Day 1: Departure to Africa

Today the journey begins with a long-haul flight to South Africa.

 

Day 2: Welcome in South Africa

Let the excitement begin as you arrive at Cape Town International Airport. As soon as you land, you can conveniently collect your rental car. Once you’ve got your vehicle, you can make your way to your comfortable guest house where you will be saying for the night. Why not start your trip on a high note and experience the dramatic sunset on Signal Hill? Signal Hill is known as Cape Town’s “House Mountain”. 

 

Day 3: The great Karoo

Get up early and continue your trip in a Northeasterly direction, which will lead you into the seemingly endless Karoo Semi-Desert. Karoo is an ancient word referring to “Great Thirst Land”. The trip offers spectacular mountain passes. On your way to your destination, you have the option to go on a “Big 5” game drive in a small private game reserve. Your destination will be the “Stargazing Capital” of South Africa, known as Sutherland. Here you will gain incredible insight regarding astronomy. You will even have the rare opportunity of looking at the night sky through a telescope! Tonight, you will be staying in a cozy guest house. 326 Km/B

 

Day 4: Prehistoric fossils in the heart of the semi-desert

Your day starts with a visit to the South African Large Telescope (SALT), where you will see the largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere (optional- not included in tour price). Your journey will take you further inland and finally into the heart of the Great Karoo, to Beaufort West. Beaufort West is the birthplace of the world-famous cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard. A ride on the gravel roads bring you closer to the peaceful life in the semi-desert. In the afternoon you can visit the Karoo National Park, which shows a small section of the vast expanse and unique landscape of the Great Karoo. You will be accommodated in a cozy guest house. 297 km / B

 

Day 5: From the Bushmen to the Anglo-Boer War

You can start your day with an interesting visit to the Christiaan Barnard Museum. Your trip into the Great Karoo continues today as you make your way to the “Pearl of the Karoo”, Graaff-Reinet. Graaff-Reinet is the only town in South Africa completely surrounded by a national park. Graaff-Reinet invites you to wonder freely, taking in historical buildings, the occasional museum or enjoying a drink in a small restaurant along the streets. Here you can visit ancient rock carvings of the indigenous people of South Africa, the San Bushmen, on a guided tour (optional - not included in the tour price). Tonight you stay in a lovely, peaceful guest house, offering a true “out of the Karoo” feeling.  203 km / B

 

Day 6: The “big five” in the Addo Elephant National Park

Your destination for today is South Africa's second largest National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park. The park near Port Elizabeth offers a rare opportunity to go on safari and watch big game in a malaria-free area. The park offers large populations of elephant, as well as the “Big 5” . The following two nights are housed in a beautiful chalet at the Addo Elephant National Park. 326 km

 

Day 7: Addo Elephant National Park

It is recommended to get up early and do your first safari before breakfast. At this time, many animals make their way to the water holes. For lunch, you can eat in the park's own restaurant. In the afternoon, as you wish, you can once again observe the gigantic biodiversity of African animals and plants during a game drive. Alternatively, the day can also be used to relax and unwind in the surroundings of the camp. B

 

Day 8: The last jungle of The Garden route

The following morning your trip continues to the paradise-like Garden Route. The short trip will lead you to the Tsitsikamma National Park at the mouth of the Storms River. The Tsitsikamma National Park is the oldest national park in South Africa. The park has a maritime protection zone that extends up to more than 5 kilometres into the open ocean. It is said that the mystical atmosphere of the dense jungle inspired South African born writer J.R.R Tolkien to write his masterpiece “The Lord of the Rings”. Short, adventurous walks are offered in this area, where you will get to pass suspense bridges over rumbling waters passing into the Indian Ocean from the Storms River. Tonight, you spend the night in a hotel situated on the edge of the park. 206 Km / B

 

Day 9: Portuguese Mariners and the "Bahia Famosa"

This morning, you can visit the Robberg Marine and Nature Reserve on a trip to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. You have the option to take a highly-rewarding, four hour walk along a high cliff, amongst native fynbos vegetation, around the spectacular peninsula (the walk can be individually shortened). The bay, which the Portuguese sailors called “Bahia Famosa”, provides you with a stunning view whilst walking. Your destination for this day is the beautifully located coastal town of Knysna. Knysna is famous for its beautiful lagoon. Once you have arrived in Knysna, you have the opportunity to have a true cultural experience by going on a township tour (not included in the tour price: with advance booking only). For the next two nights, you stay in a beautiful, centrally located lodge in Knysna. 104Km/ B

 

 

Day 10: Federbarons and million years old stalagmites 

It is time to say goodbye to the Indian Ocean as the tour leads you up the 800 meter high Outeniqua Pass. This pass takes you to the so-called Little Karoo, where you will find the ostrich capital of South Africa, Oudtshoorn. In Oudtshoorn you have the opportunity to visit one of the popular ostrich farms. On this outing you can have first-hand contact with the ostriches and also learn about their value to this region. Afterwards, you can visit one of the seven wonders of South Africa, the world famous Cango Caves. Tonight you can stay in a lovely country estate, situated at the foot of the Swartberg mountains. 117 km / B

 

Day 11: To the world famous Cape Wine Lands via route 62

You drive along the famous Route 62, where you will find the land of succulents, the Little Karoo towns of Calitzdorp and Ladismith. Ladismith is known for its locally produced cheese. The scenic Huisrivier Pass takes you to the small, arty town of Barrydale, as you slowly approach the Cape wine region. You will reach the Du Toits Kloof Pass, which was initially an animal trail. On a clear day you can see Table Mountain from the pass. The Du Toits Kloof Pass takes you to the city of Paarl. At the foot of Paarl Rock, you will find a beautiful wine producing farm, where you will be staying for the next two nights. 367Km / B

 

Day 12: From the African penguins to the Huguenots and the first vineyard farmers

You will start your day by driving on a beautiful coastal road along False Bay. In the morning you can visit a large penguin colony in Betty's Bay. The trip then goes over the imposing Franschhoek Pass in the old Huguenot immigrant town of Franschhoek. On today's tour you can also learn more about local cultivation and production methods on a guided wine cellar tour. You also have the option to visit the famous university town of Stellenbosch before returning to your wine farm in the early evening. 324 km / B

 

Day 13: From Apartheid to the rainbow nation- welcome back to Cape Town!

The circular route closes as you make your way back to the "mother city" Cape Town. Here you can visit the very popular Cape Town Waterfront, which impresses with a fantastic atmosphere, good shopping and great restaurants. A cultural enrichment can be offered on a trip to Robben Island (optional - not included in the tour price) where you will find the cell of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. After a welcoming day in Cape Town, you can make your way to your guest house centrally situated in Cape Town. 132 km / B

 

Day 14: One of the most beautiful cities in the world- SOUTH AFRICA’S “MOTHER CITY” Cape Town

On a city tour you will see, among other things, the Company’s Garden, an African flea market, the Parliament, City Hall, Cape Castle and the Slave Lodge. At lunchtime, you can drive a short distance to the Blouberg beach, where you will find the best view of Table Mountain. Get your camera ready, because some amazing photos can be taken here. You can then make your way to the colourful Malay Quarters in the “Bo Kaap” (the “above Cape”), here you can take fun pictures in-between all the colourful buildings. The Malay Quarters will give you insight on the lives of former slaves and today’s “coloureds” in Cape Town. 60 Km/ B

 

Day 15: From the Cape of Good Hope to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Today you can explore the entire Cape Peninsula with all its fascinating highlights. A drive over probably the most spectacular mountain pass of the Western Cape, the Chapmans Peak Drive (possibly closed in bad weather conditions), takes you to the most South-western point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Along False Bay, in the early afternoon you pass the old South African naval base ,Simon’s Town, where you can visit the large colony of resident penguins. Shortly before Cape Town, we recommend a stop at the World Heritage, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which offers a green-haven of over 500 hectares of local vegetation. 116 km / B

 

Day 16: Until next time!

Why not end your trip on a high note (literally and figuratively) and take a trip to the 1,085 meter high Table Mountain, from where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Cape Town (extremely weather dependent, optional program point and tickets can be purchased at the cash-desk at an affordable price). As your trip comes to an end, you can make your way to the Cape Town International Airport. Here you can conveniently return your rental car. Would you like to combine this trip with a visit to the "Big 5" in the Kruger National Park? We are happy to help you with the extension of your dream vacation. B

 

Day 17:return home

 

Arrival at home

Prices and Dates on request.
Travel code: Disa

 

*The offer is valid for a group size of 2 participants (single travellers on request).

* The travel price excludes general increases in transport costs and currency fluctuations.

* Prices are subject to the availability of selected accommodation.

* We reserve the right to change the travel program at short notice.

 

 

Included in the tour price:

- Car rental Group C (VW Polo or similar.) From a reputable provider; full insurance coverage (no deductible - the terms and conditions of car rental apply); including all driven kilometres and taxes

- 14 nights in selected, very comfortable accommodations ranging in the 3-4 star rated area

- Breakfast on all days (except Addo National Park) 

- Detailed, English, personal travel guide with exact directions, distances, road map, excursion tips and restaurant recommendations

- African Kombi Tours emergency telephone number - available on-site around the clock

- detailed travel documents, including guide

- EUR 5 per person to help the charity kindergarten Penguin Kidz in Betty's Bay, South Africa

 

 

Excluded from the tour price:

- long distance flights to and from South Africa

- Rental car security deposit (to be paid on site by credit card deduction), fuel costs, tolls, if applicable administrative fee for additional services on site, accidents or misdemeanours, fee for additional driver and navigation device

- All meals (except breakfast as mentioned above) Drinks, gratuities, personal expenses

- Parking fees (except Addo National Park - already included in the tour price), nature conservation fees, admissions to museums, optional activities, gratuities and expenses of a personal nature

 

- travel insurance