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CAPE TOWN, GARDEN ROUTE AND KRUGER – WEL8095

• Duration: days
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Day 1: Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by an English speaking representative and assisted to the vehicle, before transferring to your hotel. Cape Town is one of the world's most picturesque tourist destinations and is a city offering a mix of attractions. Situated amidst majestic mountains and surrounded by pristine white beaches, the city is truly very beautiful. Often called the 'cosmopolitan hub of Africa', Cape Town is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage, vibrant restaurants, scenic cruises and world-class, affordable shopping. Victoria & Alfred Hotel – piazza facing room.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Built in 1904 as the North Quay Warehouse, the Victoria & Alfred Hotel is situated right in the middle of Cape Town’s beautifully restored waterfront. Walking out of the front door you will encounter restaurants, shops, entertainment, sightseeing and the terminal for the Robben Island ferries. The famous OYO Restaurant and bar offers views from the harbour to Table Mountain. With 94 spacious well-appointed bedrooms on only three floors, it is the attention to detail that gives the Victoria & Alfred Hotel its elegance and good reputation. All the rooms have wireless internet connection and the hotel has a large pool and spa to encourage relaxation during your stay. This is our top selling property in Cape Town for good reason. .

Day 2: Cape Town
After breakfast you depart on a half day tour of the city. Highlights of the tour include: a visit up Table Mountain on the cableway where the various flora and fauna will be explained (the cableway ticket is not included as the mountain visit is weather permitting); Malay Quarter, city centre and Company Gardens and, time permitting, the Castle of Good Hope. Victoria & Alfred Hotel – piazza facing room (B).

Day 3: Cape Town
Today is at your leisure to take in all the sights and attractions of Cape Town. Your hotel is an easy walk to the V&A Waterfront, the heart of Cape Town's working harbour. This area has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with world-class hotels and luxury apartments. Victoria & Alfred Hotel – piazza facing room (B).

Day 4:Oudtshoorn (guided small group tour sector)
This morning you are collected from your hotel to join your small group guided tour of the Garden Route. The tour departs Cape Town for the arid lands of the Klein Karoo. Head eastwards to Oudtshoorn, via Route 62, a picturesque route that traverses the contrasting regions of the Western and Eastern Cape. Enjoy lunch and the Tradouw Valley, followed by a traditional port, or ‘witblits’ tasting (both own account). Following the port tasting you continue onto Oudtshoorn. The Klein Karoo specialises in the farming of a rather unique bird, the ostrich. You visit an ostrich farm and learn about how the ostrich assisted the South African economy during colonial times. Arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner at the estate. Surval Boutique Olive Estate (BD).

Day 5: Surval Boutique Olive Estate
Surval Boutique Olive Estate offers panoramic views of the surrounding Swartberg mountain range and the Schoemanshoek Valley. Offering 23 stylish and luxurious rooms in a serene olive farm setting, the property includes a honeymoon suite, standard and luxury rooms, family rooms and single rooms. Rooms are furnished with lush bedding, flat screen television, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, valuables safe, mini bar fridge, bathroom amenities, bath and/or shower and tea and coffee making facilities. The elegant restaurant offers a fine dining as well as a bistro menu, both inspired by the produce of the local Klein Karoo region, complemented by international flair and a comprehensive wine list.

Protea Hotel Knysna Quays
The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays enjoys a spectacular outlook of the renowned coastal town of Knysna. The hotel is set on the Knysna Quays Waterfront with the lagoon at your doorstep. Facing the warm Indian Ocean through the Knysna Heads, the hotel offers a tranquil stay in spacious rooms overlooking the lagoon, historical train station and Knysna town. The property boasts excellent facilities including a heated outdoor swimming pool, wellness therapist for rejuvenating massages, free internet service and a unique dining experience with four restaurants on offer.

Day 6: Plettenberg Bay (guided small group tour sector)
After breakfast the tour makes its way to Plettenberg Bay, a seaside town and popular holiday spot for the rich and famous. From here you board a boat at Lookout Beach for a marine excursion (weather permitting) with the emphasis on marine-mammal conservation. This ocean safari affords close-up views of whales, dolphins and seals. Back on shore, enjoy a relaxing lunch in Plettenberg Bay (own account). In the afternoon you enjoy a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school and crèche. This community development programme focuses on education. Allocated tour proceeds are channelled into initiatives targeting the education of Qolweni’s young children. Passengers are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationery. Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (B).

Day 7: Port Elizabeth (guided small group tour sector)
The tour departs after breakfast for Port Elizabeth, via Storm’s River and the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest. The Garden Route features lush forests, blue ocean waters and rugged mountain peaks. It was named for its indigenous fynbos and other plant species. The tour’s first stop is at Storm’s River where you can enjoy a short walk and sweeping views from the suspension bridge spanned across the Storm’s River Mouth. Enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, an indigenous forest where the Knysna elephant once roamed freely. This forest is home to century-old trees including the yellowwood, stinkwood and ironwood. From here we depart for Port Elizabeth, which overlooks Mandela Bay, where the tour concludes at your Port Elizabeth hotel. Protea Hotel Marine (B).

Protea Hotel Marine
Overlooking Pollock Beach, with sweeping views of Algoa Bay, the Protea Hotel Marine sits at one of the best locations in Port Elizabeth. This colonial style hotel is famous for its quality facilities, personal service and luxurious interior design. The hotel offers a wide variety of rooms with 78 standard bedrooms and 36 superior rooms including self-catering units. The pool has a large terrace area that overlooks the Indian Ocean. This popular hotel is an icon of the city attracting travellers worldwide.

Days 8 - Sabi Sand Game Reserve (Kruger)
This morning after breakfast you will be met in reception and transferred to Port Elizabeth International Airport, where you check in for your flight to the Kruger region (flight not included). On arrival you will be met and transferred to your lodge in a private game reserve. Once you enter the game reserve keep a look out for animals as you drive to your lodge. This afternoon join your first game drive in the late afternoon. The reserve offers the chance to see the ‘big five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant) and much more. Your open sided game vehicle is guided by your ranger, whilst a ‘spotter’ tracks animals from the front of the vehicle. This gives guests the best opportunity of viewing wildlife up-close. Upon your return to the lodge, you enjoy dinner at the open air boma or indoor dining room. Arathusa Safari Lodge (BLD).

Arathusa Safari Lodge
Arathusa Safari Lodge is an intimate camp located in the coveted Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Each of the seven waterhole facing standard rooms have private en suite facilities which incorporates a bath and shower, as well as an outdoor shower and a large shaded veranda. Six massive luxury rooms are located away from the camp’s main facilities offering the ultimate in privacy. Four face the nearby bush with two facing the waterhole, all offering game viewing from your suite. Each luxury room has a private deck and separate lounge area, with the two bush facing rooms featuring a private plunge pool. Arathusa’s open-plan lounge, bar and dining areas lead to the infinity pool which flows into the well frequented waterhole. There is also a nearby airfield, allowing daily flights on SA Airlink from Hoedspruit or Nelspruit directly to the lodge.

Day 9-10: Sabi Sand Game Reserve (Kruger)
Your two days on safari will follow the following routine. Receive a wake-up call at 5.00 am before meeting for tea and coffee at 5.30 am, then head out on your first morning game drive. The fresh morning air whilst travelling in an open 4WD with the prospect of seeing the ’big five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, elephant) is an exhilarating experience. Experienced rangers and trackers will share their knowledge of the African bush with you as you enjoy a range of animal sightings. You return to the lodge in the late morning for breakfast. After lunch and some time to relax, you set off again in the mid-afternoon for another game drive to experience the animals and bushveld of Africa at dusk. Enjoy a sundowner drink on safari, then return to the lodge in time to freshen-up before a sumptuous dinner in the outside boma (weather permitting). Arathusa Safari Lodge (BLD).

Day 11: Kruger airport
Enjoy a final morning safari followed by a full breakfast. After check-out you are transferred to Hoedspruit airport for your onward flight (flight not included) (B).