Visit the world’s richest floral kingdom, Cape Town – one of the most exciting cities in the world, wine and dine, see whales, sharks, penguins and the Big Five in 14 amazing day….
(Accommodation in four star hotels or guest houses.)
DAY 1
Arrive Cape Town
Welcome Function with an introduction to the Flora and Biomes of South Africa. (Expert speaker)
DAY 2
A full day’s exploration and meandering in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: personal tour of garden and herbarium (glass house) by expert guides.
Sundowners on Table Mountain for a sunset view of the city.
Dinner – an African feast to traditional music.
DAY 3
We set off for one of the most scenic drives in the world. The route winds through Simonstown, the naval base of the South African Navy and a quaint reminder of Victorian and Edwardian architecture; and then continue our journey hugging the wild and beautiful coastline to Cape Point.
We return to central Cape Town via Chapman’s Peak and more breathtaking scenery and lunch at the busy harbour of Hout Bay.
Dinner at one of Cape Town’s finest restaurants.
DAY 4
We take a leisurely drive through the winelands via Stellenbosch, over the picturesque Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, the culinary and wine capital of the Cape.
Here we visit Henk Scholtz’s indigenous garden – one of the 80 gardens included in the BBC 2008 T.V. Programme “Around the World in 80 Gardens”. Henk is one of SA’s best horticulturists and landscapers using only indigenous plantings.
Luncheon at one of the many restaurants situated in the main road of Franschoek, each and every one offering a culinary experience.
We return via TOKARA wine estate and a guided tour of the spectacular garden by the resident landscaper.
DAY 5
An early departure for the Boland town of Worcester through the Huguenot Tunnel of the Du Toit’s Kloof mountain range.
Here we visit the Karoo Garden with the largest collection of succulent plants in the Southern hemisphere.
Return to Cape Town via Stellenbosch and a short orientation drive through the University town to “Schoongezicht” garden, Rustenberg Estate for an
Informal wine tasting and tour of the garden.
DAY 6
Depart for the famous Ovenstone garden in Kenilworth – “Stellenberg” was also included in the BBC T.V. programme “Around the world in 80 Gardens” and is a formal garden reminiscent of English design.
We next visit the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia for an early lunch and
guided tour of the garden, one of the ten most beautiful hotel gardens in the world. In the afternoon we stop off at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for browsing and shopping.
DAY 7
Wild and Natural.
Prepare for another breathtaking drive along a spectacular coastal road as we travel to Hermanus via Clarens Drive. See Table Mountain and Cape Point from across False Bay as we keep a lookout for whales below.
Visit the small African Penguin Colony at Betty’s Bay before stopping at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden and Nature Reserve for a guided tour and light luncheon in the restaurant.
After lunch we book into our hotel in Hermanus and then take a walk on the unique Cliff Path with its Coastal Montaine Forest and more whale watching. This path not only presents the best land based whale watching spots in the world it also has a variety of indigenous plants found only in this coastal stretch, like the cliff lily and salt tolerant sea heath to name a few.
DAY 8
A guided walk in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve to absorb the magnificent Fynbos at first hand. This incredible floral kingdom is the smallest and richest in the world and in this reserve alone more than 1 500 species can be found.
After a picnic lunch in the reserve we enjoy a bay cruise for close-up whale watching.
DAY 9
Visit Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and experience their social development project, Green Futures. Here young people are trained to be nurserymen, landscapers and gardeners.
In the afternoon choose between a Great White Shark encounter (from the safety of a boat) or a walk along the cliffs and a visit to Klipgat Cave where archeologists have found signs of human life dating back 50 000 years.
Day 10
After breakfast we set off by bus to Oudtshoorn, through the Little Karroo. Lunch on an ostrich farm and a tour of the typical Little Karroo Garden. We drive over the picturesque Outeniqua Pass to George and our hotel at the Wilderness where we spend the night at this Garden Route village right on the seaside.
Day 11
Set off early for the spectacular drive through the Knysna forests, past Plettenburg Bay and the Tsitsikama Nature Reserve to Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth for your Big Five safari.
Overnight in one of the lodges within Addo.
Day 12
Up before sunrise for a dawn game drive. Your expert guides will interpret the veld and all its flora as you watch the bigger game.
Breakfast, relax around the lodge or go for a guided game walk. Watch Africa’s wild animals stalking, drinking, fighting and feeding.
Afternoon game drive and night drive.
Day 13
Dawn game drive, breakfast. Check out at 10:30 transfer to airport for return flight to Johannesburg. We check into a central city hotel where you have time for shopping, resting or theatre.
DAY 14
Visit Oppenheimer Garden “Little Brenturst”, in Parktown. A guided tour of the extensive garden, also included in the BBC TV programme. Tea and scones served in the garden.
Lunch in Soweto and a tour of this fascinating, vibrant black city.
Evening: Farewell dinner, awards ceremony.
DAY 15
Rest, shop, pack prepare to fly home in late afternoon.
