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Holidays to Cape Town Tours Safaris in South Africa Stellenbosch Hermanus

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

Cape Wildflowers + Whales + Winelands (self drive)
Cape Town Self Drive Holiday Penguins Whales Wildflowers Winelands
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,268
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.

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 full day 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 (Fast Track cable car ticket included). Alternatively we will drive up Signal Hill).
 
We then explore the key sights of this beautiful city including enjoying views of the City Hall, Greenmarket Square, Houses of Parliament, Bo Kaap and Sea Point. Entrance fees are included for the Castle of Good Hope and the District Six Museum, but lunch is for your own account.
 
At the end of the day you will be dropped off at your hotel or at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its many shops and restaurants.
 
Note: Table Mountain cable car is closed for annual maintenance from late July to early August.
Day 3
Today we suggest you purchase a pass onboard the Blue Route Hop-Off Bus, which travels from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to Camps Bay beach, taking the longer circular route around the back of Table Mountain.
 
On this route you can visit the world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens, nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and regarded as one the most beautiful botanic gardens in the world. It is renowned for its wide diversity of fynbos and protea (pay entrance fee locally).
 
You can also visit the small fishing harbour at Hout Bay, where you can take the ferry to Seal Island (pay locally).
 
Note: Don't let the colour of the bus confuse you. All buses are red, but they run two different routes - the Red City Route and the Blue Kirstenbosch Route.
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 Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve peninsula (pay all entrance fees locally).
 
Drive past the sparkling beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno to Hout Bay, the heart of the local crayfish industry. Here you can join an optional cruise to Seal Island to view Cape Fur seals (pay locally).
 
Then drive via spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve to enjoy the rugged beauty of this spectacular coastline, with its diverse fauna and flora. Established in 1936 to preserve the indigenous flora of the Cape Peninsula, this 7,750 hectare reserve showcases the diversity in the Cape Floral Kingdom, including the protea, erica and restio families. The fauna of the reserve include eland, Burchell’s zebra, bontebok, Chacma baboon and many smaller mammals and reptiles, as well as over 250 bird species. You may even see dolphins or whales in season (July to November).
 
On the return journey we recommend driving through naval Simons Town to visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach before returning to your hotel.
Day 5
Enjoy the stunning scenery of West Coast National Park, as you drive 2-hours to Langebaan Lagoon.
 
Over 250 bird species have been recorded on and around this rugged lagoon, which is a RAMSAR Wetland of international significance. Thousands of seabirds roost on the nearby sheltered islands, and large concentrations of flamingos and migrants can be seen wading on the salt marshes.
 
When you enter the park, you immediately find yourself in coastal 'Strandveld' which hosts a profusion of bush birds. Birders can listen and keep a look out for the Long-billed crombec, Bar-throated apalis, Grey-backed cisticola, Layard's titbabbler, Karoo lark, and Cape penduline tit. The main Geelbek hides are the most popular places to observe these birds. The waders that can be seen from the hide also include the Little stint, Ringed and Kitlitz's plovers, Marsh sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Whimbrel and Eurasian curlew. There are also plenty of South African shelducks around, as well as the White pelican and two species of flamingos.
 
On the shores of the lagoon, you can also see zebra, wildebeest, eland, red hartebeest, grysbok, caracal and rock hyrax. Migrating whales may be seen between July and November.
 
After a picnic lunch (which you need to arrange yourself), continue driving around the lagoon to Postberg Flower Reserve (pay entrance fee locally). This special wildflower conservancy is only open to visitors during the flower season, ensuring an abundance of undisturbed blooms. Depending on the rains, from mid August to mid September you may see spectacular fields of wildflowers that form a carpet of many colours. On clear sunny days, the wildflowers appear to erupt from every sandy nook and rocky cranny, opening up to the blue sky and providing an unforgettable floral extravaganza.
Day 6
This morning leave Langebaan and drive 2.5-hours to the scenic Cederberg Mountains, travelling either inland through the Piekernierskloof Pass, or using the longer coastal route.
 
For birders we suggest taking the coastal route, as the Lower Berg River at Velddrif is a great place to spot a few waders. Where the road runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean keep a look out for the endemic Heaviside’s dolphin just beyond the surf. The bird reserve at Rocherpan has a few bird hides. You will drive past the large wetland at Verlorenvlei and from Elands Bay you will take a dust road north along the coast, via the saltpan at Wadrif. At Lambert’s Bay you can view an endemic Cape gannet colony at close quarters, one of only six breeding colonies in the world, as well as African penguins, terns, cormorants and gulls.
 
Continue inland to the dramatic Cederberg Mountains, which are composed of sedimentary sandstone richly coloured by iron oxides. Over millennia these mountains have been twisted and sculpted into a remarkable range of fantastic rock formations. The area has a mix of diverse mountain fynbos and hardy succulents of the semi-arid Karoo. The Clanwilliam cedar tree, which gives the area its name, grows at an altitude of over 1,000m. It was heavily exploited by early settlers, as a result of which it is almost extinct, but there is now a concerted effort to re-plant these trees in suitable areas of the mountains.
 
Time permitting, at Clanwilliam you can visit the Ramskop Wildflower Garden, which boasts over 350 different species of indigenous wildflowers and wonderful views of the Cederberg Mountains (pay entrance fee locally). The best viewing is between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its warmest.
 
Afterwards check into your hotel in this region of dramatically beautiful rocky mountain scenery, renowned for its Bushmen paintings.
Day 7
Today leave the Cederberg and drive 2-hours to the small Karoo farming town of Calvinia in Namaqualand.
 
Along the way you can visit a Bushman painting site in the scenic Cederberg Mountains.
 
Then continue to the small Karoo farming town of Calvinia in Namaqualand. Named after John Calvin, the religious reformer, this predominantly Afrikaans-speaking town is renowed for its wildflowers and spectacular Karoo landscapes, with one of the highest concentrations of wildflower bulbs in the world. It also has amazingly clear night skies for wonderful star gazing.
Day 8
Today enjoy a full day photographing and enjoying the spectacular wildlflowers found around Calvinia, driving through the flowering areas of Toren, Naresie and the Quiver Tree Forest.
 
Also visit Nieuwoudtville on the Bokkeveld Plateau, which has some of the best spring wildflower displays in the Cape. More than 1,350 different species of wildflowers are found on this plateau, with over 600 in the vicinity of the town. In some areas around Nieuwoudtville there may be as many as 25 000 geophytes (bulbs & tubers) per square metre, but it is more usual to find a few hundred plants. At this density, a spade full of soil will contain more than 100 bulbs..
 
We also suggest visiting the Matjiesfontein Flower Reserve, before returning to Calvinia (pay any entrance fees locally).
Day 9
Leave Calvinia today and drive 5-hours to the small town of Springbok in the heart of Namaqualand.
 
The mountains above Kamieskroon represent a unique floral spectacle, as the higher rainfall here has caused the normally arid succulent vegetation to be replaced on some slopes by outlying areas of fynbos, characteristic of the Cape Floral Region to the south. Namaqua National Park also has excellent spring flowers (pay entrance fee locally).
 
As you approach Springbok, at certain times of the year you can see miles and miles of brightly coloured wildflowers that bloom here during August and September – carpeting what is normally an arid semi-desert landscape. This spectacular natural phenomenon occurs for only a few weeks, with the quality and timing of the floral displays depending upon the mid-year rainfall. Check into your hotel in the heart of the wildflower region.
Day 10
Spend today exploring the wildflowers of Namaqualand.
 
During wildflower season (late July to mid September, although this does depend on the rainfall) we suggest visiting Goegap Nature Reserve, as well as regions such as Kamieskroon or Nababeep depending upon where the wildflowers are at their best..
 
On one day you can take a full day excursion to Namaqua National Park and surrounding area. Enjoy photographing these colourful blooms, which are a truly remarkable sight.
 
Namaqualand forms part of the Succulent Karoo Biome, and the rocky hillsides and open flats are also home to the greatest diversity of succulents in the world.
 
At other times of the year there is much to photograph in these quaint rural towns in this far-flung part of South Africa, where the Bushmen once roamed. To learn more about their culture you can adapt your itinerary to explore areas such as Riemvasmaak Canyon, the mountainous Richtersveld or the beautiful coastline at Port Nolloth instead.
 
Each evening marvel at the glorious night skies overhead, offering some of the best star gazing opportunities in the world.
 
Note: The wildflower areas only open at 11am.
Day 11
A full day on the road today as you leave Namaqualand and drive 6-hours southwards, travelling through the scenic Cederberg Mountains to the winelands of Stellenbosch.
 
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 12
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 13
Drive 2-hours today from Stellenbosch to the small seaside town of Hermanus, travelling along the scenic coastal route through Gordon’s Bay and along the False Bay coast.
 
Along the way we suggest a detour to the Stoney Point Penguin Colony in the small coastal town of Bettys Bay. You may also want to visit Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, renowned for its fynbos flowers. The walk through the gorge and down to the waterfall is particularly rewarding (pay all entrance fees locally).
 
Continue to Hermanus and check into your hotel. From July to November, southern right and humpback whales come here 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.
Day 14
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 15
Drive 1-hour to Cape Town Airport for your flight home.