9 days · South Africa
Cape Town & the Garden Route
From AED 5,307per person, twin share
Explore the marvels of sunny South Africa, from vibrant Cape Town and the lush winelands to the scenic Garden Route.
- Duration
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in Cape Town
- Country
- South Africa
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A fast-paced coach tour with frequent hotel changes through the Cape Winelands and Garden Route, guided walking tours, a walk through the Cango Caves and over the Storms River bridge
- Accommodation
- 8 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels across Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route
- Meals
- 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs most of the year, with no departures in February. The Cape and Garden Route are warmest and driest from November to March, cooler and wetter from June to August
Tour overview
This tour of sunny South Africa hits all the high notes. Start in Cape Town, seek out the Winelands. Stop over in southern coast hamlets like Hermanus and Mossel Bay. See African wildlife, visit Knysna, and hit the trails in Tsitsikamma. Encounter the arid beauty of the Karoo and up the ante with adrenaline activities along the way.
Highlights
- Take a driving and walking tour of the city of Cape Town
- Enjoy a traditional braai & African drumming
- Visit Stellenbosch; a picturesque university town
- Taste local wine in the Cape Winelands
- Explore Hermanus; a stunning seaside town
- Discover Swellendam; South Africa’s third-oldest town
- Embark on a Game Drive at Botlierskop Game Drive
- Discover Knysna; a stunning seaside town
Show all 13 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Explore Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park
- Visit a Klein Karoo ostrich farm
- Explore the Cango Caves
- Visit a winery in Robertson
- Enjoy a cheese and wine tasting in Paarl
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
Cape Town
2 nights · Days 1–2
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
Cape Winelands
Day 3 · on the way
Stellenbosch
Day 3 · on the way
Hermanus
1 night · Day 3
Windsor Hotel Hermanus
Swellendam
Day 4 · on the way
Mossel Bay
1 night · Day 4
Garden Route Hotel
Garden Route
Day 5 · on the way
Knysna
Day 5 · on the way
Show all 13 stopsShow fewer stops
Tsitsikamma
2 nights · Days 5–6
Tsitsikamma Village Inn
Cango Caves Experience
Day 7 · on the way
Oudtshoorn
1 night · Day 7
Protea by Marriott Hotel Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate
Cape Winelands
Day 8 · on the way
Cape Town
1 night · Day 8
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in Cape Town
Meals included: Dinner
After meeting your tour leader and the group at the hotel, you set out on a Cape Town city tour, taking in Signal Hill, District 6 and the Castle of Good Hope, then a walk through the Company’s Gardens. This evening, a traditional braai, or BBQ, in the winelands comes with African drum music.
Included
- Walking and driving tour of Cape Town, taking in District Six, St George’s Cathedral and the Company’s Garden
- Traditional braai (barbecue) with a Drumstruck African drumming performance at a local vineyard
- Overnight
- Cape Town
- Hotel
- StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Cape Town: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastYou can spend today exploring Cape Town, or join an optional excursion to the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point. It takes you to the Cape Point Nature Reserve and the Cape Point Lighthouse, at the point furthest south-west in Africa, where the landscape is covered in Cape Fynbos. It also stops at Kalk Bay and the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony.
Included
- Free time in Cape Town
Optional extras
- Cape Peninsula Day Trip · AED 565 per person
- Overnight
- Cape Town
- Hotel
- StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3
Cape Winelands – Stellenbosch – Hermanus Region
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
Today’s drive takes you to the Cape Winelands and Stellenbosch, a university town full of history. A local wine estate hosts a tasting led by a wine specialist, followed by lunch among the vines. The day ends in the coastal town of Hermanus.
Included
- Visit Stellenbosch: Cape Dutch architecture, tree-lined streets and free time to explore
- Wine tasting and lunch at a winery in the Cape Winelands
- Free time in Hermanus, known for whale watching in season
- Travel
- Cape Town → Cape Winelands → Hermanus by coach
- Overnight
- Hermanus
- Hotel
- Windsor Hotel Hermanus
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 4
Hermanus Region – Swellendam – Mossel Bay
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Free time in Hermanus this morning comes before the drive to the Garden Route. You can choose to look for dolphins, seals, penguins, sharks and whales on the optional Marine Eco Big 5 Trip, or opt for a seafood and craft beer pairing on the optional Spirit of Hermanus excursion. From there, the tour continues through Swellendam to Mossel Bay, where dinner is included.
Included
- Guided walking tour of Swellendam, South Africa’s third-oldest town, with free time for lunch
Optional extras
- Marine Eco Big 5 Trip · AED 550 per person
- Spirit of Hermanus · AED 110 per person
- Travel
- Hermanus → Swellendam → Mossel Bay by coach
- Overnight
- Mossel Bay
- Hotel
- Garden Route Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 5
Garden Route: Game Reserve – Knysna – Tsitsikamma
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve offers a South African wildlife experience, with rhinos, giraffes, elephants and lions to spot on a real safari drive. Lunch is in the Knysna harbour, known for its oysters. Afterwards, you can choose between two optional excursions: Monkeyland, where the monkeys roam loose, or Birds of Eden, a free-flight aviary described as the largest in the world.
Included
- Game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve: giraffe, zebra, lion, rhino, hippo and birdlife
- Free time at the Knysna waterfront, known for its oysters
Optional extras
- Monkeyland · AED 100 per person
- Birds of Eden · AED 100 per person
- Travel
- Garden Route → Knysna → Tsitsikamma by coach
- Overnight
- Tsitsikamma
- Hotel
- Tsitsikamma Village Inn
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 6
Tsitsikamma National Park & Storms River – Eastern Cape
Meals included: Breakfast
The Garden Route National Park is a place for adventure, with the Tsitsikamma forest covering rivers, gorges and mountains. You can add an optional zipline tour through the trees or an optional trail drive, then head to the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park for a seaside walk and a crossing of the suspension bridge.
Included
- Walk the Storms River trail and cross the suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park
Optional extras
- Tree Canopy Zip-Lining · AED 205 per person
- Woodcutters Trail Drive · AED 150 per person
- Kayak & Lilo Adventure · AED 210 per person
- Overnight
- Tsitsikamma
- Hotel
- Tsitsikamma Village Inn
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7
Route 62 – Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farm – Cango Caves Experience
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerA semi-desert landscape opens up today as the drive follows Route 62 through Langkloof, set against the Kouga and Tsitsikamma mountains. In Oudtshoorn, you visit a working ostrich farm, then sit down for a three-course lunch. Afterwards comes a visit to the Cango Caves, caverns of dripstone that formed more than 20 million years ago. The evening brings a buffet dinner.
Included
- Guided tractor tour of a working ostrich farm in the Klein Karoo, with a traditional lunch
- Visit the Cango Caves: limestone formations more than 20 million years old
Optional extras
- Oudtshoorn Stargazing · AED 175 per person
- Travel
- Tsitsikamma → Route 62 → Oudtshoorn by coach
- Overnight
- Oudtshoorn
- Hotel
- Protea by Marriott Hotel Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Oudtshoorn – Route 62 – Cape Winelands – Cape Town
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
After breakfast, the drive continues down Route 62, with a stop at a roadside stall before an included lunch in Robertson. From there, Paarl offers a wine and cheese tasting at a local vineyard, before the tour heads back to Cape Town for your last night in the city.
Included
- Winery visit and lunch in Robertson, in the Cape Winelands
- Cheese and wine tasting in Paarl
- Free evening in Cape Town
- Travel
- Oudtshoorn → Route 62 → Cape Winelands → Cape Town by coach
- Overnight
- Cape Town
- Hotel
- StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 9
End of tour in Cape Town
Meals included: BreakfastThis is the last day of the tour through Cape Town and the Garden Route. At the hotel, the group sits down for one last breakfast together before the tour comes to an end and everyone says their goodbyes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
22 dates
FromSun 25 Oct 2026ToMon 2 Nov 2026
Sold out
AED 5,087
Single room supplement +AED 1,892 single
Full
FromSun 8 Nov 2026ToMon 16 Nov 2026
AvailableBest price
AED 5,307
Single room supplement +AED 1,892 single
FromSun 17 Jan 2027ToMon 25 Jan 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 28 Mar 2027ToMon 5 Apr 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 11 Apr 2027ToMon 19 Apr 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 25 Apr 2027ToMon 3 May 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 9 May 2027ToMon 17 May 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 23 May 2027ToMon 31 May 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
FromSun 6 Jun 2027ToMon 14 Jun 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 20 Jun 2027ToMon 28 Jun 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
Show all 22 datesShow fewer dates
FromSun 4 Jul 2027ToMon 12 Jul 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 18 Jul 2027ToMon 26 Jul 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
FromSun 1 Aug 2027ToMon 9 Aug 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 15 Aug 2027ToMon 23 Aug 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
FromSun 29 Aug 2027ToMon 6 Sept 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 12 Sept 2027ToMon 20 Sept 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 26 Sept 2027ToMon 4 Oct 2027
Few seats left
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 10 Oct 2027ToMon 18 Oct 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 24 Oct 2027ToMon 1 Nov 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
FromSun 7 Nov 2027ToMon 15 Nov 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
FromSun 21 Nov 2027ToMon 29 Nov 2027
Sold out
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
Full
FromSun 5 Dec 2027ToMon 13 Dec 2027
Available
AED 5,417
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
What’s included
Included
- 8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
- 8 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Cape Peninsula Day Trip
A scenic drive along the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point, with time to see the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach and lunch by the water in Kalk Bay. R2550, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 565 per person
Marine Eco Big 5 Trip
A boat trip off Hermanus with a marine biologist on board, looking for whales, sharks, seals, penguins and dolphins along this stretch of coast. R2500, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 550 per person
Spirit of Hermanus
A craft beer and seafood pairing at a waterfront restaurant in Hermanus, with vegetarian and non-alcoholic options available. R495, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 110 per person
Monkeyland
A free-roaming primate sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay, where you can see more than 500 rescued primates living in the forest. R450, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 100 per person
Birds of Eden
A large free-flight aviary near Plettenberg Bay, home to more than 200 species of birds across a stretch of forest. R450, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 100 per person
Tree Canopy Zip-Lining
A zipline course through the Tsitsikamma forest canopy, with a trained team managing the harness and platforms throughout. R925, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 205 per person
Woodcutters Trail Drive
A drive along the old Storms River Pass through indigenous forest, with tea at a picnic site by the river and background on the area’s history. R675, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 150 per person
Kayak & Lilo Adventure
A two to three hour kayak trip into the Storms River Gorge, past deep pools and caves. No experience is needed, and wetsuits are available to hire. R940, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 210 per person
Oudtshoorn Stargazing
An evening stargazing session in the Klein Karoo with a local guide, away from city lights, with notes on how the San people read the night sky. R790, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 175 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
South Africa asks most non-exempt nationalities for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online and tied to the passport you travel on. It only works if you land at OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town or Lanseria airport, which matches how this tour starts and ends.
Rules differ by passport, so our visa team checks what you need and handles the ETA application when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights aren’t included: arrange your own to and from Cape Town.
Day 1 starts at the StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl, where you meet your tour leader from 2pm; full contact details reach you by email about a week before you travel. The tour ends back at the same hotel in Cape Town after breakfast on day 9.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day, lunch on three days (including the winery and ostrich-farm lunches), and dinner on four evenings, among them the first night’s braai and the stop in Mossel Bay.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
South Africa’s currency is the rand (ZAR). Cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; it’s worth carrying some cash for smaller stops along the route, such as the ostrich farm or the Cango Caves.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Departures run most of the year except February. The Cape and Garden Route are warm and mostly dry from November to March, and cooler with more rain from June to August.
Pack layers, a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection; the coastal towns can be breezy, so something to block the wind is useful too.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
Check the visa for each country on the route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to Cape Town and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Cape Town & the Garden Route?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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