When you arrive in Cape Town, a local representative will meet you at the aircraft door with a sign bearing your name. You will be guided through immigration, baggage collection, and customs, accompanied by your assistant. You can also take advantage of a private transfer service between the airport and your hotel in Cape Town.

Experience the captivating and intricate history of Cape Town in a unique and delectable manner - through its cuisine. This culinary journey incorporates a blend of authentic dishes, South African street food, and visits to artisanal eateries and coffee shops. Indulge in samples of soul food classics such as pap, samp and beans, stew, and vetkoek, as well as intriguing flavors like the Muslim rose milkshake known as falooda, and the ever-popular bunny chow found in South Africa's Indian communities. Savor coffee from a small-batch artisan roaster, followed by bobotie pies, a modern twist on the traditional Cape Malay and Afrikaner favorite, bobotie. Please keep in mind that this is a walking tour with multiple food and beverage tastings, so it is recommended to have a light (or no) breakfast before the tour.

The Cape Peninsula offers a distinct contrast to cosmopolitan Cape Town, with its wild National Parks, artistic bohemian seaside villagers, and working fishing harbors. Accompanied by a private guide, start your exploration in Kalk Bay, renowned for its fishing harbor and bohemian atmosphere. Take time to peruse the arts and crafts on offer, or indulge in some shopping at the unique boutiques along the main street. Move on to Simon's Town, a historically rich naval town that offers insights into its colorful past and the shark diving industry through its museums and monuments. Before entering the Cape Peninsula, venture to a splinter colony to search for rogue penguins, away from the crowded boardwalks. Then, explore the rocky beaches and hidden coves of Cape Point, engaging in conversation with your guide about shipwrecks along the coastline, while keeping an eye out for baboons, ostriches, and tortoises in the indigenous fynbos. On the return journey to Cape Town, pass through Noordhoek Farm Village, the food artisan hub of the Peninsula, where, if time permits, you can enjoy a sundowner at a local brewery, vineyard, beach, or scenic lookout.

You have a Toyota Corolla 2WD or similar reserved in your name. Upgrades like vehicle delivery, Wi-Fi, child seats, and GPS are available for an extra cost and must be paid upon collection. Journey east to Franschhoek through Stellenbosch, a popular wine tasting destination. Enjoy contemporary architecture at Cavalli Estate, fine wines and views at Tokara, family-owned estates at Oldenburg Vineyards, or Chenin Blanc at De Morgenzon. The driving time to Franschhoek is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but may vary depending on activities. Franschhoek is a leading destination for wine lovers, with historic wine estates, cutting-edge tasting rooms, and Cape Dutch farmsteads against the Groot Drakenstein Mountains. Enjoy bespoke tastings, guided hikes, picnics, and workshops. Anthonij Rupert, Leopard’s Leap, La Motte, and Babylonstoren are top wineries. Your Destination Expert can help you plan an unforgettable Franschhoek getaway.

Experience the rich history, architecture, and art of Franschhoek with a half-day walking tour. A local guide, who is also a resident of Franschhoek, will accompany you and share their passion for the Valley. Begin the day with an introduction to the village, learning about its history and exploring the town's top galleries on foot. Your guide will provide insider access to the local art scene, lead you through the art galleries, and introduce you to the curators. One of the stops is the Everard Read gallery, the oldest art dealers in South Africa, where you can view outstanding contemporary pieces in various media. The gallery is housed in a beautiful heritage building and shares a sculpture garden with La Petite Colombe Restaurant. Another stop is Ebony, which showcases classic and contemporary fine arts along with exclusive local designs. You'll also visit IS Art, featuring exhibitions by local artists and curated individual pieces by Ilse Schermers. Throughout the morning, there will be a break for coffee and ice cream at De Villiers Chocolate Café, known for its artisanal ice cream, chocolate, and coffee.

Franschhoek is a culinary haven that offers both sophisticated and relaxed fine dining experiences. Aspiring young chefs come to this picturesque village in the heart of the Cape Winelands to work alongside industry veterans at renowned restaurants and wine estates, making Franschhoek a true gastronomic gem. Expect menus that are refined yet uncomplicated, with fresh ingredients foraged from the surrounding hills and local produce grown in Franschhoek's fertile backyard. The wine lists are excellent, and the venues are edgy and unique. Some of the top choices in town include La Petite Colombe, Protégé, Foliage, Babel, and Reuben's. Speak to a Destination Expert to select the venue that best suits your preferences and to make reservations. Please note that reservations are subject to availability.

Today, your journey will take you back to the coast. To reach Hermanus, head over Sir Lowry’s Pass and pass through the small town of Grabouw. Just 3 miles southeast of Grabouw is Elgin, a beautiful region surrounded by majestic mountains. Despite being a relatively young wine area, Elgin Valley has a charming and untouched character. The farms along the route are small, rustic, and owner-run, and they are conveniently located close to each other, making it easy to explore. Almenkerk is a family estate with an impressive cellar. Paul Cluver established the first vineyard and wine cellar in Elgin Valley in 1896, and the estate is still family-owned and produces a wide range of wines. Enjoy a meal at the café, stock up on artisanal goods at Peregrine Farm Stall, or indulge in tapas and wine at South Hill Estate's restaurant. For a taste of Elgin's laidback charm, visit the Hickory Shack. Her Harvest on Rosenhof Farm offers plant-based food made with love and organic ingredients from their vegetable garden. Keep in mind that the duration of today's journey will depend on the number of stops you choose to make along the way, even though the drive from Franschhoek to Hermanus can take as little as two hours.

This afternoon, we recommend exploring the area around Hermanus at your own pace. One option is to drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve, which is approximately an hour north of Hermanus. This reserve is home to one of the two land-based penguin colonies in the Cape, with the other being Boulders Beach in Simon's Town. When you arrive, take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalks and observe the adorable penguins as they go about their daily activities. Don't forget to admire the breathtaking views of the coastline. Stony Point is open to visitors from 8am to 5pm every day, and entrance fees can be paid in cash at the reserve.

In the morning, head to the departure point in Gansbaai for your marine excursion. The scenic drive will take you through Stanford and along the Klein River Lagoon. From Stanford, you'll head back towards the Ocean, passing by the Walker Bay Nature Reserve and the seaside enclaves of De Kelders and Gansbaai. The total driving time will be around one hour.

Walker Bay and its surrounding area are known for their incredible marine biodiversity. Take a shared boat tour to get up close to the wildlife that inhabits this pristine aquatic environment. After an introductory talk, you'll depart from Kleinbaai Harbour to Dyer Island, which is about 5 miles offshore. This island is protected for its many bird species, including African Penguins, Cape Gannets, and Giant Petrels. Adjacent to Dyer Island is Geyser Rock, which is home to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals. The channel between these two islands is known as Shark Alley. In these waters, you may also spot Bryde's Whales, Humpback Whales, and dolphins. Your tour will take you to the hot spots for whale sightings in the bay. A light lunch will be served either before or after your cruise, depending on the time of day.

Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely drive back to Hermanus. Just 2 miles from the De Kelders fishing village is the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to the Klipgat Cave, which offers stunning ocean views through its limestone windows. The cave has significant cultural, historical, and world heritage importance due to the 1992 excavation that revealed stone tools and human bones dating back 70,000 years. Visitors can take scenic walks around the reserve, enjoying beautiful views of the area, the crashing waves of the Atlantic, and hopefully some land-based whale sightings.

For a long drive today, we recommend starting early. The route will pass through Swellendam, a picturesque town in the Garden Route at the base of the Langeberg Mountains. Swellendam is known for its Cape Dutch architecture and offers museums, restaurants, and guest houses. Take a break at Ikigai Artisan Coffee Bar & Deli or Tredici for coffee and snacks. After about 2 hours, you'll reach Mossel Bay, a coastal town with historical landmarks such as the Post Office Tree and a replica of Bartholomeu Dias' ship. Enjoy a light lunch at Café Gannet. From Mossel Bay, it's a 1.5-hour drive to Knysna, passing through George, Wilderness, and Sedgefield.

To explore Knysna's indigenous forest and admire its giant yellowwood trees, visit the Diepwalle Forestry Station. There are three Elephant Trails that wind through the forest, each with different lengths and difficulty levels. The Black Route is a 5.5-mile circular walk that takes 3 to 4 hours. The White Route is a moderate trek that also takes 3 to 4 hours. The Red Route is for experienced hikers and is graded as moderate to difficult. The trails include forestry roads, woodcutter trails, and boardwalks, offering views of old yellowwoods, stinkwood trees, streams, and tree ferns. Keep an eye out for fungi and the Knysna Loerie or Knysna dwarf chameleon if you're lucky.

For a different perspective of Knysna's beauty, take a sundowner cruise. Enjoy a stunning sunset over the lagoon as your boat sails across the estuary and through the Knysna Heads. After the sail, indulge in a delicious Mediterranean-style feast and toast with South African bubbly in the calm waters of the estuary.

Enjoy a unique destination called The Crags, situated between Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley. Explore Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary, Hog Hollow Horse Trails, or the Plett Winelands. Bramon Wine Estate offers delicious tapas lunches with award-winning wine overlooking vineyards. Monkeyland and Birds of Eden are perfect for kids, with various primate species and a free flight sanctuary housing over 3,500 birds. Nature's Valley is ideal for bird watching and hiking, with trails like Salt River Mouth, Kalander, and Groot River. Canoeing from the Nature's Valley Rest Camp is a great way to relax. The Knysna Waterfront is a popular leisure and shopping destination, with restaurants and fine dining options. Thesen Island is worth exploring, with a self-guided tour explaining its history. Visit the Garden Route National Park offices and SANParks' Jetty Building to learn about the biodiversity of the area and see the endangered Knysna seahorse. This whole experience will take a couple of hours.

To begin your journey from the Garden Route to Gqeberha, we recommend starting early as the drive takes about 3.5 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through Plettenberg Bay, Natures Valley, and Storms River. In Storms River Village, you can make a quick stop at the Big Tree Café for a coffee before continuing to Gqeberha.

Once you arrive in Gqeberha, head to the rental car drop-off center to return your vehicle. Alternatively, you can arrange for the vehicle to be collected from your accommodation, but please note that this will incur an additional cost.

For your transfer between Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape Reserves, a private vehicle will pick you up. This transfer allows you to enjoy excellent game viewing opportunities. The duration of the drive can range from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the location of your lodge.

Experience the beauty of Kwandwe on game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. A ranger and tracker team will guide you as you search for the Big Five and other wildlife. Morning drives offer a chance to see predators in action and animals grazing. Afternoon drives allow for sightings of animals drinking by the river. Night drives offer unique sightings of aardvarks, aardwolves, foxes, and porcupines. In addition to game drives, take a leisurely walk near your lodge to discover the hidden wonders of the bush. Explore euphorbia thickets on foot and uncover a world of lichen, mosses, and ferns.

Start your day before sunrise and venture into the vast Kwandwe Private Reserve. As one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game viewing areas, each drive will leave you wanting more. The animals are most active at sunrise and sunset, so stay alert and have your camera ready while your guide and tracker spot the resident wildlife. After a few hours, return to your lodge for a satisfying breakfast.

In the afternoon, hop on an open 4x4 vehicle for another game viewing adventure. With the sun starting to set, nocturnal animals come out to play. Whether on marked roads or off the beaten path, your tracker will take you deep into the Kwandwe Reserve to find predators and prey. If you're lucky, you may witness a pride of lions on the hunt. Relax and keep your camera handy to capture your favorite animals. After a thrilling few hours, return to your lodge to freshen up before dinner.

You will be transported by private vehicle between Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape Reserves, allowing you to indulge in exceptional game viewing opportunities. The duration of the drive ranges from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the whereabouts of your lodge.