ST07 - 11 Day Southern Exposure Tour & Safari

You will be amazed at how much beauty, sightseeing and nature there is to take advantage of along the Garden Route. All of the sights in Cape Town to wine tasting in Stellenbosch. We get to visit the “Ostrich Capital of the world” in Oudtshoorn, before cruising on the Knysna Lagoon. A walk in the Tsitsikamma National Park and searching for wild animals at Kariega Private Game Reserve. The perfect way to take in the whole of the Garden Route.

         
The Garden Route is well know for its malaria free Game Reserve. 

Departures
Tours depart daily to suit your needs

Guests
Minimum 2 - Maximum 8



Day 1 of the tour
Guests arrive at Cape Town International Airport in the morning where they will be met by one of our tour guides. We will then take a drive to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront where you will join a boat trip to the World Heritage Site that is Robben Island (Prison Island where Nelson Mandela spent 19 years). You will enjoy a guided tour while on the Island. Upon return from Robben Island you will have some time to relax and have lunch (own account). After lunch you will have the opportunity to take an optional trip up Table Mountain. From the top of Table Mountain you will have some of the best views over Cape Town. Late afternoon your guide will then drop you off at your hotel where you will check in and then be at leisure for the rest of the evening.

Overnight:     City Lodge V&A Waterfront - Cape Town (Bed & Breakfast)



Day 2 of the tour
We do a South Peninsula Tour of the Cape today taking in the views of Hout Bay as we do the incredibly scenic drive over Chapman’s Peak and on to Cape Point, where many like to believe the two oceans meet. Here you will have the opportunity to go up to the lighthouse and take some of the most memorable pictures of your travels, as well as get a photo opportunity at the world famous Cape of Good Hope sign. As we continue along the coastline we stop to visit the Boulders Beach Penguins before taking a drive through the navy town of Simon’s Town. We then enjoy beautiful views across False Bay, before we make our way back to your hotel. You will again be at leisure to enjoy the night life of Cape Town.

Overnight:     City Lodge V&A Waterfront - Cape Town (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 3 of the tour
After an enjoyable breakfast we depart for a day in the wine regions. Our first stop is in Paarl (meaning Pearl) where we visit the Afrikaans Monument and then we move on to the KWV Wine Emporium where we do a tour and get to taste their award winning wines and brandies afterwards. The French Huguenot town of Franschoek is where we stop for lunch and then get the opportunity to stretch our legs with some time to walk around. The day now only gets better as we get the chance to do some wine tasting in the well known wine farming region of Stellenbosch. You will also have the opportunity to buy some bottles of your favourite wine. After a great day out in the winelands you will check in to your hotel in Stellenbosch which is the second oldest town in South Africa.

Overnight:     D'Ouwe Werf Hotel - Stellenbosch (Bed and Breakfast)

Day 4 of the tour
We depart Stellenbosch this morning for a scenic drive along the R62 route to the town of Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is known as the Ostrich ‘Capital of the world’ and is situated in the Klein Karoo semi desert region. We spend the afternoon visiting the Cango Caves which were once inhabited by men from the Stone Age. We do a guided tour of the caves where we learn about the history of the caves as well as view their amazing formations. Our next stop is an Ostrich Farm where we will have the opportunity to learn about them as well as feed them and maybe even get the chance to ride them. This evening we will relax in one of the most tranquil places in South Africa. A choice for dinner must surely be to try an ostrich steak.

Overnight:     Hlangana Lodge - Oudtshoorn (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 5 of the tour
This morning we have a chance to visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch where you will have the opportunity to learn about the many reptiles as well as the other wild animals. As an optional activity you may even choose to stroke a cheetah inside its enclosure. Our journey then continues away from the Klein Karoo and on to the quaint lush Garden Route town of Knysna. You will be free to explore for the rest of the day. This is a great town to do your shopping for African curios. Late afternoon we get together and are treated to a spectacular sundowner cruise on the Knysna estuary. This evening you will be at leisure to enjoy a superb dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants in town. Seafood is a must while dining out in Knysna.

Overnight:     Knysna Log Inn - Knysna (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 6 of the tour
This morning we enjoy an exclusive tour of the Featherbed Private Nature Reserve situated at the Knysna Heads, including a 2,5 km guided scenic walk and a superb lunch. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be at leisure to explore more of Knysna.

Overnight:     Knysna Log Inn - Knysna (Lunch, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 7 of the tour
Today we will travel to the Tsitsikamma National Park where we will visit the ‘Big Tree’ and you will have some time to walk in the forest and enjoy the amazing nature. Tsitsikamma is home to some of the most magnificent scenery around. Today you will also have a host of optional activities to keep you entertained. You may choose to do a treetop canopy tour, mountain biking, blackwater tubing, hike over the suspension bridge, eco-cruise and for the more daring you may choose to do the Bloukrantz Bridge Bungy - the highest jump in the world. Today is all about relaxing and enjoying the nature.

Overnight:     Tsitsikamma Village Inn - Storms River (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 8 of the tour
Departing Tsitsikamma today we drive up the east coast a bit further towards Port Elizabeth stopping in at Jeffrey’s Bay along the way. You will have the afternoon at leisure to be shown around Port Elizabeth by your guide.

Overnight:     Beachwalk B&B - Port Elizabeth (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 9 of the tour
This morning your guide will drive you to Kariega Private Game Reserve which is about an hour and a half from Port Elizabeth. You will say goodbye to your guide and then prepare to spend two days enjoying sensational game viewing. You will arrive in time for lunch and then have some time to relax in the afternoon. At about 16:00 you will be collected by your ranger and depart on your first game drive into the reserve for an evening safari. Kareiga is home to abundant birdlife and game and you will enjoy wonderful sightings of the “Big 5” (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino, Buffalo) as well as Hippo, Hyena, Giraffe, Zebra and numerous antelope species. Sundowner drinks are served in the tranquil surroundings of the African bushveld and you then return to the Lodge where you can unwind in front of warm log fires to enjoy sumptuous cuisine.

Overnight:     Kariega Main Lodge - Kariega Private Game Reserve (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 10 of the tour
Awaken to the beauty of Africa and depart at 06:00 for a combined game drive and river cruise meandering down the Kariega River. You will then return to enjoy a late afternoon breakfast at approximately 09:00. Between breakfast and lunch you can simply relax or choose between a host of additional activities:

• Numerous hiking trails, guided or unguided
• Game viewing on mountain bikes
• Canoeing safari on the Kariega River

Late afternoon you will enjoy another evening game drive.

Overnight:     Kariega Main Lodge - Kariega Private Game Reserve (Lunch, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)

Day 11 of the tour
A final morning of game viewing. After breakfast you will depart Kariega as you are transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport where your tour will come to and end as you board your onward flight home. 

Please Note 
Please feel free to make any other requests or suggestions to the above tour. We will do our best to make itinerary and accommodation changes to suit your budgets and needs.