Contrasts of the Cape

Contrasts of the Cape

South Africa’s two most southerly provinces offer everything from thriving cities to classic safaris, exceptional scenery to world-class wine tasting. Join us as we explore Cape Town, including its extraordinary botanical garden below Table Mountain. Look out for the Big Five as we take a thrilling late afternoon safari in the Kariega Game Reserve. Stand in awe of the Valley of Desolation’s 120-metre-high columns of Dolerite rock. And toast the end of your adventures with a fine-dining experience in Franschhoek’s winelands.

What's Included:

• 14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight
• 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners
• 14 excursions & visits
• Nationwide return chauffer service
• Titan tour manager
• Transport from the UK
• 3 days free time

• Porterage

  Included Excursions:

• Excursion to Kirstenbosch and Cape Town orientation tour
• Visits to Hermanus; Storms River Mouth; and Cango Ostrich Farm
• Walking tour of Arniston
• Cruise on the Keurbooms River
• 4 game drives and activities at Kariega Game Reserve
• Guided tour to the Valley of Desolation
• Drive along the spectacular Route 62 from Oudsthoorn to Franschhoek
• Franschhoek wine tram pass
• Fine-dining dinner in Franschhoek

Operator: Titan Travel

Day 1: UK - In flight

Titan Travel's nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Cape Town.

Day 2: Cape Town

On your first afternoon there's time to explore the buzzing Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This attractive bustling harbour has something for everyone and is filled with speciality shops, craft markets, theatres, pubs and restaurants.

Day 3: Cape Town

Enjoy a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, considered Africa’s most beautiful garden. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, it’s filled with over 7,000 species of plants from southern Africa, ready to be discovered on a relaxing stroll. Later, head into the city for an orientation coach tour, passing the Castle of Good Hope, and the Bo-Kaap area. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe catch the hop-on-hop-off bus to Table Mountain. Or you may have pre-booked a trip to explore Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

Day 4: Cape Town

Today is free. Maybe choose an optional excursion to visit the Cape’s fabulous winelands to taste the local wines, or to the Cape Peninsula. The Cape of Good Hope is rich in cultural and natural heritage - baboons, seals, zebra and hundreds of bird species inhabit this spectacular area. See the lighthouse at Cape Point, historical Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, a sheltered beach home to a colony of rare African penguins.

Day 5: Hermanus - Arniston

Head off for a scenic journey to Arniston, so have your camera at the ready. Stop in Hermanus en route for some free time and, as one of the world’s best land-based whale watching destinations, a stroll along the coast could be well rewarded. Arrive in Arniston with time for an interesting walk to explore the Dutch colonial fishing village. The quaint, thatched and whitewashed cottages, and the rugged coastline and golden sand dunes attract many artists and photographers. It’s also another great place to try to spot whales.

Day 6: Knysna

Depart for Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route, arriving mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free; get back to nature again on a scenic walk along the nearby banks of the Knysna River.

Day 7: Featherbed Nature Reserve

Set sail across the Knysna Lagoon to the western headland for a visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. On arrival, travel up to the reserve’s viewpoints, where your guide will share insights into the region’s history, unique flora and varied birdlife. Continue on a guided walk, taking in wide-ranging views along the way.

Day 8: Knysna

Today is a free day to explore the lovely town of Knysna. Once a major town in the timber industry, you’ll find several shops offering beautiful woodwork. Maybe stroll through one of the many markets for souvenirs, or stop and watch the world go by, with a refreshing drink at one of the trendy cafés. If you’d like some relaxation time, why not spend some time paddling in the cool waters on the famous lagoon. Over lunch or dinner, be sure to try some fresh seafood, perhaps some of the town’s famous oysters.

Day 9: Storms River - Kariega Game Reserve

Travel to the mouth of Storms River, where the water crashes dramatically against the rocks. Choose to relax and enjoy the powerful river and sea, or take a walk to the suspension bridge. Continue to Kariega Game Reserve, where your safari experience begins - a highlight of our South Africa tours. Take a game drive as the animals become more active in the cool of late afternoon. Feel the excitement of what’s to come as we set off in our open game drive vehicle - you never know what’s around the corner!

Day 10: Kariega Game Reserve

Enjoy a full day at Kariega, a family-owned malaria-free reserve home to all of the Big Five. Head out on a morning game drive, to search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and more. Sit back and relax on a river cruise, with time afterwards to explore the lodge area. Top the day off with another game drive this evening.

Day 11: Kariega Game Reserve - Graaff-Reinet

After a fourth game drive early morning, leave for a scenic drive into the Great Karoo (Place of Thirst). Be on the lookout for wildlife in this large, semi-desert region. This afternoon, arrive at your hotel in the heart of the historical town of Graaff-Reinet. Stay overnight in the renovated old slave quarters. You’ll have some free time to relax or you might decide to begin your explorations.

Day 12: Graaff-Reinet - Valley of Desolation

Graaff-Reinet has retained the character of a typical 19th-century town, and this morning you’re free to explore all that it has to offer. Learn about life 200 years ago in one of the many dwellings there, and take a stroll through the town to browse the museum and shops. When you’ve finished exploring, perhaps stop for a relaxing coffee, or take a look at Obesa, the world’s largest cacti collection. This afternoon, visit a geological phenomenon - the Valley of Desolation - where, over 100 million years, volcanic rock has eroded into vertical cliffs and 120m tall columns. Take a tour and hopefully spot some of the many birds and mammals that live here.

Day 13: Willowmore - Oudtshoorn

The route today travels though old characterful towns. Break for lunch in Willowmore, a town filled with historical architecture and then head to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, for an overnight stay.

Day 14: Oudtshoorn - Franschhoek

Depart for the Cango Ostrich Farm. On a short tour, learn from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides and have fun hand feeding these peculiar birds. Then join the spectacular Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Sit back and enjoy towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and quaint country towns. Stop for lunch in Barrydale, a small town with magnificent views of the stark Klein Karoo and the fertile Tradouw Valley, before continuing to Franschhoek, set amidst the serene Franschhoek Mountains.

Day 15: Franschhoek

Today, why not take advantage of your ticket for the local hop-on-hop-off tram? It allows you to taste wines and cheese at local wine farms or just enjoy their beautiful gardens. Tonight, enjoy a very special wine pairing and fine-dining experience at Le Coin Français (the French Corner), prepared by chef Darren Badenhorst.

Day 16: Cape Town - In flight

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 17: UK

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.