8 Day Cape Town and Garden Route Tour

Guests are met and greeted at a location of their choice in Cape Town. The day begins with a cable car ride to the summit of Table Mountain, one of the city’s most iconic natural landmarks and a defining feature of the skyline. The rotating cableway ride typically takes around five minutes, offering constantly changing perspectives over the city bowl, Table Bay, and the Atlantic coastline. Once at the top, guests are free to explore several well-marked viewpoints, each revealing different angles of the Cape Peninsula, Robben Island, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range.

From Table Mountain, the tour continues to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, set against the eastern slopes of the mountain. Kirstenbosch is internationally renowned for showcasing indigenous South African plant species, including fynbos, proteas, cycads, and forest vegetation. Gentle walking paths wind through landscaped sections and natural areas, with streams and shaded lawns creating a tranquil atmosphere. Birdlife is abundant, and elevated paths provide scenic views back toward the city. After the visit, guests are returned to their hotel with the remainder of the afternoon free to relax.

After breakfast, guests depart for a full-day exploration of the Cape Peninsula. The journey begins along the Atlantic seaboard, passing through coastal suburbs before reaching Hout Bay. From here, the route follows Chapman’s Peak Drive, widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads, weather permitting. Several photo stops allow time to appreciate the dramatic cliffs, sweeping ocean views, and rugged shoreline. The drive continues through Noordhoek toward the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park.

Within the reserve, guests explore a protected area known for its rich plant diversity and unspoiled coastline. A visit to Cape Point includes time at elevated viewpoints overlooking False Bay, with cliffs rising more than 300 meters above the ocean. The tour then continues to Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, where wooden boardwalks provide close yet responsible viewing of an African penguin colony. The return journey follows the False Bay coastline via Muizenberg, with its colorful beach huts and long sandy shoreline.

Today is dedicated to a refined Cape Winelands experience combined with a specialist museum visit. Guests travel inland to Anthonij Rupert Wyne, situated at the base of the Groot Drakenstein mountains. The estate is known for producing structured red wines and elegant whites, with vineyards influenced by varied soils and mountain breezes. A guided tasting introduces the estate’s flagship wines, while explanations focus on vineyard practices, maturation techniques, and stylistic differences between ranges. Time is allowed for a relaxed lunch following the tasting.

In the afternoon, the tour continues to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, which houses an extensive and meticulously curated private collection. Over 220 vehicles are displayed across several climate-controlled halls, representing antique, vintage, and modern classic eras. Highlights range from early motor tricycles to rare supercars, with both famous marques and lesser-known collectibles on display. Guests are free to explore at their own pace before returning to Cape Town later in the afternoon.

After breakfast, the tour departs Cape Town and travels southeast along a scenic coastal route. The drive passes through Gordon’s Bay and continues via Rooi Els and Betty’s Bay, offering repeated opportunities to stop at viewpoints overlooking the ocean. During whale season, southern right whales are often spotted close to shore, making this stretch particularly rewarding. The journey continues to Hermanus, a coastal town famous for land-based whale watching and panoramic views across Walker Bay, where lunch is enjoyed overlooking the water.

In the afternoon, travel continues through Gansbaai and Bredasdorp toward the small fishing village of Arniston. The village is historically associated with the 1815 Arniston shipwreck and lies close to striking coastal formations shaped by marine erosion. The surrounding coastline is rugged and atmospheric, with features such as Waenhuiskrans Cave carved into limestone cliffs. Arrival in Arniston allows time to settle into the hotel and enjoy the peaceful seaside setting.

The day begins with a visit to Cape Agulhas, widely recognized as the geographic southern tip of the African continent. The area is marked by an iconic monument and windswept coastline, where guests can enjoy views of the ocean and reflect on the maritime history of this once-feared stretch of coast. The name “Cape of Needles” refers to early navigators noting compass anomalies caused by nearby reefs and rocky outcrops, which contributed to numerous shipwrecks in the region.

The journey then continues inland to Swellendam, one of South Africa’s oldest towns and an important historical settlement during the colonial period. A visit to the Drostdy Museum complex provides insight into early frontier life and architecture. After exploring the museum, the tour proceeds eastward via George toward Knysna, entering the lush landscapes of the Garden Route. The evening is at leisure, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the lagoon-side environment.

Today features a classic Knysna experience with a ferry crossing of the lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve, which occupies the entire Western Head. The short ferry ride offers views across the lagoon toward the narrow channel between the Knysna Heads, long regarded as one of South Africa’s most challenging harbor entrances. Upon arrival, guests join a guided walk through coastal forest and fynbos, stopping at viewpoints overlooking the ocean and lagoon below.

Featherbed Nature Reserve is both a protected area and a heritage site, home to birdlife such as the colorful Knysna turaco and small antelope species including the blue duiker. Interpretive commentary focuses on local ecology, history, and conservation. After returning by ferry, the afternoon is spent at leisure in Knysna, with time to explore waterfront shops, cafés, or simply relax at the accommodation.

After breakfast, guests depart Knysna and travel eastward along the Garden Route to Nature’s Valley. The road winds through indigenous forest before opening onto a secluded coastal landscape framed by forested hills and an estuary. Guests enjoy a relaxed walk through the area, with opportunities to stroll along the beach, observe birdlife, and appreciate the unspoiled setting that makes Nature’s Valley a favorite among nature enthusiasts.

The tour then returns to the highway for a visit to the famous Big Tree, an ancient Outeniqua yellowwood reached by a 500-meter boardwalk through dense forest. The tree stands over 36 meters tall and is estimated to be several centuries old. The journey continues to Storms River Mouth, where a short hike leads to the suspension bridge spanning the gorge. From here, guests enjoy dramatic views of forest, cliffs, and ocean before returning to Knysna via Plettenberg Bay.

After breakfast, the journey continues toward George Airport for departure. En route, a stop is made at the Map of Africa viewpoint near Wilderness, where the shape of the river valley below resembles the African continent when viewed from above. The lookout offers expansive views across rolling hills, forested slopes, and distant coastline, providing a fitting final scenic pause along the Garden Route.

The drive to George follows older scenic sections of road where possible, passing through stretches of indigenous forest and rural countryside. Upon arrival at the airport, guests are assisted with check-in procedures and onward travel arrangements. The tour concludes after a memorable journey through two of South Africa’s most diverse and visually striking regions.