Starting Price:	$8,593.00
Trip Length:	12 days
Includes airfare allowance from New York

Interests:

Culinary/Wine
Whale Watching

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Vineyard near Franschhoek

Port Elizabeth

Cape Town, Wineries & Whale Watching and Garden Route

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

The Cape Winelands is a region of award-winning wines, magnificent vineyards, scenic splendor, historic towns and authentic Cape Dutch architecture. It also has an impressive selection of top of the line restaurants and is aptly known as the culinary capital of South Africa. Travel from the winelands to Hermanus, the town which has the status of being the best land-based whale watching destination in the world. As if that’s not enough, you can also book kayaking trips on the sea or lagoon as well as shark cage diving packages, a sure-fire adrenaline fix for adventure lovers, and nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers a range of spectacular walks among the fynbos. Whether you choose to spend a day on one of the spectacular beaches or playing a round of golf, Hermanus has something for everyone.

Though the Garden Route was named after the vineyards, orchards and agricultural areas that used to sit between the Karoo Desert and the Southern South Africa coastline, it has come to be known for the forests, coastline, beaches, marine life and game reserves (as well as the picturesque towns and villages along the way). We start off in Swellendam, the gateway to the Garden Route, and transfer on to Plettenberg Bay from there. Originally christened “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay offers the visitor miles of sweeping, unspoiled golden beaches. It is also home to the best dolphin watching in the World according to National Geographic and is an adventure lover’s paradise with everything from surfing to kayaking and horseback riding. We finish at Port Elizabeth, where you will have the opportunity to experience a safari in the Eastern Cape.

This itinerary includes a private car, driver and guide. As an alternative it may be booked on a ‘self drive’ basis which would reduce the cost. Please contact a Yampu travel consultant for more information.

This trip can be customized to fit your schedule and accommodate any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels.

This tour includes airfare allowance from New York, on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via New York; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Visited Cities:
Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus, Swellendam, Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth

Day 1

Overnight international flight to Cape Town.

Day 2

Upon arrival in Cape Town, airport reception and transfer in a private vehicle to your hotel. After check in enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 3

Today we will start by helping you get your bearings in Cape Town and filling you in on some of the city’s history and culture on a private city tour. Keep your eyes and ears open for seldom seen sights and seldom heard stories about the city’s former inhabitants; previous visitors; beautiful architectural heritage; social, cultural, religious and political history.

In the afternoon we will make our way to the Cable Car Station for a memorable trip to the top of Table Mountain, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The views of the city, coastline and Cape Peninsula are in a word: breathtaking. Enjoy one of the many walks on top of the mountain before enjoying a well earned cocktail and watching the sun set.

Day 4

After breakfast you will be taken on a full day, private tour of the Cape Peninsula that showcases some of Cape Town’s best scenery and attractions. You will stop at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, these beautiful gardens are home to over 6000 species of plants. You will then travel on to visit the Jackass Penguin Colony at Boulders Bay and perhaps have a swim on the beach next door.

After a stop for lunch overlooking False Bay, where you can keep an eye out for whales, you will move on to Cape Point, which is the south'westernmost point of Africa and one of the most dangerous points to sail around in the world. On the way back you can look for wildlife as you travel through Cape Point National Park, before going round Chapman’s Peak Drive and back to your hotel for a sun downer!

Day 5

Transfer to your hotel in the Cape Winelands. You are at leisure to explore the Winelands and wander around the historic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, or enjoy a lazy lunch at a vineyard. Overnight in Franschhoek.

Day 6

After breakfast, you'll set off on a full day guided Winelands tour. This tour will allow you to discover the beauty and history of the Cape Winelands. In Paarl we visit the Afrikaans Taal Monument. Then we stop at the Victor Verster Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released from detention in 1990.

Next we enjoy a scenic drive to Franschhoek Valley, where we will visit several vineyards. South African wine is one of the fastest growing in popularity and we will take you to see some of the best wine makers in the country. You will be able to experience several tastings and a private cellar tour. The Winelands region is also incredibly beautiful, with the vineyards woven through spectacular mountain ranges; we will stop for lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants so that you can soak up the surroundings while enjoying some first-rate cuisine.

Day 7

This morning, transfer to Hermanus. For the more adventurous we recommend a full day white shark cage diving tour. If you are not brave enough to enter the waters, the view from the boat is excellent as well. Alternatively, you could take the day to explore Hermanus. Overnight in Hermanus.

Day 8

After breakfast, we embark on a full day guided whale watching tour. Our first stop is the Old Harbor Museum, which was proclaimed a museum in 1972; it used to provide a rocky, but safe, shelter for the small fishing boats whose owners were drawn to Hermanus.

We will enjoy lunch in Hermanus while watching the whales in the bay, and then we will visit a local vineyard for wine tasting before taking a scenic drive to Kleinmond for a visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden. Situated in the center of the coastal fynbos, where the flora is at its richest, the garden encompasses mountain slopes, deep gorges with derelict forests as well as dunes adjacent to the beach with their salt-adapted plants. Whales are seasonal and usually can be spotted between June and November. That doesn't mean that Hermanus isn't a fantastic destination during the summer months though; it has beautiful beaches and wonderful scenery.

Day 9

Transfer to Swellendam. This is a day at leisure to explore the historic town of Swellendam, take a trip to the southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhus, or explore the wine farms of the Robertson region. There is a 3-hour transfer on to Plettenberg Bay in the afternoon.

Day 10

After breakfast you will be taken to Knysna, where you will have the chance to browse the markets of this bustling town, before being taken out for a boat cruise on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon. On the cruise, you will have a chance to see the infamous Knysna Heads.

After a stop for lunch, we will return to Plettenberg Bay, where we will take a trip on the Ocean Blue whale and dolphin excursion. Plettenberg is known for having some of the best dolphin watching in the world and it is an amazing year-round experience to watch the huge pods playing in the surf and around your boat. If you are lucky you will also see the rare Orca (Killer) Whale (most frequently seen August-October).

Day 11

We start early today and transfer to Port Elizabeth (approximately 2 hours). We will then head straight to Addo National Park, which has an enormous elephant population and is also home to the Big Five. This is an excellent introduction to safari and you are sure to get some superb photos of the wildlife.

Day 12

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your connection to Cape Town and flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Cape Town
3-star	Sundown Manor, or similar.
4-star	The Vineyard, or similar.
5-star	Cape Grace, or similar.
Franschhoek
3-star	Rose Cottage, or similar.
4-star	Franschhoek Country House & Villas, or similar.
5-star	La Residence, or similar.
Hermanus
3-star	Abalone, or similar.
4-star	Mosselberg, or similar.
5-star	Birkenhead House, or similar.
Swellendam
3-star	Swellendam Country Lodge, or similar.
4-star	Bloom Estate, or similar.
5-star	De Kloof Estates, or similar.
Plettenberg Bay
3-star	Periwinkle, or similar.
4-star	Emily Moon River Lodge, or similar.
5-star	Bay Lodge, or similar.
Port Elizabeth
3-star	Summerstrand Hotel, or similar.
4-star	King Edward Hotel, or similar.
5-star	Windermere, or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

12 days , from $8593

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star
Double	$8593	$9428	$12447
Single	$15399	$17119	$23157

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price includes:

Round trip international airfare from New York to Cape Town

One way domestic airfare from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

Hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast

All transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling

Guided tours in English including all entrance fees

Meals where specified

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote)

Notes:

Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) may be viewed all year round.
Southern Right Whales are ONLY viewable June – November.
PEAK whale viewing is August – October.
Annual Whale festival in late September.
Visitors to South Africa for tourism, short business meetings, or those in transit do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days.
Travelers entering South Africa from WHO-designated yellow fever countries are required to present their current and valid “International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (commonly called a “yellow card”) or statement of medical exemption (also located on the same yellow card). Additionally, South Africa treats Zambia and Tanzania as yellow fever countries. This requirement is imposed on travelers flying to South Africa via yellow fever countries, even when transiting passengers are required to stay on board the plane, or if the plane makes an unscheduled landing in a yellow fever country. As a precaution, all travelers to South Africa should carry their original yellow card.

While most of South Africa is malaria-free, malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural low-altitude areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, including Kruger National Park and neighboring game reserves. Risk also exists in the coastal lowlands of KwaZulu-Natal north of the Tugela River (including in Zululand, but excluding urban areas of Richards Bay). In all risk areas, risk is much lower from June to September.

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