Cape Town, the Garden Route & Safari

Today we begin our South African adventure as we set off for Cape Town, ready to discover spectacular landscapes, fascinating culture and unforgettable experiences, from the scenic Garden Route to the thrill of a Big Five game safari.

Please note: 25th September 2026 ex Dublin tour will include transfers into Istanbul old city with a stroll and dinner at a local restaurant.

We have arrived in South Africa!

After meeting our guide, we begin our holiday with an excursion to one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks – Table Mountain (weather permitting).

• We take the cable car to the summit
• Enjoy spectacular views across the city, False Bay, Robben Island and Devil’s Peak on a clear day
• After, we take part in a short orientation tour en route to our hotel, offering our first glimpse of this vibrant coastal city

The remainder of the evening is yours to relax and settle into your surroundings.

Our guide will be happy to recommend places to visit and experiences to enjoy during our free time in Cape Town.

Today we discover the beautiful Winelands countryside on a full-day excursion.

• Our first stop is the charming town of Stellenbosch, where we enjoy a short walk through the historic town centre.
• Surrounded by rolling vineyards and scenic landscapes, we experience South Africa’s renowned wine culture as we sample some local wines and enjoy a fun wine blending experience.
• After lunch, included today, we continue to Franschhoek for a short orientation tour before returning to Cape Town

This evening is free for you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.

Today we explore one of South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal regions as we travel by coach on a guided Cape Peninsula excursion.

• Travelling along the scenic coastline, we admire dramatic views where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet
• We visit Boulders Beach, where we can enjoy an unforgettable encounter with African penguins in their natural environment
• Our journey continues to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, a historic location where Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias established a trading route during the Age of Exploration.
• En route back to Cape Town, we also have the opportunity to visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Lunch is included today. We make our way back to Cape Town, where you can enjoy the rest of the evening at Leisure.

Weather permitting, we take a boat journey from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to Robben Island, located almost 7km off the coast in Table Bay.

• This UNESCO World Heritage Site is internationally recognised as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
• Today, it is a living museum where we learn more about South Africa’s history through a guided tour of the island and museum
• After our visit, we continue our journey by coach to our next destination, either Arniston or Hermanus depending on our chosen departure date

We leave Cape Town behind and travel towards the peaceful coastal surroundings of Arniston or Hermanus.

• Arniston is a charming fishing village known for its beautiful beaches, rolling sand dunes, blue waters and rugged cliffs
• Alternatively, on selected departures, we stay in Hermanus, famous for its stunning coastline and whale-watching opportunities

Please note: If your arrival is late on arrival night into Hermanus or Arniston due to late departure from Cape Town, dinner will be changed for lunch on another day. It may be in a local restaurant or your hotel. Arrangements will be advised locally

2027 dinner is included the first night of stay only.

Today we explore our seaside surroundings with an orientation walk through this picturesque fishing village and enjoy time to appreciate its relaxed atmosphere.

Ask your guide to tell you more insider tips on must-see attractions for you to discover.

Optional Excursion

Discover Arniston with a local guide on a history and cultural walking tour.

• Visit the fishing village of Kassiebaai, a heritage site
• Weather and tide permitting, we will climb into the Waenhhuiskrans (via the cliffs) to see where endangered cormorants' nest
• Uncover more on a walking tour of Arniston

Sturdy, non-slip shoes are recommended. This tour will involve walking for approximately 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace.

Please note: This may not be a private Travel Department tour and subject to minimum numbers.

Alternatively, in Hermanus, you can enjoy:

• Coastal walks
• Browse local shops
• Take in the beautiful scenery

Ask your guide to tell you more insider tips on must-see attractions for you to discover.

Join us on an optional excursion when staying in Hermanus, for a sea adventure in search of whales and marine life!

From June to November, Hermanus offers prime whale watching. On our journey, we may encounter:

• Southern Right, Humpback, and Bryde’s whale
• Dolphins
• Seals
• Diverse marine birds, including the African penguin

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Return transfer from your hotel to the excursion is included.

Please note: 

• This is not a private Travel Department excursion.
• Minimum numbers apply for this excursion to operate, this excursion is offered pre bookable as limited availability during peak season locally. Bookable locally and subject to availability

Today we continue our journey along one of South Africa’s most scenic routes – the Garden Route.

• Travelling from Arniston or Hermanus towards Knysna, we follow the scenic N2 via Mossel Bay, covering approximately 364 km while enjoying ever-changing coastal landscapes and comfort stops en route.
• Our destination is the beautiful coastal town of Knysna, located on a lagoon surrounded by stunning scenery
• After arriving in Knysna, we settle into our hotel. This evening dinner is included.
• We spend the next two nights in Knysna

Today we visit the spectacular Featherbed Nature Reserve.

• We travel by ferry across the Knysna Lagoon
• We explore the reserve by 4x4 vehicle, enjoying breathtaking views and discovering the area’s unique flora and wildlife
• We enjoy a buffet lunch beneath the shade of Milkwood trees
• There is also an option to take a guided walk through coastal forest and fynbos to ancient sea caves

Please note: Your visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve is weather dependent. If possible, another attempt will be made; otherwise, an alternative excursion will be arranged. Your guide will confirm arrangements locally. Comfortable, supportive shoes are recommended for the walk.

The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy more of Knysna’s beautiful surroundings.

Today we leave Knysna and continue our journey through the Garden Route towards Tsitsikamma National Park – a glorious 10km stretch of wild and rocky coastline.

Here, we experience:

• The dramatic meeting point between forest and ocean
• A spectacular coastline featuring cliffs and beaches 
• Indigenous forests filled with Stink Woods and Yellow Woods

We continue onwards to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where we check into our hotel. You can enjoy the rest of your time at leisure to relax and unwind.

Our journey today will take approximately five hours (261km) plus comfort stops. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.

Today we transfer by coach to Kariega Game Reserve, travelling 144 km.

• Kariega is currently a malaria-free area, making it an ideal destination for our safari adventure. Located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, this family-owned private safari reserve is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and offers an unforgettable wildlife experience.
• Discover Kariega’s unique biodiversity, home to the Big Five, over 300 bird species, abundant wildlife and Thandi the rhino, a remarkable conservation success story.
• Keep your camera ready, as animals can appear at any time!

We spend three nights at the reserve on a full-board basis, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After lunch, we set off on our first game drive in Kariega Game Reserve.

Our experienced rangers will help us search for Africa’s famous Big Five – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard – along with many other wildlife species and birds. 

After our safari, we enjoy dinner at the lodge and relax while soaking up the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.

It’s time for safari! We set off early this morning while it’s still cool and the animals are most active.

• An open top four-wheel drive vehicle is used to explore some of the magnificent 10,000 hectares of Kariega Game Reserve (wrap up warm as it's crisp in the mornings)
• If you are lucky today, you might witness a lion hunting, or the heart-warming social interactions of an elephant herd

We return to the lodge for breakfast, after we get ready for our next experience.

Discover more on our second game drive today in the reserve. You might be able to see other species such as:

• Cheetah
• Hippo
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Wildebeest
• Eland
• Kudu
• Blesbuck
• A variety of other antelope
• A myriad of bird species like the nesting crowned eagle, martial and fish eagles

Keep your eyes peeled, however our expert guides will point out game as we go along. It’s incredible how our guides can spot a lion, or a bird you couldn’t see as it blends seamlessly into its surroundings!

Rise and shine we are off on another early morning start, beginning with a safari game drive. You’ll never tire of seeing elephants and lions!

After enjoying lunch at the lodge, we savour our last game drive in the at Kariega Game Reserve. This is your last chance to see the big 5 so keep your eyes peeled! Soak up the moment of this memorable experience.

Connect with the heart of a local community on the Kariega Foundation Community Tour.

• Led by a passionate Community Manager, this immersive journey offers a glimpse into rural township life and Xhosa traditions
• Visit an RDP (low-cost housing) house, a shack, Xhosa kraal, spaza shop, local school, and a community library
• You'll also see the Kariega Foundation’s projects in action and discover the impact of the conservation and community levy

This 90-minute tour departs at 11:00, returning by 13:30, with travel by vehicle or on foot, depending on the weather and group size.

Please note: minimum numbers apply for the operation of this prebook able tour.

Today we say farewell to South Africa and transfer to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport for our journey home.

The journey will take approximately two hours (144km). Check in for your return flight home after enjoying the many memorable highlights South Africa has to offer.

Please note: Tours with flights that depart from Port Elizabeth after 7am do not include a city tour of Johannesburg.

If your flight departs at 7am from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg, a city tour is included due to the long layover time for the international connecting flight. Once we have arrived in Johannesburg airport, let's collect our bags and meet our guide in arrivals for our Johannesburg city tour.

• Experience more as we embark on a panoramic tour of Johannesburg including Soweto
• Visit to Nelson Mandela's house (unless closed, in which case it will be replaced with the Apartheid Museum. These can change due to operational reasons)
• Discover more with a panoramic tour passing Soccer City and enjoy some free time for lunch, which is included

We then return to the airport in the afternoon and check in for our return flights home.

Please note: these dates do not have a Johannesburg city tour for 2026 included due to flight times:

• 16th & 25th September 2026
• 2nd & 23rd October 2026
• 6th November 2026
• 13th November 2026

For 2027 - If your flight is before 10 am from Port Elizabeth a Johannesburg City tour is included.

We arrive home following an unforgettable journey through South Africa, filled with memories of Cape Town’s iconic sights, the scenic Garden Route, coastal landscapes and incredible safari experiences.