Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town to Hermanus
Land at Cape Town Airport by 3 pm and connect with your representative for the welcome briefing. After collecting your rental car, you'll drive roughly 100 km to Hermanus. The drive takes you along the coast, and you'll check into your accommodation for the next two nights in this whale-watching destination.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Cape Town Airport 
- Day 2
Hermanus
Spend the day around Hermanus along Walker Bay. If you're traveling during whale season from July through November, listen for the distinctive calls of the whale crier announcing humpback and Southern right whales offshore. You can relax on the local beaches or walk the Cliff Path for some nice coastal views and possible whale sightings from the shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Whale watching during season (July to November)
- Beach relaxation
- Hiking on Cliff Path
Landmarks Walker Bay Cliff Path - Day 3
Hermanus to Knysna
Drive about 410 km east to Knysna, known for its oyster farming. The town sits on a 20-square-kilometer lagoon that connects to the Indian Ocean through the narrow rocky Knysna Heads. Behind the town, the Outeniqua Mountains create a natural backdrop. You'll settle in for a two-night stay at your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Knysna Heads Outeniqua Mountains - Day 4
Knysna
Explore Knysna on foot or spend time at the beach if you prefer. Optional activities include visiting Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Western Head, trying wine at Bramon Wine Estate, or checking out Knysna Fine Art Gallery. Later in the afternoon, take the Knysna Sunset Oyster Cruise for an evening on the water with good views and the town lights coming on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Featherbed Nature Reserve
- Wine tasting at Bramon Wine Estate
- Visit to Knysna Fine Art Gallery
- Knysna Sunset Oyster Cruise
Landmarks Featherbed Nature Reserve Bramon Wine Estate Knysna Fine Art Gallery - Day 5
Knysna to Tsitsikamma
Drive about 95 km to Tsitsikamma National Park with its dense forests and ancient trees over 800 years old. Nature Valley has untouched sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. You can hike various trails or do a canopy tour to see the forest from above. Check into your accommodation near Storms River for one night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails in Tsitsikamma National Park
- Canopy treetop tour
Landmarks Tsitsikamma National Park Nature Valley Storms River - Day 6
Tsitsikamma to Oyster Bay
Travel roughly 105 km to Oyster Bay, surrounded by sand dunes, bush forests, and a lagoon system. The location works well for outdoor activities and exploration. You'll check in at your lodge for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Oyster Bay - Day 7
Oyster Bay
Start your day at a relaxed pace. Choose optional activities like dune buggy safaris or beach horseback riding if you want something active. Otherwise, spend time on the lodge's 3.5 km private beach or by the pool with a book or just resting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Dune safari with special buggies
- Beach ride
- Beach relaxation on private beach
- Pool relaxation
- Day 8
Oyster Bay to Kariega Game Reserve
Drive about 250 km north to Kariega Game Reserve, which is free from malaria. The reserve has diverse wildlife including the Big Five and many other species. Arrive by early afternoon to join an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. Check into your accommodation for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive in open safari vehicle
Landmarks Kariega Game Reserve - Day 9
Kariega Game Reserve
Two game drives frame your day here. Head out early in the morning with a ranger in the open vehicle, then return for breakfast. Optionally, take a guided walk through the bush during the day. After lunch, you'll join another afternoon drive to track wildlife and spot animals as the light changes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive with ranger
- Afternoon game drive with ranger
Optional Activities
- Guided bush walk
Landmarks Kariega Game Reserve - Day 10
Kariega to Graaff-Reinet
After the early morning game drive, head inland toward Graaff-Reinet, about a 4 to 5 hour drive. The town has around 200 historic buildings dating back centuries. When you arrive in the afternoon, drive to the viewpoint roughly 500 m above the village for impressive views across Graaff-Reinet, Camdeboo National Park, and the Valley of Desolation before sunset. You'll stay at a historic hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Early morning game drive
Landmarks Camdeboo National Park Valley of Desolation - Day 11
Graaff-Reinet to Oudtshoorn
Travel about 325 km through semi-arid landscape to Oudtshoorn at the base of the Swartberg Mountains. You can optionally visit one of the region's ostrich farms on the way. Your lodge sits on a waterhole where wild animals gather, including elephants, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and zebras. Check in for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit ostrich farm
Landmarks Swartberg Mountain Range - Day 12
Oudtshoorn
Arrange activities directly at your lodge. Consider an optional meerkat tour if you book in advance, or visit the Cango Caves with their 20-million-year-old formations and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. If you enjoy wine, Karusa Wine Estate in nearby Schoemanshoek makes for an interesting afternoon detour before returning to the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Meerkat tour
- Cango dripstone caves visit
- Wine tasting at Karusa Wine Estate
Landmarks Cango Caves Karusa Wine Estate - Day 13
Oudtshoorn to Franschhoek
Drive about 390 km to Franschhoek, the French-influenced wine region of South Africa. The drive crosses varied terrain as you head toward the mountains. Arrive in the afternoon and take a short walk through the town to get your bearings. Check into your accommodation for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Landmarks Franschhoek 
- Day 14
Franschhoek
Franschhoek has a nice atmosphere with cafes, galleries, restaurants, and award-winning wineries throughout the valley. Spend the day exploring at your own pace, whether that's wine tasting, gallery hopping, or eating at one of the local restaurants. The town itself is walkable and pleasant for wandering.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at award-winning wineries
- Visit art galleries
- Explore cafés and restaurants
- Days 15 - 16
Franschhoek to Cape Town
Drive about 75 km from Franschhoek back to Cape Town. The city offers Table Mountain for hiking or aerial views, the scenic route to Cape of Good Hope, and the V&A Waterfront with restaurants, bars, and shops. Book optional excursions beforehand if you want to do specific activities. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere and catch sundowners on the beaches at Camps Bay or Clifton, or from a rooftop bar. Check in for your final two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain experience
- Drive to Cape of Good Hope
- V&A Waterfront exploration
- Individual excursions (bookable in advance)
Landmarks Table Mountain Cape of Good Hope V&A Waterfront Camps Bay Beach Clifton Beach - Day 17
Cape Town Airport
Have breakfast, then drive about 25 km to Cape Town Airport. Return your rental car and head to your gate. This marks the end of your trip through South Africa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Cape Town Airport
