Taste of Nature

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and collect your rental car.
Your accommodation is located on an olive & wine farm outside of Paarl, so just relax or explore the surroundings for today and rest after that long journey…
The town of Paarl derives its name from huge granite domes that shimmer in the sunlight like pearls. The main street is lined with shady oak trees and historical buildings, some dating back to the 18th century. The Afrikaans language monument is a landmark and offers beautiful panoramic views of the Winelands. Paarl is also home of KWV, the winters coop, the biggest wine cellar worldwide. KWV is open to the public and can be visited on a guided tour.

Travel distance: 67.0 km
• Excluded: all activities and entrance fees

Discover the Cape’s famous wine lands on your own or during a privately guided wine tour of Paarl and Franshoek, combining culture and wine, visiting vineyards and mountains, and driving past Nelson Mandela’s last place of imprisonment.

Please remember: No entrance fees are included today and activities are recommendations only.

Recommended: Fairview Wine Estate

One of the most popular stops along the Paarl wine route, Fairview is more than just a winery – it’s also famous for its range of cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses, which have won numerous awards and are distributed countrywide. A range of local produce can be purchased directly from the farm – cheese and olive oil from the deli, fresh bread from the bakery, and vino from the cellar. Or if you prefer dining indoors you can follow up a wine tasting with a Mediterranean meal from the farm’s Goatshed Restaurant.

Open seven days a week from 09h00 to 17h00.

Recommended: Taal Monument

Designed and erected in 1975, the Taal Monument is located on the slopes of Paarl Rock and pays tribute to the Afrikaans language. Made up of a series of lofty obelisks joined by sweeping curves, it is a beguiling structure that appears almost organic and is a striking complement to the solid granite mass of the mountain.

Recommended: Franschhoek Wine Tram

The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines, and a 300-year history.

• Excluded: Visit the Taal Monument in Paarl
• Visit Fairview Cheese and Wine Farm
• Visit Franschhoek
• Visit Stellenbosch
• Privately guided wine tour of Paarl & Franshoe

Our next destination is definitely situated off the beaten track. Therefore it comes as no surprise that a lot of artists and artisans call Prince Albert their home.

Prince Albert is a small village with perfectly preserved historic buildings of Cape Dutch and Victorian origin and the Karoo style with its long passage and both, inside and outside shutters. One of the last water mills of South Africa can also be found in this charming village. Prince Albert is well known for its olive production, fresh and sun-dried fruits, and for its cheese produced in the village.

Visit Renu-Karoo Indigenous Nursery on Main Road, where you find a large range of Karoo plants, some really interestingly potted Karoo succulents and Olive trees, which make perfect gifts for your loved ones back home.

As you travel along our village’s main road, you will see the village’s very own Lotto Shop – where you will meet Blinde Piet who is the local piano tuner and one of the last remaining Kloowers from the Cordier clan – he is the most awe-inspiring person that you will ever have had the opportunity of meeting, and hearing his story is mind-blowing.

The village is full of local fare, artists, and quirky shops offering something for everyone: Lah-di-dah Farm Stall, The Watershed, Karoo Looms & Weavery, Cinnamon & Grace, BM Interiors, The Olde Shoppe, Handmade Karoo Handgemaak, De Potlood, True Karoo, Karoo Virgin shop Kredouw Fijnhuis, Made in Prince Albert, Prince of Africa Crafts, Louis Botha Photography and Photo Jaggy,

Expert Tip

A visit to Karoo Looms & Karoo Weavery is an interesting experience, where you will be able to see the hand weavers at work whilst producing wonderful hand-spun woven rugs made from Mohair and Wool, many of which are exported all over the world.

Travel distance: 337.2 km

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

How about a half-day cooking class at the African Relish Cafe or The Real Food Company or join a cycling trip with Karoo Cycling?

Recommended: African Relish Recreational Cooking School

African Relish Recreational School has been developed to embrace the magic and mystery of cooking, as a culinary tourism product it offers the chance to spend time in the kitchen with great chefs, explore the landscape, gather fresh ingredients for the next cookery course, and of course spend time with good company over leisurely meals. Resident chef Vanie Padayachee designs courses and menus using the abundance of local and seasonal produce.

The African Relish experience is not just about a cooking school it also meets the adventurous needs of the traveler whilst at the same time introducing and teaching cooking skills. Our magnificent culinary hall is equipped to a very high specification and can accommodate up to 14 hands-on culinary students. Scheduled and seasonal cooking courses vary from one to five days. Weddings, functions, and team building are catered for. The restaurant is open for fine dining from Wednesday through to Saturday. Accommodation is provided in our own guesthouses that offer luxury bedrooms, air conditioning, heating, and spacious garden privacy. See the website for details on courses.

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

Head for the Garden Route, traversing scenic Swartberg Pass:

Swartberg Pass is situated 2km south of the village of Prince Albert, 27km long, and was the last of the 17 passes built in 1893 by the remarkable road builder, Thomas Baines. It was declared a World Heritage site and is one of the most spectacular passes in the world. You will see magnificent fluorescent green lichen on the mountainsides, an abundance of flora and wildlife, including the petite, shy Klipspringer, as well as sightings of Rock Kestrel and Verreaux’s Eagles. Experience breathtaking views and the amazing natural stone walls, hugging the mountainsides.

Visit the Cango Caves just outside  Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s Ostrich Capital of the world…

Your home for the next two days is situated just outside Wilderness

Recommended: Cango Caves

The Cango Caves are situated in the foothills of the Swartberg mountains, 30 kilometers outside of Oudtshoorn. The cave system with more than 80 caverns extends 5 kilometers into the mountain. A 1.2 km stretch is open to visitors. The Great Hall is more than 107 meters in diameter, 16 meters high, and showcases various stalagmites and stalactites. The caves were originally discovered by the San, almost 10’000 years ago.

Travel distance: 213.2 km

• Excluded: All entrance fees

Just enjoy the river pools and hiking activities in the forest and combine them with a picnic.

Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the glistening Indian Ocean, this lush 200km stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth provides one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Visitors typically base themselves at the heart of the Garden Route – either in Knysna (complete with its scenic lagoon) or neighboring Plettenberg Bay (famous for its excellent beaches) – and then spend a few days exploring the diverse array of surrounding attractions. Whether you are seeking pristine, uncrowded white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, ancient forests, renowned surf spots, extraordinary nature reserves, excellent hiking opportunities, or exhilarating outdoor adventure such as bungee jumping or ziplining, the Garden Route has it all.

• Excluded: all entrance fees and activities

The next two days are dedicated to relaxation and discovery.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34,000 ha and is a favorite destination for hikers, cyclists, bird watchers, and during the winter and early summer months whale watchers. The reserve extends to the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, which provides an important sanctuary for marine life. Aside from fynbos De Hoop also conserves 86 mammal species of which the bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, eland, and baboon are most likely to be spotted enjoying the vast vistas of the reserve. The southern right whales annual visitors to this stretch of protected Cape coastline, inspired the creation of the popular Whale Trail – a keen favorite for avid hikers. Visitors looking to extend their visit are catered for at De Hoop Collection which offers a comprehensive range of options from campsites through to fully-catered suites. On-site activities allow day visitors and guests alike the option of exploring the Marine and Nature Reserve with an experienced guide. Whether an interpretive marine walk or an eco-quad bike tour catches your fancy, the De Hoop Collection staff are on hand to share their knowledge with visitors. The Fig Tree Restaurant is open daily for meals, teas, and coffees.

Put on your walking boots and fall in love with the amazing fynbos vegetation surrounding you…thousands of endemic plant species are part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, as well as the national flower of South Africa, the King Protea…

Just a short drive away, you’ll find a spectacular Cape Vulture colony, and in season, the best land-based whale watching takes place here.

Travel distance: 104.2 km

• Included: Meals and Activities

Another day of leisure to be enjoyed in the nature reserve

Explore the tidal pools and caves on a marine walk, keeping your eyes peeled for multi-colored schools of fish and fascinating marine life.

Another option is driving to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent…

Recommended: Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent has received its name from Portuguese seafarers. It is derived from the word “needle” and refers to sharp cliffs just off the coast. Cape Agulhas is the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse reaches 60 kilometers and is still guiding ships. It houses the only lighthouse museum in South Africa.

• Included: Meals and Activities

Make your way to Gansbaai via the coastal route R43…

Only some years ago, Gansbaai was a sleepy fisherman’s village with a small harbour, a fish factory, and some shops. That has been changed by Dyer Island, some 12 kilometers away. The island is managed by Nature Conservation and is an important bird sanctuary, especially for the African penguin, Cape cormorants, and oystercatchers. It is also home to some 30,000 seals. They are attracting sharks to be viewed by boat. Boat trips start from nearby Kleinbaai and also include whale-watching trips.

Expert Tip

Follow the R 43 along the coast where various coastal villages with prime beach positions invite you for a quick dip (mind the sharks that frequently come to visit) or light lunch

Travel distance: 135.9 km

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

Another day in beautiful Gansbaai at your leisure…

Shark Cage diving is also available in Gansbaai if you’re looking for something more adventurous.

Recommended: Gansbaai Great White Shark Cage Diving

The small settlement of Gansbaai was formerly best known as a fishing village, but is now renowned as one of the few places in South Africa – and worldwide – where you can go cage diving with the ocean’s most formidable predators, Great White Sharks. Vessels leave from Gansbaai’s Kleinbaai Harbour, travelling for roughly 20 minutes to a deep gully running between two islands inhabited by countless seals – the Great White’s favourite food source. As a result, the channel, appropriately dubbed ‘Shark Alley’, attracts high numbers of Great Whites and offers excellent viewing of these usually elusive animals.

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

Take the coastal route towards Cape Town, driving past Betty’s Bay and reaching your destination in the middle of the forest with the resort overlooking Noordhoek Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of the southern coastline.

Extending into the Atlantic, the rugged Cape Peninsula marks the southwesternmost point of the African continent. It features pristine white-sand beaches met by craggy mountains interspersed with quaint little coastal towns. Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope can be found along the southern end of this spectacularly scenic peninsula, while the northern tip is crowned by the world-famous Table Mountain which towers over the city of Cape Town. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including: hopping on a boat ride to Seal Island from Hout Bay, exploring the magnificent Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and viewing the colony of African penguins on Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Don’t miss the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views from the top of Table Mountain.

Travel distance: 174.6 km

• Excluded: all activities and entrance fees

Hangout on the beach or take a trip to Cape Point and Cape Point Vineyards

Recommended: Cape Point

Cape Point is a spectacular sight, covered in endemic fynbos and home to breathtaking bays, beaches, and rolling green hills and valleys, just 60km outside of Cape Town. Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora. Cape Point is open daily and is a must-see.

Recommended: Cape Point Lighthouse

Recommended: Cape Point Vineyards Tasting Room

Cape Point Vineyards is an Award Winning Winery with a Restaurant, located in Noordhoek – a mere 23 km from Cape Town.

It is here in Noordhoek where the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provides cool breezes to nurture a terroir that is ideal for the cultivation of world-class Sauvignon Blanc wines.

The Cape Point Vineyards Restaurant is located in a unique setting with 360-degree views of mountains, fynbos, vineyards, and glorious sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. Guests may enjoy contemporary Italian/ Mediterranean cuisine, or linger on the manicured lawns with a picnic basket filled to the brim with delicacies.

Delicious Cheese and Charcuterie Platters are also on offer at the new Tasting Room next to the Restaurant, with a pop-up Sushi Bar in the Bedouin Tent over weekends.

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

We suggest you focus on discovering South Africa’s Mother City Cape Town today.

Recommended: Lion’s Head Hike

Cape Town’s most popular Mountain Hike, especially around a full moon.

Recommended: Company Gardens

The Company Gardens is a treed haven in the middle of the city and is surrounded by museums and fascinating buildings – St Georges Cathedral, the Salve Museum, The National Art Gallery, and the Jewish Museum to mention a few.

• Excluded: All activities and entrance fees

Spend time at leisure before you make your way back to the airport, where you drop your rental car and check-in for your flight back home.

Travel distance: 43.4 km

We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa!

Wines of course! Some of the world’s most famous and most popular wines come from this part of the world. Aside from tasting wine and exploring vineyards, the Winelands are also well-known for their exquisite landscapes.

Stellenbosch is considered the capital of South Africa’s winelands. This town is absolutely picturesque. As the second oldest established town in South Africa, Stellenbosch is home to some stunning old Cape architecture and is surrounded by wine farms.

If you love nature and you want to escape the crowds for a little while, then yes, a trip through the Garden Route is worth doing.

Officially, the Garden Route begins in Mossel Bay and ends at Storms River. Most travellers driving the route will travel from West to East and then back again.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is around 2.5 hours drive from Cape Town.