Cape Town & Garden Route Private Vacation

 City Walking Tour

Enjoy an exploration of the rich history and cultural sights of Cape Town on a drive past the impressive Castle of Good Hope, the City Hall, St. George’s Cathedral, a seat of the Anglican Church, the Great Synagogue and Holocaust Center and the lush Company’s Gardens adjacent to the South African Parliament. On this Historic City Walk, You’ll  also hear interesting stories about the city’s rich history and heritage – from slavery to the apartheid era and the present day. Tour highlights include Greenmarket Square (where slaves were once sold), City Hall (where Nelson Mandela made his first speech as a free man) and the Company’s Garden (home to the Cape’s oldest living citizen)

The Day’s Programme in Detail

8am Leave V&A Hotel Waterfront, take a cab to the train station Walk past War Memorial, Adderley Flower Market, Groote Kerk, St Georges Cathedral.

Visit City Hall & Grand Parade, Visit Castle of Good Hope and Walk through The Company’s Gardens and see Cape Town Parliament buildings.

Return to Waterfront for walkabout and leisure

6pm Return to Waterfront for walkabout and dinner

Overnight: Table Bay Hotel, Waterfront

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals: Breakfast

The Day’s Programme in Detail

8am After breakfast we ascend by aerial cableway* to the summit of Table Mountain, an iconic symbol of the city (weather permitting). From atop, view the amazing panoramic views of the waterfront, the majestic Hottentots Mountains, and the gorgeous Cape Peninsula. On a clear day, you can see as far as Robben Island. 

8am Drive through Vibrant Bo-Kaap Walk

The Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured houses – think pink, green, blue and orange. Other tour highlights include Auwal Masjid (the first and oldest mosque in South Africa), the Bo-Kaap Museum and the spicy delights of Cape Malay food. Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill, we reach the exotic Bo-Kaap quarter, formerly the Cape Malay Quarter, one of the oldest and most fascinating residential areas in the city with its brightly colored homes and winding cobblestone streets that date back to the 18th century. Linger on your own or return to the V&A Waterfront for leisure time. 

12pm we will Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, take a guided tour and sit for lunch

Between 3-4pm Drop off at V&A Waterfront Hotel

Overnight: Table Bay Hotel, Waterfront

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals: Breakfast

Cape of Good Hope Tour

Wake up to the beauty of this historic city and at 8 am we depart to explore  the picturesque scenery on a Cape Peninsula tour as you drive along the exquisite stretch of coastline. Relish the breathtaking views along legendary Chapman’s Peak and take a ride on the Flying Dutchman funicular to the old lighthouse. On your way back towards Cape Town, visit the endearing African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. 

The Day’s Programme in Detail

8am Pick up at V&A Waterfront Hotel Take the M3 to False Bay coast at Muizenberg.

Go through coastal villages of Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town and visit the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Stop at Cape of Good Hope, take the Flying Dutchman funicular to visit Cape Point Lighthouse on top of Cape Point, and take in the views from the cliff lookouts, take pictures behind sign board.

See the Dias and da Gama monuments

Return to Cape Town along western coastline through Scarborough, Misty Cliffs to Noordhoek Village. Drive Chapman’s Peak Drive to Camps Bay, Clifton, and Bantry Bay back to Cape Town.

4pm Drop Off at V&A Waterfront Hotel

Overnight: Table Bay Hotel, Waterfront

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals:

Visit Hermanus 

The Day’s Programme in Detail

9am Pick up at V&A Hotel Waterfront, we will drive along the whale  coast to Stony Point Beach penguins

We will visit Stony Point for a visit to see African Penguins in their natural habitat. Next drive through the historical naval village of Hermanus  and over yet another spectacular whale watching  harbor of Hermanus for whale watching along the coast.

Take a whale watching boat trip 14:30-16:30 in  (Included)

Experience a trip on the ocean surrounding Hermanus, known as the whale watching capital of the world. Spend some time looking for these majestic creatures before coming to a stop and observing them in their natural habitat.

Board your vessel for the day and receive a safety briefing before starting your whale watching adventure. In good weather conditions travellers will be allowed on the top-deck before departure for great unobstructed views, otherwise they will be allowed on top only after the whales have been found.  Travel out onto the ocean taking in great views as you go. Once the whales have been spotted, the vessel is allowed to move closer to the whales where it stops and the engines disengage to prevent the whales from being injured by the propellers. Experience for yourself the astonishment of being so close to these majestic creatures.  As the whales are curious creatures, they might move up to the vessel for some ‘people watching’. See a variety of other marine wildlife such as dolphins and seals as you coast along the water. As you travel through the day and spot these beautiful creatures, learn more about them from your crew, before they take you back to land after a once in a lifetime experience.

Know before you go

• Whale watching is suitable for all ages
• Please wear warm clothing and flat shoes
• Trips are weather permitting

After lunch and a leisurely walk, we will Head to De Hoop Nature Reserve (3 hour drive) , spend afternoon whale watching in the De Hoop Reserve 

Overnight: De Hoop Collection, Hermanus

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals: Breakfast

We leave Hermanus after breakfast to Knysna and visit the Knysna Heads

We will enjoy an Oyster tasting experience and later we board the Featherbed Eco Experience , afternoon visit to the Birds of Eden, Monkeyland and

Overnight: Sky Villa Boutique Hotel.Plettenberg Bay

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals: Breakfast

We will explore Tsitsikamma Suspension Bridge and enjoy further walks, segways,  river tubing, canoeing, horse riding, beach walks and paddle-boarding in nature. This is a fantastic way to become accustomed with the Tsitsikamma landscape, throughout which you will learn more about the local culture.

Highlights

Wander through indigenous rivers and forests

Explore the Tsitsikamma region

Engage in river adventures

Experience the highest bungee jump in the world

Admire spectacular views from Africa’s highest bridge

Enjoy a smooth bungee jump with specialist equipment and technology

Get an adrenaline rush from the world’s highest bungy jump.

Enjoy spectacular views from Bloukrans Bridge, which connects some of South Africa’s most beautiful national parks.  

Overnight: Sky Villa Boutique Hotel.Plettenberg Bay

Rooms: Sea facing

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy walks and later drive to George for our flight to Johannesburg, transferring to  our flight home.

Meals: Breakfast Included