Private Cape Town and Garden Route Splendour

8 Nights, 9 days.
Explore the best Cape Town can offer you. Stay in the finest guesthouses and discover the wonders of the Garden Route with its spectacular beaches and majestic mountains. End your tour back in the “Mother City” with your own private experienced tour-guide.

We do not offer scheduled tours but specializes in private tours where we stop and go at your pace. With us you will benefit from our local knowledge and discover amazing places off the beaten track that you might not find on your own ... and make memories that will last a lifetime.
The quote is for 4* Guesthouses handpicked especially chosen for their high level of service and position!

Day 1:

• Meet & greet our Gecko Tours representative at Cape Town International Airport where our friendly guide will transfer you to your 4-star Hotel at the V&A Waterfront where you will stay for 4 nights on a bed & breakfast basis, Deluxe room.
• After checking in the tour begins with an exhilarating cable car trip to the top of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain with its breathtaking panoramic views of the city and beyond. (Weather permitting, cost of cable car not included.)

Day 2:

• Your tour starts with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Seaboard, via Sea Point and Camps Bay to the fishing village of Hout Bay for an exhilarating boat trip to Seal Island (weather permitting)
• Continue to Cape Point through Chapman's peak (if open), where the romantic notion that this is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, draws thousands of visitors every year. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is recognised globally for its spectacular beauty, rich biodiversity, animal and bird life, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks.
• Enjoy lunch (own account) at a nearby restaurant before moving on to the historic naval base, Simon's Town, a village rich in history and character, with its penguin and seal colonies, fishing and bird life, and quaint architecture.
• Drive back to Cape Town along the coastline passing many seaside towns, then visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which boasts only indigenous South African plants and is set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
• Return to your Hotel.

Day 3:

• Our tour starts heading head over Sir Lowry’s Pass to the Elgin Valley. Not only is the Valley famous for their fresh produce, most notably apples, pears and grapes, but it is also home to Appletiser the world-famous soft drink company.
• The journey continues down Houwhoek Pass towards Hermanus for a watching tour (Optional extra in season).
• Hermanus, situated on a narrow coastal plain surrounding Walker Bay, nestled between an incandescent mountain range and the spectacular Atlantic Ocean, once a sleepy hamlet is now a thriving, bustling town. Whales are what have put it on the map and it is now known as the Whale capital of the world! Early June to late November is the best time for viewing these denizens of the deep but some make these waters home, year around. Sharp eyes will see tails, spray and the odd breach.
• Lunch (own account) at Beintangs Cave.
• Our return journey follows Clarence drive the coastal road back to Cape Town via Betty’s Bay where we will stop at Stony Point to see the Penguins.
• Betty’s Bay is a picturesque seaside village positioned in a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Kogelberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Continue the scenic coastal Clarence drive back to Cape Town.

Day 4:

• Head off to wine-country with the first stop in Paarl, so-named because of the "pearl" formed by three rounded outcrops. Visit a Wine Estate established in 1699 and known for its handcrafted wines, Goatshed and cheese making that started 3 decades ago, for a cheese and wine-tasting.
• We visit the Spice Route where we join in a Chocolate tasting and for those thirsty ones a Beer or Tea tasting.
• Continue to the “Walk of Freedom” of Nelson Mandela in 1994 from the Drakenstein prison where Nelson Mandela was in house arrest for 2 years before his release.
• Continue in Franschhoek once home of the French Huguenots and today known as the Gourmet Capital of the Western Cape. Nestling in a picturesque valley, it is home to many famous wine estates and award-winning restaurants. Here you will have the opportunity to walk through the center of town to experience the small Boutique shops.
• Lunch (own account) at one of many lovely Restaurants.
• The tour continues with a scenic drive through the breathtakingly beautiful Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch, the centre of the wine industry in South Africa.
• This university town is steeped in history with its stunning Oak-lined avenues and historical buildings. Here we will walk amidst the galleries, coffee shops and wine bars.
• We end off our day with a visit in the breathtaking views at Delaire Graff for our last tasting. Delaire means ‘from the sky’, and the wines they craft here are an invitation to savour this unique piece of heaven and earth in Stellenbosch

Day 5:

• Travel over the Klein Drakenstein Mountains to Worcester in the Breede River Valley enjoying the wonderful scenery which changes from lush orchards to dramatic mountain views.
• Stop at Four Cousins. In our tasting room you can enjoy an informal tasting at our pods, or treat yourself to a relaxed food & wine pairing. Platters include chocolate and wine, cheese and wine, charcuterie and wine, nougat, nuts and wine, a Four Cousins fan pairing as well as non-alcoholic pairings for both adults and children.
• Continue along Route 62 towards the Little Karoo passing through Barrydale and Calitzdorp, famous for their wine and quality Port respectively, to Oudtshoorn, once the centre of the ostrich feather boom.
• Lunch (own account) at a lovely Restaurant in the Semi-desert area where we will enjoy true South-African cuisine.
• Continue along Route 62 to reach Oudtshoorn where you stay at a 4-star Guesthouse on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, luxury room.

Day 6:

• Leave at sunrise for a Meerkat tour. Upon arrival at the Meerkat burrows you will be treated with coffee, after which you are issued with a lightweight aluminium chair to sit in while observing the Meerkats as they come out the burrow into the sun shine. Meerkats are part of the so called "shy 5".
• After breakfast we visit the Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders sculptured by nature through the ages.
• This is followed by a fascinating visit to an ostrich farm.
• Lunch (own account) at award-winning Jemima’s restaurant in Oudtshoorn.
• Head for Wilderness on the Garden Route coast, a scenic drive that takes you over the breathtakingly beautiful Outeniqua Mountain pass.
• Overnight at a 4 –star Guesthouse in Knysna on a bed and breakfast basis for 2x nights in a Lagoon facing room.

Day 7:

• 10h00 – 14h00 In Knysna, take a ferry across the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed, a private nature reserve and National Heritage Site, for an exhilarating 4x4 trailer ride and a guided walk followed by a buffet lunch in the Milkwood Forest.
• Leisure time at the Knysna Waterfront with its boutiques and souvenir shops.
• For lovers of crafted Gin and Beer we visit Knysna distilleries. Gin is distilled the traditional way with a flame & copper pot still. It is made with nine natural botanicals, including the Num Num berry which is Knysna Lourie’s favourite treat.
• Return to your Guesthouse and spend some leisure time at the Lagoon.

Day 8:

• Our tour starts in Plettenberg Bay (our well-hidden secret) where we will show you our breathtaking beautiful viewpoints and explain where this town got its name from.
• Our tour for lovers of wild animals starts with a visit to the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre at Plettenberg Bay for a truly unique wildcat experience. Here you will meet South Africa's lesser indigenous cats, branded The Furry Five - black-footed cats, African wild cats, Caracal, Serval and cheetah - living in a semi-natural environment.
• Next stop is Monkey land, the world's first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary, OR Birds of Eden, the largest free flight bird aviary in the world.
• Lunch (own account) at Bramon Wine Estate will consist of delicious mezze platters, cheese, patés, tapas, fresh home-made bread and a glass of wine.
• Afternoon at leisure.
• Overnight in a 4-Star Guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay on a bed and breakfast basis for 1x night.

Day 9:

• After breakfast we take a scenic drive via Wilderness, Victoria Bay towards Mosselbay.
• Experience as 4x4 game drive. Situated between the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains and unspoiled beaches of the Indian Ocean, in the heart of the Garden Route, lies the 3500 ha Botlierskop Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape ensuring its visitors of a unique South African Safari experience. Our Safari Park is only a 4.5-hour scenic drive from Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, between Mossel Bay and George. This malaria free, family owned and privately operated garden route game lodge is home to an abundance of animals including 4 of the Big 5, rare antelope species and unique bird life.
• Enjoy lunch (own account) at the game reserve.
• Continue our journey towards Cape Town where you will be transferred to Cape Town International or destination of your choice.

• After breakfast we continue to Bloukrans, the World's Highest Commercial Bungy Jump at a whooping 216 m high! A proud record for South Africa and particularly, Tsitsikamma, where we will see the brave at heart jump (cost of the jump at own account)
• KAYAK & LILO up the Storms river gorge in the Tsitsikamma National Park (optional extra)
• This two-and-a-half-hour Kayak & Lilo Adventure up the Storms River Gorge in the Tsitsikamma National Park is our most popular activity for good reasons. You’ll get to explore deeper into the hidden world of the Storms River Gorge than most people ever do and experience the long, bottomless pools, deep caves and ancient indigenous forests with nothing but the quiet noises of nature around you.
• Our Segway tour starts off with a training session and then we explore the local forest and village where we glide through our little adventure filled village and select a forest road that leads deep into our pristine Tsitsikamma Indigenous forest. We have a selection of forest trails available and if you opt to go on the 2 hour “RIDE MORE” tour, you will experience more of the magic our forest has to offer. (optional extra)
• At the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve, enjoy a walk through the forest to the suspension bridge followed by lunch (own account) at the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve.
• Drive to Port Elizabeth where you will be transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport to catch your flight home.

• Luxury air-conditioned SUV or larger vehicle with your own personal, highly qualified guide.
• Accommodation on a shared basis.
• Accommodation and meals of the driver and/or guide.
• Meals as specified (8 breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch and 1 dinner).
• Excursions and transfers as shown in the itinerary.
• Services of the lodge guides and staff.
• Relevant park fees.
• All activities and entrance fees as mentioned and underlined.

• Items of a personal nature.
• The optional extra activities.
• Drinks, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified above.
• Cancellation, baggage or medical insurance.
• Staff gratuities.
• Any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control.
• Visa fees where relevant
• Dinner transfers.