This is a tour not to be missed for horticulture enthusiasts.
Join Gardeners' World presenter Frances Tophill and master botanist
Sean Privett as you explore South Africa's gardens and spectacular
wildflowers.
Visit the Cape Peninsula, West Coast National Park and Ramskop
Wildflower Nature Reserve, as well as enjoy guided tours of
Babylonstoren, Kirstenbosch, Harold Porter and the Dylan Lewis
Sculpture Garden. You'll meet Sean at Grootbos Private Nature
Reserve and Frances will join you later on in the tour for two days
- accompanying you to the gardens and hosting a very special
Q&A.
There will be time to discover more of Cape Town, including the
imposing Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island -
while you'll also explore the Cape's wine region, Franschhoek and
enjoy a wine tasting.
Frances is a well known British horticulturist, author and television presenter, best known for Love Your Garden and Gardeners' World. She has written five books and her latest, The Modern Gardener: A practical guide for creating a beautiful and creative garden, focuses on helping people to encourage wildlife, reduce their carbon footprint, and make their outdoor and indoor space more useful in all areas.
Sean is one of South Africa's leading botanists, and the head botanist at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in the Cape Floral Region of South Africa.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £1,895. Deposit required. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Africa Travel.
Depart London on the direct overnight British Airways flight to Cape Town.
On arrival your group will be met and transferred towards Clanwilliam. After a stop for lunch, you will arrive at the Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat. In the evening you will attend a welcome dinner.
Today is yours to try one of the activities on offer at Bushmans Kloof, such as hiking, cycling, canoeing, a nature drive, archery lesson or a visit to see the ancient rock art.
You'll visit Vanrhynsdorp, as well as Nieuwoudtville, the bulb capital of the world, for a trip to a flower farm to witness the floral carpets. Enjoy a picnic lunch before a tour of the Hantam National Botanical Gardens, one of the world's very special biodiversity treasures.
Travel this morning to visit the fascinating Rooibos tea factory in Clanwilliam and then visit the Ramskop Wildflower Nature Reserve. Continue on your journey, stopping for lunch, before arriving at charming lagoonside town, Langebaan.
Explore the West Coast National Park. One of the natural wonders of the world, wildflower season in the park is at its peak annually from August to September, and during these two months visitors will see a wide variety of flowers.
Travel south to Cape Town and stop for lunch in the fishing village of Hermanus. After lunch you will continue to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve where you will spend two nights and you'll be joined by master botanist Sean Privett.
This afternoon Sean will take you on a walking tour of the reserve sharing his intricate knowledge of the reserve's ecology, flora and fauna.
This evening enjoy a Q&A with Sean followed by dinner.
Today you will take another foray into the area's glorious flora with a 4x4 flower safari in open-top Land Rovers. This afternoon you'll drive down to the coast to enjoy a marine walk along the magnificent pristine white beach in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
This evening enjoy a traditional South African barbecue under the stars.
After breakfast there will be the option to join a whalewatching boat trip to Dyer Island, home to sea birds and seals. If you choose to stay on dry land you can visit the conservation and social upliftment projects happening in Grootbos.
After lunch enjoy a guided tour of the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber pools.
Today is a free day to explore Cape Town - perhaps take a helicopter trip over the city or visit historic Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
Today you will visit the iconic Table Mountain and take the cable car trip to the top, standing at 1089 metres. You can enjoy a hike at the top or simply take in the breathtaking panoramic views.
Today is yours to explore the Waterfront Development in Cape Town. In the evening you will go on a champagne sunset cruise along the Atlantic shoreline aboard Une Belle Vie. Enjoy spectacular sunset views of Table Mountain, Lion's Head, and the city of Cape Town with a glass of sparkling wine in hand.
In the company of Frances you will visit the Ardene Gardens, home to the finest collection of exotic trees in South Africa, and take a tour of the famed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. A walk around the beautifully manicured gardens of the Vineyard Hotel will be followed by afternoon tea.
Today you will explore Cape Town's famous wine region. Starting off with Babylonstoren where you will go on a guided tour of the stunning gardens. Next up is Vrede en Lust Wine Estate in the Franschhoek wine valley where you will enjoy wine tasting, lunch and a guided walk around the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. Transfer to Cape Town airport for flight home.
Luxurious Bushmans Kloof is an ecological oasis in the foothills with wildlife viewing possibilities.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is an ecological oasis at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, where abundant wildlife roams free. Only a few hours' drive from Cape Town, it offers a distinctive wilderness experience against a backdrop of wide open plains, rock formations and crystal-clear waterfalls. The multi award-winning Relais & Châteaux Lodge is famed for its splendid luxury, creative cuisine and trademark warm hospitality. Guests are accommodated in 16 plush guest rooms and suites, while private villa Koro Lodge offers total exclusivity. The reserve is home to over 150 kinds of birds, 755 plant species and over 35 species of mammals, and is custodian to over 130 ancient Bushman rock art sites in the reserve - some over 10 000 years old. At Bushmans Kloof guests can rejuvenate revive body and soul at the Spa, engage in exhilarating outdoor activities such as nature drives, mountain biking, canoeing and swimming in rock pools - or do absolutely nothing but inhale the beauty and tranquillity of nature.
Enjoy a luxurious stay at The Shark Bay Boutique Accommodation & Spa in Langebaan, an hour from Cape Town and a million miles from the world.
Luxury accommodation with just 15 sumptuous rooms, gourmet restaurant, exclusive bar, relaxing spa and a wine cellar. Marvel at sweeping views of an azure lagoon, skies filled with colourful birds and a sandy white beach a short walk away.
Luxury eco-reserve by the Southern tip of Africa tucked between forest, mountains and sea
"A melting pot of biodiversity, culture and natural wonder", Grootbos Private Nature Reserve comprises 2500 hectares of wild land, including three milkwood forests over a thousand years old. Luxury accommodation is designed in harmony with the natural setting, airy rooms are both homely and relaxing and wine and culinary experiences only add to the romance of this wild escape.
Located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with sweeping views of Table Mountain, Cape Town Harbour and Robben Island
The Commodore has a nautical theme, being a short walk from the waterfront, and offers an outdoor pool, sauna, and fitness and massage facilities. Rooms include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom with a bathtub. There is a 24-hour reception and 24-hour room service. Some rooms have a balcony with views of the Atlantic Ocean or Table Mountain. When the weather is fine, the terrace with shaded areas is perfect for a drink or a snack. The Clipper restaurant offers buffet breakfast and à la carte menus with seafood dishes and local wines. The Admiralty Lounge Bar serves cocktails 24 hours a day.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £1,895. Deposit required. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Africa Travel.