fbpx

Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route

Sale!

Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route

Was From $ 6,945 AUD
Now From $ 5,903 AUD
Sale!

Description

Spend nine days exploring Cape Town and The Garden Route in South Africa, filling your days with scenic landscapes and delicious food and wine. With a knowledgeable and experienced leader by your side, you’ll drive along Cape’s peninsula, stopping in at gorgeous bays, beaches and scenic viewpoints, before diving into the sobering history of slavery, Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment during a city tour. Then, you’ll head on to the Cape Winelands to your Feature Stay in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley for a scenic stay and a six-course feast of local cuisine with a wine pairing. Continue to indulge in local food and wine with a cooking class, group dinners and a home-cooked spread in a local family’s farm home. Go hiking in the Garden Route National Park, learn about local culture and lifestyles and end it all back in Cape Town, where you can hike up Table Mountain and soak up the last of the beautiful ocean landscapes.

Trip Name
Premium Cape Town and the Garden Route
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Indulge in delicious, local wines and Bo-Kaap cuisine with a welcome dinner in a twentieth-century Victorian house, a cooking class with a world-renowned private chef in Franschhoek and a visit to a local farm for a fresh dinner of local ingredients prepared by your hosts within their family home.
  • Feast on fresh, local dishes during a six-course dining experience at your Feature Stay hotel’s on-site restaurant (with a wine pairing, of course) in the Cape Winelands.
  • Explore Cape Town and the surrounding area, learning about the layered history of Apartheid and slavery and Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment and release. You’ll also take a scenic drive along the peninsula, stopping at many bays and lookouts along the way.
  • Spend a night in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley at your Feature Stay hotel – Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, displaying the best of the Cape Winelands and surrounded by mountains and wineries.
  • Take a hike within the gorgeous natural landscape of Garden Route National Park – known for its Indigenous forests and dramatic coastline. Walk the river suspension bridge, then follow your leader along one of the many popular trails.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Cape Town
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. With its gorgeous coastline, modern cityscape and nearby mountains, Cape Town is one of Africa's most popular cities. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, why not get out and explore Cape Town, maybe with a walk in Newlands Forest or by jumping on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. You could also head down to the waterfront to see Cape Town Stadium up close. After the meeting, you’ll head out for dinner at a local restaurant set in a twentieth century Victorian house. Tuck into local dishes made from seasonal produce and free-range, responsibly sourced meats as you toast to the start of your adventure.
Day 2 - Cape Town
Head out early for a tour of the peninsula. Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard to Maiden’s Cove, then continue to Hout Bay’s fishing harbour to soak up the views from Sentinel Lookout. Head on along Chapmans Peak Drive for panoramic views across the bay and Noordhoek Beach. Then, head to the Cape of Good Hope, within the Table Mountain Nature Reserve. Look out for the local wildlife as you take a walk up to the restored lighthouse at Cape Point. From here, you may be able to see the spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet! Carry on to Boulders Beach, where you can see the resident colony of African penguins. This afternoon, retrace over 300 years of Cape Town’s dramatic history on a walking tour. Learn about the impact of Apartheid and the effect of racism and discrimination on the lives of the local people. Visit the Castle of Good Hope (the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa), significant slavery sites like the Iziko Slave Lodge Museum, the District Six museum and the Parliament buildings where Apartheid Laws were made and later repealed. Visit the Grand Parade, where Nelson Mandela made his first address to the nation as a free man and walk along Government Avenue while hearing about South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize winners and the struggle for freedom and an end to Apartheid. End the afternoon in Bo-Kaap and learn a bit about the rich, multicultural history as you wander the coloured buildings.
Day 3 - Cape Town
This morning, have breakfast at your hotel then head out to visit the Amy Foundation – a non-profit organisation that offers programs to develop and empower young people from challenged and vulnerable communities. Learn about how their Youth Skills Development program helps young adults prepare for employment. After, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore Cape Town at your own pace. Maybe head to Table Mountain, and either take the Aerial Cableway or choose one of the hiking trails to see epic views across the city and ocean. You could also head to Robben Island – sitting within Table Bay, this island is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the place where Nelson Mandela and many others were imprisoned.
Day 4 - Franschhoek
After breakfast, hit the road for Franschhoek, home to centuries-old vineyards. Arrive at your Feature Stay, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa – sitting in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley and the Cape Winelands, this hotel is surrounded by mountains and is the perfect place to kick back and relax. After check-in, maybe just chill out within the grounds with a good book, or if you’re feeling adventurous, maybe head out on the Franschhoek tram. This tram conveniently stops at lots of different wineries in the area, so you can soak up the afternoon in the best way – with local drops, sunshine and maybe a bite to eat. Tonight, you’ll be treated to an indulgent six-course dinner with a wine pairing at Sauvage Restaurant (that sits within your Feature Stay). Feast on Bo-Kaap inspired cuisine and paired wine from local, boutique wine farms.
Day 5 - Franschhoek
Soak up a leisurely morning today before a big afternoon of food and wine! Early this afternoon, you’ll head to a South African cooking class at Spilsbury Kitchen – in the heart of the Cape Winelands, global sensation and local private chef Nicola Spilsbury will take you on a culinary journey of local dishes like babotie (spiced meat baked with an egg-based topping) and vetkoek (fried dough filled with minced curry). Enjoy the fruits of your labour with the group for lunch, then head to a local wine farm for a tasting. Indulge in a few local glasses paired with cheeses, then head back to your hotel bar for some cocktails. Later, head out in 4WDs to the family home of a local foodie. Tour the farm with the hosts, then chill out as the sun goes down, enjoying a dinner spread of locally sourced dishes cooked in the true Bo-Kaap style, prepared by your hosts. The farm overlooks the whole of Franschhoek and is home to abundant wildlife, so soak up the views and get to know the family.
Day 6 - Knysna
Today is a bit of a long travel day as you make your way to Knysna – the ‘jewel of the Garden Route,’ this city is known for its oysters, beaches, lagoon and forest. Along the way, stop in at Hermanus for lunch, where in-season whales can be spotted from the shore! You may also stop at Swellendam – this town is home to over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of which showcase Cape Dutch architecture – or Riverdale to stretch your legs. When you arrive in Knysna, head out with your local leader on an orientation walk to get your bearings, then soak up a free afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace.
Day 7 - Knysna
Today you’ll head out as a group and explore Knysna. First, visit Garden Route National Park – known for its Indigenous forests, dramatic coastline and the popular Otter Trail. Walk to Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, where you can walk along the suspension bridge for gorgeous river views. You’ll also choose one of the nearby hiking trails here, depending on the group’s abilities and interests. Enjoy a well-earned lunch together after your hike at a local restaurant, then head back to the city. Along the way, stop in Plettenberg Bay and visit Old Nick Village – a collection of shops owned by local creative manufacturers, designers and curators. You’ll also stop in at The Mungo Mill – a GOTS-certified homeware textile company – to learn about the weaving process. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge or head out to dinner (your leader will always have some good restaurant recommendations handy.
Day 8 - Cape Town
Today after breakfast, you’ll travel back to Cape Town along the scenic Route 62, making plenty of stops on the way for photos and to stretch your legs, including Oudtshoorn, Montagu, Robertson and Paarl. When you arrive back in Cape Town, maybe head out with your group and local leader for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a beautiful adventure.
Day 9 - Cape Town
After breakfast today, there are no further activities planned and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Cape Town, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-04-202519-04-2025AUD $ 5,903-
09-05-202517-05-2025AUD $ 5,903-
05-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 5,903-
12-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 6,137-
26-09-202504-10-2025AUD $ 6,137-
17-10-202525-10-2025AUD $ 6,375-
31-10-202508-11-2025AUD $ 6,375-
28-11-202506-12-2025AUD $ 6,375-
05-12-202513-12-2025AUD $ 6,137-
12-12-202520-12-2025AUD $ 5,903-
16-01-202624-01-2026AUD $ 6,945-
06-02-202614-02-2026AUD $ 6,945-
06-03-202614-03-2026AUD $ 6,945-
03-04-202611-04-2026AUD $ 6,945-
17-04-202625-04-2026AUD $ 6,945-
08-05-202616-05-2026AUD $ 6,945-
04-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 6,945-
25-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 6,945-
16-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 6,945-
30-10-202607-11-2026AUD $ 6,945-
13-11-202621-11-2026AUD $ 6,945-
04-12-202612-12-2026AUD $ 6,945-
11-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 6,945-

Transport

private vehicle

Map