Cape Town, the Garden Route & Winelands - Solo Traveller

We begin our adventure as we depart for Cape Town.

On arrival in Cape Town, we meet with our local guide before transferring by coach to our hotel, after we uncover some of Cape Town’s highlights.  Our holiday has begun!

We begin our holiday with a visit to one of South Africa’s most famous landmarks, Table Mountain (weather permitting). During a short cable car ride up the mountain, we take in spectacular views of Cape Town, and on a clear day we can see as far as False Bay, including Robben Island and the Devil's Peak.  After, we discover the vibrant cultures and history of this city on a guided tour taking in the Malay Quarter, Green Market Square, District Six and a walk through the Company Gardens. Next, we have a scenic city tour passing the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, and a visit to Cape Castle, one of the oldest surviving buildings in South Africa.

This evening, let’s get together and enjoy a welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant or in your hotel. Your guide will advise locally.

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Aquila Private Game Reserve for our safari experience. The reserve is home to a variety of game, including the "Big 5":  lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephant.

On arrival at Aquila, we enjoy lunch (included) before we take our game drive.

Fall in love with Africa’s wildlife! Cameras ready for action, eyes peeled as we experience an African safari in our open safari vehicle. The safari drive will take approximately two hours.  

After our drive we return to the city, and the rest of the evening is at leisure to relax and unwind.

This morning, we set off on another adventure.  Weather permitting, we will catch the boat from the Victoria & Alfred waterfront out to Robben Island, approximately 90 minutes away. Located almost 7km off the coast in Table Bay, this is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Today the island is a UNESCO world heritage site and a living museum, welcoming thousands of visitors every year. We will have a guided tour of the island and museum, before returning to the mainland.

Let’s enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Cape Town in our own time. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of further places of interest.

Join us for dinner tonight, at a local restaurant (included).

On today's full day guided excursion to the Cape Peninsula, we see more of this beautiful landscape. We travel along the Atlantic seaboard with its white beaches and rugged mountains to Hout Bay. If open, we continue to Chapman’s Peak Drive, renowned as one of the most scenic roadways in the world.

Another stop on our tour is the Cape Point Nature Reserve; the tip of the Cape Peninsula that has captivated people for centuries with its dramatic scenery.

Our return journey to Cape Town takes us along False Bay coast, with the option of visiting the colony of rare African Penguins at Boulders beach. Along the way, we will pass through the naval village of Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.

Lunch is included today.

Enjoy a final evening in Cape Town at leisure.

After breakfast we say farewell to Cape Town and transfer to the tranquil little fishing village of Arniston (approximately 216km), Cape Agulhas.  Arniston is also known as Waenhuiskrans ("wagon shelter cliff"), a low tide sea cave resembling the structures used by settlers to house their oxen and wagons. Arniston is an attraction for artists and photographers for its prettiness, its rolling sand dunes, blue sea, and cliffs.

We arrive in the late afternoon, and get to know our surroundings. The coastline is a perfect invitation for a long walk.

Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.

Today we visit Hermanus.  Along the way we will have the opportunity to stop at Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, situated at the southernmost tip of Africa. Hermanus is rich in scenic beauty and is one of the whale-watching capitals of the world, with sightings most common from June to October.  We will have free time to explore the town’s attractions, including a selection of galleries, upmarket fashion boutiques, jewellery shops and (subject to opening hours) the Old Harbour Museum, with informative displays and a suspended skeleton of a whale.

Lunch is included today.

In the late afternoon we return to our hotel.

The evening is at leisure, to enjoy the lovely setting and breathe in the fresh sea air.

After breakfast, we transfer to the coastal town of Knysna, taking in spectacular mountain sights while driving through the Outeniqua Mountain Pass (approximately 392km).

We make the most of this scenic drive with photo and rest stops along the way, for this full day transfer; sit back relax and enjoy the scenery.

Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best-known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the lagoon. The mouth of the lagoon is guarded by two promontories known as 'The Heads', where a number of sailors lost their lives as they attempted to negotiate this dangerous stretch.

After checking in at our hotel, we enjoy the rest of our day at leisure.

Our guide will be happy to make recommendations for local activities.

Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.

Today we experience more of this fascinating country with a visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where we will travel by ferry across the Knysna Lagoon. The reserve lies on the unspoilt western head of Knysna and we will travel in 4x4 vehicles to see heavenly views plus beautiful flora and fauna. There is also the option to take a downhill walk; do not forget to bring a camera and good sturdy walking shoes.  We savour more, with a buffet lunch laid out underneath a canopy of Milkwood trees. Lunch is included today.

Later, we return to our hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Note: Please note your visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve is subject to weather conditions.  If possible, another attempt will be made and/or an alternative excursion organised.  Our guide will reconfirm the arrangements locally.

Today we venture into the heart of the famous Cape Winelands as we transfer by coach to Franschhoek (approximately 458km), famous for its superb Cape wines, rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and Cape Dutch architecture.

On arrival at our hotel, we can spend the rest of the day relaxing in its serene setting.

Let's get together and enjoy dinner at our hotel (included tonight at our hotel).

Today we see more, on a scenic and historic drive through the local wine regions. During our tour we discover the well-known town of Stellenbosch, not far from Franschhoek, with its tree lined streets and historical architecture. We discover more about this picturesque town during a visit to the Stellenbosch Museum, with exhibits representing different periods of the town’s history.

Following our tour, we enjoy some free time for lunch (not included) before we uncover more of this spellbinding region.

Later, we savour some specially selected wines during a wine tasting and a fun game of wine blending.

Let’s enjoy our final evening together, dinner is included tonight.

After breakfast, with fond memories of our unforgettable tour, we depart Franschhoek for Cape Town (approximately 71km) and the start of our journey home.

Arrive home from a once in a lifetime trip to South Africa.