Spend two nights at a luxury lodge with four game drives, take a whale-watching boat trip and see Cape Town’s top attractions

Join us for the perfect introduction to South Africa and its incredible, diverse wildlife.

This adventure begins in Hermanus, Africa's premier whale-watching destination, where you may spot Brydes, Humpback, and Southern Right Whales on a whale-spotting cruise.

You'll spend two nights at the luxurious Garden Route Game Lodge, a family-run lodge set against the backdrop of the Langeberg mountains. While here, you'll take four game drives, spotting lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo roaming free.

Other highlights include a visit to the Ostrich Capital on the Little Karoo Plain, a cruise on Knysna Lagoon, wine tastings in Franschhoek Wine Valley, and a tour of Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.

Begin and end your tour in Cape Town, exploring landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and The Company's Garden. Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular to Cape Point and enjoy some free time to explore more of the South African capital at your own pace.

To read more about this trip:
PDF

Reasons to book

Share this trip

Price includes

  • Nine nights' bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, one night in Hermanus, two nights in a Garden Route Game Lodge in Albertinia, two nights in Mossel Bay, one night in Stellenbosch and three nights in Cape Town
  • Three lunches and four dinners
  • Return overnight flights to Cape Town from a range of UK airports (on selected dates the flight will be indirect)
  • Four game drives in search of the Big Five
  • Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus
  • Visit the Cango Caves
  • Take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon
  • Tour Stellenbosch
  • Wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate
  • Ride Table Mountain's rotating cable car
  • Tour the beautiful Cape Peninsula
  • Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
  • Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Availability

From
Fri, Fri, Mar 7, 2025
To
Fri, Fri, Nov 20, 2026
Duration
12 days
Price per person
£3,206*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 13 June 2025 departure date, from London Heathrow. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit £600pp. Price includes saving, discount is capacity controlled. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included 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 TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.

Call now to book 02039932958
Quote ref: NMCAPETOWN
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Fly to Cape Town
    Cape Town, South Africa

    Today your adventure begins as you board your flight from the UK to Cape Town.

  2. Day
    2
    Transfer to Hermanus
    Hermanus, South Africa

    Upon arrival at Cape Town, you'll meet your tour guide and travel east to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching location, where you'll take a cruise to see incredible Brydes, Humpback and Southern Right Whales in the wild. En route to Hermanus, you'll pause at Stony Point, home to a colony of African penguins.

    Later on, you'll arrive at your hotel in Hermanus, perched on top of the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, where you'll have some time to settle in and refresh after a long journey.

    In the evening, you'll head to the nearby restaurant La Pentola, where dinner is included.

  3. Day
    3
    Garden Route Game Lodge
    Albertinia, South Africa

    This morning you'll travel to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you'll be staying for the next two nights, in the shadow of the Langeberg mountains.

    This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps relax with a sun-downer beside the traditional Boma campfire before dinner.

    During your time here you'll enjoy several safari game drives to see the Big Five - lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo - while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying traditional South African dinners while looking out over the reserve.

  4. Day
    4
    Garden Route Game Lodge
    Albertinia, South Africa

    Your second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive.

    On your return to the lodge, enjoy some free time for a siesta in your room or by the pool before setting off on a second evening game drive.

    At the end of a full day, you'll enjoy another memorable dinner under the stars.

  5. Day
    5
    Cango Caves and the Little Karoo
    Oudtshoorn, South Africa

    Enjoy a final early morning game drive before travelling 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.

    Later on, you'll transfer to Mossel Bay where you'll be staying for the next two nights.

  6. Day
    6
    Included visit to Knysna Lagoon
    Knysna, South Africa

    You'll travel to the coastal town of Knysna this morning for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, bordered by the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve.

    After the cruise, you'll travel by 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. You'll then enjoy a buffet lunch at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees.

    In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Knysna's charming waterfront. Why not cross the water to the aptly named Leisure Island, where you can soak up the sunshine on Bollards Bay Beach or go wildlife spotting in the Steenbok Nature Reserve?

    A delicious dinner will be included at the hotel's restaurant this evening, rounding off a wonderful day.

  7. Day
    7
    Winelands tour and visit to Franschhoek
    Franschhoek, South Africa

    Today you'll head west into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to vineyard-laden Franschhoek. While here, look forward to a delicious lunch and a wine tasting in the renowned Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of these scenic landscapes.

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

  8. Day
    8
    Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Table Mountain
    Cape Town, South Africa

    Your first stop today is Stellenbosch, where you'll take a guided tour of this historic town, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat.

    This afternoon, you'll take a scenic journey to Cape Town, where you'll spend the next three nights, after enjoying an included lunch in a local wine estate.

    In Cape Town, you'll enjoy an orientation tour of the city, taking in 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.

  9. Day
    9
    Cape Town Peninsula
    Cape Town, South Africa

    It'll be an early start this morning ahead of a day on the road as you take to one of the world's most scenic routes along Hout Bay and the Cape Peninsula.

    You'll arrive at Cape Point, a verdant headland home to rolling hills and rugged bays, this area falls in the Cape Floral Region - which boasts around 20% of Africa's total flora.

    This afternoon, board the cable-drawn Flying Dutchman Funicular for a gentle ride up to the summit. Here, you'll have the chance to relax in the company of the Cape's breathtaking vistas or pay a visit to the lighthouse that watches over the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

    In the evening, you'll have time at leisure to spend as you please. 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.

  10. Day
    10
    Kirstenbosch Gardens
    Kirstenhof (Kirstenbosch), South Africa

    You'll travel to Kirstenbosch this morning, famous for its flourishing Botanical Gardens. Nestled against the eastern face of Table Mountain, the gardens here are some of the most biodiverse on the planet.

    This afternoon, you're free to explore at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred waterfront or visit the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, with a short trip across the bay.

  11. Days
    11-12
    Departure
    Cape Town, South Africa

    After a final breakfast at your hotel, you'll have some free time to spend as you wish before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home.

    You'll arrive back home the following morning, bringing your unforgettable South African adventure to an end.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Newmarket Holidays
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Newmarket Holidays. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL protected and financially bonded.

For general information, click here.

This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Fri, Fri, Mar 7, 2025
To
Fri, Fri, Nov 20, 2026
Duration
12 days
Price per person
£3,206*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 13 June 2025 departure date, from London Heathrow. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit £600pp. Price includes saving, discount is capacity controlled. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included 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 TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.

Call now to book 02039932958
Quote ref: NMCAPETOWN