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Cape Town Self Drive Holiday: Penguins + Whales + Wildflowers + Winelands

Cape Wildflowers + Whales + Winelands (self drive)

14 NIGHTS FROM:

$1,636

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately

SCD14C

• Cape Town Self Drive Holiday

• Table Mountain

• Cape Point

• Penguins

• Langebaan Lagoon

• Wildflowers Reserve

• Cederberg Mountains

• Swellendam

• Whales in Hermanus

• Winelands of Stellenbosch

From July to October, this seasonal Cape Town self drive holiday focuses on whales, wildflowers & wine tasting. After ascending Table Mountain, view penguins at Cape Point & drive up the West Coast to Langebaan Lagoon, where thousands of sea birds roost & wildflowers bloom (Aug/Sept). Visit the Cederberg Mountains, Swellendam & whales in Hermanus, before relaxing in Franschhoek & Stellenbosch winelands.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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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 enjoy a private tour of the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Weather permitting, we start by ascending Table Mountain by cable car to see one of the world's most famous views (alternatively we will drive up Signal Hill). We then drive around the city to see the key sights including the City Hall, Greenmarket Square, Houses of Parliament, Bo Kaap, Castle of Good Hope, District Six and Sea Point.

At the end of your tour you will be dropped off at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its many shops and restaurants, for a relaxing Harbour Cruise. Afterwards make your own way back to your hotel.

Note: Table Mountain cable car is closed for annual maintenance from late July to early August.

Day 3

At leisure to explore more of the beautiful city of Cape Town.

You can visit the Mandela Legacy Exhibition at the City Hall, explore the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or take the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned (advance booking essential in season).

From July to November you can take an optional whale watching trip to Hermanus.

Alternatively you can take the Hop Off bus (Blue Route) to visit world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens or simply relax on golden Camps Bay Beach.

Day 4

This morning your hire car will be dropped off at your hotel.

We recommend you spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve peninsula (pay all entrance fees locally). 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 to spectacular Cape Point where you may 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. Time permitting, you can also visit the world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens before returning to Cape Town.

Day 5

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the West Coast, as you drive 2-hours to Langebaan.

This rugged lagoon is a Ramsar Wetland of international significance, with thousands of seabirds roosting on the nearby sheltered islands. Large concentrations of flamingos and migrants can also be seen wading on the salt marshes.

In West Coast National Park on the shores of the lagoon, you can see zebra, wildebeest, eland, red hartebeest, grysbok, caracal and rock hyrax. Migrating whales may be seen between July and November.

Day 6

At leisure to relax in Langebaan and explore the area around the lagoon.

Geelbek Hide offers excellent opportunities for both birding and photography. You can also enjoy activities on the lagoon, or drive to nearby Paternoster - a peaceful fishing village that has sustained a local community for many decades.

Day 7

This morning leave Langebaan and drive throught the Piekernierskloof Pass to the scenic Cederberg Mountains.

At Clanwilliam we recommend a visit to the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden, which boasts over 350 different species of indigenous wild flowers and wonderful views of the Cederberg Mountains. The best viewing is between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its warmest.

Aftrewards check into your hotel in this region of dramatically beautiful rocky mountain scenery, renowned for its Bushmen paintings.

Day 8

At leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Cederberg Mountains.

Local activities include walking trails to see ancient Bushmen Paintings, nature drives, canoeing and star gazing in amazingly clear night skies.

Day 9

Today leave the Cederberg and enjoy the scenic 5-hour drive through the mountains of Tulbach, Worcester, Robertson, Montagu and the Breede River winelands to the historic town of Swellendam, in the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains.

Check into your hotel in Swellendam - the third oldest town in South Africa, with some wonderful examples of Cape Dutch architecture.

Day 10

At leisure to relax and explore the small town of Swellendam.

It is the gateway to the Little Karoo, with three nature reserves within easy reach - Bontebok National Park, Marloth Nature Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

Day 11

Today drive 3-hours from Swellendam through the fertile Overberg region to Hermanus.

We suggest you detour through the small fishing village of Arniston, with its white limestone cliffs, giant sand dunes, pristine beaches, stunning nature reserve and aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. Also visit Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa and the true meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, before continuing along this beautiful coast 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 relax in the small clifftop town of Hermanus or explore more of the surrounding area.

You can wander around the village and along the coastal path, with its indigenous fynbos and birdlife. You can also visit the small Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a gem of a fynbos wildflower sanctuary, cared for by the local botanical society and set against a mountain at the end of the village.

Day 13

Drive 2-hours today from Hermanus to Stellenbosch in the beautiful Cape Winelands.

Along the way you can stop at the Cheetah Outreach project in Somerset West, to observe these magnificent endangered cats up close. This community-based programme is seeking to raise awareness of the plight of the cheetah and campaign for its survival (pay entrance fee locally).

On arrival in Stellenboch, you can also stop at Vergelegen - the historic Cape Dutch homestead of Simon Van Der Stel, the first governor of the Cape Colony, with its magnificent 300-year old giant camphor trees.

Check into your hotel in this famous wine producing area, relax under the giant oak trees and savour the fine food and wines of this region.

Day 14

At leisure to relax in beautiful Stellenbosch, which is surrounded by its mountains and vineyards.

Explore this old university town with its many street markets, craft shops and museums, including the Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery, or visit Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens.

You can also self-drive the wine routes of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl with many opportunities for wine tasting at famous wine estates. Alternatively use the Vine Hopper hop-off bus to explore these winelands (advance booking online recommended) or book an optional small group tour.

In the evening there are several fine dining restaurants in the area (advance booking strongly recommended).

Note: Vine Hopper bus operates on specific days depending on the route.

Day 15

Drive 1-hour to Cape Town Airport for your flight home.

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