10 Nights Whirlwind of South Africa

 This is a great holiday centering around Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route – one of the most popular ‘combo’ trips in South Africa! If you want to experience everything that is best about the Cape and the Garden Route, then this trip is for you.

The pool at Le Quartier Francais

Mannabay Boutique hotel in Cape Town is the first stop on your tour.  With less than 10 rooms, it feels like staying in your friend’s lovely house!  Based in a quiet suburb with fabulous mountain and sea views, Mannaba is only a 3 minute drive into the heart of bustling, cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.

Cape Town’s MannaBay

Then onto the gourmet capital of the Cape – Franschhoek where you will taste great wines, savour award winning food and relax in the splendour of your stunning surroundings at Le Quartier Francais.

Your drive along the Garden Route will start with a night in pretty Outdshoorn (get your Ostrich riding boots on!), followed by 2 nights in the trees, literally!  Tsala Treetop Lodge is a very unique and special place – luxury accommodation high among the lush forests between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Tsala Treetop Lodge

After a couple of days exploring the gorgeous Knysna and its lagoon and beautiful beaches of Plettenberg Bay, you will return to Cape Town, via one night at Rothman Manor in Swellendam, the 3rd oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch, in case you were wondering!)

Itinerary

Day 1 – Cape Town: Arrive Cape Town International Airport where you will be met by a representative of Mannabay Boutique Hotel 5* who will transfer you to the hotel for your 4 night stay.  Your Avis rental car will be delivered to Mannabay Boutique Hotel 5* on the morning of your arrival. (BB)

Day 2 – Cape Town: Explore the Cape Peninsula and venture down to the Cape of Good Hope and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach near Simonstown, stopping off for lunch overlooking the ocean at one of the many restaurants along the coastline.  On your return journey back to your hotel after lunch, why not stop off at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Day 3 – Cape Town: Take the Cable Car up Table Mountain/ the boat to Robben Island (place of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration for 27 years).

Day 4 – Cape Town: Explore the V & A Watefront and have a seafood lunch overlooking the harbour.

Day 5– Depart Cape Town and drive to Le Quartier Francais 5* in Franschhoek for 2 nights.  Franschhoek is the food capital of South Africa and is surrounded by the gorgeous mountain ranges in the heart of the winelands area.  Le Quartier Francais 5* has an award winning restaurant “The Tasting Room” with Relais & Chateaux Grande Chef Margot Janse at the helm. (BB)

Day 6 –   Full Day Winelands Tour with Richard Hilton owner of Greatest Africa, who has over 20 years experience in the wine industry and will escort you to 3/ 4 wine producers discussing the types of wine you enjoy and generally making the day insightful, educational and fun.  09h00 Pick up from Le Quartier Francais/ 16h00 Return to Le Quartier Francais.

Day 7– Depart Franschhoek and drive along Route 62 to Hlangana Lodge 4* for 1 night, situated on the outskirts of the ostrich capital of the world, Outdshoorn.  From Hlangana Lodge 4* you can visit the Cango Caves and maybe ride an ostrich and Highgate Ostrich Farm.  (DBB)

Day 8-Depart Outshoorn along Route 62 heading north towards the “Garden Route” and Tsala Treetop Lodge 5* for 2 nights, situated between the towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.   The “Garden Route” is famous for its beautiful lush forests and lake vistas and magnificent beaches and a myriad of other world class activities.  Dine on fresh seafood and oysters and take a boat ride on the Knysna Lagoon or soak up the sun on long stretches of white sandy beaches in Plettenberg Bay.  (BB)

Day 9– Tsala Treetop Lodge 5*

Day 10 – Depart Tsala Treetop Lodge 5* and heading south along the “Garden Route” via the N2 to Rothman Manor 5* in the town of Swellendam for 1 night.  Swellendam is halfway between Cape Town and George.  (BB) 

Day 11– Depart Swellendam and drive back to Cape Town International Airport for your flight back home.

Full of character – MannaBay in Cape Town

Included

• 4 nights – Mannabay Boutique Hotel 5*- Accommodation in a Luxury Room pp / night sharing including breakfast
• Airport transfer from Cape Town International to Mannabay Boutique Hotel 5*
• Avis Car Rental in a Group E Toyota Corolla or similar from Day 2 – Day 12 – 10 days
• 2 nights – Le Quartier Francais 5*, Franschhoek  – Accommodation in an Auberge Room pp / night sharing including breakfast
• Full Day Winelands Tour including qualified driver/guide, vehicle, fuel and wine tastings but excluding  lunch
• 1 night – Hlangana Lodge 4*, Outdshoorn – Accommodation in a Standard Luxury Room pp / night sharing including full champagne buffet breakfast plus 3 course set menu dinner at Jemimas on evening of arrival
• 2 nights – Tsala Treetop Lodge 5*, Knysna – Accommodation in a Luxury Suite including breakfast
• 1 night – Rothman Manor 5*, Swellendam – Accommodation in a Luxury Room including breakfast

Tsala Treetop pool

Greatest Africa was founded in the Greater Cape Area of South Africa, and offers private wine tours in the exquisite Cape Region. Our exclusive tours are guided by boutique wine producer Richard Hilton, of Richard Hilton Vineyards, who is also the founder and MD of Greatest Africa.

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