Wonders of the Western Cape

Aweh (hey), Cape Town! Before exploring all the magnificent sights, sounds and flavors of the city, make your own way to your hotel in the heart of the city. You’re staying in the midst of the buzz, so make the most of your time exploring before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner and trip briefing.

Ready for an exhilarating day, Cape Town style? Kick things off by exploring the suburb of Bo-Kaap, where rainbow-hued houses and facades turn the streets into works of art. Get your first dose of nature during a visit to the Company Gardens, before taking a spin around the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope. Then, leave the city below to catch a ride up Table Mountain, where the local furry residents (hyraxes) are the only things that may steal your attention from the view. Later, check out the golden beaches of the area on an optional e-bike ride, followed by a sunset beach braai (barbecue). For the musically-inclined, consider jamming your way through a djembe drumming session, followed by a delicious and traditional African feast.

Put away your camera and just enjoy the ride as you wind your way along one of South Africa’s most awe-inspiring drives from Cape Town to Hermanus. The Hottentots Holland mountains plunge dramatically into the Atlantic for most of the route, so you’ll want to simply stare out over the epic scenery. Arrive in Hermanus and enjoy lunch with stunning views of the ocean. Then, hit the water on a Choice  Experience Walker Bay or unleash your inner wine connoisseur on a visit to a renowned vineyard in the aptly named Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven-and-Earth) Valley.

Before heading into the wild, expect to be wowed by the swirling waters of the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian Ocean collides with the Atlantic. Then, get your game face on for your safari adventure at the Garden Route Game Reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for the wonders of the African bushveld—glimpses of impala, zebra and giraffe are highly likely.

The one thought on everyone’s minds today: will you spot the Big 5? Rise with the Cape turtle doves and let their songs kickstart another magnificent day in South Africa. We’ll get out into the bush early to avoid the heat of the day, so after grabbing a cup of coffee, don your safari hat for a morning adventure through the fynbos-clad landscape in search of wildlife. You may be lucky enough to spot lions lazing in the shade of a tree, buffalo weavers stripping the trees to craft their nests or perhaps even a lonely dung beetle rolling his ‘treasure’ uphill. Return to camp for a hearty breakfast and afternoon siesta to recharge, before grabbing your binoculars for another safari late this afternoon.

You don’t need green fingers to enjoy South Africa’s lush Garden Route. Take a quick side trip to Victoria Bay and stretch your legs or soak in its refreshing salty waters. Your next stop is a bit of a tongue-twister. Knysna, pronounced ‘Naaisnah’ (the ‘k’ is silent), sits sheltered on the edge of a lagoon, shielded from the Indian Ocean by two mountainous outcrops, referred to as the Knysna Heads. With the rest of the day to do as you choose, perhaps opt to join a guided walk through lush, flora dense forests where hundreds of elephants once roamed. Or, if you want to relax until the evening, why not join a sunset dinner cruise on board a traditional paddle steamer, that will sail you along the tranquil waters of the lagoon.

You’ll be grateful for an extra day to explore Knysna your way today. There’s plenty to do in this pretty town and its surrounds, but we’d recommend joining our boat ride across the Knysna Lagoon, to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Once here, buckle up and enjoy a 4x4 ride along the western headland, stopping along the way to appreciate the contrast of the bright blue sea, sandy beaches and lush green headlands. If a slower pace is more your vibe, take a stroll down Sedgefield beach with a Local Guide to learn about the Strandlopers, who once roamed these beaches to gather food.

End your epic journey in South Africa’s Fairest Cape the same way you started it, in what locals call the “Mother City”. You’ll return to Cape Town this morning, stopping in Swellendam, the third-oldest town in South Africa. The center of a large farming community, Swellendam is particularly renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture – whitewashed walls, thatched roofs and the characteristic gable which makes them unmistakably Dutch in heritage.

Get your final fix of Cape Town with a full day to spend your way. If you want to relax, consider kicking back at a craft beer tasting experience and tucking in to a beach braai (barbecue) at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. Keen to fit in one last adventure? Why not explore the rugged Cape Peninsula coastline, passing the Twelve Apostles, Cape Point and Boulders Beach to check out the colony of African Jackass penguins. However you choose to enjoy the day, you’ll have plenty of stories to share over our final dinner.

The time has come to say totsiens (until we see each other again) as you prepare to return home after your soul-stirring visit to South Africa's fairest Cape.