Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
You'll arrive in Cape Town and get settled at your hotel. If you make it by 1pm, your tour leader will meet you for a welcome gathering before heading up Table Mountain for the hike. The views from the top stretch across the whole city, and you'll see some of the unique plant life from the Cape Floral Kingdom. Those arriving later can either explore Cape Town on their own or take it easy, since Table Mountain is available other days too.
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain walk with tour leader (weather dependent)
- Table Mountain aerial cable car ride to summit
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Cape Town International Airport - Day 2
Cape Town - Robben Island
You'll catch a boat from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront over to Robben Island Museum. The boat heads back around 2pm, giving you the rest of the afternoon to walk around Cape Town and see what interests you. It's your time to check out whatever catches your attention around the city.
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Robben Island
- Robben Island Museum tour
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Mandela Gateway Robben Island Museum Table Bay - Day 3
Cape Town - Cape Point - Hout Bay - Muizenberg Beach
Start the day at Cape Point Visitors Park with an hour-long walk to the viewpoint over the Atlantic Ocean. You might spot baboons, tortoises, otters, and seabirds on the trails. After that, you'll take a boat trip to Seal Island to see about 7,000 Cape Fur Seals gathered there. Later in the afternoon, head to Muizenberg Beach to try surfing on this great stretch of coastline. Wetsuits are provided, but bring your own towel, swimming suit, and sunscreen.
Included Activities
- Walk to Cape Point viewpoint within national park
- Boat trip to Seal Island
- Surfing lesson at Muizenberg Beach
Landmarks/POIs Cape Point Visitors Park Seal Island Hout Bay Muizenberg Beach - Day 4
Cape Town - Betty's Bay - Hermanus - Swellendam
You'll start at District Six Museum where an ex-resident leads a tour and shares personal stories from the apartheid era. After that, head to Stony Point penguin colony near Betty's Bay to see one of the world's largest African penguin breeding colonies. Grab lunch, then continue to Hermanus for whale watching from the cliffs (this runs seasonally from June through November). By evening you'll reach your riverside camp in Swellendam for a traditional bush-style dinner cooked around the campfire under the stars.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch break at Betty's Bay), Dinner (Traditional bush-style dinner around campfire under starry sky)
Included Activities
- District Six Museum tour with ex-resident guide
- Stony Point penguin colony visit
- Whale watching from Hermanus cliffs (seasonal)
- Traditional bush-style dinner around campfire
Landmarks/POIs District Six Museum Stony Point penguin colony Betty's Bay Hermanus Breede River - Day 5
Swellendam - Breede River
You'll spend the day on the Breede River in rafts, navigating grade 2 and 3 rapids. The river winds 300 kilometres from mountain sources down to the Indian Ocean, and you'll see all kinds of bird life along the way. No prior experience needed since local guides will brief you before going out. The rest of the afternoon is free, so you can relax along the riverbank at your base.
Included Activities
- River rafting on Breede River with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Breede River - Day 6
Swellendam - Oudtshoorn
You'll drive to Oudtshoorn, known as the ostrich capital of South Africa, crossing through the dry landscape of the Little Karoo. After checking in around lunchtime, you'll explore the Cango Caves, which stretch more than 5 kilometres underground with incredible dripstone formations. Next, tour the Safari ostrich and butterfly farm north of town, then visit Zeekoegat School where you can sponsor a brick toward a new building.
Included Activities
- Cango Caves exploration
- Safari ostrich and butterfly farm tour
- Zeekoegat School visit with brick sponsorship opportunity
Landmarks/POIs Cango Caves Swartberg Mountains Safari ostrich and butterfly farm Zeekoegat School - Day 7
Oudtshoorn - Garden Route - Plettenberg Bay
You'll travel eastward along the Garden Route to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, following the scenic coastline. This afternoon, try sea kayaking from Central Beach along the water. Your guide will paddle with you while you look for Cape Fur Seals, dolphins, humpback whales, and seabirds. You'll also get views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and Robberg Nature Reserve. Your accommodation is a white-washed seaside resort with three Blue Flag beaches close by.
Included Activities
- Sea kayaking from Central Beach with experienced guide
Landmarks/POIs Garden Route Knysna Plettenberg Bay Central Beach Tsitsikamma Mountains Robberg Nature Reserve - Day 8
Plettenberg Bay
This day is free for you to relax and explore Plettenberg Bay on your own. Central Beach has white sand and calm warm water, perfect for spending time there. But if you want to stay active, optional activities include dolphin and whale watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, surfing, mountain biking, or canoeing. Pick whatever appeals to you most.
Optional Activities
- Boat-based dolphin and whale watching (£50 per adult, £26 per child under 12)
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Mountain biking
- Canoeing
- Knysna Monkey Land (£15 adults, £8 children)
Landmarks/POIs Central Beach Plettenberg Bay Knysna Monkey Land - Day 9
Plettenberg Bay - Robberg Nature Reserve - Storms River
You'll take a short drive to Robberg Nature Reserve for a moderate guided walk along trails with sweeping coastal views. Watch for dolphins and seals during the walk. From July through December, look for southern right whales in the water below. Then you'll drive two hours to the Storms River region to stay at Teniqua Treetops, unique eco-tented tree houses built high in the Outeniqua mountain canopy where you'll sleep, eat, and shower surrounded by birdsong and butterflies.
Included Activities
- Guided walk at Robberg Nature Reserve
Optional Activities
- Suspended canopy walkways and zipwires
- River kayaking
Landmarks/POIs Robberg Nature Reserve Outeniqua Mountains Storms River - Day 10
Storms River - Tsitsikamma National Park
The morning is yours to enjoy where you're staying. Around midday, you'll drive to Tsitsikamma National Park, which means 'the place of much water' and is South Africa's most impressive marine and forest park. It stretches 80 kilometres and you'll walk to a suspension bridge spanning Storm's River mouth where breakers crash against rocky shores. You'll also explore the 5-kilometre heartland protecting inter-tidal life and reefs, and can snorkel to see marine life and possibly dolphins and seasonal southern right whales.
Included Activities
- Walk to Storm's River suspension bridge
- Snorkelling in Tsitsikamma National Park
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma National Park Storm's River suspension bridge Nature's Valley Groot River - Day 11
Tsitsikamma - Addo Elephant National Park
Your morning is free to enjoy your riverside accommodation with its swimming pool, farm dam with canoes, pool table, ping pong, and jungle gym. Late morning you'll head eastward to Addo Elephant National Park, a 300,000-acre reserve with over 600 elephants, plus buffalo, black rhinos, leopards, and lions. After you check in, head out for an afternoon game drive. This evening, gather for a traditional braai dinner your tour leader prepares.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional braai dinner prepared by tour leader)
Included Activities
- Afternoon game drive in Addo Elephant National Park
- Traditional braai dinner
Landmarks/POIs Addo Elephant National Park - Day 12
Addo Elephant National Park - Port Elizabeth
After breakfast, you'll leave Addo Elephant National Park and drive 75 kilometres to Port Elizabeth International Airport. You'll arrive around 10am and the tour ends there. Your earliest flight departure is 12:30pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Early morning additional open-top safari drive before departure (£25 per person, minimum 3 people required)
Landmarks/POIs Port Elizabeth International Airport
