Free time to settle in and relax.

We pass Hout Bay and drive over Chapman’s Peak, built between 1915 and 1922 and recently upgraded, on to the Cape Peninsula. This spectacular sea cliff route leads us to Simon’s Town, which is a charming little coastal town and home to the SA Navy. From here we visit the Boulder’s Penguin Colony. The birds here are remarkably untroubled by people. We end the afternoon by visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is situated at the southwestern-most tip of Africa. The 7 675 hectare reserve is filled with priceless indigenous flora and fauna, some 2 700 species of indigenous plants and over 250 species of birds as well as troops of baboons and many species of antelope.

If weather permits, you will be given the opportunity to ascend Table Mountain by cable car (ticket not included). The mountain (home to over 1 500 species of plants) provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches and the panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and all around the mountain to the Hottentots Holland Mountains.From here we drive to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in the country, with its perfect examples of Cape Dutch architecture. A visit to the Dorpsmuseum (village museum) and Oom Samie se Winkel (“Uncle Sammy’s Shop”) will transport us back in time. A visit to a wine estate will also form part of our plans for the day.

Drive via Worcester and the scenic country road, Route 62 (an alternative wine route with many authentic farm stalls along the way) to Oudtshoorn. Surrounded by natural beauty, Oudtshoorn is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountain range. Numerous rivers, streams and falls have their origins in the Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kammanassie ranges around the town. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the centre of the Klein Karoo and is world-renowned for the Cango Caves and the breeding of Ostriches. Optional visits to an ostrich farm or the famous Cango Caves - a series of great colourful underground chambers with breathtaking limestone formations - are possible.

Knysna is situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon. The Heads - two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon and connecting the estuary with the sea - is a dramatic viewpoint. Take a trip on the Knysna Lagoon (optional) or do some shopping at one of the many artists shops in town.

Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park, established in 1964 and South Africa’s only marine reserve, stretching 5.5km out to sea with the underwater trail open to snorkellers and scuba divers. Continue back past the picturesque village of Plett (as the locals call it), one of the most beautiful and loved beaches in South Africa, to Knysna.

Travel from Knysna via Willderness National Park, George and Mosselbay to Swellendam. An optional steam train trip on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe between George and Mosselbay, might be possible. The Choo-Tjoe is one of the last steam passenger trains operating today. Once the most expensive sections of line in the world - today it is rated as one of the most beautiful.

Travel via scenic routs including Cape Agulhas to Hermanus, once a renowned fish market and whaling station. Hermanus is built along the shores of Walker Bay near the Southern most tip of Africa. Magnificent mountains watch over the town which is home of the Southern Right Whale. The whale hunts were stopped by international treaty in 1935. During the Whale season (roughly from July to November each year) the natural cliffs allow for Whales to be seen from as little as 5 metres away. The WWF includes Hermanus in its list of 12 best whale-viewing sites in the world, but it tops the list when it comes to land based whale watching. After Hermanus we continue our journey to Cape Town.