Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
South Africa – Cape Town – Montagu – the Garden Route – Plettenberg Bay – Graaff-Reinet – the Great Karoo
100% customisable for you
Your South African adventure starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles. Flights to Cape Town take roughly 12 hours, so make sure to have plenty of entertainment lined up. We (shamelessly) recommend downloading our ‘Sounds of Sub-Saharan Africa’ playlist for a head start on your cultural immersion.
When you arrive the following morning, you’ll be privately transferred to your boutique hotel in the heart of the city, where you can spend a few hours relaxing and unwinding after your flight.
This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner in your hotel or, if you fancy heading out for a bite to eat, consult your Concierge for some excellent eatery suggestions – Cape Town is a foodie hotspot, after all.
The next two days are yours to spend discovering Cape Town at your own pace. Armed with a hire car, you’ll have (virtually) no limits to your exploration. So, what are you waiting for?
Hit the ground running by venturing out to the iconic slopes of Table Mountain. Also within arm’s reach are the beaches of False Bay to the east and the Atlantic Seaboard to the west.
Back in the city, you can visit Zeitz Mocca, a contemporary art museum housed in a former grain silo on the V&A Waterfront. Then, catch the boat out to Robben Island, home to the former prison where Nelson Mandela spent almost 20 years of his life. The old part of Cape Town is also teeming with historic sites: the Fort of Good Hope (a 17th-century castle), the Town Hall, the Mutual Building (an Art Deco masterpiece), Long Street (a bohemian neighbourhood) and the Slave Lodge (a social history museum) are among the highlights.
But if it’s scenic strolls you’re craving, head to the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the Malay quarter or De Waterkant, which is bursting with chic townhouses. You could also spend an evening in Camps Bay, one of the trendiest suburbs in the city. Now that’s a grand finale.
Swap cityscapes for rolling vineyards today with a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the marvellous little town of Montagu.
Along the way, you could opt for a break (that’s code for a wine tasting) in Paarl, a large town in the Cape Winelands, surrounded by mountains. And you simply have to stop in either Worcester or Robertson – or both – in the heart of this grape-rich region before climbing into the red mountains to reach Montagu.
When you arrive, settle in for two nights in a charming hotel, then unpack, unwind and hit the hay. You have plenty of time to explore tomorrow.
Surrounded by vineyards, orchards, ostrich farms (yes, really) and majestic mountains, the Little Karoo region is a haven for nature lovers. At its heart, the small town of Montagu enjoys a peaceful setting surrounded by beauty.
Today you’ll head out on a private guided bike ride to discover the artsy side of town, admiring grand Cape Dutch and Victorian houses, visiting art galleries and meeting a local artist in their studio, where you can learn about their techniques and the way the region has inspired their work.
Having pedalled to your heart’s content, head back to your hotel to rest your legs before dinner tonight.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning, because today, you’ll be embarking on a four-hour drive to the seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay, a journey which calls for some serious road trip tunes.
Head along the iconic Garden Route, a beautiful coastal road stretching between the south-eastern shores of South Africa. From Mossel Bay, the route is particularly scenic, with sweeping landscapes of (deep breath) beaches, dunes, mountains, forests, national parks, nature reserves, lakes and lagoons. Safe to say: you’ll be making plenty of pit stops to soak in the scenery along the way.
Having checked into your next home away from home, spend this evening settling into your suave new digs and reminiscing on the day’s drive.
After glimpsing what the Garden Route has to offer, you can now spend the next two days unveiling more of its unspoilt landscapes and dramatic scenery.
Eager explorers can hike along the trails woven between Mossel Bay and Tsitsikamma National Park. The primary forest of Knysna is also just waiting to be explored. Elsewhere, water babies can swim in the azure lagoons in the town of Wilderness, while those who prefer to keep their heads above the water (assuming they don’t capsize) can head out on a guided kayak trip in Tsitsikamma Park.
Prefer something a little more cultural? Check out the museums of Mossel Bay. Our favourites are the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex – whose grounds are patrolled by tortoises and ducks – and Jeffrey’s Bay Shell Museum, which displays (you guessed it) shells.
You can also spend some time close to home, in Plettenberg Bay – also called ‘Plett’ if you’re short on time. Life here is centred around the sea. So, spend the day spotting dolphins, whales and seals before tucking into some delicious seafood dishes in the evening.
The time has come to bid farewell to the coast as you turn inland. Today, you’ll drive for four hours (playlists at the ready) through the arid landscapes of the Eastern Cape to reach Graaff-Reinet, one of the oldest towns in the country.
Founded in 1786 by Trekboers (nomadic pastoralists), the town flourished as a key farming hub and was later shaped by the rise of merino sheep and wool production across the Karoo. Today, Graaff-Reinet draws visitors from all over with its characterful collection of Cape Dutch architecture and eclectic array of well-preserved monuments.
When you arrive, settle in for one night in a classic hotel in the heart of town before wining, dining and reclining.
Before hitting the road again today, there’ll be time to squeeze in a morning hike in the nearby Camdeboo Nature Reserve to admire the Valley of Desolation (it’s not as bleak as it sounds, promise) and its photo-worthy views. Then, it’s just a 30-minute drive to your next destination: the Samara Karoo Private Reserve.
Your home for the next two nights is a beautiful lodge overlooking the savannah, where you’ll enjoy two game drives a day through wide open plains, rugged terrain and semi-desert landscapes. Alongside a knowledgeable ranger-guide, head out in search of springboks, mountain zebras, black rhinos, cheetahs and ostriches. You’ll also have the chance to spot some big hitters, since elephants and lions have been reintroduced to the reserve. Prepare to tick the Big Five off your safari bucket list...
Sadly, it’s time to embark on your journey home. After one last breakfast in the heart of the savannah, hop into your hire car and drive two-and-a-half hours to the airport in Port Elizabeth.
After whizzing through airport formalities, settle into a 15-hour overnight flight to the UK via Cape Town. Sit back, slip on an eye mask and start counting sheep (merino sheep, to be precise).
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
