South Africa · Safari

15-Day Cape Town and Garden Route Tour with Botlierskop Safari

15 Days Round trip from Cape Town Easy pace

Buffaloes Taking a Dip During Peak Summer

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 See the penguins at Boulders Beach on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour
02 Enjoy a wine tour through the Stellenbosch region's renowned estates
03 Spend two nights at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve with two game activities included
04 Take in the white sandy beaches and lagoons of Wilderness along the Garden Route
05 Visit Knysna Heads or cruise to Featherbed Nature Reserve at your own cost
06 Travel via Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth with the option for bungee jumping

Explore the Cape in all its beauty together with the amazing Garden Route, with wonderful waterfalls, beaches, culture, and scenic landscapes along the way. Stay in central Cape Town and visit the Cape Peninsula to see the penguins at Boulders Beach, enjoy a city tour including Table Mountain and Camps Bay, and take a wine tour in the Stellenbosch region. Continue through Hermanus, Mossel Bay, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay for coastal scenery, wildlife, lagoons, and optional nature experiences. The journey ends in Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha), with time for a city tour, beaches, and a drive via Tsitsikamma for bungee jumping and more.

Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, situated between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 15 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Mosselbay, Knysna, Hermanus, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, Wilderness National Park

Languages Afrikaans, Bulgarian, English, French, German

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Cape Town and City Tour

Meet and greet on arrival, followed by a transfer to The Portswood Hotel at the V&A Waterfront.
Enjoy an afternoon city tour including Table Mountain (cable fee not included, as it is weather dependent) and Camps Bay. Lunch is for your own account, and dinner is also for your own account.

Overnight at The Portswood Hotel in a standard room on a BB basis.

Cape Town

Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, situated between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and extraordinary architecture, while others boast breathtaking landscapes and unique natural wonders. Cape Town is fortunate to be blessed with all of these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit.

The Portswood is part of Cape Town's colonial history. The restaurant and lobby are built over the original well and holding cells for prisoners en route to Robben Island some 300 years ago. Today, the Portswood is famous for its uniquely personal approach to service, catering to the international traveller's every need and anticipating their every desire. Rich in South Africa's unique culture, the Portswood is a must for any traveller.

Day 02

Cape Peninsula and Boulders Penguins

Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick up from the hotel for a full-day Cape Peninsula tour and visit Boulders Penguins (conservation fees included).
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Portswood Hotel in a standard room on a BB basis.

Day 03

Stellenbosch Wine Tour

Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick up from the hotel for a wine tour in the Stellenbosch region. You can discuss with your driver-guide how many estates you want to visit and pay directly for wine tasting.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Portswood Hotel in a standard room on a BB basis.

Day 04

Leisure Day in Cape Town

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Optional tour entrance fees are not included. You can discuss the day's plans with the driver-guide, as the vehicle and driver are included.
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Portswood Hotel in a standard room on a BB basis.

Day 05

Drive to Hermanus

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and drive to the coastal town of Hermanus, which is famed for its seasonal whale watching.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at Windsor Hotel in a non-sea-facing room on a BB basis.

Day 06

Transfer to Mossel Bay

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and transfer by road to Mossel Bay, visiting the Post Office Tree.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight in a superior room at Diaz Hotel and Resort on a BB basis.

Day 07

Optional Activities in Mossel Bay

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Day for optional activities, with skydiving payable directly.
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight in a superior room at Diaz Hotel and Resort on a BB basis.

Day 08

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Have breakfast at the lodge.
Check out and travel to Botlierskop, where there are stunning views of the Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop and extensive views out over the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at Botlierskop in a luxury suite on a full-board basis (excluding drinks), including two game activities.

Day 09

Journey to Wilderness

Breakfast at the lodge.
Depart by road to Wilderness, a seaside town on the Garden Route well known for its white sandy beaches and lagoons.
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at Wilderness Hotel on a BB basis.

Day 10

Explore Knysna

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Travel on to Knysna, where you can visit the famous Knysna Heads or take a cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve at your own cost.
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at Knysna Log Inn on a BB basis.

Day 11

Plettenberg Bay and Forest Route

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Afterwards, depart and travel to Plettenberg Bay via the primaeval forests.
Depending on the weather, you can visit Birds of Eden, Elephant Sanctuary, and Monkeyland (entrance fees for your own cost).
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at Beacon Island Resort on a room-only basis (breakfast is a la carte and payable directly), the only place in South Africa where all the rooms have an ocean view.

Day 12

Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth

Have breakfast at the lodge (not included).
Check out and drive to Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) via Tsitsikamma for bungee jumping (cost of bungee for your own account).
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Boardwalk Hotel in a luxury room on a BB basis.

Day 13

Port Elizabeth City Tour

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a city tour and visit the Donkin Reserve.
Have lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Boardwalk in a luxury room on a BB basis.

Day 14

Beaches of Port Elizabeth

Have breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the beaches in Port Elizabeth.
Enjoy lunch and dinner on your own account.

Overnight at The Boardwalk on a BB basis.

Day 15

Departure from Port Elizabeth

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

End of tour.

Where this trip takes you

Boulders Penguine Colony, Table Mountain National Park, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Knysna Heads

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cape Town 10 cities · 15 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All accommodation and tours as specified
All transport with a private guide and vehicle
Meals as specified

What's Not Included

Accommodation prior to and after the tour
Meals not specified
All transport other than what is included
Tips and porterage
Entrance fees to activities and tours
Insurance
Flights to and from South Africa and any domestic flights

What to bring

Bring clothes that are cool, light, and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer, as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don't forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).
Winter
The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season, so it's advisable to bring rain gear along.
General
Always bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.
Walking shoes are a good idea all year round, with warm socks in the winter.
If you are doing business in the country, business attire (suit and tie) is generally called for in the corporate sector, but media, for example, generally dress more casually.
For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there's no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable.
For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

Know before you go

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20, and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c.
Banks are found in most towns and generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (closed Sundays and public holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services with cash, bank and credit cards, and traveller's cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the central city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside the country, as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.
Travel, transport, and getting around: travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road, and rail. Several airlines operate domestic routes with regular links between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George, Nelspruit, and Port Elizabeth, and relatively frequent flights to several smaller towns and cities.
An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas, though. Please note that a valid international driver's licence is required. We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa, and Uber is available.
Another means of getting around South Africa is inter-city bus services. Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone. There is the popular MyCityBus system in Cape Town and a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
The rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains and some more luxurious options. There is also the Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province.
Food, drink, and cuisine advice: standards of hygiene and food health and safety in South Africa are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs, and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.
It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables, and salads and put ice in your drinks. South Africa's fish, meat, and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.
Restaurants are subject to South Africa's food safety control legislation, which the local government implements. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.
Street food is not as common in South Africa as in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.
The tour is also available in Italian, Russian, and Spanish.