Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

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tourhub | Newmarket Holidays | Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari | 98954
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12 Days From

$3878

$3440

Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari

12 Days Starting and ending in UK

Visiting: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Hermanus, Garden Route Game Lodge, Little Karoo, Cango Caves, Knysna, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, United Kingdom

Tour operator:

Newmarket Holidays

Tour code:

98954

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

21 - 45

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

21-99

Tour operated in:
English
From:
$3878
$3440 (USD) including Flights from the UK Operator discount: -$437 -11%

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Experience one of Africa's most spectacular cities, some startling scenery, and the giants of the animal kingdom.



Join us for a perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the world’s most beautiful countries, on an extraordinary-value tour crammed with unforgettable highlights. Relax in the sun-kissed surroundings of some of South Africa’s finest vineyards, cross the arid plain of the Little Karoo, go in search of the Big Five in a private game reserve, then discover spectacular Cape Town in its glorious setting beneath Table Mountain and gaze out at rugged Indian Ocean-washed shores.

Highlights

  • Four game drives in search of the Big Five

  • Ride Table Mountain's rotating cable car

  • Spend two nights in the privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge

  • Tour the beautiful Cape Peninsula

  • Discover South Africa’s Cape Winelands and beautiful Western Cape

  • Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus

  • Wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate

  • See the extraordinary Cango Caves and visit an ostrich farm

  • Journey to Knysna, on the beautiful Garden Route

  • Take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon

Show all

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Fly To Cape Town

Location: Johannesburg, Cape Town

Meals Included: No Meals

Fly from the UK, via Johannesburg, to Cape Town.

Day 2 : Transfer To Hermanus

Location: Hermanus

Meals Included: No Meals

Upon arrival at Cape Town, meet your guide and journey east to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching centre from July to November and a year-round seaside resort. En route to Hermanus, you’ll call at Stony Point, home to a unique colony of African penguins.



Departures between September and November will include a whale-watching cruise. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at La Pentola, close to your hotel

Day 3 : Included Game Drive At The Garden Route Game Lodge

Location: Garden Route Game Lodge

Meals Included: No Meals

This morning you’ll journey to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you'll spend the next two nights. During your stay here, in the shadow of the Langeberg mountains, you’ll enjoy all the wonders of safari game drives to see the Big Five (lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo) while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying typical African dinners looking out over the reserve.



This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps enjoy a sun-downer beside the authentic Boma (camp fire) before dinner.

Day 4 : Two Included Game Drives

Location: Garden Route Game Lodge

Meals Included: No Meals, No Meals

A second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive. Enjoy some free time for a siesta - perhaps by the pool - before setting off on a second evening game drive and enjoying another memorable dinner under the stars.

Day 5 : Included Visit To The Cango Caves And The Little Karo

Location: Little Karoo, Cango Caves

Meals Included: No Meals

Travel on to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World, in the heart of the Little Karoo plain. The world’s strangest, largest and often most-valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years – first for its plumage, and more recently for its high-protein, low-cholesterol meat. Enjoy a taste at your barbecue lunch, before visiting the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 6 : Knysna Lagoon And The Garden Of Eden

Location: Knysna

Meals Included: No Meals

This morning, you'll travel to coastal Knysna for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, which hugs the edge of the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve. After the cruise, you’ll travel in a 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. A buffet lunch will be served at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees.



After some free time to explore Knysna’s charming waterfront, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden of Eden in the Harkerville Forest, before transferring to Mossel Bay for a two-night stay. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a traditional South African barbecue.

Day 7 : Included Winelands Tour And Visit To Franschhoek

Location: Franschhoek

Meals Included: No Meals, No Meals

Head west into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to wine-producing Franschhoek for lunch (own account) and a wine tasting in the fabled Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of this scenic landscape.



With its oak trees and picturesque, European-style Cape Dutch houses, Stellenbosch is a delightful place to spend a night.

Day 8 : Included Stellenbosch And Wineries Tour

Location: Stellenbosch

Meals Included: No Meals

Enjoy a guided introduction of historic Stellenbosch, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat. Lunch will be included in a wine estate.



This afternoon, you’ll journey to Cape Town where you will spend the next three nights. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to perhaps explore the Mother City, with its renowned Waterfront and cultural landmarks such as the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa or vibrant Bo Kaap.

Day 9 : Included Cape Town City Tour And Table Mountain

Location: Cape Town

Meals Included: No Meals

Meet your tour manager for an orientation tour of the city. You'll see historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and the leafy Company’s Gardens. You’ll also enjoy a stroll past the colourful Bo Kaap colonial district and, weather permitting, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car that offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre high summit. You will return to the hotel on time for lunch.



After the tour, you're free to relax in one of the world’s most stunningly located cities. Why not take a stroll along the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred waterfront or catch a boat to infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned?

Day 10 : Cape Peninsula Tour And Kirstenbosch Gardens

Location: Cape Town

Meals Included: No Meals

Enjoy a fascinating full-day tour on which you'll visit treacherous Cape Point, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, Kirstenbosch, famous for its Botanical Gardens and Hout Bay, and – weather-permitting – breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive.

Day 11 : Free Time And Return Flight

Location: Johannesburg

Meals Included: No Meals

Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home via Johannesburg.

Day 12 : Arrive In The Uk

Location: United Kingdom

Meals Included: No Meals

You'll land back home this morning, at the end of a wonderful holiday in South Africa.

What's Included

  • Nine nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at hotels in Hermanus (1), Albertinia (2), Mossel Bay (2), Stellenbosch (1) and Cape Town (3 nights), plus two nights on the aircraft

  • Return flights to Cape Town via Johannesburg

  • Three lunches and four dinners

  • Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout

  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

What's Not Included

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Passports and visas

A visa is not required for UK citizens travelling to South Africa, but your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry to the country and have two adjacent blank pages. Special entry rules apply for children under 18 years.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road Conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1983

  • Vaccination Requirements

    Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • Fitness to Travel

    We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.

Reviews of this Operator

Mr Albert Owen  

Help is at hand at Newmarket holidays

04-Jan-2023

I tried to book myself on line for an Andre Rieu concert in Vienna but I didn’t manage to complete the booking. I rang the next day & spoke to Sharon who was very helpful. I am a 76 year old pensioner & not totally au fa with the internet. However, Sharon went through it step by step & I felt more confident. She completed the booking for me & said she would also send a paper copy.

Iain Moir  

Newmarket Holidays…top dollar!

06-Jan-2023

Having booked late the service we received from Newmarket staff has been excellent - helpful, friendly, painstaking and above all going further than we could really expect to ensure our requests were all satisfied. We would like to particularly thank Naima for her attention to detail and perseverance in following up our queries. This is the first time we have tried NH but it wont be the last

Miss F J Murphy  

This is the third holiday I have taken…

05-Nov-2021

This is the third holiday I have taken with Newmarket Holidays. They made it easy to change from the Holiday I originally booked to one in the UK. The tour leader was excellent as was our driver, both of whom went the extra mile to ensure we had a lovely holiday. There were difficulties at the hotel due to COVID but we were made very welcome and the staff went out of their way to help us. So I have no complaint about Newmarket's choice of hotel. I am a single traveller and normally do not like to travel in groups but the laidback atmosphere of Newmarket Holidays is fine.

Trustpilot
Caroline N, GB  

Hurrah for Eddie and Simon, Newmarket's highlands duo!

26-Oct-2021

Very happy time on an action packed trip to the Scottish highlands. Eddie as tour manager and Simon as driver. Eddie shared his passion for Scottish history and between them they treated us to many unscheduled cultural stops that enhanced our holiday. They went above and beyond all the time. Train trips were amazing and views unforgettable. Hotel was welcoming and food was good. Hot water aplenty for bath. We wanted to escape to another world for a few days and we truly did. THANK YOU. Chris and Caroline

Trustpilot
Tony King, GB  

Canada October 2021

28-Oct-2021

We have returned from our long overdue trip to Canada Niagara Falls to the Rockies stating in Toronto and finishing in Vancouver. Well we happened to be the first trip back after the Coiid outbreak and it was so good to go. The company had made sure we were all safe and masks were worn where ever they had to be but this did not dampen the trip at all, the Tour directors ( guides ) were brilliant and we saw and did so much it was a fantastic trip which I would recommend to everyone, defiantly one for the bucket list.

Trustpilot

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Sep 20, 2024 - Oct 01, 2024
$4327 $3890 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Nov 22, 2024 - Dec 03, 2024
$4494 $4057 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Jan 24, 2025 - Feb 04, 2025
$4415 $3977 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 25, 2025
$4789 $4352 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Feb 21, 2025 - Mar 04, 2025
$4415 $3977 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 18, 2025
$4415 $3977 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Apr 11, 2025 - Apr 22, 2025
$4165 $3728 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

May 02, 2025 - May 13, 2025
$3878 $3440 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

May 16, 2025 - May 27, 2025
$3977 $3540 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

May 30, 2025 - Jun 10, 2025
$3977 $3540 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025
$3990 $3553 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 07, 2025
$4514 $4077 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 21, 2025
$4564 $4127 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Tuesday

Nov 21, 2025 - Dec 02, 2025
$4664 $4227 (USD)

Operator discount: -$437 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Vaccination Requirements

    Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.

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