Wildlife, Wine and Garden Route in Escorted Tour

5 Nights

Cape Town

Since August 1992, Hermanus has had the world’s only Whale Crier, who sounds his kelp horn to announce where whales have been sighted. Hermanus hosts an annual whale festival at the end of September, to celebrate the returning of the southern right whales during the calving and mating season. 

From £722pp
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Highlights

  • Visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers in Barrydale
  • Admire the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Cav es
  • Enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature
  • Spot the Big 5 in an open vehicle game drive, at a malaria free private game reserve
  • Watch the whales in Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land based whale watching (Aug-Nov) in the world
  • Learn about the wine at Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards
  • Day 1 - Day 1 - Cape Town - Oudtshoorn
  • Day 2 - Day 2 - Oudtshoorn - Knysna
  • Day 3 - Day 3 - Knysna
  • Day 4 - Day 4 - Knysna - Albertinia
  • Day 5 - Day 5 - Albertinia - Hermanus
  • Day 6 - Day 6 - Hermanus - Cape Town
  • Additional Information

Depart Cape Town and travel through the ‘Little Karoo’ and Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. En route, stop off in the town of Barrydale, where we will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before continuing to Oudtshoorn, the “ostrich feather capital” and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. (The school visit is subject to the school being open)
Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [Dinner]

Accommodation used:
Comfortable Option: La Plume Guest House (luxury room) or similar x 1 night
A Cut Above Option: La Plume Guest House (honeymoon suite) or similar x 1 night
Premium Option: La Plume Guest House (superior suite) or similar x 1 night

Meals Included: Dinner

La Plume Guest House

Nestled amidst lush green grass terraces with vibrant gardens and spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Olifants River Valley, La Plume welcome guests to a rejuvenating oasis offering an escape from the busy everyday life and crowded spaces on this sustainable ostrich, alfalfa & cattle farm.

After breakfast take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Return to Oudtshoorn for a tour and light lunch at an Ostrich Farm. Our journey continues over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George, the administrative hub of the Garden Route area and then onto Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route.
Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Accommodation used:
Comfortable Option: Rex Hotel (standard room) or similar x 2 nights
A Cut Above Option: Rex Hotel (studio luxury apartment) or similar x 2 nights
Premium Option: Rex Hotel (studio luxury apartment) or similar x 2 nights

Meals Included: Half Board

aha The Rex Hotel

Knysna is a haven of beaches, forests, lakes and sea, and aha The Rex Hotel is one of this coastal town’s most sophisticated accommodation offerings. A warm welcome and timeless elegance ensure guests enjoy a special experience during their stay at aha The Rex Hotel, as we promise superior service and exceptional comfort time and again.Located on the world-famous Garden Route, aha The Rex Hotel is a celebration of urban style, making it one of the most exhilarating getaway destinations in its class. Expect an eclectic mix of modern and classic comforts that capture the essence of 4-star luxury. The O Bar & Eatery serves Buffet Breakfast daily in a contemporary setting with cuisine that is beautifully presented and prepared using only the freshest ingredients that Knysna has to offer. aha The Rex Hotel offers travellers a gateway to Knysna’s outstanding restaurants, blossoming forests, nature reserves, arts and crafts, and the shores of the serene lagoon.

Enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where we can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.
Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Accommodation used:
Comfortable Option: Rex Hotel (standard room) or similar x 2 nights
A Cut Above Option: Rex Hotel (studio luxury apartment) or similar x 2 nights
Premium Option: Rex Hotel (studio luxury apartment) or similar x 2 nights

Meals Included: Half Board

aha The Rex Hotel

Knysna is a haven of beaches, forests, lakes and sea, and aha The Rex Hotel is one of this coastal town’s most sophisticated accommodation offerings. A warm welcome and timeless elegance ensure guests enjoy a special experience during their stay at aha The Rex Hotel, as we promise superior service and exceptional comfort time and again.Located on the world-famous Garden Route, aha The Rex Hotel is a celebration of urban style, making it one of the most exhilarating getaway destinations in its class. Expect an eclectic mix of modern and classic comforts that capture the essence of 4-star luxury. The O Bar & Eatery serves Buffet Breakfast daily in a contemporary setting with cuisine that is beautifully presented and prepared using only the freshest ingredients that Knysna has to offer. aha The Rex Hotel offers travellers a gateway to Knysna’s outstanding restaurants, blossoming forests, nature reserves, arts and crafts, and the shores of the serene lagoon.

After a leisurely breakfast, travel via George and Mossel Bay to Albertinia, a town set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg Mountain Range. Enjoy an afternoon open vehicle game drive, at a malaria free private game reserve, that is home to an abundance of animal and birdlife, including the Big Five.    
Overnight in the region of Albertinia. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Accommodation used:
Comfortable Option: Garden Route Game Lodge (lodge room) or similar x 1 night
A Cut Above Option: Garden Route Game Lodge (chalet room) or similar x 1 night
Premium Option: Garden Route Game Lodge (suite room) or similar x 1 night

Meals Included: Half Board

Garden Route Game Lodge

Property Location Located in Albertinia, Garden Route Game Lodge is in a rural location and convenient to Garden Route Game Reserve and House of Aloes. This family-friendly lodge is within the region of The NG Church and Gourits River Bridge.

Our safari adventure continues with an early morning open vehicle game drive. Our expert guide will endeavour to spoil us with sightings of the “Big Five”, general game and prolific bird life. Leaving the bush behind, our journey will take us to the picturesque Cape Dutch town of Swellendam. This charming town was founded in 1745 and is famous for its youngberries, eclectic architecture and National Parks, as well as outdoor activities. Our journey further continues to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land based whale watching (Aug-Nov) in the world.
Dinner and overnight in Hermanus. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Accommodation used:
Comfortable Option: Misty Waves Hotel (non sea-facing room) or similar x 1 night
A Cut Above Option: Misty Waves Hotel (partial sea-facing room) or similar x 1 night
Premium Option: Misty Waves Hotel (sea facing rooms) or similar x 1 night

Meals Included: Half Board

Misty Waves Boutique Hotel

Hermanus Western Cape, South Africa. The impressive boutique hotel is situated in the best land based whale watching destination in the world  Hermanus a charming coastal village in The Cape Whale Coast or Overstrand.

After a leisurely breakfast depart Hermanus and travel to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. Our story telling guide will take us on a tour through Franschhoek village, sharing with us the fascinating history of the French Huguenots and the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Then finally onto Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain where the tour ends on arrival. (Breakfast)

Meals Included: Bed and Breakfast

Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 25 guests

Tour Includes
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, accommodation, porterage, transportation, and sightseeing as specified.


Departure Dates in 2019

3rd, 17th and 31st Jan19 

7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Feb19   

7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Mar19    

4th, 18th Apr19    

2nd, 16th May19    

13th Jun19    

11th Jul19    

1st, 15th, 29th Aug19    

5th, 1th2, 19th, 26th Sep19    

3rd, 10th, 17th, 25th, 31st Oct19  

7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Nov19  

5th, 12th Dec19

Options
We offer 3 different accommodation options at certain hotels on the tour, which guests can choose from:
•    The Comfortable Option offers “standard room” types
•    The Cut Above Option offers accommodation in a slightly higher room category than “standard rooms”  
•    The Premium Option offers accommodation in “superior room” types

The “Cut Above” and “Premium” options feature upgraded accommodation at certain hotels on the tour (subject to availability at the time of booking).