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Cape Town + Garden Route + Cape Agulhas (self drive)
CCD12C

12 NIGHTS
FROM $974
International flights and car hire quoted separately
This scenic self drive holiday follows a circular route from Cape Town, driving through Stellenbosch & along breathtaking Route 62 to the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn. Continue to Knysna on the Garden Route before returning via historic Swellendam, the quaint fishing village of Arniston & Cape Agulhas to Hermanus, where whales can be seen June to October.
HIGHLIGHTS
Car Hire Cape Town Car Hire Garden Route Car Hire South Africa Car Hire Hermanus Swellendam
• Cape Town • Stellenbosch • Oudtshoorn • Knysna
• Plettenberg Bay • Wilderness • Mossel Bay • Swellendam
• Cape Agulhas • Hermanus
Day 1
You will be met at Cape Town Airport and transferred to your hotel in this beautiful city, within sight of Table Mountain.
 
Check in and relax in your magnificent surroundings.
Day 2
Today is free for independent sightseeing in Cape Town.
 
We recommend you purchase an optional day pass for the red route of the convenient Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all Cape Town’s key sights and beaches. Start by ascending Table Mountain by cable car (optional) to enjoy one of the world’s most famous views. Continue to Camps Bay beach and then explore the shops and many other attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is also the centre of Cape Town’s nightlife.
Day 3
At leisure to explore the beautiful city of Cape Town independently.
 
Choose one of the many local activities such as a visit to Robben Island, the infamous prison home of Nelson Mandela (advance booking essential in season); explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or simply relax on golden Camps Bay beach – the choice is yours!
Day 4
This morning your hire car will be dropped off at your hotel..
 
We recommend you spend the day exploring the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where two oceans meet. Start with an optional short boat trip from Hout Bay to view Cape Fur seals at Seal Island and continue via Chapman’s Peak Drive, when open, to spectacular Cape Point where you may see see baboons, ostrich and perhaps even dolphins or whales in season (July/November).
 
On the return journey we recommend driving through naval Simons Town and visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach. You can also make a short stop at the world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 5
Drive 45-minutes to the beautiful Stellenbosch Winelands, travelling via the famous Wine Routes of Paarl and Franschhoek with numerous opportunities for wine tasting along  the way.
 
Check into your hotel, relax under the giant oak trees and savour the fine foods and wines of this famous region.
Day 6
Drive for 5-hours today along the scenic Route 62 through the arid Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn.
 
We suggest you visit an Ostrich Farm to see these huge flightless birds in their natural surroundings, before checking into your hotel.
Day 7
We suggest that today you visit the famous Cango Caves – a vast series of underground halls and caverns formed over 20 million years ago in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. The caves, which extend for over 3 miles, contain spectacular stalagmites and stalactites and offer relatively easy access.
 
You can also enjoy an optional visit to Cango Wildlife Ranch to see cheetah and crocodiles, before driving 2-hours through the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to the beautiful Garden Route.
 
Check into your Knysna hotel and relax in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Day 8
Today we recommend taking the ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve situated on Knysna's Western Head, one of two magnificent sandstone cliffs guarding the entrance to the vast Knysna Lagoon.
 
This spectacular nature reserve is only accessible by ferry, followed by a short trailer ride to the top of the reserve which offers panoramic views. Most visitors choose to return on foot along a 1-mile Guided Nature Walk through natural coastal forest onto the cliffs, through caves and along a scenic coastal path, followed by a seafood buffet lunch served under the old Milkwood trees.
  
In the afternoon we recommend a visit to Knysna Elephant Park where you will have the opportunity to feed one of these gentle giants. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore Knysna. This lively town is famous for its oysters, which are grown in the lagoon. It offers good shopping opportunities and many interesting craft shops.
Day 9
Today is free to explore the small town of Knysna and its beaches.
 
Many optional activities are available in the area, including an Ocean Safari to search for dolphins and whales in season (July to November); Knysna Elephant Sanctuary; deep sea fishing; horse riding; mountain biking and championship golf. If you wish to explore further afield, you can visit Monkeyland & Birds of Eden near Plettenberg Bay or the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma Forest.
Day 10
Today drive 3 to 5-hours from Knysna to the historic town of Swellendam, either travelling the longer more scenic Route 62 via Oudtshoorn, or the shorter route direct through Mossel Bay.
 
In Oudtshoorn you can visit the Cango Caves and an Ostrich Farm. In Mossel Bay we suggest you visit the historic Post Office Tree, where early navigators left mail for homebound ships to Europe and where the famous Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Diaz landed and erected a cross.
 
Check into your hotel in Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa with some wonderful Cape Dutch architecture. It is the gateway to the Klein Karoo and boasts three nature reserves within easy reach - Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Bontebok National Park and Marloth Nature Reserve. The majestic Langeberg Mountains are also nearby.
Day 11
Today drive 3-hours from Swellendam through the fertile Overberg region to Hermanus, travelling via the small fishing village of Arniston, with its white limestone cliffs, giant sand dunes, pristine beaches, stunning nature reserves and aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean.
 
Visit Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa and the true meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Continue along this beautiful coastline to Hermanus.
 
From July to November, southern right and humpback whales come to Hermanus to breed and this is considered the best location for land-based Whale Watching in the world. Once severely endangered, these magnificent creatures of the deep are now breeding successfully in the area due to a major international conservation effort. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the natural beauty of the coastline.
Day 12
At leisure to enjoy Whale Watching from the cliffs of Hermanus, which usually offer excellent viewing.
 
Also explore the small town, with its interesting open-air craft market in season and coastal path with indigenous fynbos and bird life. There is also a small beach at the foot of the cliffs, with steep access.
Day 13
Drive 2-hours and drop off your hire car at Cape Town Airport for your flight home.
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