden Route & BIG 5 Explorer
Day 1 Cape Town
Day 2 Cape Town
Day 3 Cape Town
Day 4 Cape Town
Day 5 Franschhoek
Day 6 Franschhoek
Day 7 Oudtshoorn
Day 8 Oudtshoorn
Day 9 Plettenberg Bay
Day 10 Plettenberg Bay
Day 11 Gorah Elephant Camp
Day 12 Gorah Elephant Camp
Day 13 Kariega Private Nature Reserve
Day 14 Kariega Private Nature Reserve
Day 15 End of Service / Airport Transfer
You will be travelling in a comfortable bus with enough seats so that everyone can have a window seat. ;-) Max Group Size 12
