Experience South Africa: Garden Route Discovery

26TH / 27TH DECEMBER: WELCOME TO SOUTH AFRICA! (D=DINNER)
The day has finally arrived! We will meet at Malta International Airport to catch our evening flight to Cape Town with a short transit in Istanbul Airport. According to the current flight schedule we are expected to arrive in South Africa the next day at noon.

Our adventure will start as soon as we step foot in Cape Town! From the airport will head straight to the famous Table Mountain in a cable car (weather permitting).

On top of Table Mountain National Park, there are different pathways we can take which lead to lookout points from where we can enjoy the various views. We will make our way back down the mountain by cable car again, before we head to the hotel to check-in and freshen up. This evening we meet again for our first dinner together making a toast to the start of our adventure.

We will overnight in Cape Town for 5 nights. Accommodation Onomo Hotel Cape Town Inn on the Square or similar.

28TH DECEMBER: WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS (B)
We will start the day with a very unique experience exploring Cape Town’s Peninsula on land and at sea.

This morning we will go on a guided kayak tour. An amazing highlight is paddling to the penguins at Boulders Beach, home to approximately 3000 African penguins wandering freely, whilst also encountering a number of seals. If the time and tide is right, we might even stop on a beach for a swimming break. If you prefer not to kayak, you can easily walk to Boulder’s Beach instead.

This afternoon we will drive further South to Cape Point. The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic Coast of the Cape Peninsula. We will walk up to the Lighthouse and experience jagged cliffs and gaze at the never-ending ocean and wildflowers. Cape Point will make us feel as if we were standing on the edge of the world.

We will head back to Cape Town via Chapman’s Peak, one of the most scenic drives in the world. On arrival back, we will enjoy a sunset champagne cruise. The cruise explores Table Bay, sails towards Milnerton lighthouse, before gliding across Granger Bay through the shadow of Table Mountain.

After a full day out we will head back to the hotel, satisfied with today’s adventure!

29TH DECEMBER: AFRICAN SAFARI (B, L)
We will have an early departure from our hotel. Today we will embark on an adventure to see if we can spot the African Big 5 animals.

On arrival at the Aquila Game Reserve, we will enjoy lunch, before departing on a game drive in an open game drive vehicle. Our safari guide will take us through the 10,000 hectare wildlife reserve, sharing inside stories and facts about the animals and the natural Karoo environment. Look ahead, and see if you can spot the elephants, lion, giraffe, zebra, hippo and rhino, among other animals.

After an exciting day, we will make our way back to Cape Town arriving early in the evening.

The evening is free for you to enjoy as this is when the city truly comes alive! You can opt to unwind in style with a cocktail or glass of wine in hand, dine at one of the renowned roof top restaurants, or slip into your favourite dancing shoes for a night of partying.

30TH DECEMBER: FLYING OVER VALLEYS OR BO-KAAP NEIGHBOURHOOD (Optional Activities Day) (B)
Enjoy breakfast and then opt for a morning of adventure or wander.
You can opt for our zipline adventure. A 2 hour transfer out of the city will take you to the countryside. On arrival, you will be transported by 4×4 high into the mountain range. This is where the fun begins! We will slide along steel cables from platform to platform, taking us past waterfalls and through valleys, enjoying all that mother nature has to offer. With 13 platforms and slides up to 320m long, we will surely enjoy this experience. You are expected to arrive back at the hotel at around 6pm.

If you are not so keen on the zip-line, you can opt for an equally fun activity…a captivating exploration at the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood. Bo-Kaap is a vibrant neighbourhood celebrated for its brightly painted houses, cobbled streets, and rich Cape Malay heritage, a must-see for travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences. You are expected to return back at the hotel by 1pm. The rest of the day will be free till the group arrives. Some things you can do include; take a stroll at the city’s waterfront and/or walk up Lion’s head.

31ST DECEMBER: ROBBEN ISLAND, NELSON MANDELA & NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS (B, D)
Today we will enjoy a tour to Robben Island. We will depart for the island by ferry and take a short walk to buses that will transport us to all the historical sites around the Island. We will visit several important sites including the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years, and Nelson Mandela’s cell before we make our way back to the mainland by ferry.

This afternoon we will discover one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, Kirstenbosch! We will stroll through the garden to the amazing canopy walkway, whilst following an easy a trail through the forest leading to a small waterfall crossing streams. And for anyone who wishes to unwind, you can simply relax on the lawns and indulge in a picnic of wine and cheese.

We will allow time to freshen up at the hotel, to get ready for a very special evening! Dinner will be served at the famous GOLD Restaurant, celebrating the beginning of the new year together counting down in style! But not only that, we will be taking part in an interactive drumming experience and for dinner, we will embark on a 14-dish African taste-safari while enjoying cultural entertainment as Africans now best! Get ready for an unforgettable evening ensuring a fantastic night!

1ST JANUARY: JOURNEY THROUGH THE GARDEN ROUTE (B)
It’s time to leave Cape Town to start our road trip on the Garden Route!

Heading West to Knysna, the journey showcases South Africa’s stunning coastal beauty, lush forests, pristine beaches, and charming coastal towns. Once in Knysna, we will go on an Oyster boat tour, tasting wild and cultivated oysters, all whilst cruising the lagoon. The boat cruise includes an oyster educational experience, a taste of local white wine, and half a dozen fresh oysters per person. The perfect end to our day!

We will then head to our hotel to check in and enjoy the evening at leisure. Knysna is nestled between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by world famous forests, beautiful lagoons and pristine beaches, as well as a great waterfront where we can unwind in the evening.
NB The scenic drive on the Garden Route to Knysna will take 5 hours and we will make stops along the way to stretch our legs.
We will overnight in Knysna for 2 nights. Accommodation Premiere Resort The Moorings or similar.

2ND JANUARY: SWIM WITH SEALS & A LOCAL EXPERIENCE (B)
Our first stop today is Plettenberg Bay where we will have a swim with seals in the Robberg Peninsula, home to approximately 6000 seals. This 1.5hour adventure starts with an adrenaline pumping beach launch into the sea, followed by an amazing boat ride along the scenic coastline to the Cape fur seal colony. There we will get to snorkel and interact with the ocean’s most loved character and see them playfully swimming in their natural environment. Even if you prefer not to swim, this is still a very enjoyable activity, as you can observe and get close to the seals directly from the boat.
The most beautiful part of a trip is meeting locals! This afternoon we will make our way to a township in Knysna, located in the hills above the city. Here we will walk along the village meeting locals during their work day. We will also walk past a preschool, and our guide will tell us more about the education system and the opportunities for the children who grow up here in the township. If the school allows us, we will join the students too! We will then meet the women from the Knysna township showcasing their handmade products.

3RD JANUARY: AN ECO-EXPERIENCE (B, L)
Our day will start at the Featherbed Nature Reserve. This paradise will give us the opportunity to go on an eco-experience, offering beautiful nature, amazing views and a fantastic adventure activity. We will start by taking a ferry trip across the Knysna Lagoon. We will drive up the headland in a 4×4 onto the reserve, stopping at spectacular viewpoints. We will continue walking through the coastal forest and into ancient sea caves, before we take the ferry back to Knysna.
Afterwards, we will head to Oudtshoorn, known for its ostrich farms and the Swartberg Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will make our way to a Safari Ostrich Farm, where we will experience a very fun Tractor Ride. Get ready to get up close and personal with the world’s largest bird. We will drive inside the breeder bird camps of South African and Zimbabwean Ostriches.

As the day draws to a close, we will continue our journey to the hotel, cherishing the memories and experiences gained throughout this extraordinary day!
We will overnight in Oudtshoorn for 1 night. Accommodation Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar.

4TH JANUARY: OF MEERKATS AND VILLAGE LIFE (PACKED BREAKFAST)
Get ready for what probably will be the sweetest morning you will ever experience! Today we will depart before sunrise as our hosts are early risers and will be eagerly waiting for us! We will be going on a wild meerkat adventure!

Meerkats are part of the so-called Shy 5 which also includes the bat-eared fox, the aardvark, porcupine and aardwolf. Upon arrival we will take a short walk to the meerkat burrows where we will be treated to a hot cup of coffee. Then, we will sit and wait while observing the meerkats as they come out of the burrow into the sunshine and go about their daily routine of foraging and frolicking. It is a fantastic experience & unique privilege to get this close to these little charmers of South African wildlife.

From here, we will make our way to the Barrydale Country pumpkin farm where we can enjoy lunch (extra) or else simply explore the farm and the hundreds of pumpkins on display.

After 2 hours of driving we will arrive in the town of Montagu, to enjoy a walk through town to learn about the lifestyle of the people, history and heritage of this beautiful village. Our local guide will also tell us stories of the history of the area, the town and the stories of the people who shaped the town.

We will arrive in Stellenbosch just in time for an evening at leisure. The centre offers great dining experience. And for dessert, just stop at one of the many ice cream parlours and enjoy this treat!

We will overnight in Stellenbosch for 1 night. Accommodation Devon Valley Hotel or similar.

5TH JANUARY: WINE TRAM EXPERIENCE AND BACK HOME (B)
It is our last day in South Africa, but our adventure is not over yet! One cannot visit Cape Town and not try their delicious wine.

We will check out of our hotel and then head to Franschhoek. Here, we will embark on the open air wine tram and journey through rolling vineyards tasting local wines produced by individual farms. On our way we will discover the Franschhoek Valley and explore the Cape Winelands soaking in breathtaking views.

At the scheduled time, our private transportation will transfer us to Cape Town Airport to take our international flight back home. According to the current flight schedule we will depart Cape Town at 17.15hrs, transit in Istanbul for 2.5hours, arriving back in Malta the next morning at 08.45hrs.

We hope you will enjoy South Africa as much as we will enjoy sharing it with you!

May the memories made, last a lifetime, and the emotions felt continue to a bring a smile to your face knowing that you have experienced an amazing adventure and so much more.

We are thrilled to share this entire journey and Experience it with you.