Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, follow the signs to Europcar to collect your rental vehicle before driving to your accommodation in Cape Town, South Africa's vibrant "Mother City."

Nestled between the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Table Mountain, with Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and Signal Hill completing its dramatic natural Amphitheatre, Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, relaxing at your hotel or beginning to explore this captivating destination at your own pace.

Today you will spend the entire day at leisure to do what you please. Enjoy the city and all it has to offer!

A highlight of each stay in Cape Town is the visit of Table Mountain. A rotating cable car only takes a few minutes to reach the 1086 high mountain. The circular walk on the plateau rewards visitors with breathtaking views of Cape Town, the neighbouring peaks, the endless ocean and the vast inland. This unique mountain is a World Heritage Site and one of the new 7 world wonders. With its unique Fynbos vegetation it forms a part of the Table Mountain National Park.

After breakfast, we recommend an unforgettable full-day excursion to the picturesque Cape Winelands, where breathtaking mountain scenery, historic towns and world-renowned vineyards combine to create one of South Africa's most celebrated destinations.

The journey takes you through the renowned wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, home to award-winning wine estates producing an exceptional variety of wines. Enjoy wine tastings and cellar tours at selected estates (at own account), offering fascinating insights into the region's rich winemaking heritage and time-honoured traditions.

Discover Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town and the heart of the country's wine industry. Affectionately known as the Eikestad ("City of Oaks"), this charming university town is renowned for its oak-lined streets, beautifully preserved Cape Dutch architecture and elegant wine estates that have helped establish the Cape as one of the world's leading wine-producing regions.

The scenic journey continues over the spectacular Hellshoogte Pass into the Franschhoek Valley. Settled by French Huguenots in 1688, Franschhoek has evolved into South Africa's culinary capital, celebrated for its boutique wineries, acclaimed restaurants and charming village atmosphere, all set against a backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery.

This optional excursion offers the perfect blend of fine wines, rich history, exceptional cuisine and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Cape.

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. Start your tour through an ever-changing landscape of majestic mountains, vast oceans, rugged cliffs and indigenous fynbos vegetation. The route follows the Atlantic Seaboard to the fishing harbour of Hout Bay where you can stop to take a boat trip to Duiker Island, home to a colony of Cape Fur Seals.

The route over scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive leads through the rural villages of Noordhoek, Oceanview, Kommetjie and Scarborough to the entrance of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Here, the landscape is rugged and it is no wonder that the Portuguese sea farers called the cape “Cabo Tormentoso”, meaning the Cape of Storms. Visit the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western tip of the African Continent. The Old Lighthouse at Cape Point offers a spectacular viewing platform over False Bay. It takes approx. 30 minutes to walk from the visitor’s car park to the Lighthouse summit, or a few minutes on the funicular railway.

The next stop is Boulder’s Beach, where a colony of African Penguins settled in the early 1980’s. Access to the Penguin Colony is managed by the National Parks Board. The Penguin Colony can be safely viewed from elevated boardwalks, over-looking their nesting grounds and beach. The Penguins mate for life, generally lay 2 x eggs, and the parents share responsibility for taking care of the nest and their young.

The journey continues through Simonstown where the South African Naval Headquarters are located.

The seaside towns of Fishhoek and Muizenberg border the False Bay coastline and are popular for their swimming beaches in summer, and the viewing of Southern Right Whales in winter.

Return to Cape Town in the afternoon where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Depart the Mother City and drive through the Winelands to the mighty Du Toits Kloof Mountains, where dramatic mountain passes and vineyard-covered valleys create one of South Africa's most scenic drives.

Beyond the mountains, travel through the fertile Breede River Valley, passing the towns of Worcester, Robertson and Ashton before arriving in the charming village of Montagu. Renowned for its beautifully preserved Cape Dutch architecture, natural hot springs and celebrated Muscadel wines, Montagu offers the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy the town's historic character.

Continue through the scenic landscapes of Barrydale and Ladismith, where the distinctive peak of Towerkop dominates the skyline and local folklore tells of its dramatic split by the broomstick of an angry witch. The journey then leads through the vast semi-arid beauty of the Little Karoo, passing Calitzdorp, South Africa's renowned port wine capital, before arriving in Oudtshoorn.

Known as the "Ostrich Capital of the World", Oudtshoorn flourished during the ostrich feather boom of the early 20th century, a legacy reflected in the town's magnificent Victorian "feather palaces". A highlight of the day is a visit to the renowned Safari Ostrich Farm, where a guided tour provides fascinating insight into the history of ostrich farming and the life cycle of the world's largest bird.

After the tour, continue to your accommodation, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and begin your journey with a visit to the spectacular Cango Caves, one of South Africa's most remarkable natural wonders. Nestled at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, approximately 30 kilometres from Oudtshoorn, this extraordinary limestone cave system extends more than five kilometres into the mountain, with a 1.2-kilometre section accessible to visitors. Marvel at the magnificent chambers adorned with towering stalactites and stalagmites, including the impressive Great Hall, while learning about the caves' fascinating history, dating back thousands of years to the indigenous San people.

Following your cave tour, continue towards the Garden Route, travelling via George and the scenic Outeniqua Pass. This spectacular mountain pass, constructed by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, offers breathtaking views as it winds through the Outeniqua Mountains.

Descending towards the Indian Ocean, arrive in the charming coastal village of Wilderness, renowned for its endless stretches of golden beach, tranquil lagoons and dramatic mountain backdrop. Continue through the picturesque village of Sedgefield before reaching Knysna, one of the Garden Route's most celebrated destinations.

Nestled on the shores of a tranquil lagoon and protected by the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Knysna Heads, this charming town is famed for its natural beauty, indigenous forests, fresh oysters and vibrant waterfront. Rich in history and surrounded by spectacular landscapes, Knysna offers the perfect blend of relaxation, outdoor adventure and refined coastal charm.

Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to the Knysna Lagoon for a Featherbed Nature Reserve eco-experience. (You will receive a voucher for this service, tour departs at 10h00 from the Knysna Waterfront) The Featherbed Nature Reserve is a 150-hectare private reserve that is only accessible via ferry across the Knysna Lagoon. From the jetty, you are met and taken on an excursion aboard 4x4 vehicles onto Knysna’s Western Head. Stop at one of the viewpoints where your guide will inform you about the reserve and the Heads. A two-kilometre trail takes you through the coastal forest and fynbos down to the coast and back to the restaurant. The outing ends with a buffet lunch under a canopy of milkwood trees, before the ferry takes you back to Knysna. This eco-excursion lasts around four hours. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront.

Today, continue your journey along the spectacular Garden Route, one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. Depart Knysna and travel east through landscapes where indigenous forests, dramatic mountains and the Indian Ocean combine to create unforgettable vistas. Once home to large herds of elephants, the ancient forests between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are still believed by some to shelter the elusive Knysna elephants.

Continue to Plettenberg Bay, often referred to as the "Jewel of the Garden Route". Renowned for its pristine beaches, dramatic coastline and mild climate, this elegant seaside town has long been a favourite retreat for discerning travellers and offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean.

Your journey then leads into the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park, whose name, derived from the Khoi language, means "place of abundant water." Part of the UNESCO-listed Garden Route National Park, Tsitsikamma is celebrated for its ancient indigenous forests, rugged coastline and towering yellowwood trees, some of which are over 800 years old and exceed 35 metres in height.

As you travel through this breathtaking landscape, admire the dramatic mountain ranges that descend towards the ocean and cross a series of impressive bridges spanning deep river gorges. Among them is the iconic Bloukrans Bridge, home to the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump.

A highlight of your visit is a leisurely walk through the lush indigenous forest to the famous Storms River Suspension Bridge. Suspended above the river mouth where it meets the Indian Ocean, the bridge offers spectacular panoramic views of the dramatic coastline and the untamed beauty of Tsitsikamma, providing the perfect finale to one of the Garden Route's most iconic experiences.

After breakfast, depart the Garden Route and travel to Kariega Game Reserve.

Nestled within a pristine 10,000-hectare wilderness, Kariega Game Reserve is set amidst the scenic valleys of the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers. This malaria-free private reserve encompasses five distinct ecosystems, ranging from riverine forests and open grasslands to rolling hills and indigenous bushveld, creating an exceptional habitat for an abundance of wildlife. Home to the Big Five, as well as giraffe, hippo, hyena, zebra, numerous antelope species and prolific birdlife, Kariega offers an authentic and unforgettable safari experience in a spectacular natural setting.

Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch before settling into your accommodation. Later this afternoon, embark on an expertly guided 4x4 game drive led by an experienced ranger, whose extensive knowledge of the reserve and its wildlife enhances every encounter. As the African bush comes alive in the golden light of late afternoon, search for the Big Five and a wealth of other fascinating wildlife, while learning about the reserve's unique ecosystems and conservation efforts.

As the sun sets over the African wilderness, return to the lodge to savour a delicious dinner in an elegant setting, reflecting on the day's unforgettable safari experiences.

Early morning wake-up call. Meet your ranger to discuss your expectations for this morning’s safari. The game drive takes place in an open 4x4 vehicle which enables you to experience close encounters and unforgettable moments with various animals, each game drive lasting around three hours. During the outing, your ranger informs you about the flora and fauna of the bush and how the park’s animals live and survive. Enjoy a tasty cup of coffee during a break out in the bush at one of the scenic spots. Upon your return to the lodge, feast on a substantial breakfast. Relax at the pool and enjoy the lodge facilities until it is time for your afternoon game drive.

Following your early morning game drive and breakfast, bid farewell to the African bush before departing for Port Elizabeth Airport. Upon arrival, return your rental vehicle and continue with your onward flight home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey through Southern Africa.