Description
Highlights of this safari:
- Wine Tasting at Colonial wine farms in South Africa’s finest wine regions
- Table Mountain ascent in Cape Town
- Walks in the Garden Route
- Whale watching in Hermanus
Short overview:
- Day 1: Johannesburg
- Day 2-5: Cape Town
- Day 6: Klein Karoo
- Day 7-8: Garden Route
- Day 9: Departure
Program & Route:
Day 1: Johannesburg
Met on arrival at OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airport by a local representative for assistance to transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Cape Town
Breakfast in the hotel before transferto the airport. Depart on a morning flight to Cape Town.
Met on arrival at Cape Town International Airport by an English speaking driver/guide for transfer to the hotel and for assistance with check in.
Depart on an afternoon city tour of the “Mother City” travelling through the colourful Malay Quarter to the lower cableway station for ascent of Table Mountain (weather permitting). On descent take a walk in the Company Gardens before driving past the Houses of Parliament, the City Hall, Slave Lodge and the Castle en route to the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for a short visit.
Evening transfer to a restaurant for a wonderful meal paired with South African wines.
Day 3 : Cape Town
Depart after breakfast to Groot Constantia, the benchmark by which the heritage of the Cape is measured in terms of its history, architecture and estate wines.
Established by Commander Simon van der Stel of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1685, Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa. By 1709 there were 70 000 vines on the farm and Van der Stel produced 5630 litres of wine. Purchased by Hendrik Cloete in 1778, the farm and particularly its vineyards were revitalized, producing quality wines that drew European attention and became well known as Constantia Wines.
The morning visit will include a tour through the modern cellar which will include a wine tasting and audio visual. After the wine tasting, visit the Manor House, rebuilt during the 1790’s and housing a selection of old Cape furniture. Also included will be a visit to the Cloete Cellar, the estate’s original cellar hosting a display of drinking vessels and wine making equipment.
Depart thereafter to Simonstown, headquarters of the South African navy, for a visit to the endangered African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach where raised wooden boardwalks give an uninterrupted view of the colony.
Enjoy a fish lunch in a local restaurant before proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and on to Cape Point. Walk to the highest point, or ascend on the funicular (at own expense) before returning to Cape Town late afternoon via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Day 4 : Cape Town
Journey back to the time of the French Huguenot settlers with a visit to Boschendal in Franschhoek. Boschendal’s story is at the very heart of the history of South Africa.
Great wines begin in the vineyards and you will be taken on an exciting guided tour through the extensive patchwork of varietals. Journey to the highest point of the farm where the variable mountain landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty of Boschendal will astound you.
Take a walk through the state of the art cellar followed by a wine tasting in the oldest building on the estate. This will be followed by a visit to the Boschendal Manor House Museum. Dating back to 1812, the historic Cape Vernacular Manor House is one of only a few original Cape farmhouses that has been restored and re-furnished according to old inventories.
Depart over the Hells Hoogte Pass to Stellenbosch, heart of the wine lands and university town, for a Boerebraai (BBQ) lunch.
Continue to the town for a guided walk through the historical centre. The second oldest town in South Africa has been fondly called “Eikestad” or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Return to Cape Town late afternoon.
Day 5: Cape Town
Depart after breakfast to Hermanus, considered to be the best land based whale watching site in the world.
Some time at leisure to walk along the cliffs above the old harbour to view whales in the bay (in season July – November, sightings not guaranteed) before continuing to the famous area known as the “Hemel-en-Aarde” valley where Creation Wines takes pride of place on the Ridge and where the vineyards are grown some 350 meters above sea level. Here ideal soil types combine with the cooling breezes off the Atlantic ocean to create wine growing conditions rivaling the world’s best.
Take a 40 minute walk amongst the fynbos and vineyards with a dedicated guide followed by a food and wine pairing in the Tasting Room, consisting of 4 entrée sized dishes paired with Creation wines.
Return to Cape Town late afternoon.
Day 6: Little Karoo
Breakfast in the hotel followed by check out and departure north to visit Deetlefs wine estate in Rawsonville.
South Africa is the largest producer of Fairtrade wine in the world. Two thirds of the 15.7m bottles of Fairtrade wine sold in 2011 were produced in South Africa and about 5% of the local wine grape production is Fairtrade certified. A visit to Deetlefs will highlight the sustainability of the Fairtrade certification.
Enjoy a wine tasting of grapes grown in the unique micro climate created by the Du Toit’s Kloof mountains, optimized by environmentally friendly farming practices that ensure the healthy production of grapes.
Continue along Cape Route 62 – this scenic route passes through farming towns such as Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, and Robertson. Also known as the longest wine route in the Southern Hemisphere a stop will be made en route at the Joubert-Tradauw wine estate, considered to be one of the top 10 estates in South Africa, for a wine tasting followed by a tapas style lunch at R62 Deli on the estate.
Proceed to Oudsthoorn, “feather capital” of the world, arriving late afternoon.
Day 7: Garden Route
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A morning of sightseeing in Oudtshoorn which will include a visit to the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm for a guided tour which will explain the development of the ostrich from egg to adulthood and beyond.
Proceed over the Robinson Pass via Mossel Bay to Albertinia arriving at a Garden route Game Lodge early afternoon.
Depart on a late afternoon game drive returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 8: Garden route
A full day at Garden route Game lodge with both early morning and late afternoon game drives in open safari style vehicles accompanied by a qualified ranger. During the day you will also have the opportunity to visit the Reptile Centre and the Cheetah Conservation Centre.
Day 9: Departure
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast before departure to Cape Town.
Drop off at Cape Town International Airport early afternoon.