Culture & Wildlife Discovery of Cape Town & The Garden Route 12D11N, Guided

From A$9,030.00 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Feel every bit of magic as you journey from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town on this 12-day South Africa discovery along the iconic Garden Route. Unearth wonders in Amakhala Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma National Park, Stellenbosch and more. Witness nature at its finest as you encounter an astonishing variety of wildlife and plant life, striking peaks, pristine beaches, luscious wines and cuisines and breathtaking landscapes.

Your adventure begins in Port Elizabeth, where you’ll venture on a 1-hour drive to the private game reserve of Amakhala for thrilling game drives. Journey west to the Garden Route for a forest walk in Tsitsikamma National Park. Explore Plettenberg Bay by traversing the Robberg Nature Reserve. Visit the Knysna Heads and onto one of the largest reserves in South Africa, De ...

Trip Highlights

  • Witness the impressive phenomenon created by the Knysna Heads, separating calm and turbulent waters
  • Encounter an impressive variety of wildlife during your game drives in a malaria-free private game reserve in Eastern Cape
  • Tantalise your tastebuds with wine tasting and food pairings at two exquisite wineries in Stellenbosch
  • Explore the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, famed for its abundant bird and plant life
  • Discover Tsitsikamma National Park and the World Heritage site of De Hoop Nature Reserve on foot
  • Behold the majestic arrival of migrating whales from one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world at Hermanus
  • Soak in soul-stirring views from one of the world's most recognisable skylines from Table Mountain
  • Explore Cape Town at your own pace

What's Included

  • 9 nights accommodations on a twin share basis
  • 12x breakfast, 6x lunch, 6x dinner
  • Tips for local staff
  • Named tour leader, chosen for their experience and great customer feedback
  • All transport and listed activities

Itinerary

DAY 1 MEET AT PORT ELIZABETH & TRANSFER TO AMAKHALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve
Dinner
DAY 2 ENJOY GAME DRIVES IN THE AMAKHALA GAME RESERVE & TRADITIONAL DISHES
Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 FOREST WALK AND BIRDLIFE IN TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 WALK IN ROBBERG NATURE RESERVE & UNCOVER PLETTENBERG BAY AT OWN PACE
Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay
Breakfast
DAY 5 DRIVE TO DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE & MARVEL AT KYNSA HEADS & MOSSEL BAY
De Hoop Collection, Cloete Suites, De Hoop Nature Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 UNEARTH THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE ON FOOT
De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 MARVEL AT THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN AFRICA & WHALE WATCHING IN HERMANUS
Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 WINE TASTINGS & FOOD PAIRINGS AT STELLENBOSCH WINERIES
Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 DRIVE TO SIMON’S TOWN & UPCLOSE TO AFRICAN PENGUINS AT BOULDERS BEACH
Quayside Hotel, Simon's Town
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 UNCOVER CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE & KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDEN
Ocean View House, Cape Town
Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11 CABLE CAR TO SUMMIT OF TABLE MOUNTAIN & EXPLORE CAPE TOWN AT OWN PACE
Ocean View House, Cape Town
Breakfast
DAY 12 GOODBYE, CAPE TOWN
None
Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.

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More Info

How To Get There

- The departure point is Port Elizabeth

- The finish point is Cape Town

- Flights provide convenient access to Port Elizabeth. The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth or the nearest major international airport is Cape Town International Airport. From Cape Town Airport it takes about 8 hours drive or under 1.5 hours flight.

- Airport transfers are not included. Joining location starts in Port Elizabeth Airport making your own arrangements there. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.

Weather & Climate

Summer months are from October to April and the average daytime temperature is 25C to 30C (77-86F). The average night-time temperature is 10C-20C (50F-68F). The winter months are from May to September and average temperatures are colder at this time of year. In general, however, the Cape Town climate is quite mild. The summer months are typically dry and warm, but the southeasterly wind can blow up to 43mph (70kph) at least a few times a month. This helps to cool things, but can be a little unpleasant if one is walking in exposed areas. Most of the rainfall is in the winter but it is frontal rain, which comes off the Atlantic. Therefore, it can rain solidly for two days, and in between there will be warm sunny days. Due to the proximity of the ocean to the mountains and winds, it is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on the higher mountains. Our programme is flexible enough to accommodate any major changes in weather, and yet still make it enjoyable.

Walking Levels

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 1 Leisurely.

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude,  challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

Activity Information

This is primarily a vehicle-based trip, although there are a few opportunities to go on walks in the Tsitsikamma National Park and in Cape Point Nature Reserve. All walking is optional. At Cape Point Nature Reserve, we walk along good paths to the lighthouse and along the boardwalk. Both walks take about two hours. The Tsitsikamma walk to the Storms River mouth is along a boardwalk and around one-hour long. There are many optional walks in the park that are a little longer and more strenuous. Travelling from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, rather than doing a round trip, allows us to visit more places at a more leisurely pace with less driving and no need to backtrack.

Additional Activities

Additional activities at additional cost. All prices listed are subject to change.

 

Plettenberg Bay

  • Dolphin watching: 600 rand (US$34)
  • Whale watching: 850 rand (US$48)
  • Township tour: 300 rand (US$17)
  • Robberg walk: 400 rand (US$23)
  • Sea kayaking: 400 rand (US$23)

 

De Hoop

  • Birdwatching walk: 200 rand (US$30)
  • Boat cruise: 400 rand (US$23)
  • Nature drive: 400 rand (US$23)
  • Marine walk: 300 rand (US$17)
  • Mountain biking: 200 rand (US$30)
  • Vulture watching: 600 rand (US$34)

 

Cape Town

  • Robben Island: 600 rand (US$34). Please note, if you would like to book this excursion then please advise your sales representative at least four weeks before travel, ideally when you book on the trip. We will take all names and the tickets will then be payable locally – this is to avoid disappointment as it is a popular tour. Once you have signed up, we cannot accept cancellations. Refunds will only be issued if we are refunded by the ticket office for adverse weather conditions etc).
  • Township tour: 1,000 rand (US$57)
Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Product Code : ESAPLZCCG12