A spectacular adventure in one of the most picturesque regions in the world, combining amazing wildlife, culture, spectacular scenery and some fabulous diving in one itinerary.
For those of you who like to spend time above water as well as under it, this is a great trip idea encompassing Cape Town and its beautiful surroundings.
Highlights of this exciting trip include a tour of Cape Point with its colony of African penguins, cage diving, whale watching, a visit to South Africa’s famous Winelands region and a wildlife safari.
Divers can adapt the itinerary to allow time to dive South Africa’s reefs, wrecks and kelp forests.
Non-divers are also welcome, as the sharks frequently swim to the surface.
On arrival to Cape Town, you're met and transferred to your hotel. Located in Green Point, the Garden Court Victoria Junction hotel offers easy access to major tourist attractions, including the V&A Waterfront. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, including a picnic lunch. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard with its white beaches and rugged mountains to Hout Bay. Visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve and the tip of the Cape Peninsula that has captivated travellers for centuries.
The return journey to Cape Town takes guests along the False Bay coast, with the option of visiting the colony of rare African Penguins at Boulders Beach (additional cost). If you're travelling August to December, you may be lucky and spot southern right and Bryde's whales off the coast.
For eager divers, today's tour can be changed to offer two guides dives as an alternative (additional cost).
After breakfast, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Cape Town before departing for Hermanus in the afternoon.
Alternatively, two more dives can be arranged today before your afternoon transfer to Hermanus (additional cost).
Sitting on the south coast of the Western Cape, this seaside town really comes alive between June and November when the whales arrive in abundance, providing a fantastic wildlife spectacle and remarkable natural experience. It's one of the world's finest locations for shore-based whale watching, with humpbacks and southern right whales seen almost daily.
Enjoy three nights in Hermanus, staying at the beautiful Harbour House hotel.
After breakfast, departing to Gansbaai for a shark cage dive experience of around three hours.
With luck, you get to see copper whaler and gill sharks, stingrays, seals and even dolphins and penguins on this trip, but the main focus is sharks. Included in this trip is a return transfer to/from Hermanus, light meal on arrival, clean dry wetsuits, towels and snacks on board. Soup and freshly baked rolls are served after the trip.
You have the choice of participating in a cage dive experience, or staying on board the boat, where sightings remain exciting. If you're extremely lucky, you may even see a great white shark, although they're very rare.
Between June and November, enjoy a whale watching tour around Hermanus. Possible encounters during this tour can include southern right, humpback and Bryde’s whales, dolphins, seals, and a large variety of marine birds including the famous African penguin.
Between December and May, embark on a Marine Big Five tour, looking for a variety of iconic marine life, including whales and dolphins.
After breakfast, depart to the Winelands. En route to Franschhoek stop for a wine tasting on a nearby wine estate, before enjoying leisure time in Franschhoek.
Franschhoek's unique blend of natural beauty, culinary excellence, and cultural richness makes it a must-visit destination for travellers seeking a delightful and immersive experience in South Africa's wine country.
Enjoy two nights in 4-star accommodation in Franschhoek.
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a leisurely transfer to your private game reserve, the final stop on your tour of this incredible region.
Located in the Klein Karoo just two and a half hours from Cape Town, the Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve spans 10,000 hectares and is the largest private wildlife reserve in the region. It offers a premier safari experience with game drives, luxury accommodation, and insights into cheetah rescue and rehabilitation. The reserve is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and various birds and insects, as well as a rich array of plant life, particularly vibrant flowers in spring. The Karoo is a biodiversity hotspot and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On arrival at the lodge, enjoy an orientation, lunch and afternoon tea, before embarking on an evening game drive looking for wildlife. After dinner, your experience continues with an experience under the stars.
This morning is an early start, embarking on a second game drive before breakfast. The picturesque drive offers the opportunity to view rare black eagles, lion, caracal, wildebeest, springbok and plenty more from your open air 4-wheel drive vehicle.
If you're visiting during South Africa's winter months, enjoy the unique Cheetah Run experience at the end of your safari. As part of Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve’s cheetah rehabilitation process, their cheetahs have to ‘run for their supper’ by chasing a lure down a runway— reaching speeds of up to 120kmph! At the end of the chase, they're rewarded with food.
Later today, transfer back to Cape Town for your flight home; the end of a wonderful South African adventure!
Please note: This tour can be adapted to include two days of diving for an additional charge.
Cape Town is South Africa’s most beautiful city and is surrounded by incredible marine life. For divers, great white sharks are the big draw and are best seen from April to September, while late winter sees southern right & Bryde's whales visit Cape Town’s waters. Find Out More about {acc:title}
