South Africa: West Coast Explorer

Cape Town, Garden Route, The Winelands, Cederberg Mountains & West Coast

Felix - True Travel Senior Africa Specialist

This example itinerary from

$11,200pp

14 days

DESTINATIONS > AFRICA > SOUTH AFRICA > South Africa – West Coast Explorer

This example itinerary from

$11,200pp

14 days

Highlights

Enjoy private picnics in the gardens of your elegant seaside hotel.
Explore the Cape Floral Kingdom with a dedicated botany guide.
Relax by the pool and enjoy a glass of local wine in the charming village of Franschhoek.
Visit ancient San rock art sites and learn more about these fascinating people.
Stroll along unspoilt beaches and dine in world-class restaurants in tiny villages

What’s Included

Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis in Cape Town, Franschhoek and Paternoester.
Full board accommodation at Grootbos and full board with house drinks at Bushmans Kloof.
Selected activities at both Grootbos and Bushmans Kloof.
Meet and greet with an airport transfer on arrival.
A 2×4 rental car for the duration of your trip.
International Economy Class flights

Example Itinerary

Day 1-4 Cape Town
Day 5-7 Garden Route
Day 8-9 Franschhoek
Day 10-12 Cederberg Mountains
Day 13-14 Cape West Coast

Day 1-4

Cape Town

Explore the quaint fishing villages, nature reserves and penguin beaches of the beautiful Cape Peninsula.
Take a trip into the heart of Cape Town and have a long alfresco lunch in one of the many excellent restaurants on Kloof Street.

The starting point for almost all trips to South Africa, Cape Town is a wonderfully elegant city that offers something for everyone. World-class restaurants, interesting museums, superb shopping and an endless array of outdoor activities are all on offer during your stay here.

Start your trip with a transfer from the airport through the city and the trendy suburb of Camp’s Bay until you reach the Twelve Apostles Hotel. Nestled on the side of the eponymous hillside which extends off Table Mountain, it is wonderfully isolated and a superb place to start your trip. Access to both the city and its many attractions, as well as surrounding areas such as the Cape Peninsula and Constantia Valley is very easy. With two swimming pools, an extensive spa, walking routes on the back of Table Mountain and even a cinema, it is a great hotel to relax in as well and enjoy the excellent restaurant and outstanding hospitality for which it is renowned.

Stay at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

Day 5-7

Garden Route

Join one of the lodge’s guided nature walks along the beach which you can see from the lodge, rounded off with a delicious picnic lunch.
Visit Klipgat Cave, a site of historical interest where the Middle Stone Age people lived between 70,000 and 80,000 years ago.

One of our favourite spots in South Africa, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a magnet for keen botanists or simply those who love to explore the outdoors. With a wealth of activities to enjoy and wonderful lodges, it is a worthy addition to any trip.

From Cape Town pick your way south, starting inland initially and then heading down towards the coast past Hermanus and on to the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. You’ll be staying at Grootbos Forest Lodge, a delightful property shaded by Milkwood trees and with stunning views out towards Walker Bay. Spacious suites come with their own plunge pools and are a haven of tranquillity after a busy day exploring. Activities on offer included guided tours of the nature reserve, horseback trails, beach picnics, visits to historic caves, scenic flights and shark cage diving (both an extra cost). Between July and December it also provides the base for whale watching, either from the beach or on a boat trip.

Stay at Grootbos Forest Lodge

Day 8-9

The Winelands

Take a trip on the charming Franschhoek Wine Tram – a great way to visit multiple wineries, enjoy tastings and a lovely alfresco lunch
If you feel like exploring further afield why not book a guide to take you to historic Stellenbosch which is just a short drive away and a very interesting day out.

Historic Franschhoek is at the heart of the Cape Winelands and this charming village is the perfect base for exploring the area. Home to amazing restaurants, elegant boutiques and surrounded by endless vineyards and dramatic mountains, it is hard to think of a more beautiful spot in South Africa.

The drive from Grootbos back towards Franschhoek is a beautiful one and if time permits you may want to stop at one of the coastal towns along the way for lunch. In Franschhoek you will be staying at Leeu House, a traditional old Cape Dutch homestead that has been converted into a gorgeous boutique hotel. Modern design with a nod to the history abounds wherever you look and there is a lovely pool area. A huge array of restaurants are found just a short walk from the property and we can help to arrange winery tours, guided hikes, horse riding, rounds of golf for you, as well as pre-booking any restaurants you wish to dine in.

Stay at Leeu House

Day 10-12

Cederberg Mountains

Enjoy a nature drive through this beautiful part of the world with the chance to see unique wildlife including; aardwolf, African wildcat, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
Take a break from the heat of the day by swimming in the clear, cool pools of the Oliphants River which runs right through the property.

A unique part of South Africa, the Cederberg Mountains are home to towering geological formation, flora (and fauna) rich plains and hidden caves and caverns where the San bushmen made their homes many thousands of years ago.

Drive north from Franschhoek to the breathtaking Cederberg Mountains where you will be staying in one of the Cape’s most sought-after properties, Bushmans Kloof. The rooms are very luxurious with all the amenities you could wish for and the terraces that overlook the reserve are a great place for morning coffee, or something a little stronger later in the day. The food is outstanding and alfresco dining forms a huge part of the programme here with some stunning dinner spots. The list of activities is seemingly endless, with guests able to visit ancient San rock art sites, go on nature drives and walks, kayaking trips, fly fishing excursions and biking trips. There will also be the chance to chat with the guides and learn more about the indegenous San bushmen who lived in the region and created the rock art.

Stay at Bushmans Kloof

Day 13-14

Cape West Coast

Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel, West Coast, South Africa

Relax in the serene surroundings of this gem of a hotel, nestled on a quiet stretch of beach on South Africa’s west coast.
Enjoy world-class seafood (especially crayfish) either in the hotel’s excellent restaurant or at one of the excellent choices in nearby Paternoester.

A firm favourite of in-the-know Capetonians but largely ignored by overseas visitors, the Cape West Coast is home to quaint villages, outstanding seafood restaurants and long, unspoilt white beaches which are perfect for walks in the sunshine.

From the Cederberg Mountains head out to the charming and unspoilt west coast where you will be staying at Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel in the tiny village of Paternoester. Here you can relax and explore in equal measure with the lovely facilities at the hotel, including a beautifully-appointed swimming pool, hard to tear yourself away from. They can also arrange picnics for you to take on strolls along the beach which are a great way to have lunch, especially during the summer months. Paternoester itself is a quaint village to explore and is home to Leeto – a world-class seafood restaurant and one that is definitely worth visiting.

Stay at Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel

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Fabulous game viewing!

From our first phone call with Matt to the follow up chat on our return was all first class. They listen to what you want and give you good suggestions and advice. Having booked with them many times must tell its own story. We had a fantastic time game viewing best we’ve ever seen, accommodation was great even if we were tented, food very good. All connections organised well, finishing off with a week in Zuri Zanzibar was fabulous.
We already have an our next holiday arranged with them. Thank you all very much.