Compare Gardens Tour by Cape Insights vs South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1: Cape Town

On arriving at Cape Town, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to a haven of tranquillity nestling in the Constantia Valley, The Cellars-Hohenort where you can relax and unwind.

Get together for tea and a garden walkabout with the resident horticulturalist, before dinner with informative guests in one of the country’s top rated restaurants.

Day 2: The Cape Peninsula

By way of cable car get an eagle’s view of the Peninsula and Waterfront from the top of Table Mountain.

If the Cape Floral Kingdom is a biological treasure chest, then one of its most brilliant botanical gems is the Cape Peninsula that harbours a staggering 2,285 species – with 1,500 alone on the mountain,  just fewer than in all of Britain.

In the company of a horticulturalist, wind your way south along scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point, celebrated as the legendary meeting place of two oceans and one of the most dramatic viewpoints anywhere on earth, travelling back via the fishing village of Kalk Bay.

Dinner is at your leisure.

Day 3: Jewel In The Crown Of The Cape Floral Kingdom

Acclaimed as one of the world’s Magnificent Seven gardens, Kirstenbosch is also the first botanic garden in the world to be included in a World Heritage Site. It is the jewel in the crown of the Cape Floral Kingdom, with a huge indigenous collection that showcases South Africa’s floral wealth. Spend the day exploring it in a leisurely fashion with some botanical gurus.

Later, enjoy a walkabout with the owner of a very private jewel in an oh-so-sustainable garden.

Dinner follows at an award-winning restaurant set within indigenous gardens landscaped by Ann Sutton.

Day 4: More Cape Gems

Visit Stellenberg- a venerable Cape Dutch home, whose classical formal garden designed by internationally acclaimed David Higgs reflects the estate’s history dating back to the 17th century.

Walk round Green Point’s Biodiversity Park designed to be educational, inspirational and stimulating, that contains some 300 local Cape plant species, while hearing about the genesis of The Company’s Garden, the original vegetable garden laid out by the Dutch East India Company in 1652.

Lunch within The Waterfront – the Gateway to Africa, which holds a range of historical, cultural and maritime landmarks. The balance of the afternoon and the evening are at your leisure.

Some suggestions for independent sightseeing … or you can linger in the V&A Waterfront

A trip to Robben Island: It’s a World Heritage Site and tangible reminder of the past and pivotal symbol of triumph of the human spirit, where you get a first hand account of prison life from former inmates …

The ‘Museum Mile‘: Stroll along Government Avenue, a tree-lined boulevard that runs the length of The Company’s Garden, passing the power hub of the city – the Houses of Parliament, the Slave Lodge,  the SA Museum, the SA National Gallery and the SA Jewish Museum.

Day 5: The Winelands / Franschhoek

Leave Cape Town for Vergelegen, the country’s premier estate, with its gracious homestead and spacious gardens – awarded the International Camellia Garden of Excellence, 1 of 17 in the world – hearing from the independent conservationist heading its biodiversity project and lunching here.

Go on an exclusive walkabout of an emerging indigenous garden and studio of Dylan Lewis, a foremost South African sculptor. Continue through Stellenbosch, a university town in the heart of the Winelands with oak lined streets and Cape Dutch gables, toRustenberg, another 1600’s farm with luch gardens and a Chartres-style labyrinth. Head up to Delaire Graff, a contemporary estate straddling two major wine areas, with an enviable art collection and landscaping by Keith Kirsten.

Franschhoek means French corner, because Huguenots fleeing from religious persecution settled here in 1688, bringing their wine making expertise and customs with them.

Stay in the heart of this picturesque village at the Protea Franschhoek for 2 night, dining at The Tasting Room, featured in The World’s 100 Best Restaurants.

Day 6: Vineyards & Valleys / Franschhoek

Explore some renowned estates. At Babylonstoren, follow resident horticulturalist around gardens inspired by the Company’s Garden design and recreated by Patrice Taravella of Prieuré d’Osan fame. Spanning eight acres, it’s divided into fifteen clusters with over 300 edible varieties of plants, lunching here on farm-fresh-fare.

At Boschendal, a historic estate restored by Gwen Fagan, ”smell the roses” of many original species cultivated at the Cape and in the East Indies in the 17th century.

At Solms Delta, track stories about the valley that chronicle 8,000 years and hear about its precedent-setting land ownership initiative.

Over sunset drinks with uninterrupted valley views, find out what inspired the owners of Haute Espoir to become a Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and how they are transforming their habitat.

The evening is open, with an abundance of restaurants to choose from within this ”culinary capital”.

Day 7: Less Travelled Roads / Hermanus

Venture along less travelled roads, first stopping at Freshwoods, a rambling, romantic plantsman’s garden. Particularly valuable because of its conservation of old roses from the Cape and for preserving collections of wild roses, the World Federation of Rose Societies acknowledged its excellence with an Award of Merit.

Second stop overlooks a willow-clad dam, where a free-flowing country garden surrounds an historic house with the oldest cellar and watermill in the Overberg, where you’ll have an informal wine tasting before a light lunch. Last stop is the Hemel en Aarde valley, a highly regarded maritime wine district, before reaching Hermanus a sea side town with some of the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Supper is in a relaxed, modern-idiom restaurant overlooking Walker Bay, overnighting at The Marine. 

Day 8: The Flanks Of False Bay / Johannesburg

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a walk along the shoreline or perhaps a swim in the tidal pool, before leaving this whale-watchers paradise in mid morning.

In Betty’s Bay lunch and linger in The Harold Porter Botanical Garden, set between mountain and sea.

Winding along a scenic coastal drive you’ll have plenty of photo-ops before arriving at Cape Town airport in late afternoon, for your 2-hour flight flight to Johannesburg.

Check straight in to The Winston where chefs are on hand to create a tasty supper should you wish to relax and order in, since dinner is for your own account.

Day 9: Gallery & Garden Gallivant / Johannesburg

Constitution Hill is a historical landmark that tells the tale of South Africa’s difficult past and its remarkable transition to democracy. At The Constitutional Court hear about the genesis of its inspiring collection of artworks, all connected in some way to the highest court and its values.

Brenthurst Garden is rated as one of the finest in South Africa and placed among the great gardens of the world. It’s an oasis of calm where pioneer landscaper Joane Pim designed a European style garden for Sir Ernest and Lady Oppenheimer. Under Strilli Oppenheimer’s helming hands, there’s a new aesthetic of biodynamic and naturalistic gardening principles, though she has retained the original roses and link with The Quiet Garden Trust.

In the evening, you’ll be welcomed into a private showcase for an ‘insiders’ dinner.

Day 10: The Cradle Of Humankind / Johannesburg

A day with a different perspective – that unravels man’s span of evolution stretching back some 3.5 million years. Begin at The Origins Centre, a museum that showcases where and when things began.

Then head out to The Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site where forty per cent of the world’s human ancestor fossils have been found.

Wander around Nirox Sculpture Park, a high end cultural hub set among lush acres, landscaped by Patrick Watson, alighting on artworks in unexpected places while reveling in the gardens’ tranquility and creativity.

Celebrate your last night under African skies in the heart of The Cradle at the appropriately named Roots restaurant, a member of the distinguished Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

Day 11: Onward Journey

Following a leisurely breakfast, airport transfers are arranged to suit your home bound flight or onward safari connection where you discover the magic and mystery of Africa.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check in for a flight * to Johannesburg. Night on board. * If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and its diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it is a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg. Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process! Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion. Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion. Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).

Day 3: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga - Kruger

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included). You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes! * Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner and overnight stay in Kruger. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Enjoy a Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park. Begin the day early on safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park and discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Kruger National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region. * Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa. Packed lunch included. (This excursion is included in our Adventure Package of 3 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

Day 6: Kruger - Johannesburg - Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Johannesburg, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of the South African government. * Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, known as the 'Mother City', and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 7: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the ticket hop-on hop-off tour in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes.* Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 25th of July until the 28th of August 2022. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.

Day 8: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour. (This excursion is included in our Gastronomic Package of 4 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

Day 9: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Full-Day tour of the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty, vineyards and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town and Muizenberg Beach.

Day 10: Cape Town - Night on board

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 11: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.