Day 1-4: Cape Town

The city of Cape Town is built around Table Mountain, and is flanked by exquisite coastal shores, making it one of the most beautiful and romantic destinations in the world. Rich with a multiplicity of cultures, it offers travellers a colourful and vibrant backdrop for an endless range of activities.

Explore all that Cape Town has to offer - from beautiful beaches and botanical gardens to fine dining and flea markets. Cape Town is South Africa’s art capital, teeming with local talent, exhibitions and markets. The V&A Waterfront is a magnificent tourist attraction offering first class restaurants and local art and craft markets. Travel southward on the coastline to the extreme south western tip of Africa, Cape Point, and discover quaint villages, café’s and galleries along the way.

Wherever you are in Cape Town, the famous Table Mountain is always in view, and travellers should be sure to summit the mountain by foot or cable car, and experience this flat-topped beauty. Heading inland, a sensory delight awaits travellers in the famous Cape Winelands. Home to some of the best wines in the world, this region offers top-class wine-tasting tours, numerous events and festivals, and beautiful hotels and health spas.   

Day 4-6: Hermanus

Hermanus is known for having the best land-based whale watching in the world. From June to December each year Southern Right Whales can be found a mere 50m off the coast of Walker Bay breaching, lob tailing, spy hopping and courting. Whale watching can also be experience from the air or by boat.

Other adventure activities include shark cage diving and kayaking as well as hiking trails, guided bush walks, 4 x 4 exploration and horse trails set within the beautiful reserves along the coast. These reserves are unique in that they are home to extremely high flora and marine biodiversity and offer spectacular views of lush fynbos and forest covered hills stretching out to meet the Cape coastline.

Hermanus was originally a small fishing village and the historical charm of the town is combined with modern infrastructure, shops, craft markets and beautiful beaches to make it the ultimate coastal destination.

Day 6-7: Swellendam

The greater Swellendam area is situated in the beautiful Overberg district in the southern most part of Africa. The Overburg is a farming area characterised by rolling green and gold hills enclosed by the Langeberg Mountains on one side and the coast on the other - including the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic.

This beautiful area offers many exciting activities including all types of river adventure and hiking trails through numerous nature reserves. The area is also home to top-class wine estates, hotels and restaurants. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this stopover destination will afford guests time to unwind and relax in luxurious country-style accommodation.

Day 7-9: Tsitsikamma

The Tsitsikamma area is home to South Africa’s most beautiful forest, sheltered by the Tsitikamma Mountains in the North, and the warm Indian Ocean in the south. The name is derived from a Khoi word translating into ‘place of sparkling water’ and indeed, this rich forest wonderland is bordered in the east and west by the abundant Bloukrans and Eerste Rivers.

Tsitsikamma offers a wide range of exciting outdoor activities including bungy jumping from the world’s highest bridge jump at the Bloukrans Bridge, guided forest walks and mountain trails, mountain biking as well as experiencing the famous Tstitsikamma Canopy Tours gliding safely 30m above the forest floor viewing magnificent birdlife, age old trees and spectacular vistas.

As the ‘place of sparkling water’ there are also great river activities available including blackwater tubing, kayaking and lilo adventures on the Storms River  through deep caves, rushing rapids, tranquil pools and cascading cliffs. Diving and snorkelling adventures can also be enjoyed off the coastal shores of the Storms River National Park. 

Day 9-11: Eastern Cape Safari

The Eastern Cape is blessed with the richest biodiversity in South Africa and has the fastest growing conservation areas in the country. It is home to all 7 of South Africa’s ecological zones including succulent karoo, nama karoo, fynbos, grassland, savannah, forest, and thicket. This unique wealth of life makes for thrilling Big 5 game viewing and spectacular landscapes. The Eastern Cape is also a malaria free zone offering travellers a hassle-free Big 5 African safari experience.

Open Africa offers two prime safari destinations to choose from, both promising spectacular game viewing and luxurious safari lodge accommodation. Kariega Game Reserve and Shamwari Game Reserve are both positioned close to Port Elizabeth, making either destination perfect for a relaxing bush experience at the end of a busy tour. 

Images courtesy of exfordy, jsogo, cornstaruk, prasad.om.