Essence of South Africa

Overview

South Africa is one of the world's most diverse countries as it combines cities, countryside, culture, history, nature and wildlife. A visit to one of the Eastern Cape private reserves provide an opportunity to view the Big Five while a stay in the Garden Route town of Plettenberg Bay enables you to connect with nature. The quintessential city of Cape Town, with its prominent landmark of Table Mountain provides a captivating cosmopolitan contrast whilst the surrounding winelands boast amazing scenery, and of course a chance to sample the local wine.

Highlights

• Spend three nights in the remarkably beautiful city of Cape Town,
• nestled at the base of Table Mountain
• Enjoy wine tasting at several of the best wine estates in the Cape
• Wine lands
• Stay in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world
• Explore the picturesque Garden Route, including Knysa and
• Plettenberg Bay
• Search for the big 5 on exciting game drives in the Eastern Cape

What's Included

• Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom 9 nights on a B&B basis, 3 nights on a fully inclusive basis
• Car rental and delivery of vehicle to your Cape Town hotel on the morning you depart for the Winelands, Group C Hyundai Accent GL Motion or Similar
• Excursions as per itinerary
• Private transfer from Cape Town airport to hotel

Full description

This 13-day leisurely self-drive holiday includes all the main highlights of South Africa and provides a great combination of city, beautiful landscapes, nature and exhilarating wildlife. Start in the spectacular city of Cape Town soaking up its history, culture and stunning views before heading through the Cape Wine lands, Klein Karoo and Garden Route. End the journey with a safari in search of the Big 5 at an Eastern Cape game reserve.

Day 1: Arrive Cape Town
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and transferred to you hotel in Cape Town, the ‘mother city’ of South Africa. Cape Town's coastal setting is jaw-dropping; this remarkably beautiful city nestled at the base of Table Mountain has a lot to offer and you will spend three nights here to allow plenty of time to enjoy its main attractions.

Days 2-3: Explore Cape Town
You have two full days to explore Cape Town as you wish. We highly recommend taking a cable car to the top of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain for superb views over the city and the Cape Peninsula, or for those more active, you may wish to hike up the mountain. Perhaps visit the breeding colony of over 2,000 endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach and discover historic Robben Island, the former prison where Nelson Mandela was famously incarcerated for 18 years. Even simply wandering around the V&A Waterfront is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Day 4: Cape Town - Franschhoek
Your rental will be delivered to your hotel in the morning.(a delivery charge of around £25.00 will be payable locally) Depart Cape Town and travel along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, heading to the town of Franschhoek where you will spend the next two nights. Franschhoek dates back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. Famed as the food and wine capital of South Africa, this charming town located in a most scenic valley, retains a French Huguenot style.

Day 5: Discover the Cape Winelands
Today you are free to enjoy wine tasting at several of the best wine estates of the region. We recommend taking the Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour as this is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine and fine wines. Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as they journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. If you prefer to be a little more active, you may be interested in a cycle tour around the Franschhoek area and local vineyards.

Day 6: Franschhoek - Oudtshoorn
Travel past pretty little villages, farming communities and established fruit and wine producers into the Klein Karoo. Away from the big city lights, the Klein Karoo is a region of semi-arid desert, imposing mountain passes and surprisingly beautiful oases. You will stay in Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich capital’ of the world, where you may wish to visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour.

Day 7: Oudtshoorn - Plettenberg Bay
Highly recommended this morning is a Meerkat experience. Wake up at dawn to witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, just in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities. Leaving Oudtshoorn behind, it is time to experience the Garden Route. The Garden Route is an area of natural wilderness with endless expanses of untamed forest and pristine beaches with the Atlantic Ocean lapping alongside as imposing mountains line the roads and waterfalls cascade into blue-green seas from dramatic cliffs. We suggest making a stop at the lagoon-side town of Knysna before continuing a little further along the expansive coastline to the seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay where you will spend the next three nights.

Days 8-9: Discover the Garden Route
You have two free days to explore the Garden Route. You may wish to do some walking in the scenically beautifully Roberg Nature Reserve or Tsitsikamma National Park, known as the ‘garden of the Garden Route’. Alternatively, you can choose to kayak with dolphins and seals or join an ocean safari tour searching for dolphins, sharks, Cape fur seals and whales in season (June - November).

Day 10: Plettenberg Bay - Eastern Cape Game Reserve
Drive to the Amakhala Private Reserve (18,000 hectares) in the Eastern Cape for an African safari experience. The main benefit of staying in a private reserve is that you will not see many other game vehicles and you will be accompanied on game drives with guides who are knowledgeable and experts in spotting wildlife.

Days 11-12: Game watching activities in the Amakhala Private Reserve
Embark on morning and afternoon game tracking drives in 4x4 vehicles, searching for the Big Five. After the evening game drive, enjoy a sundowner drink to watch the sun set. During your stay, you can also enjoy a river cruise (need to request in advance) where you meander down the Bushman’s River looking out for its incredible bird and plant life whilst enjoying an ice cold drink. You will have some free time in the middle of the day where you can relax by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment or catch up on sleep.

Day 13: Eastern Cape - Port Elizabeth Airport
Time permitting, embark on your final early morning game drive before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Then, drive to Port Elizabeth International Airport where you will return your car and board your flight home or perhaps to another African destination such as Victoria Falls? Our Travel Specialist can advise you on your options.

This itinerary is based on the following accommodation.

• Commodore Hotel | Cape Town (Luxury Standard Room)
Stylish living, quality service and a tranquil setting have ensured that our guests return year after year, be it as businessmen or tourists, excited to experience all that is ‘The Mother City’

• La Petite Ferme | Franschhoek (Manor House Suite – La petite)
La Petite Ferme boasts a boutique hotel, acclaimed country restaurant and celebrated winery. The boutique hotel at La Petite Ferme is certainly an excellent example of country elegance and hospitality which offers nine unique rooms, each boasting panoramic views of the Franschhoek valley and surrounding winelands.

At La Petite Ferme each guest is offered the perfect combination of private, country-style luxury accommodation and heart-warming hospitality. Situated on the slopes of the Oliphants Pass and Middagkrans Mountain Range, La Petite Ferme offers a Manor House and Vineyard Suites each with spectacular views and comfort. Overlooking the beautiful Franschhoek Valley you can take in the views and relax in this picture perfect paradise. Perfect for any season, come and snuggle up next to the fire place in winter or cool down in the private splash pools during the summer.
The restaurant at La Petite Ferme offers a culinary experience like no other. With a team of exceptionally talented, energetic and focused chefs delivering a combination of international methods and flavours in a unique contemporary-rustic style on each plate. Sourcing the best and freshest local ingredients that Franschhoek has to offer the restaurant prides itself on serving high quality, heart-warming dishes aimed at satisfying every guest that walks through its doors.

• Rosenhof Country House | Oudtshoorn (Standard Room)
Rosenhof Country House is situated on the outskirts of Oudtshoornen route to the Cango Caves and Ostrich farms. The carefully renovated homestead (circa 1852), with its yellowwood beams and ceilings and antique furniture, exudes an aura of authenticity. The lovely rose garden, which gave Rosenhof its name, leads to stylishly decorated bedrooms, each individually furnished in Victorian Style with patios opening onto the courtyard. All rooms provide air-conditioning, satellite tv, telephones, minibar and tea trays. The two Executive Suites are privately situated with unspoilt and tranquil views of the Swartberg Mountain. Each suite has its own private lounge with fireplace and swimming pool. Rosenhof has a cosy pub and several luxury lounges with fireplaces where guests can relax and admire works for well-known South African artists. In summer guests can cool down in the pool or take tea in the manicured gardens. The Wellness Center offers a fully equipped gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and beauty clinic where relaxing and stimulating treatments are offered. The restaurant stRosenhof was voted one of the top 100 restaurants in South Africa. Traditional country cuisine with a cordon bleu touch and an extensive wine collection with make dining here an unforgettable experience. Breakfast is equally memorable, served in the sunny breakfast room overlooking the manicured gardens. Rosenhof's luxury and comfort is surpassed only by its staff's commitment to individual care and service. Patrons will soon realize why it is recognised as one of the finest establishments in the Klein Karoo and Garden Route.

• Emily Moon River Lodge | Plettenberg Bay (Luxury King Room)
Where luxury and peace are to be found in a sweeping river valley. Where the views encompass a wetland, winding river and distant mountains and where the call of the Fish Eagle will forever remind you of the vast skies of Africa.

Embracing the southern bank of the Bitou River in Plettenberg Bay, Emily Moon River Lodge is a small, exclusive Lodge comprising of ten, exquisitely-appointed lodges set in an indigenous garden, with magnificent views of the river and the wetlands beyond.
Each luxurious suite is a separate lodge for two people, with their own sitting areas, private viewing decks and spacious, fully appointed bathrooms. The family suites can accommodate two adults and two children.

Emily Moon's River House is a spacious family home, located five minutes away from the lodge, with five main bedrooms, two loft bedrooms for kids and five bathrooms and four outdoor showers. Set on the banks of the Piesang River, it has all amenities of the Emily Moon River Lodge suites and is the perfect setting for a family holiday.

• Amakhala Woodbury Lodge | Amakhala Game Reserve (King/Twin Room)
Woodbury Lodge is spectacularly set against the cliff above the Bushman's River valley, in the malaria free area of the Amakhala Game Reserve. We are an intimate family run lodge, taking special care to ensure a heartfelt service, thus an ideal place for couples or families to relax and enjoy the African bush together.

Our seven stone and thatch lodges are nestled within indigenous trees alive with birdsong; all have private decks with spectacular views looking out onto the game reserve. Each has spacious en-suite bathrooms with a view over the plains, providing accommodation for up to 14 people.
Indulge in our sumptuous high tea's with homemade breads and cakes that will leave you wanting more. Savour a crisp glass of wine over the outside burning fire or by the swimming pool over looking the Amakhala plains with storytelling of the day's adventures under the beautiful African stars.
Here at Woodbury Lodge we feel that our breath-taking accommodation, fresh food and exciting game viewing, along with an intimate heartfelt service will make your African safari experience a memorable and enjoyable one.

Two game drives per night stay, food and drink are inclusive in the price