DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: WELCOME TO MOTHER CITY CAPE TOWN

Dumela / Hello! Welcome to Capetown!” We will be there to give you a warm South African welcome when you touch down at Capetown International Airport. The exact departure time from Airport to your accommodation and check in and then meeting our guide to discuss the safari.

MAIN DESTINATION: Mother City Capetown

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET LEVEL: Mid-Range

MEAL PLAN: None

DAY 2- CAPE PENINSULA FULL DAY TOUR

Depart: 08:00 – 09:00 Return: 17:30

Clifton & Camps Bay Twelve Apostles mountains Hout Bay Chapman’s Peak Drive Noordhoek Ostrich-viewing drive by Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Cape Point False Bay Penguin Colony (optional) Simon's Town Muizenberg Constantia HIGHLIGHTS Experience the 114 curves and 9km drive of one of the world's most scenic and majestic drives - Chapman's Peak. Hop off at one of the many picnic spots where you can enjoy and take photographs of the breathtaking views of the rugged cliffs, the beaches, the ocean, whales and dolphins! See the spectacular sight of Cape Point's towering rock cliffs, the lighthouse which is situated 238m above sea level, over 250 species of birdlife, baboons, bucks and the Cape Mountain Zebra. Explore the Cape of Good Hope, a world-renowned landmark, and monuments in honour of two of the world's most famous explorers - Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias Visit the Jackass penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, which has grown rapidly since only two Jackass penguins settled in Boulders Beach that arrived from Dyer Island, near Gansbaai. Observe their fascinating behaviours up close and dare to have a swim alongside them! Visit the seventh most beautiful garden in the world - the fascinating Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Fully immerse yourself in all that the garden has to offer - over 7000 species of plants, shady trails, panoramic views, picnic spots, sculptures and many more

MEAL PLAN: Breakfast

DAY 3 : SHOP AND DINE AT THE VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT

One of Africa’s most visited sites. Travellers and locals flock here for upscale shopping, a wide variety of dining options, and activities that run the gamut – from sunset cruises and boat rides to visiting museums and galleries. It is part of a working harbour and boasts some of the best views of Table Mountain, especially from its many restaurants, bars and pubs.

Head to the Watershed Market for excellent gifts and souvenirs – from pottery and jewellery to toys and handbags – all crafted by South African artisans. The Two Oceans Aquarium is right opposite, giving you the chance to experience the incredible diversity of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Tip: time your visit to coincide with the shark feeding times! And last but not least, we highly recommend a visit to the architecturally marvellous Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 4 – ROBBEN ISLAND & KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS

Visit the cell where Nelson Mandela spent most of his sentence and explore the Table Bay island that has also served as a leper colony and a military base. For 18 of his 27 years of incarceration for opposing apartheid, former South African President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island. See the prison cell where he was kept and learn about the history of this former island-prison. It was also used at various times to house convicts, the mentally ill and lepers.

Visits to the island are by guided tours only. Tours start with a 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) ferry ride from Cape Town across Table Bay to the island. While you are waiting for your boat to leave the Nelson Mandela Gateway, go to the exhibition space. It hosts an ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions featuring the island’s history.

Once on the island, you will be taken on a guided bus tour of key sites. Some of the guides are former political prisoners who share stories of their time in jail.

See Bluestone Quarry where many political prisoners endured hard labor. Visit the leprosarium graveyard, the final resting place of patients with leprosy who died while on Robben. Look at the Kramat, a Muslim shrine in honor of Sheikh Madura, who died here in 1754. During the bus tour, you will mostly remain on the bus, with occasional stops at important sites.

The highlight of the tour is a walk inside the maximum-security prison. Stop by the small cell where Nelson Mandela was confined for many years. While you are on the island, you will also see army and navy bunkers and the 19th-century Church of the Good Shepherd, which was built by the island’s lepers.

Kirstenbosch is one of Africa’s most beautiful public gardens and highlights the incredible diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a World Heritage Site plus the smallest and richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. Everything from protected prehistoric cycads that date from the time of the dinosaurs to masses of different indigenous fynbos are found here. The grounds are immaculate and are flanked by the back slopes of Table Mountain, making for gorgeous photographs. If you have enough time, enjoying a picnic in Kirstenbosch is one of the most relaxing things to do in Cape Town, as you watch hadedas (a species of ibis with a very iconic cry) root around on the lawns.

MEAL PLAN: Breakfast

DAY 5: CAPE WINELANDS FULL DAY TOUR

After pickup from your hotel in Cape Town, set off to explore the Stellenbosch Winelands, just 20 minutes away from the city/ Enjoy superb scenery, completely different from the landscape of the Cape peninsula. Numerous grapes are grown in the region, such as Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Pinotage, and the Méthode Cap Classique. Explore the small yet vibrant town of Stellenbosch. Enjoy a tour of a wine cellar followed by a wine tasting session. You will have the opportunity to purchase wines to bring back home to enjoy and continue enjoying the region's wonderful vintages even after your visit.

Next, visit Franschoek (“the French Corner”) which is an old Huguenot village. With its numerous streets and estates with French names, feel the remnants of French culture and the town's old-world charm. Taste the region's delicacies, cheeses, and best wines. Experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram.

Stop at the site of the Drakenstein Prison, a low-security prison between Paarl and Franschhoek. The prison is famous as the place where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his imprisonment campaigning against apartheid.

Discover the town of Paarl, which offers a fascinating window into Afrikaner culture and tradition. As a former haven of the Huguenots pioneers who came from Europe at the beginning of the 17th century after the Edict of Nantes, the town boasts a monument dedicated to the Huguenots. You will also be able to visit the town's vineyards where you will taste the region's finest wines. Finally, head back to Cape Town with drop-off at your hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 6: City, Table Mountain & Waterfront Tour

One of the world’s oldest mountains creates an iconic backdrop to the Cape Town skyline. Climb to the summit for breathtaking views of the surrounding coast. When you reach the top of Table Mountain, take a deep lungful of the crisp, mountain air more than 3,500 feet (1 kilometer) above sea level. Cast your eye out across Table Bay, with Cape Town and its curving coast stretching into the distance. The view is one of the most spectacular in the whole of Africa. Do note though that it can be considerably cooler at the summit.Most people take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the top. These leave every 10 to 15 minutes from Tafelberg Road. Watch as the scenery becomes ever more spectacular during your five-minute ascent, with the cable car’s rotating floors allowing everyone to get a panoramic view. For those who like a challenge, there are several hiking trails to the summit. Platteklip Gorge and the Kasteelspoort tracks are two of the most popular routes. Both walks take around four to five hours. Keen hikers might want to tackle the Hoerikwaggo trails, a series of hikes around the national park that take from two to six days.Once at the top, around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) of well-signed trails guide you to the most spectacular viewing points on the 2-mile (3-kilometer) plateau. Free guided tours depart twice a day from the upper cable station. Take in the views while enjoying a meal from one of the cafés at the top. Or, buy snacks at the lower cable car station and take them to the top for a picnic.The lower cable car station on Tafelberg Road is about 15 minutes’ drive from the center of Cape Town and there is free parking along Tafelberg Road. Public buses run from the city center to Kloof Nek and from there it’s about a mile walk (1.5-kilometer) walk uphill to the lower cable car station.Note that the cable car does not run in poor weather conditions. If you’re unsure, check on the website before departing. Poor weather aside, the cable car runs throughout the year, with longer hours during the summer. Some of the hiking trails will allow you to get to the top without any charge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 7: VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT

This day will be an open day and you will get return transfers to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in the morning and return in the afternoon to Hotel to relax and take a look at the memories you have created through photographs.

Day 8: The long Journey Home

You will be able to enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing in the hotel and taking in the stunning views of the Table Mountains before being collected on a thirty-five minute journey to Capetown International Airport. Your eight-day Zimbawe tour ends here.

Meal Plan: Breakfast