Best of Cape Town and the Garden Route

Overview

Discover dramatic coastal scenery and world-class wine while staying in premium accommodation

Encompassing some of the most majestic scenery in Africa, the journey between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town ranks among the finest coastal routes in the world. Pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs and gorges, fairytale forests and lively seaside towns adorn this shoreline. Starting at the secluded Amakhala Safari Lodge, game drives in the vast reserve will be complemented with time to relax in your private plunge pool. Along the way, we sample local wines and cuisine in Stellenbosch, look out for southern right whales as they come close to shore (in season) and enjoy nature walks to discover the abundant flora and fauna of South Africa. Our adventure ends at the stylish Blackheath Lodge, the perfect place to relax and take in magnificent Cape Town.

Key Information

Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: AJP
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: South Africa
Carbon Footprint: 43kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 8 Premium nights (hotels), 1 Superior night (hotel), 2 Classic nights (hotel)
All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport (by private minibus) and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. Tips for the tour leader are not included.

Highlights

Experience the best of Cape Town and the Garden Route, while staying in premium accommodation

Enjoy two nights and four game drives at Amakhala Safari Lodge – each lodge includes a private plunge pool

Explore Tsitsikamma National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve on foot

Visit two Stellenbosch wineries for a day of wine tasting with food pairings

Encounter African penguins among the granite rocks of Boulders Beach

Enjoy stunning views from the summit of Table Mountain

Itinerary

First Destination: Port Elizabeth
Next Destination: Cape Town

Accommodation:Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve (four-star)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve (three-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve (three-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Quayside Hotel, Simon’s Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Port Elizabeth
Next Destination: Cape Town

Welcome to South Africa. We gather at the airport and take a one-hour drive to Amakhala, a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The Amakhala crew will welcome you and help you settle into this spectacular safari lodge.

Say howzit to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. In the late afternoon, we embark on our first game drive for a chance to see the spectacular wildlife and topography of Amakhala. During the drive, we stop for a cheese and wine sundowner, a quintessential safari experience to round off your first day.

Your tour leader then ensures a big South African welcome over dinner.

Accommodation:Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve (four-star)
Meals included:Dinner

Amakhala Game Reserve is spread across 18,000 acres (7,280ha), hosting five of the seven biomes in South Africa and a large diversity of wildlife. Sightings here may feature lions, buffalos, rhinos, elephants and leopards, plus giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and many species of antelope. Using open-air 4WD safari vehicles, we begin with an early morning game drive to search for wildlife at the time when the reserve is most active. There will be moments to relax and enjoy the incredible facilities at the lodge over lunch as well as visit the spa or take a dip in your private plunge pool overlooking the bush. Later, we head back into the reserve for an afternoon game drive, searching for species we may not have encountered yet. Another wine and cheese sundowner will feature on this afternoon’s game drive. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional braai (South African barbecue) under the southern hemisphere night sky (weather permitting).

Accommodation:Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day begins with a final game drive in Amakhala before we head west to the official start of the Garden Route – Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Getting its name from a local word meaning ‘place of abundant water’ and encompassing land and sea, Tsitsikamma National Park is a diverse wilderness of lush forest, epic canyons and magnificent coastal views. In the park, we enjoy a walk in the forest and along boardwalks and suspension bridges. This is a great opportunity to encounter abundant birdlife, with sea, forest and scrubland species all present. Our accommodation is a short transfer away in the relaxed seaside town of Plettenberg Bay, where there are great restaurants close to our lodge for dinner.

Accommodation:Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Today is about enjoying the Plettenberg Bay area. A short drive away is Robberg Nature Reserve, a peninsula of rugged cliffs, secluded beaches and scenic hiking trails that we have the morning to explore. As a World Heritage site and National Monument, this is one of the quintessential Garden Route destinations and home to seals, dassies (rock hyraxes) and abundant bird life. The rest of the day is free to relax at our beautiful lodge, enjoy local cuisine in one of the many excellent restaurants or explore the nearby white-sand beach.

Accommodation:Christiana Lodge, Plettenberg Bay (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast

Continuing along the Garden Route, we visit one of its most picturesque points, Knysna Heads – a pair of sandstone cliffs that form a channel separating the calm waters of Knysna Lagoon from the turbulent Indian Ocean. Our next stop is for lunch at Mossel Bay, a quaint coastal town home to The Post Office Tree, a landmark where seafarers once left letters to be taken home by Portuguese sailors. We end today’s journey at De Hoop Nature Reserve and will arrive at our secluded accommodation within the reserve this afternoon, leaving time to discover this amazing setting before dinner.

Accommodation:De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve (three-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

De Hoop Nature Reserve is a World Heritage site and home to 86 mammal species, more than 260 bird species, and the smallest and most threatened plant kingdom on the planet: the Cape Floral Kingdom. The reserve stretches some 84,000 acres (34,000ha) and includes 3mi (5km) of marine reserve, one of the largest in Africa. This is one of the best locations in South Africa to see migrating southern right whales from shore (from late August to November) and is far less busy than nearby Hermanus. We have the day to discover this unspoilt environment and enjoy some of the many optional activities on offer, such as a guided eco-boat tour, an interpretative marine walk, birdwatching, and mountain biking. In the afternoon, we walk along the beach boardwalk to a lookout point that is a great place for whale watching in season.

Accommodation:De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve (three-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

A short transfer takes us to Cape Agulhas, a rocky headland that is officially the southernmost point in Africa. We continue to Hermanus, the whale-watching capital of South Africa, where southern right whales arrive from Antarctica between late August and November to calve in the sheltered waters. After lunch, we walk from the harbour and along the cliff edge, hopefully spotting these magnificent animals as they come close to shore. Heading inland, our destination for the day is the historic town of Stellenbosch, at the heart of the South African winelands.

Accommodation:Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the Western Cape, Stellenbosch has fertile soil and a temperate climate – the perfect winemaking conditions. Our day will feature two of the best wine estates in Stellenbosch. We begin at the Waterford Estate, where we pair the regional cabernet sauvignon and shiraz with dark and milk chocolates. Next is the Middelvlei Estate to pair their chardonnay, merlot and pinotage with Boerebraai tapas. In the afternoon, we return to our accommodation to unwind in the pool or gardens and take in the wonderful views of the Stellenbosch mountains and vineyards.

Accommodation:Cultivar Guest Lodge, Stellenbosch (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

After a relaxing start to the day, we make our way down to Simon’s Town in time for lunch at a restaurant next to Boulders Beach. At the beach is a colony of approximately 2,000-3,000 African penguins, a protected species that is sadly endangered. The granite boulders offer shelter from the elements and the beach falls under a protected area that is part of the Table Mountain National Park, making this a haven for the colony. This is the only place in the world where you can get close to African penguins in this way, and it makes for a heart-warming experience. After time to enjoy the colony, surrounding dunes and boardwalks, we have a short drive to our centrally located hotel next to the harbour.

Accommodation:Quayside Hotel, Simon’s Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We start early today and drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve for a two-hour walk along this ruggedly beautiful coastline. Starting with the Old Lighthouse, a short climb is rewarded with panoramic views of False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Our route follows the boardwalk along the coast, past hidden beaches and jagged cliff faces, before reaching the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. The nature reserve is home to elands, bonteboks, grysboks, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches, and we may be lucky enough to see a few of them. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is our next stop. After lunch, we have the afternoon to discover the abundant bird and plant life of this highly acclaimed botanical garden, as well as appreciate its full grandeur from the canopy walkway. Our day ends in Sea Point, an upmarket suburb of Cape Town between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain National Park.

Accommodation:Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

The Cape Town skyline is one of most recognisable in the world with Table Mountain towering over the city. The views from the top of this 3,495ft (1,065m) mountain are spectacular. Fortunately, there is a cable car to take us there, saving us a hike up the steep mountain slopes. Looking out from the summit is the best way to appreciate Cape Town; from here it is possible to see Lion’s Head, Robben Island and the city centre. The rest of the day is free to stroll along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, join a township tour or learn about Nelson Mandela’s incarceration on a visit to Robben Island.

Accommodation:Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (four-star)
Meals included:Breakfast

Depending on flight schedules, there may be additional time to explore Cape Town or simply unwind in the beautiful grounds of our hotel.

Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to swap winelands for the wild and book an unforgettable post-trip safari adventure in Kruger National Park.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve

Hotels and Lodges

Unwind at the end of each day in our expertly curated, handpicked accommodation on this Premium Adventure. Each property has been chosen for its excellent location, comfort, style and unique characteristics.

On nights 5 and 6, we use Classic three-star accommodation in a wonderful location rather than a Premium property, and on night 9 we stay in a Superior hotel in Simon’s Town.

Amakhala Safari Lodge (four-star), Amakhala Game Reserve. Two nights.

Amakhala Safari Lodge, Amakhala Game Reserve

11 premium suites with private plunge pools and separate lounge areas
Located in a valley of indigenous bush at the northern boundary of Amakhala Game Reserve
The view from the safari suites and lounge area is of a waterhole where antelope and zebra quench their thirst

Christiana Lodge (four-star), Plettenberg Bay. Two nights.

Christiana Lodge

A short walk from Robberg Beach
Private balconies with views of the nature area
Spacious lounge and dining area, plus a swimming pool

De Hoop Collection (three-star), De Hoop Nature Reserve. Two nights.

De Hoop Collection

Individually designed suites in a reserve with hiking and biking trails
Fig Tree restaurant serving local cuisine from head chef, Marcia Tyobeka
Chance to see southern right whales from the shore (late August to November only)

Cultivar Guest Lodge (four-star), Stellenbosch. Two nights.

Cultivar Guest Lodge

Guest lodge with 16 elegant rooms
Spectacular views over the Stellenbosch mountains
Facilities include a swimming pool, roof terrace and spacious garden

Quayside Hotel (four-star), Simon’s Town. One night.

Quayside Hotel

Centrally located next to the harbour
Rooms either look out over False Bay or the Simon’s Kloof Mountains

Blackheath Lodge (four-star), Cape Town. Two nights.

Blackheath Lodge

In upmarket Sea Point, home to excellent bars, restaurants and beaches
18 luxury rooms and suites in a Victorian property
Stylish lounge with wood fireplace, plus a swimming pool and sundeck

The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Cape Town Hotels

With its iconic Table Mountain backdrop, world-class food scene and vibrant waterfront, additional nights in Cape Town can make your adventure feel even more extraordinary. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

Bay Hotel: Set along the palm-lined shores of Camps Bay, this stylish beachfront hotel offers elegant rooms with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. With multiple pools, a relaxed coastal atmosphere and easy access to cafés and restaurants, it’s perfect for unwinding after your tour.

V&A Hotel by Newmark: Located in the lively V&A Waterfront, this contemporary hotel blends historic charm with modern comfort. Spacious rooms, harbour views and direct access to shops, dining and attractions make it an ideal base for exploring Cape Town.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel: A luxury retreat at the foot of Table Mountain, the Mount Nelson offers lush gardens, refined rooms and classic afternoon tea on its iconic pink terraces. Its serene setting, exceptional service and rich heritage make it one of Cape Town’s most memorable places to stay.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

We have graded this trip Activity Level 1 (Easy) as we base ourselves in premium accommodation and there are no strenuous activities. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

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.

Legal note: All group members joining this tour will be asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the holiday. This indemnity form is a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.

Start point: Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ)
Recommended arrival time: Typically before midday (please check arrival time of group flights with your sales representative)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately an hour’s drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport, which also picks up those meeting at the pre-tour hotel in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. The group then travels to Amakhala Lodge, so it is essential everyone catches this transfer, either at the airport or the pre-tour hotel.

You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport or the pre-tour hotel before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Flying via Johannesburg
If you are travelling via Johannesburg, please note you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Port Elizabeth (and even if you are told by airport staff that you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

South Africa

Travellers from the UK, US and most (though not all) EU states normally do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Compulsory online declaration form: Tourists entering or leaving South Africa must complete a declaration form online, typically submitting no more than 24 hours before departure from the country from which you are travelling. This requirement does not apply to passengers transiting through South Africa, provided they remain within the designated transit area. For more information or to complete your form, please visit the Customs Online Traveller Declaration portal.

Some local governments provide guidance on what entry requirements their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Please note, all travellers to South Africa who require a visa need at least two consecutive blank pages in their passport (ie a left- and right-hand page) to enable an entry visa to be issued.

Additionally, any child under 18 travelling to South Africa needs to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate with the names of both parents. If a child under 18 is only travelling with one parent, they will also have to have an affidavit, no less than three months old, from the absent parent confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

The food you’ll encounter on this trip is very similar to the kind of food you’ll be used to at home. There may be the opportunity to try some more unusual meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally coming from bore-holes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps reduce plastic consumption.

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.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.