Safari Quick Facts

Today we will leave Cape Town and drive to the vineyards of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, established in 1679. It is a town famous for its old Cape Dutch architecture and it retains an old world feel. There is the opportunity to do a cellar tour and spend a full day wine tasting (optional). We then continue on to beautiful French Huguenot town of Franschoek, famous for its excellent restaurants, where we spend the night.

In the morning we drive over the Franschoek pass that was completed in 1825. We head through the fertile fruit valleys towards the town of Mantague. The route takes us through the little Karoo and the farming communities of Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp and then on to Oudtshoorn. This is a relatively long day?s drive that is punctuated by some very dramatic scenery such as the Huise River pass through the Cape Fold Mountains.

Today is a much more leisurely day, in the morning we will visit the impressive Cango Caves. An enormous cave complex filled with stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch we will visit a local ostrich farm for a guided tour.

After breakfast we transfer to the small town of Knysna located on the edge of a beautiful lagoon surrounded by forest. We drive down the Outeniqua Pass, leaving the Karoo behind us we follow the coastal route through Wilderness and Sedgefield. We will visit the famous Knysna Heads and spend time at an Oyster farm with optional tastings.

We spend a full day in this coastal national park, Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve. The park plays a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora and is well known for its rugged, unspoiled coastline. We will walk through the forest and hopefully see the baboons playing in the trees. The walk leads to the mouth of the mighty Storms River for amazing views. In the late afternoon we return to Knysna for the night. En route we pass the worlds highest bungee jump at the Bloukraans River Bridge, we will stop if anyone in the group feels brave enough to attempt the jump!

Today we leave Knysna and start the long drive along the coastal road following the Garden Route to the small beach town of Hermanus. En route we will stop at the post office tree in Mossel Bay and enjoy the change in scenery from the forest to coastal fynbos and then the cultivated fields of the Western Cape.

The day is free for you to enjoy the many activities Hermanus has to offer. In season this is one of the best places in the world to spot whales and sharks. There are lovely craft markets to wander through, you can enjoy one of the local nature reserves or walk along the coastal paths of Walkers Bay.

This morning we will drive 130km along the coastal whale route back to Cape Town. After lunch there is a free afternoon for optional activities. The tour of Robben Island is a fascinating excursion to see the prison that held Nelson Mandela for 18 years. You may decide to relax on one of Cape Town's many beaches or do a township tour.

Free morning for last minute shopping. Those on Land Only arrangements will leave today, those on the group flights will transfer to the airport in the afternoon.