This is the perfect vacation for animal lovers! You'll see giraffes, lions, zebras, elephants and many more animals. Spend 8 days exploring South Africa's famous Garden Route, including:
- A 2-day safari
- Visit a rhino conservation project
- Go on a riverboat cruise
- Explore Cape Town
- Swim with penguins
- Visit a primate and bird sanctuary
- Taste some delicious vegan wine at an amazing local winery
- Enjoy plant-based meals incl. a special Christmas Eve dinner
- Stay in deluxe beautiful inns and deluxe safari lodges
- and much more...
Itinerary
(Please note some things might change or get switched around but any changes will be for the best of trip.
Once you sign up you will get updated of any possible changes.)
Once you sign up you will get updated of any possible changes.)
Day 1: Cape Town - First meeting & cooking demo
Arrival in Cape Town at our guest house by 2pm for check in. We then transfer to the nearby V&A Waterfront where we will be spending the afternoon with an African chef, having fun cooking and learning about traditional African foods and culture. In the evening we get to taste the dishes we have created for dinner at our guest house.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: Cooking demo & dinner
Day 2: Cape Town - Penguins & Cape of Good Hope
Today is an exciting exploration of Cape Town’s peninsula, starting with a drive along the Indian Ocean coastline to Boulders Beach, where we get to spend time with a colony of African penguins (pack your bathing suits for a swim!).
We continue on to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve, home to the smallest yet richest plant Kingdom in the world where you can spot birds and antelope and visit the SW tip of the African continent and Cape Point, the traditional meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Our route back to the city follows the Atlantic coastline and traverses the spectacular cliff hugging Chapman Peak drive.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: All
Arrival in Cape Town at our guest house by 2pm for check in. We then transfer to the nearby V&A Waterfront where we will be spending the afternoon with an African chef, having fun cooking and learning about traditional African foods and culture. In the evening we get to taste the dishes we have created for dinner at our guest house.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: Cooking demo & dinner
Day 2: Cape Town - Penguins & Cape of Good Hope
Today is an exciting exploration of Cape Town’s peninsula, starting with a drive along the Indian Ocean coastline to Boulders Beach, where we get to spend time with a colony of African penguins (pack your bathing suits for a swim!).
We continue on to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve, home to the smallest yet richest plant Kingdom in the world where you can spot birds and antelope and visit the SW tip of the African continent and Cape Point, the traditional meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Our route back to the city follows the Atlantic coastline and traverses the spectacular cliff hugging Chapman Peak drive.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: All
Day 3: Gondwana Game Reserve - Safari
After breakfast we depart Cape Town for Gondwana Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch followed by check in to our modern African style suites at 2pm.
The Gondwana Conservation Foundation plays a key role in conserving endangered wildlife and natural vegetation. During our stay we will learn about their rhino conservation project and enjoy a botanical walk with an expert guide. On our first afternoon we will have an introductory game drive in the reserve, where our private guide and tracker can help us spot the Big Five amongst many other animals and birds. There will be a stop at a scenic viewpoint for traditional safari snacks and drinks whilst watching the sunset. In the evening we enjoy dinner back at the lodge.
Accommodation: Gondwana Game Reserve
Meals: All
Day 4: Gondwana Game Reserve - Rhino talk and tracking
Early morning wake -up for tea/coffee and biscuits before our morning botanical Fynbos walk through the 1200 hectare Protected Endangered Species area of the reserve which is fenced from dangerous animals. Fynbos is one of the world’s six Floral Kingdoms and critically endangered. Our guide will introduce us to the wild flowers, endemic birds and animals of this ever -changing landscape.
We return to the lodge for a well -deserved breakfast and some time to relax before enjoying a talk on rhino conservation and the breeding and anti -poaching training program at Gondwana.
After lunch and leisure time at the pool or just soaking up the magnificent views from our accommodation. We have high tea again before heading out on our afternoon game drive with an emphasis on spending time ( hopefully as they are wild and the reserve is large) with the rhinos. There will be a stop at a scenic viewpoint for traditional safari snacks and drinks whilst watching the sunset. In the evening we enjoy dinner back at the lodge.
Accommodation: Gondwana Game Reserve
Meals: All
After breakfast we depart Cape Town for Gondwana Game Reserve, arriving in time for lunch followed by check in to our modern African style suites at 2pm.
The Gondwana Conservation Foundation plays a key role in conserving endangered wildlife and natural vegetation. During our stay we will learn about their rhino conservation project and enjoy a botanical walk with an expert guide. On our first afternoon we will have an introductory game drive in the reserve, where our private guide and tracker can help us spot the Big Five amongst many other animals and birds. There will be a stop at a scenic viewpoint for traditional safari snacks and drinks whilst watching the sunset. In the evening we enjoy dinner back at the lodge.
Accommodation: Gondwana Game Reserve
Meals: All
Day 4: Gondwana Game Reserve - Rhino talk and tracking
Early morning wake -up for tea/coffee and biscuits before our morning botanical Fynbos walk through the 1200 hectare Protected Endangered Species area of the reserve which is fenced from dangerous animals. Fynbos is one of the world’s six Floral Kingdoms and critically endangered. Our guide will introduce us to the wild flowers, endemic birds and animals of this ever -changing landscape.
We return to the lodge for a well -deserved breakfast and some time to relax before enjoying a talk on rhino conservation and the breeding and anti -poaching training program at Gondwana.
After lunch and leisure time at the pool or just soaking up the magnificent views from our accommodation. We have high tea again before heading out on our afternoon game drive with an emphasis on spending time ( hopefully as they are wild and the reserve is large) with the rhinos. There will be a stop at a scenic viewpoint for traditional safari snacks and drinks whilst watching the sunset. In the evening we enjoy dinner back at the lodge.
Accommodation: Gondwana Game Reserve
Meals: All
Day 5: Plettenberg Bay Garden Route - River cruise
In the morning wake up early again for a last morning game drive before breakfast. We then depart Gondwana and travel into the famous Garden Route region passing the beautiful Wilderness and Sedgefield Lake regions to arrive at Keurbooms Nature for our boat trip up the river. As we glide along the river with the sound of birds calling in the ancient forests, look out for monkeys and colourful birds such as the Knysna Turaco, giant Kingfisher and sunbirds. We stop at a secluded sandy beach spot for a picnic lunch (pack your swim suits for a swim!).
In the afternoon we check in to our nearby Bali-inspired guest house located on a hill with spectacular views. There is time to relax by the pool or take one of the complimentary canoes for a paddle along the water channels in front of the lodge. Late afternoon we gather for a fun evening of cocktails, candlelight and pizzas home made from the pizza oven at the lodge.
Accommodation: Emily Moon River Lodge
Meals: All
Day 6: Plettenberg Bay Garden Route - Primate sanctuary and birds aviary
We spend the morning visiting two ethical sanctuaries located on the Garden Route. At Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary we will have a guided walk through the forest with a local guide learning about the rescued primates and the work involved in caring for them. At Birds of Eden there is time to walk through the aviary (the largest of it kind in the Southern hemisphere) at your leisure.We reconvene for a picnic lunch in the forest and then in the afternoon there is time to enjoy the beach at Plettenberg Bay and some shopping before a magical 4 course candlelit dinner at Emily Moon Restaurant.
Accommodation: Emily Moon River Lodge
Meals: All
Day 7: Cape Town - Winery & Christmas Eve dinner
After breakfast this morning we make our way back to Cape Town stopping at a beautiful wine farm for wine tasting and lunch to break up the 6 hour journey. We check back into our guest house at Welgelegen in Cape Town end of the afternoon.This evening we will enjoy a special Christmas Eve meal at one of Cape Town’s restaurants.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: All
Day 8: South Africa - Departure
All good things must come to an end, and so after breakfast it’s time to check out and say our goodbyes.If this was your first time in Africa, it probably won’t be your last. The continent has a way to seep into your soul and steal your heart. It becomes an addiction, one that you are more than happy to satisfy. It’s a huge place with so much more to see… so here’s to next time!
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning wake up early again for a last morning game drive before breakfast. We then depart Gondwana and travel into the famous Garden Route region passing the beautiful Wilderness and Sedgefield Lake regions to arrive at Keurbooms Nature for our boat trip up the river. As we glide along the river with the sound of birds calling in the ancient forests, look out for monkeys and colourful birds such as the Knysna Turaco, giant Kingfisher and sunbirds. We stop at a secluded sandy beach spot for a picnic lunch (pack your swim suits for a swim!).
In the afternoon we check in to our nearby Bali-inspired guest house located on a hill with spectacular views. There is time to relax by the pool or take one of the complimentary canoes for a paddle along the water channels in front of the lodge. Late afternoon we gather for a fun evening of cocktails, candlelight and pizzas home made from the pizza oven at the lodge.
Accommodation: Emily Moon River Lodge
Meals: All
Day 6: Plettenberg Bay Garden Route - Primate sanctuary and birds aviary
We spend the morning visiting two ethical sanctuaries located on the Garden Route. At Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary we will have a guided walk through the forest with a local guide learning about the rescued primates and the work involved in caring for them. At Birds of Eden there is time to walk through the aviary (the largest of it kind in the Southern hemisphere) at your leisure.We reconvene for a picnic lunch in the forest and then in the afternoon there is time to enjoy the beach at Plettenberg Bay and some shopping before a magical 4 course candlelit dinner at Emily Moon Restaurant.
Accommodation: Emily Moon River Lodge
Meals: All
Day 7: Cape Town - Winery & Christmas Eve dinner
After breakfast this morning we make our way back to Cape Town stopping at a beautiful wine farm for wine tasting and lunch to break up the 6 hour journey. We check back into our guest house at Welgelegen in Cape Town end of the afternoon.This evening we will enjoy a special Christmas Eve meal at one of Cape Town’s restaurants.
Accommodation: Welgelegen Boutique Guest House (4-star)
Meals: All
Day 8: South Africa - Departure
All good things must come to an end, and so after breakfast it’s time to check out and say our goodbyes.If this was your first time in Africa, it probably won’t be your last. The continent has a way to seep into your soul and steal your heart. It becomes an addiction, one that you are more than happy to satisfy. It’s a huge place with so much more to see… so here’s to next time!
Meals: Breakfast
|
Contact Donna at
|
