Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Today you'll head to the airport and begin your journey toward South Africa. Settle in for the flight and let your anticipation build as you think about the African wilderness waiting for you.
- Day 2
Cape Town to Stellenbosch
After landing in South Africa, you'll pick up your rental car at the airport. From there, drive through increasingly green landscapes for about half an hour until you reach Stellenbosch in the Winelands. Stop at one of the local wine estates to taste the region's famous wines and get oriented to your surroundings.
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Warwick Wine Estate or other local wine estate (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Stellenbosch Warwick Wine Estate - Day 3
Stellenbosch to Oudtshoorn
Today takes you along Route 62 through wide open landscapes, winding mountain passes, and endless vineyards. You'll stop at the famous Diesel & Crème Diner in Barrydale for a burger and milkshake surrounded by vintage cars and petrol pumps. Later you'll arrive at your glamping accommodation on an ostrich farm, where a braai basket awaits by the fire pit with fresh vegetables, bread, and barbecued meat.
Optional Activities
- Burger and milkshake at Diesel & Crème Diner in Barrydale
- Braai basket with fresh vegetables, bread and barbecued meat from reception (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Route 62 Diesel & Crème Diner Barrydale - Day 4
Oudtshoorn
Spend this day at AfriCamp on an ostrich farm in the Little Karoo. You can book a guided tour to learn about ostrich rearing and potentially watch chicks hatch. Or take an afternoon safari with a guide through native Karoo vegetation where you might spot antelopes, giraffes, and other wildlife.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of ostrich farm at AfriCamp (payable on site)
- Afternoon safari in the Little Karoo at AfriCamp game reserve (payable on site the day before)
Landmarks/POIs AfriCamp Little Karoo - Day 5
Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay
Head out along the Garden Route with windows down and your favorite music playing. Stop at Wilderness National Park to explore huge rock formations, reflecting lakes, waterfalls, and natural pools. Choose between hiking the Giant Kingfisher Trail or paddling by canoe. Later, drive to Plettenberg Bay and walk barefoot along Lookout Beach, then visit the lagoon where the river meanders into the sea.
Optional Activities
- Hike on Giant Kingfisher Trail at Wilderness National Park
- Canoe or kayak exploration at Wilderness National Park (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Wilderness National Park Giant Kingfisher Trail Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay - Day 6
Plettenberg Bay
You have options today in Plettenberg Bay. You can relax on the white sand or explore the Robberg Nature Reserve. Three hiking trails (The Gap, Witsand, and The Point) lead through cliff action and past wild surf. Watch for the huge seal colony and keep an eye out for dolphins and whales in the ocean.
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails at Robberg Nature Reserve (The Gap, Witsand, or The Point)
- Wildlife viewing - seals, dolphins, and whales
Landmarks/POIs Robberg Nature Reserve The Gap Trail Witsand Trail The Point Trail - Day 7
Plettenberg Bay to Swellendam
Drive to Swellendam with a stopover in Mossel Bay along the way. You can enjoy the beach or try surfing at the Inner and Outer Pool. Visit Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse for views and potential whale, dolphin, or seal sightings. After arriving in Swellendam, hike through the Marloth Nature Reserve with its dense forests, hidden waterfalls, and natural pools while watching for rare birds.
Optional Activities
- Surfing at Inner and Outer Pool in Mossel Bay (payable on site)
- Surf lessons for beginners (payable on site)
- Visit to Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse
- Hiking in Marloth Nature Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Mossel Bay Inner and Outer Pool Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse Swellendam Marloth Nature Reserve - Day 8
Swellendam to Cape Town
Drive to Cape Town and explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with street performers, shops, and cafés. Table Mountain rises behind everything. Consider riding the Cape Wheel for 360-degree views or visiting the Castle of Good Hope to see the historical fortress walls and experience the area's past.
Optional Activities
- Cape Wheel ride for 360-degree views (payable locally)
- Visit to Castle of Good Hope
Landmarks/POIs Cape Town Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Table Mountain Cape Wheel Castle of Good Hope - Day 9
Cape Town to Cape Point
Head to Boulders Beach and observe penguins among the large granite rocks in turquoise water. After that, continue to Cape Point where you can walk or take a small cog railroad to the highest cliff point for incredible views of False Bay, Diaz Beach, and the Cape of Good Hope.
Optional Activities
- Cog railroad to Cape Point summit (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Boulders Beach Cape Point False Bay Diaz Beach Cape of Good Hope - Day 10
Cape Town
Spend today surfing at one of Cape Town's beaches, suitable for all levels. Take a break at a beach café for coffee with sand between your toes. As evening comes, head to Signal Hill with a bottle of wine to watch the sunset over the Waterfront and Robben Island, and capture a photo at the famous yellow Table Mountain Frame.
Optional Activities
- Surfing lesson or surf session (payable locally)
- Beach café break
- Sunset viewing at Signal Hill
Landmarks/POIs Signal Hill Table Mountain Frame Robben Island - Day 11
Cape Town to Mauritius
Depart Cape Town by flight to Mauritius and watch the city disappear below as the Indian Ocean passes beneath you. After landing, pick up your rental car and drive to Bel Ombre. Relax on the beautiful white sandy beach as you ease into island time and adjust to your new surroundings.
Landmarks/POIs Cape Town Mauritius Bel Ombre - Day 12
Bel Ombre to Flic en Flac
Drive along the west coast to the small coastal town of Flic en Flac. Walk along palm-lined promenades and relax on the beach. Sample Creole food from street stalls with exotic vegetables, colorful fish, and juicy fruits. Stop at Tamarind Falls to see water plunge hundreds of meters over seven pools and cool off if you choose.
Optional Activities
- Creole street food sampling
- Guided tours of Tamarind Falls (payable on site)
- Swimming in Tamarind Falls pools
Landmarks/POIs Flic en Flac Tamarind Falls - Day 13
Flic en Flac to Le Morne Brabant
Hike the 556-meter Le Morne Brabant mountain and watch wildlife awaken and birds sing. The wide paths become narrow explorer trails as you ascend. At the summit, you'll turn in circles admiring the sea in every shade of blue and green islands with their bays before descending.
Optional Activities
- Hiking Le Morne Brabant mountain
Landmarks/POIs Le Morne Brabant - Day 14
Le Morne to Black River Gorge National Park
Choose your adventure today: rainforest, rugged coastline, or white sandy beaches. Head to Black River Gorge National Park and visit the nearby Seven Colored Earth with its rainbow-colored sand dune. See Chamarel Waterfall where natural water masses plunge dramatically, or head to Tamarind's coast for beach vibes and turquoise waters.
Optional Activities
- Seven Colored Earth viewing
- Chamarel Waterfall visit
- Hiking in Black River Gorge National Park
- Beach vibes at Tamarind coast with swimming and drinks
Landmarks/POIs Black River Gorge National Park Seven Colored Earth Chamarel Waterfall Tamarind Coast - Day 15
Black River to Mahébourg
Today marks your goodbye to Mauritius. Depending on your departure time, make the most of your last few hours on the island. Return your rental car in Mahébourg and prepare for your journey home. Take one last look at the green jewel in the turquoise ocean as you review your souvenir photos.
Landmarks/POIs Mahébourg - Day 16
Return Home
You'll land at your destination airport in the morning with unforgettable memories. The mixed emotions of heading home are natural, but Mauritius has surely left an impression that will bring you back someday.
