Day 1
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by your Tour Guide who will transfer you in a private luxury vehicle to your hotel, via a short orientation tour of the city. Your accommodation in Cape Town, Tintswalo Atlantic, is a luxurious and modern boutique retreat unobtrusively located between the boulders of the Atlantic Ocean in the Table Mountain Reserve. Built predominantly from wood and glass, the hotel seamlessly blends nature and comfort offering absolute seclusion and relaxation. Your suite overlooks the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay and boast unparalleled sea views, which can be admired from your private deck. Tintswalo Atlantic offers home-away-from-home comforts, discreet service and mouth-watering culinary creations in the most beautiful setting.
Overnight: Tintswalo Atlantic
Day 2
After breakfast this morning you will be met at your hotel by your Tour Guide, and depart on a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, one of the world’s most scenic areas. Continue on through Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve, which has magnificent fynbos vegetation, birdlife, endemic antelope species and zebra, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks. After a delicious seafood lunch, you will depart with your Tour Guide to historic Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach. Enjoy a visit to the well-known Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, followed by the beautiful Constantia Wine Route with a possible wine tasting along the way (depending on time). A visit to Hout Bay, a quaint village and fishing harbor with magnificent mountain views and beach (enjoy a cruise to Seal Island – weather permitting) ends off this memorable day.
Overnight: Tintswalo Atlantic
Day 3
Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel this morning after breakfast. Depart for Table Mountain, where you will enjoy a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. The exhilarating ascent of Cape Town’s Table Mountain is a must for any visitor and provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day one has a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and it rises 1086 meters above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km from end to end. The mountain is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Many of these are endemic, i.e. appearing nowhere else on earth. Included is the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. Enjoy a drive through the historical parts of Cape Town city and spend some time at Green Market Square flea market. You will be transferred to Cape Town’s famous, exciting V&A Waterfront, where you can visit the wonderful Two Oceans Aquarium, take a ferry trip to Robben Island, visit a semi precious stone shop and fill a packet of your own choice of stones or just enjoy the many activities of the harbor. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Tintswalo Atlantic
Day 4
This morning you will be met at your hotel after a leisurely breakfast and depart on a tour of the Cape Winelands. The journey takes you first into Stellenbosch. Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa, renowned for its historical Cape Dutch buildings, university and wines. It is also known as “town of oaks” because of its many oak trees. Stellenbosch lies in a fertile valley, surrounded by majestic “blue” mountains, vineyards and orchards. Visit the Vergelegen Estate. Majestically guarding the front entrance to the homestead are five magnificent Chinese camphor trees planted by W. A. van der Stel between 1700 and 1706. They are the oldest living, officially documented trees on the subcontinent. The trees are a symbol of the generations whose care and aesthetic passion has nurtured Vergelegen. There must be harmony between the old and the new. Enjoy a walking tour through the oak lined trees of Stellenbosch, hearing more about the architecture, history and interesting tales of this university town. Lunch will be enjoyed at Tokara Restaurant. Situated on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, Tokara produces innovative and distinctive wines as well as a limited edition five year pot still Brandy. You will also enjoy a tour of their cellars and olive shed, before heading into Franschhoek. In 1688 some 200 French Huguenots settled in this valley and had a profound influence on Cape culture. They brought their expertise in agriculture and wine making. Enjoy a Schnapps and Wine Tasting at a beautiful little estate outside Franschhoek. The last stop for the day will be at a renowned Wine and Cheese Estate outside Paarl, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Tintswalo Atlantic
Day 5
Your Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel, assist you with check out and depart on your interesting and scenic journey into the Garden Route, lovingly referred to as the Gem of South Africa. Lunch could be enjoyed at one of the many farm stalls outside the pretty, quaint villages along the way. Arrive at Hog Hollow Country Lodge, a private nature reserve situated 18km East of the small coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, in the late afternoon. Lush indigenous vegetation and forests framed by majestic mountain ranges on the one side and the Indian Ocean with its pristine white beaches on the other, makes the Garden Route, situated along the East coast of Southern Africa, one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa.
Overnight: Hog Hollow
Day 6
Day at Leisure to soak up the relaxed vibe and sun. Hog Hollow is well known for its delectable food and friendly, personalized service. Farmhouse breakfasts are served on the wooden deck overlooking the forest on crisp clear days or indoors near the huge fireplace when it is cooler. In the evenings, guests enjoy scrumptious dinners around the communal table in the convivial comfort of the candle-lit main house. At breakfast, hosts assist our guests in planning their day. There are so many wonderful places to see and things to do in the area that we are able to advise and book activities according to your specific individual needs. The main house also includes two lounge areas; one leading out to the sun drenched pool area, whilst the other offers the privacy of a leafy garden vista, ideal for reading. For those who wish to spend some tranquil time appreciating nature, a sun- dappled stream runs through the gorge and provides cool shelter amongst the forest ferns and ancient indigenous trees. Attractions nearby are surprisingly diverse and range from guided walks, to bird watching, mountain biking and horse riding trails in the surrounding forests and fynbos.
Overnight: Hog Hollow
Day 7
After breakfast this morning, drive to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari (seafari) to view seals, dolphins and whales (in season). In Plettenberg Bay they have an unusual launch method known as the dolly trailer system, where you remain on the boat while it is pushed into the sea. Once you are on board, your skipper and tour guide provide you with invaluable information about the marine life and the environment. You then take a short drive to Knysna, where you board the ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve and a seafood lunch at the famed Knysna Heads. The spectacular Knysna heads are two giant sandstone cliffs, which mark the Knysna River’s entrance. Featherbed Nature Reserve, a unique 150 ha private Nature Reserve, encompasses the whole of the Western Head of Knysna and is one of South Africa’s Natural Heritage Sites. It is home to two of the Garden Route’s icons, namely the Knysna Loerie and the Blue Duiker, one of Africa’s smallest antelope species. Enjoy a late lunch under the Milkwood Trees with the elusive, majestic and brightly colored Knysna Loeries, before returning in the late afternoon to your lodge for a relaxing sunset and evening.
Overnight: Hog Hollow
Day 8
You will be met at your lodge after breakfast this morning and transferred to George Airport for your short domestic flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The Melrose Arch Hotel, in Johannesburg, is situated within the exclusive urban Melrose Arch lifestyle development, a “city within a city”. Sheer style and individuality is what redefines the travel experience when staying at Africa’s first truly hip hotel. Through innovative architecture and outstanding design, the Melrose Arch Hotel has become a destination in its own right, attracting those who take pleasure in modern elegance and sophistication. The hotel is surrounded by shops and restaurants and is minutes away from various shopping malls and other attractions.
Overnight : Melrose Arch
Day 9
This morning after breakfast you will be met at your hotel and transferred to OR Tambo International Airport for your direct flight to Vilanculos in Mozambique. On arrival at Vilanculos Airport, you will be met and assisted with the customs procedures and luggage handling, and will then be transferred by air to Indigo Bay. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of small islands situated approximately 40 kilometers off the coast of Mozambique. Bazaruto is the largest (approximately 37kms long and up to 7kms wide) and northern most of the five islands. Indigo Bay is situated +/- 600 kms north of Maputo on the western side of Bazaruto Island.
Overnight: Indigo Bay
Day 10
The Indigo Bay resort offers exclusive island accommodation providing the quintessential Indian Ocean island holiday, as well as a gateway to the unspoilt beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago with its exquisite natural beauty and ecological diversity. Indigo Bay offers luxury chalets, all excellently situated on and around the beach. Each of the thatch and reed chalets are sheltered and secluded with direct access to the beach and the warm and tropical Indian Ocean. The Resort offers a choice of bars and varies dinner venues each night, weather permitting. The Resort offers seafood barbeques, themed dinners and local Mozambican Portuguese cuisine, which is served in the restaurant with its breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Indigo Bay
Day 11
The beautiful Bazaruto Island offers visitors a wealth of activities and at Indigo Bay, they ensure that you have an exhilarating range of things to do. If you prefer the quiet life, soak up the sun on the pristine beach with the azure waters of the Indian Ocean just meters away. The game fishing is truly magnificent and many fishermen go to the Bazaruto Archipelago for the opportunity of reeling in mackerel, tuna, marlin and barracuda. Bazaruto Island is one of Africa’s premier scuba diving destinations. This is the top attraction at Indigo Bay for most visitors as the marine life is simply spectacular. The clear skies above the island are ideal for stargazing. As there is no interfering artificial light from nearby cities nor any pollution in the skies to contend with – this is the perfect place to lie back and study the celestial treasures of Bazaruto Island.
Overnight: Indigo Bay
Day 12
The dunes of Bazaruto Island are of the highest in the archipelago and make for exciting dune boarding. The boards are fairly broad and require very little skill to master. Basically you jump up on your board and whizz down to the bottom! There are a number of exciting horse riding trails around the island, of varying length and difficulty. Full chaps and riding hats are available. Basic riding lessons are conducted by the Horse Facility Manager at the stables. Another special activity at Indigo Bay, involves fascinating drives in a 4×4 vehicle on and around Bazaruto Island. Interesting things to see include; visits to local villages and interaction with the chief, excursions to a 19th century lighthouse, Sailfish Bay on the pristine east shore, and glorious sunsets on the dunes. The waters off Bazaruto Island are of such a superb standard that you need not be a scuba diver to enjoy the amazing diversity of the marine riches. There are a number of excellent dive sites where snorkellers will be able to appreciate the stunning tropical reefs, whales, dolphins, marine turtles and other exotic marine life.
Overnight: Indigo Bay
Day 13
This morning you will be met at your lodge and transferred to the Vilanculos Airport for your connecting homebound flight. **End of Services** Please do get in touch with Road Travel Africa today to make your African Dream Holiday a Reality! We look forward to being of assistance to you.
Southern Africa Travel 