Cape Town and Garden Route – Experience South Africa

Luxury South African Experience

Day 1 – Table Bay Hotel

Check into The Table Bay hotel. Positioned as having the best address in the Cape, is celebrated for its diverse and divine levels of luxury and service. At the official opening of The Table Bay in 1997, President Nelson Mandela made auspicious reference to the major asset to our national tourism infrastructure.

This luxurious hotel is part of Sun International’s Sunlux Collection. From Robben Island to the Atlantic breakwater, from the waterfront harbour to the heights of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, the hotel’s soaring, expansive design, complemented by feature floor to ceiling windows, celebrates these vistas. 329 spacious en-suite rooms boast beautiful outlooks of either mountain, harbour or sea views.

The hotel has direct access to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, together with a wealth of activity options within the Cape Surrounds which are just a concierge visit away.  The Lounge is perfect to enjoy light meals or the famous Table Bay High Tea, while Camissa Brassiere is the hottest spot in Cape Town and celebrates cultural heritage with diverse cuisine.

Day 2 – Scheduled – Walk To Freedom Tour – Full Day

Departs Daily between 08h00 and 08h45. Returns at approximately 17h00

Visit Robben Island in the afternoon. Visit the riveting District Six Museum for a sharp reminder of the past before a tour of Langa Township, the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Cape, visiting a local market, as well as Arts & Crafts centre. Experience the people’s warm hospitality visiting a local crèche providing local children with a safe haven and fun (Weekdays only). Enjoy a hands-on experience of life in a township. This afternoon visit Robben Island, cruel home of our Nelson Mandela for so many years.

Your experience highlights:

District Six Museum (closed Sundays)

Langa Township local market, Arts & Crafts centre and crèche

Robben Island

Inclusions: – Entrance fees.

– Fully escorted tour by a registered guide.

– District Six Museum.

– Township Donation.

Exclusions: – Gratuities for the Guide.

– All meals (unless specified in the itinerary).

Day 3

Day at Leisure in Cape Town

Day 4

Day at Leisure in Cape Town

Day 5

Self Drive to Leopards Leap Wine Estate 

Operating hours 11:00 – 16:30

Check into The Last Word Franschhoek

Past internationally-renowned vineyards, there’s a place where the charming wisteria- rose- and bougainvillea-lined path offers a charismatic welcome and personalised service. A stylish living room opens onto an outdoor swimming pool and compact sun trap – indigenous and exotic flora ensures a colourful garden year around.

Expect French Provençal living at this five-star, intimate hotel where eight superior double rooms and two pool suites provide private retreats. Reflecting nuances of Cape Huguenot heritage, The Last Word Franschhoek has been a consecutive finalist as South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel in the World Travel Awards.

Wine tasting on horseback is one of the area’s unusual activities – and remember, Franschhoek is the country’s food-and-wine heartland.  Fine touches and attention to detail, complemented by an attentive yet unobtrusive team, promise treasured memories.  The Last Word Intimate Hotels is a member of Mantis.

Inclusions:

– Breakfast.

– All beverages.

– Select wines.

– Premium spirits.

– Mini bars and bicycle use.

Exclusions:

– All other meals and beverages.

– All items of a personal nature.

– All items not specified.

Day 6

Check into Lairds Lodge Country Estate.

This gracious Cape Dutch homestead is situated on a 24-acre estate, offering mountain views, wide open spaces and a secluded swimming pool. Perfectly positioned to explore the Garden Route, from the Wilderness to the Tsitsikamma forests. Explore stunning Plettenberg Bay (8km) or the charming town of Knysna (23km). The high-ceilinged elegantly decorated rooms convey a feeling of tranquillity and include cushioned comfort, air-conditioning, percale linen and quality toiletries. Superb breakfasts and convivial gourmet dinners, specialising in seafood and game dishes, are served in the Colonial dining rooms or the cosy wine cellar. At night, courtyards and verandas with blazing braziers and the intimate brandy lounge create a truly South African experience.

Visit Storms River Mouth Camp – Conservation Fees

Conservation Levy to be paid locally

This is a superb safe walk leading to the river mouth through flora and fauna with 2 suspension bridges to cross once you arrive at the mouth.

Visit Featherbed Eco-Experience including buffet lunch

This pristine piece of paradise situated on the Western Head of Knysna is a privately-owned, registered Nature Reserve and a South African Heritage Site.

In order to protect the splendour of the natural beauty, access to the reserve is controlled.   Visits are only permitted in the company of the reserve’s specialist guides.

The Featherbed Nature Reserve offers a Knysna adventure activity not to be missed.  The eco tour begins with a cruise across the Knysna estuary.  On arrival at the nature reserve guests will enjoy a 4×4 Unimog & trailer ride to the top of the Western Head.  Here the optional 2.2 kilometre downhill guided walk will begin, passing through Milkwood forests onto the steep sandstone cliffs, into ancient Khoi-San sea caves and along a scenic coastal path fringed with aromatic fynbos.

Your guide will inform you on the fauna, flora and bird life in the reserve.

On the coastal walk back, you can often spot the resident Black African Oyster Catcher, one of the rarest coastal birds in South Africa.

The Food Forest Restaurant is situated on the edge of the Lagoon under a canopy of Milkwood trees where we serve the most sumptuous buffet lunch fit for a king.

Inclusions:

– Return lagoon cruise with commentary.

– 4 x 4 Unimog & trailer ride.

– Buffet Lunch.

– Optional 2,2 km guided nature walk.

Exclusions: – Gratuities.

– Beverages.

Day 7

Visit Knysna Elephant Park for the Elephant Walk – Departure time 1530

Experience an incredible scenic walk, meandering through the Park at elephant pace with panoramic views of the Outeniqua mountains and Knysna forest. Join our guides who will relate informative ‘elephant tales’ while you follow in the footsteps of these remarkable animals. Round this off with refreshments at the Elephant Park restaurant.

Day 8

Old Nick Artisan Village

Old Nick Village is a landmark shopping destination on the Garden Route, featuring an eclectic collection of shops owned by creative manufacturers, designers and curators. The galleries and shops occupy heritage buildings scattered amongst lush and established indigenous gardens and each has their own individual signature. is a landmark shopping destination on the Garden Route.

Check into The Plettenberg

A panoramic view over the pristine and endless beaches of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa’s finest. The Plettenberg, situated on a rocky headland in Africa’s most spectacular coastal resort town, is the ultimate escape. The rooms, suites and villas showcase some of the most breathtaking vistas in Southern Africa. With views of the ocean, mountains and endless stretches of golden beach, The Plettenberg is situated in the heart of the adventure rich Garden Route. This region is world renowned for its excellent selection of outdoor activities, from dolphin and whale sightings to bungee jumping, treetop canopy tours and other exhilarating pursuits. The Plettenberg is the ideal place to both relax and unwind, or recharge and reinvigorate, through a series of sensational endeavours. The charming service, superb cuisine and the setting of this hotel combine to create the ultimate story, one of a South African seaside property unlike any other.

Day 9

Check into Pumba Private Game Reserve – Pumba Water Lodge

Eco friendly Pumba, set in the malaria free Eastern Cape, provides an unforgettable Safari experience. The reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five as well as the rare white lion and more than 300 bird species. Explore the reserve in custom Land rovers or on guided walking safaris. Pumba Water Lodge offers 12 luxury chalets overlooking Lake Cariega. All Chalets open onto private game viewing decks boasting plunge pools and outdoor showers.

Indulgent bathrooms offer free standing tubs and double basins. Whether dining indoors or under the starlit sky, meals at Pumba are simply sublime. Enjoy African fusion cuisine with an Eastern Cape flair complemented by a superb selection of local wines from the Director’s Cellar. Revitalise body and mind in the Soul Spa.  Other activities include bird watching, bass fishing, stargazing and archery.

Inclusions:

– All meals.

– Two game drives daily (morning and afternoon)

– Selected local beverages.

Exclusions:

– All personal extras.

– Any items not mentioned under inclusions.

– Conservation Levy – R250 per room per night.

Day 10

Game drive at Pumba water lodge.

Rest of the day at leisure

Day 11

Depart Pumba Water Lodge to Port Elizabeth Airport for flight back to UK

Amentities & Facilities