With Christmas just around the corner, why not treat yourself to a well deserved break and enjoy 12 nights away, soaking up the summer sun and exploring the beautiful Cape in South Africa!
This magical journey will have you exploring the top of Table Mountain, feeling the warm sands and fresh Atlantic water inbetween your toes, tasting award winning wines, and coming face to face with an ostrich – all the while being captivated by the charm of the region’s small villages. After taking in the breathtaking sights of the Western Cape, and the endless views of green landscapes and blue oceans, you head off on a 2 night safari in a private game reserve – home to Africa’s Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Taking place from the 12th to 24th December, this itinerary includes return flights from London on Ethiopian Airlines (or a similar airline), 3 nights in Cape Town, followed by a 5 night Guided Tour along the Garden Route with an English guide all the way to Port Elizabeth, where finally, you will finish with 2 nights on safari at Amakhala Woodbury Lodge in the beautiful Eastern Cape.
With prices from just £2995 per person this is a great way to beat the winter blues and be home in time for Christmas!
Cape Town 12th–15th December
You will depart from London Heathrow in the evening, stopping briefly in Addis Ababa before flying all the way down to Cape Town, arriving the next day in the early afternoon. After collecting your bags, you will then be transferred to Breakwater Lodge, ideally located right next to the vibrant V&A Waterfront. Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities – with a magnificent mountain as its centre, miles of sandy beaches, a colourful and moving history, and countless bars and restaurants, Cape Town captures the hearts of visitors.
The Garden Route 16th–21th December
Today, the journey through the Garden Route and all its wonders begins with a wine tasting in the picturesque Hex River Valley, surrounded by magnificent mountains. The tour will then continue, taking you through Matjiesfontein and onto Prince Albert where you will spend the night at the charming Victorian styled Swartberg Hotel. Enjoy a delicious evening meal in the Victoria Room, a room inspired by a history that dates back all the way to 1864.
17th December
After breakfast, enjoy the spectacular drive through the Swartberg Mountains to Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is the “Ostrich Capital” of the world and is the largest town in the Klein Karoo region, a semi-desert place with a reputation for its inspiring natural splendour. Here you will be given a tour of one of the one of the world’s great natural wonders, the Cango Caves, followed by a visit to an Ostrich Farm. You will be spending the night at La Plume Guest House and once checked in, you can enjoy relaxing on the cool veranda of your room, with its sweeping view across the Olifant’s River Valley to the Swartberg Mountains.
18th–19th December
Moving down to the coast, the tour continues through the Outeniqua Pass to George (the 6th oldest town in SA) and onto Wilderness, before finally reaching Knysna. Nestled on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, Knysna is a bustling little holiday town with a lively Waterfront area. You can take part in a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve before heading to the top of the Western Head to enjoy the panoramic views of the town and lagoon. Your 2 nights here will be spent at The Rex Hotel. The next day you will have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Knysna area, including a visit to the Garden of Eden and the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary. Set in a lush green forest, you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free. Before heading back, there is time to see the Eastern Head and Brenton on Sea.
20th December
Departing Knysna, the tour takes you to Plettenberg Bay (the jewel of the Garden Route) and the biggest single free flight aviary in the world, the Birds of Eden Sanctuary. After this, you will get to see Bloukrans Bridge, home to the highest bungy jump in the world. For those who are brave enough, here’s your chance! The continues along the spectacular coastline of Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth, where you will spend the night at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn which lies just on the outskirts of the Park.
21th December
Today, you will come to the end of your Garden Route Tour by finishing with an orientation tour of Port Elizabeth. Known more fondly as just PE, the warmth of the people have earned it the well-deserved reputation as ‘The Friendly City’. When the tour has finished you will then be taken to the Amakhala Game Reserve for an incredible safari experience.
Amakhala Game Reserve 21th–23th December
This 7,200 malaria-free hectare game reserve is home to all of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard), as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species. It offers a range of different landscapes and includes breathtaking views of the Bushman’s River.
Woodbury Lodge is spectacularly set against a cliff above the Bushmans River valley, offering an intimate and tranquil experience. There are a range of activities to enjoy during your 2 night stay here, including game drives, a river cruise, bush walks and horse trails. For those interested in soaking up the African sun, recline around the pool and enjoy some quiet bird watching.
On the final morning, enjoy one more game drive before returning for breakfast, before you are collected and transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport in time for your flight home. Arrive back into London on the 24th, with some incredible stories to dazzle your family and friends with over Christmas dinner.