Wonders of South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route

Your tour of South Africa's renowned Garden Route begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a direct overnight flight to Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city.

Cosmopolitan Cape Town is a cultural melting pot with a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years to the Khoi-San people, the first inhabitants of the Cape. In 1652, the Dutch established a settlement here and were later joined by French Huguenots and then the British. Today, in addition to boasting this impressive history drawn from global influences, Cape Town is beloved for its scenery, wine, cuisine and culture.

Touching down in Cape Town this morning, we meet our coach driver and transfer to our hotel in the city's heart. On the way, our driver points out some of Cape Town's main sights, briefly introducing us to the city that will be our home for the next three nights.

Our hotel is in the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and overlooked by the magnificent Table Mountain. On arrival, we enjoy a welcome drink, and the rest of the day is free. You may be tempted to wander down to the waterfront, which has a variety of eateries offering fresh seafood, traditional South African dishes and north Indian cuisine, with several restaurants overlooking the water.

This evening, we regroup at our hotel for dinner together.

• Dinner

Waking on our second day in Cape Town, we enjoy breakfast before transferring to the station, where we board a Ceres Rail steam train for a round-trip journey to Elgin Railway Market. Soak up beautiful views of the countryside and Table Mountain as the vintage train travels from the bustling city into the open landscapes of the Cape.

Housed within an old apple warehouse, Elgin Railway Market blends Art Deco design with the Steampunk aesthetic, creating a unique atmosphere. You can find local food and craft sellers, live music and local wines, beer and cider. You have free time to explore the market before we board the steam train for our return journey.

With your last free evening in Cape Town, you might like to take a twilight stroll along the Sea Point Promenade, enjoying views of the ocean as the sun sets on the glowing horizon.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we set out on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Boarding our coach, we drive to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point at the continent's most southwestern tip. Here, we ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular to just below the lighthouse at the top, marvelling at panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, False Bay and the Cape Peninsula coastline.

Next, we travel along False Bay to Simon's Town, where we enjoy lunch at a local seafront restaurant, followed by time to explore independently. Our tour continues at nearby Boulders Beach, a pristine bay home to a colony of African penguins. These characterful creatures nest in the dunes and swim in the sea, often gathering in family groups to soak up the sun on the rocks. Wander along the boardwalk between the dunes to see Africa's only native penguins in their natural habitat.

After we return to the hotel, you have a free evening. You might like to visit Bree Street, one of Cape Town's most popular dining destinations, where you can enjoy fusion food, Cape Malay dishes, Mediterranean cuisine or Asian flavours.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today's explorations take us into the celebrated Cape Winelands for a tour highlight. Soak up sweeping views of lush valleys and dramatic peaks on the two-hour drive to Stellenbosch, a historic university city filled with whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture and world-class vineyards.

On arrival, we check in to our hotel before setting out for the nearby town of Franschhoek, another famous wine destination with more compact and romantic feel. Exploring the small town centre feels like stepping back in time to the 17th century, when waves of French Huguenots arrived and kickstarted the region's winemaking tradition. Our exploration ends with a visit to Huguenot Fine Chocolates, where we enjoy a chocolate-making demonstration and tasting.

Next, we head into the countryside for a special experience: the Franschhoek wine tram. This old-fashioned hop-on, hop-off tram travels between the valley's famous wine estates, stopping to let you sample exceptional wines, enjoy cellar tours, or stroll through the vineyards. At one estate, we stop for lunch and a wine tasting. After lunch, you're welcome to continue riding the tram, hopping off to visit more wineries independently before we return to our hotel in Stellenbosch.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you're free to unwind or explore Stellenbosch at your own pace. If you're keen to relax after a few days of exploring the Cape, you could spend a leisurely day at the hotel, perhaps taking a dip in the outdoor pool.

Another option is to wander through bustling Stellenbosch, browsing the shops and galleries, visiting the cafes and soaking up spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. You might like to visit Dorp Street, a charming oak-lined road which offers period buildings, boutiques and museums including the Rupert Museum, which houses an excellent collection of modern South African art.

In the evening, you're free to dine independently, choosing from one of Stellenbosch's eateries. You might like to try Church Street in the heart of the town, home to dozens of cafés, wine bars and restaurants serving excellent food and wine. From South African to French, Italian to Greek, Stellenbosch boasts a wide range of regional and international cuisines.

• Breakfast

Leaving Stellenbosch after breakfast, we travel south by coach to the coastal town of Hermanus, known as the land-based whale watching capital of the world. Framed by towering mountains on one side and rugged coastline on the other, Hermanus is an excellent base from which to delve into the region's wildlife and nature.

On arrival, we set out on a brief tour, ending at the Whale House Museum, where you have the chance to learn about the magnificent mammals that visit Hermanus from June to December. After this preview, we take to the sea for a closer look. Leaving Hermanus' port by boat, we sail into the Atlantic in search of the 'Marine Big Five: dolphins, the Cape fur seal, bronze whaler sharks, African penguins and, of course, whales. With guided commentary along the way, we learn about these incredible creatures and their natural habitat.

After the cruise, we head by coach to our hotel, where we enjoy a welcome drink. This evening, you're free to dine independently at the hotel or in Hermanus, perhaps sampling some local seafood.

• Breakfast

After breakfast with a sea view at our hotel in Hermanus, we hop aboard a coach for a scenic journey to our next destination. Along the way, we stop in the coastal village of Mossel Bay, a key stop along the Garden Route famed for its sandy beaches, maritime history and charming shops and restaurants. You're welcome to find lunch independently before we continue by coach inland to Oudtshoorn, a historic town in the Klein Karoo region known as the ostrich capital of the world.

Our home for the next two nights is a unique resort with luxury tented accommodation and a mountain backdrop. After checking in and enjoying a welcome drink, we visit the nearby Dias Museum, a complex dedicated to the cultural and natural history of the area. One of the museum's highlights is a remarkable life-size replica of the Portuguese caravel used by the explorer Bartolomeu Dias on his voyage around the southern tip of Africa.

In the evening, we return to our accommodations for dinner, served on the wooden deck overlooking the extensive waterhole and the mountains in the distance.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we hop aboard a coach for a trip to Cango Caves, one of South Africa's most celebrated and oldest natural heritage spots. In the early nineteenth century, waves of visitors started breaking off stalactites and stalagmites as souvenirs, prompting the first environmental protection law in South Africa. Enjoy a heritage tour of this series of hidden chambers full of otherworldly limestone rock formations.

After our tour, we head to Meiringspoort Waterfall, a towering cascade in a deep ravine that plunges into a clear rock pool. Legend has it a mermaid lives at the bottom of the pool, inspired by the ancient Khoi-San rock paintings of mermaids that can be found in the Karoo region.

Returning to our accommodations, we enjoy lunch on the sheltered deck overlooking the waterhole. If we're lucky, we may spot elephants and other wildlife on the opposite bank. You have a free afternoon to unwind at the resort, perhaps taking a dip in the pool, before we gather for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the lodge, we board a coach heading back to the south coast, driving through vast, orange-tinted desert landscapes with green peaks in the distance. As we approach the sea, the landscape becomes greener and more fertile.

Our destination is Knysna, a town on the northern shore of the Knysna Lagoon, which opens up to the ocean after passing two large headlands known as The Heads. On arrival, we take a brief tour of the area, visiting the famous Heads for sweeping views of the sea and the town. With free time over lunch, you're welcome to enjoy a bite to eat at a nearby café.

In the afternoon, we continue west, stopping at Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park for scenic views before circling back to our hotel in Knysna, where we enjoy a welcome drink before an evening at leisure. Dining independently tonight, you might like to head to Knysna's waterfront, a charming area full of trendy and delicious restaurants. Oysters are a classic Knysna dish, pairing perfectly with a sea view.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we set out for a special safari experience at Botlierskop, a private, family-owned wildlife reserve. Our journey takes us along the verdant coast before heading inland reaching our destination around midday.

Our destination lies within the UNESCO-listed Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, a pristine wilderness home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape Buffalo. With a knowledgeable guide, we set off on a three-hour safari experience across the 6,000-hectare area, seeking the Big 5 alongside cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, the rare Black Impala, Mountain Zebra and more than 200 bird species.

In the late afternoon, we board a coach for our return journey, stopping along the way at Gqeberha, or Port Elizabeth, another key Garden Route stop. Known for its sandy beaches, friendly residents and beautiful coastline, it's the perfect place to pause, stretch our legs, and maybe find a bite to eat. Later, we return to our hotel, where you're welcome to find dinner independently.

• Breakfast

Today, we dive into the Knysna region with an experience at Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine area of land situated on the Western Head of Knysna. Only accessible by ferry, this private reserve offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline.

We set out on a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide, learning about Knysna's history, flora and fauna. Our tour includes a scenic ferry crossing to the reserve, where we hop aboard a 4x4 vehicle to the top of the Western Head, where we can see outstanding views of the lagoon and the Indian Ocean. You have the option to join a nature walk through the coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves before concluding the experience with a buffet lunch served in the waterfront restaurant.

In the afternoon, we return to Knysna for a last free evening. You might like to return to the waterfront, where you can seek out another delicious dining experience with sweeping views of the lagoon, savouring your final night in South Africa.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Leaving the hotel after breakfast, we transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for a short flight to Johannesburg. On arrival, we get ready to board our long-haul flight back to London Heathrow.

• Breakfast

On this remarkable tour of South Africa's Garden Route, we experienced a wide variety of scenery, wildlife, culture and cuisine. From visiting renowned wine estates on the Franschhoek wine tram to exploring the ancient Cango Caves and seeking wildlife in a private wildlife reserve, we've experienced the very best of South Africa's south coast. We took a heritage train to Elgin Railway Market in Cape Town, experienced a wildlife-watching cruise in Hermanus and enjoyed a unique stay in the Klein Karoo region.

Your holiday ends as our plane lands at London Heathrow, and you can make your way home.