The Call of the Wild

Today we discover the Wine Route at our own pace. We head towards the village of Franschhoek, nestled in the heart of the wine region.

The Cape wine region is the source of many legendary Cape wines, the product of successive rows of vines, many of which were first planted hundreds of years ago. Most of the Cape's wine estates are characterized by Cape Dutch style buildings and massive vineyards with picturesque mountains as a backdrop.

There is also a distinct European influence in a number of regions, thanks to the arrival of French, Dutch and German Huguenot settlers during the 18th century. The Stellenbosch Wine Route, the oldest in Afrique du Sud, was founded in 1971. Paarl, Afrique du Sud's third city, is home to the internationally renowned Nederburg wine estate, as well as many other leading brands.

Franschhoek Wine Valley is also famous for its gastronomy and is recognized as the "gastronomic capital of Afrique du Sud".

Accommodation for 2 nights in an old farm with Cape Dutch style in Bed & Breakfast.

A quick tour of Stellenbosch is a must, which is only half an hour's drive from Franschhoek.

Stellenbosch is the second oldest city in Afrique du Sud and the most inspiring destination for wine, gastronomy, art and culture. The picturesque Route des Jardins is the oldest in the country. We discover unforgettable experiences immersed in wine cellars and vineyards, renowned restaurants and a unique and enviable lifestyle.

The historic city centre is a living museum with a very strong street culture. Friendly residents, a host of events, art, music, history and superb landscapes, that's what awaits us in Stellenbosch!

A few suggestions for visits to Stellenbosch:

• Dorp Street is a particularly charming street rich in history of the "old town", with its period buildings.

• Oom Samie se Winkel (Uncle Samie's shop) is an institution. Following the good old tradition, Oom Samie stocks everything: straw brooms, craft objects, clothing and countless traditional items... Let's relax on the bench of their veranda and watch the world go by as it did in the old days.

• The Village Museum comprises four houses of historical interest representing four different periods in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and gardens have been wonderfully restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of the era.

Return to Franschhoek.

The Call of Nature… Today we join the exceptional West Coast and its national park which are located just an hour and a half drive from Cape Town.

For all lovers of the raw, authentic, nature side, this vast reserve is the ideal place. Infinite natural beauty, a series of secret beaches, rarely frequented picnic areas, plenty of exhilarating outdoor adventures.

The blue and clear waters of the vast lagoon meet the perfect white sand. The colorful wildflowers each spring as well as the wildlife that lives there, from antelope to magnificent fish, mammals and sharks of the Atlantic Ocean, complete this enchanting picture.

Wonderful experiences that make this magnificently preserved earthly paradise the ultimate escape.

Accommodation for 1 night in an exclusive self-catering cottage, located within walking distance of a magnificent lagoon.

"The San, the first people to have inhabited Southern Africa, represent a culture 100,000 years old that must be considered one of the treasures of the world". (Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu)

In 2018, !Khwa ttu opened the world's only heritage centre dedicated to the San. !Khwa ttu is located in a recognised biosphere reserve, with unique biodiversity. It is also part of the Cape Floral Region, recognised as a World Heritage Site. !Khwa ttu is also situated in a historic and archaeological landscape of exceptional importance. Archaeological sites near !Khwa ttu play a key role in the history of human origins and the place of the San in this history.

We will be accompanied by one of the San guides for an insight into traditional ways of life, culture and heritage, and ancient survival techniques. We take a drive in an open vehicle, passing zebras, springboks and other wild animals, through intact fynbos, to a replica of a San village.

The nature project at !Khwa ttu:

Through this project !Khwa ttu has enabled and will continue to remove foreign vegetation which poses a huge fire risk and threat to biodiversity, and to reintroduce indigenous fauna (eland, zebra, springbok). By developing and maintaining their natural and built infrastructure, !Khwa ttu attempts to imitate the traditional culture of the San, by living and working with nature, conserving energy and water and transforming its infrastructure and activities towards green energy solutions.

Accommodation for one night in a Bush House on a Bed & Breakfast basis: cosy style, comfortable double bedroom, spacious private bathroom, dining room, fireplace and wooden terrace with panoramic views.
On-site restaurant.

Today, we join Cape Town, approximately 1h30 of driving. Depending on our flight time, we still have time for our last shopping before our departure.

Then, we take the road to the international airport where we return our rental vehicle and take our return flight.