Cape Town & the Garden Route – January 18 to November 16, 2026 (9 Days) - From £671

Get ready for the first day of your South African journey! This adventure-filled itinerary starts in Cape Town, affectionately known as South Africa’s Mother City. Meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel and set off on a tour of this vibrant city. Cape Town is the oldest city in the country and one of three capital cities. Visit Signal Hill, drive through District 6 and wander through the beautiful Company’s Gardens. Learn more about the city’s fascinating history as you go. Get a taste of authentic South African cuisine and music with tonight’sbraai(BBQ) dinner at a local winery.

Enjoy a full free day to discover the many sights and sounds of Cape Town! Learn more about South African history at the District 6 Museum or take a short trip to the Constantia Wine Valley and sample some of South Africa’s superb varietals. Alternatively, join today’s Cape Peninsula optional excursion. This popular day trip includes a visit to the Cape Point Nature Reserve and a walk or funicular ride up to the Cape Point Lighthouse, which offers breathtaking ocean views. After, visit the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and the buzzing coastal suburb of Kalk Bay. It’s sure to be a day to remember!

Discover the majestic Cape Winelands today. South Africa is home to many stunning vineyards which produce truly exceptional wine. Popular varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinotage, which is uniquely South African. Today’s first stop is Stellenbosch, a university town known for its many wineries and historic centre. Visit a local wine estate and enjoy a tasting of local wines while learning more about South Africa’s wines before sitting down for lunch. Then, spend some time exploring the town of Stellenbosch. This afternoon, head towards the coastal town of Hermanus, which is known for its whale watching. Settle into the hotel for the evening or find a spot for dinner.

Today, the scenic journey through the Garden Route begins. But first, enjoy free time in Hermanus. Choose to join the optional excursion to explore an Abalone farm and local brewery. Then, travel to Swellendam which is known for its spectacular nature and Cape Dutch architecture. Next up is a visit to a Cape Aloe Vera factory near Albertinia. The last stop is tonight’s accommodation in Mossel Bay, a scenic coastal town. Settle in for the evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Botlierskop Private Game Reserve and look forward to a quintessential South African experience - a wildlife safari! Spot indigenous animals such as rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lions, wildebeest and more. Then, travel onwards to Knysna and enjoy lunch in the heart of the Garden Route. Knysna is famed for its seafood and hosts an annual oyster festival! Later, why not discover more of the region’s incredible animals? Choose from two amazing optional excursions; spend time with monkeys at Monkeyland or see the world’s largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary. Dinner is included at tonight’s hotel in Tsitsikamma.

Nature lovers will be spoilt for choice with the adrenaline-filled optional excursions on offer today. Embark on a zipline tour through the awe-inspiring Tsitsikamma forest or simply explore the forest on foot and marvel at the flora and fauna. This afternoon, head to the Storms River Mouth which is home to South Africa’s longest suspension bridge. Cross the bridge for unforgettable views, join the optional to kayak through the Storms River Gorge or simply relax on the ground and enjoy the scenery. The evening is free to find a spot for dinner or enjoy a drink at a local pub.

The tour makes its way from forest to desert today as we travel towards Oudtshoorn in the Karoo. Driving along Route 62 will reveal a completely different yet utterly mesmerising landscape complete with fruit and vegetable farms, craggy mountains and arid semi-desert scenery. Arrive in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, and embark on a tour of an ostrich farm to learn more about these fascinating birds. Then, sit down for a three-course lunch. Later, visit one of the top things to see in the Karoo; the Cango Caves. Marvel at these 20 million-year-old dripstone caves and learn more about their history. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

It’s back to Route 62 this morning with a stop at a beloved roadstall in the charming town of Barrydale. Then, it’s on to Robertson for an included lunch in the “valley of wine and roses”! Speaking of wine, look forward to another wine tasting paired with local cheese in Paarl, another popular town in the Cape Winelands. Finally, travel back to Cape Town and relax at the hotel or, if you’re up for it, enjoy a night on the town.

After a jam-packed 9-day Cape Town and Garden Route tour, the tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Don’t forget to swap contact details with your new travel buddies. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey onwards and can’t wait to see you on tour with us again soon!