The Cape, the coast and wonderful wines
DAY ONE FLY FROM UK
Depart London on overnight BA flight to Cape Town.
DAY TWO ARRIVE CAPE TOWN
Transfer to Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, where you will gather for a welcome dinner.
DAY THREE NIEUWOUDTVILLE
Visit Kokerboom nursery, the biggest succulent nursery in the world. Next is Nieuwoudtville, the bulb capital of the world, for a visit to a flower farm with wonderful floral carpets. After a picnic lunch, tour Hantam National Botanical Garden, which has an incredible 1,350 plant species.
DAY FOUR RAMSKOP WILDFLOWER RESERVE
Visit the Rooibos tea factory in Clanwilliam and the Ramskop Wildflower Nature Reserve, home to a great display of planted wildflowers. After a seafood lunch in Lambert’s Bay, continue to Langebaan Country Estate. Enjoy a traditional braai (barbecue) this evening.
DAY FIVE WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK
Explore West Coast National Park, where the wildflower season – which attracts visitors from around the world – is due to be at its peak. It is a sight to behold as the wildlife mingles with the flowers.
DAY SIX KAROO DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
Tour Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, the Southern Hemisphere’s only true succulent garden. Continue to the De Hoop Nature Reserve, where you remain for two nights. During your stay, you can enjoy a guided boat trip, where you can spot birds, game and otters.
DAY SEVEN DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE
Walk through the Reserve, learning about the coastal ecology and birdlife. Magnificent Southern Right whales are often spotted from the shore. After an alfresco lunch, discover habitats ranging from dense coastal forests to fynbos-covered hills. Dinner will be a traditional South African boma.
DAY EIGHT HAROLD PORTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, a beautiful, secluded garden set between mountain and sea, with windclipped heathlands, deep gorges with ancient forests, flats and marshes, sedges and bulbs, and dunes. Take the scenic coastal route to Cape Town for a four-night stay.
DAY NINE TABLE MOUNTAIN
Take a trip up iconic Table Mountain, located in the richest floristic area in the world. Hike and explore the summit or just soak up the commanding views of Cape Town. The rest of the day is free.
DAY 10 STELLENBOSCH
The group is joined today by gardening presenter Nick Bailey. Stop at Babylonstoren, one of
the oldest Cape Dutch farms, for a guided tour of their outstanding gardens with more than 300 varieties of edible plants. Continue to the House of J. C. Le Roux, an award-winning sparkling wine estate. Sample some for yourself before lunch. This afternoon enjoy a private walk around the extraordinary Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain, with 60 carefully located works of art.
DAY 11 KIRSTENBOSCH
Joined again by Nick Bailey, the day begins at Ardene Gardens, home to the country’s finest collection of exotic trees. Then visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, magnificently situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, which grows only indigenous plants. Finish with a guided walk around the beautifully manicured gardens of the Vineyard Hotel followed by an exquisite afternoon tea. A Q&A event with drinks will be held this evening with Nick Bailey.
DAY 12 CAPE TOWN
The morning is free: perhaps take a helicopter trip or visit historic Robben Island. Then transfer to Cape Town airport for your direct BA flight home.
DAY 13 ARRIVE HOME
Arrive in London early morning.