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14-day Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Eastern Cape & Big 5 Safari
Discover the Cape from East to West. Starting in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Experience the majesty of Table Mountain, the delightful Cape Winelands, the ever vibrant Waterfront and the sheer beauty of the Cape Peninsula. Add to this one of the country's true gems, the Garden Route where you will discover golf courses on clifftops that will leave you speechless. Experience the natural beauty of so many picturesque coastal towns. Stay on a luxury Game Farm where you could see South Africa's Big 5, Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. With all this to see & experience, you will still play 9 of the top 10 golf courses in the Cape. This tour starts in Cape Town & ends in Port Elizabeth.
- Option 1 - 5-star accommodation in Cape Town at the famous Waterfront, 5-star hotels in George, Knysna & Hermanus plus 4 or 5 star accommodation in the Eastern Cape.
Tour reference number: PGT2100-5
Click here for a detailed quotation
- Option 2 - 4-star accommodation in Cape Town at the famous Waterfront, 4-star hotels in George, Knysna & Hermanus plus 4 star accommodation in the Eastern Cape.
Tour reference number: PGT2100-4
Click here for a detailed quotation
Suggested day-by-day itinerary.
Day 1
Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will be met by a representative of Pinnacle Golf Tours. Collect your hire car and we will escort you to the famous Cape Town Waterfront where you will be staying for the next 3 nights. The details of your tour will all be carefully explained to you. You will receive all vouchers, tee times, directions plus three very important items. Firstly you will receive a mobile sat-nav unit for use in your hire car. It will be provided, together with a comprehensive list of the GPS co-ordinates for each of the golf courses, hotels, places of interest etc that you will visit during your holidaySecondly, you will receive an in-car audio guide to make your visit even more enjoyable & informative. Places of interest will be pointed out and their fascinating history explained. Thirdly, you will receive a local cellphone with the number of Pinnacle Golf Tours already programmed in. Remember we are on call to help you 24 hours a day.
After you have freshened up, start to explore the beauty of Cape Town. Depending on the weather, your first stop could be Table Mountain. The best views of Cape Town are seen from the top of Table Mountain. The Cableway takes you to the summit in five minutes and the cable car's rotating floor ensure that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view of the city. Carefully laid out paths & walking routes enable you to experience the thrill of Cape Town.
Day 2
Today you will play the magnificent Pearl Valley course. Spanning some 212 hectares of prime Cape Winelands real estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estates is a magnificent 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. His unique touch is evident at Pearl Valley Golf Estates. This golf legend sees the Pearl Valley course as the sum of his knowledge and his experience. This spectacular course provides one of the top golf experiences in South Africa - and one of the best in the world. Pearl Valley Golf Estates was recently rated the '5th Best Golf Course in South Africa,' by Golf Digest and received a '5 Star Golf Experience,' by Compleat Golfer. To meet the 'Golden Bear's' uncompromising standards of golf course design and aesthetic beauty, a combination of the intense colours of the greens and fairways, together with the brilliant white river sand lining the bunkers was carefully planned, to make Pearl Valley Golf Estates the most visually spectacular golf course in the country.
Bunkers on Nicklaus' signature courses are renowned for being shallow, long and relatively undaunting. Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the bunkers and fast greens. The course has been designed with the area's prevailing winds in mind; the winter north westerly and the summer south easterly. All par 3s and par 5s play in different directions, ensuring that the same conditions are not experienced too many times in one round. The 4th is the 'Signature' hole and one of the most scenic of par 3s.
After your golf, why not visit one of the wine farms in the Stellenbosch / Paarl region. We will gladly recommend the best options. In Stellenbosch you might want to visit the famous Spier Wine Estate. See their famous cheetah conservation programme in action. If you are brave enough, share a cage with these magnificent animals. Dinner could be an incredible African experience at Moyo. Dining under the starlit African sky, Moyo is unlike any other restaurant. Bedouin tents and Gazebos are placed throughout the garden and create an almost nomad African Village. Watching over this Moyo Village is a 300 year old Oak Tree, a testament to Africa's greatness. Growing from the earth, pulsating water features crafted from copper are living works of art and skilfully constructed tree houses raise from the ground and take to the tree tops - an unparalleled dining experience. The buffet span is an incredible 25 metres. The flavour of freshly cooked potjies, tagines and grilled meats fills the air with aromas of cumin, paprika and rosemary. African musicians complete the scene. A truly memorable evening.
Day 3 - Option 1
Today you play Erinvale. This Gary Player designed 18 hole championship golf course has fast become renowned throughout the golfing fraternity, both locally and abroad. Erinvale hosted the 1996 World Cup of Golf, where thirty two participating nations competed and found the course both a golfing challenge and visual delight. It currently hosts the annual SAA Open, showcasing the South African golfing talent. After golf, why not visit the magnificent wine estate of Vergelegen, just a few hundred metres from Erinvale or perhaps drive back into Cape Town and experience the breathtaking Chapmans Peak Drive. Stop off at Hout Bay, with perhaps a short boat trip to Seal Island.
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Day 3 - Option 2
Steenberg is the venue for today's round. The course was designed and built by one of South Africa's leading golf course architects, Peter Matkovich. The golf course has been designed to take full advantage of natural features and hazards. The design of the central clubhouse is harmonious with the historic architecture of the estate. The course was designed and built by one of South Africa's leading golf course architects, Peter Matkovich. The 18 hole championship golf course meanders leisurely through the Steenberg vineyards, pine forests and gentle waterways. The course features four distinct areas: Wetlands, Parklands, The Cape Flats and Fynbos. With five different tees, the course can be enjoyed by all, from championship to junior level. Many golfers envy the superb condition of this soft spike course and it is widely renowned for having the best greens in Cape Town. There are also a number of practice areas, including a driving range, chipping area with sand traps and a large putting green. After golf, why not visit the magnificent wine estate of Vergelegen, just a few hundred metres from Erinvale or perhaps drive back into Cape Town and experience the breathtaking Chapmans Peak Drive. Stop off at Hout Bay, with perhaps a short boat trip to Seal Island.
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Day 4
After breakfast, check out of your Waterfront hotel & travel by the beautiful scenic coastal drive to Hermanus (approx 90 minutes) a fascinating harbour town. If you are holidaying from May to September, you may be lucky enough to see Hermanus' most famous visitors, the Southern Right Whale. These magnificent creatures come here to breed. Our mid-morning round of golf today is at Arabella, where you will be staying tonight. Voted the number two golf course in South Africa and the top golf course in the Western Cape, the Arabella Golf Club - former home to the Nelson Mandela Invitational - stretches through rolling fairways, deceptive bunkers and challenging water traps. It is also featured in Golf Digest's USA's Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007. A truly unique golf course set on the banks of the Bot River lagoon and fringed by indigenous fynbos. Designed and built in 1999 by celebrated South African golf course architect Peter Matkovich, this classic parkland course has spectacular views across the Bot River lagoon and across the Kogelberg mountain range. Awarded Five-Star Golf Experience for the first time in 2002, the course is complemented by a luxurious clubhouse with bar and halfway house, as well as a fully stocked pro shop and excellent practice area with two resident teaching professionals. There is no doubt that a round of golf here ranks with the best experiences anywhere in the world.
Day 5- Option 1
After breakfast, you check out of Arabella & travel down the beautiful Garden Route to George, where you will be staying for the next 3 nights, at the Fancourt Hotel, an outstanding experience for both the golf & the sheer pleasure of being in such ideal surroundings. You will find a restful haven in a building with a history dating back to the beginning of the 19th century. In 1847 Henry Fancourt White established a workers' base at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains for the construction of the Montagu Pass. Now a National Monument, the Manor House with its 34 bedrooms is situated in a wooded parkland and is the perfect base for your leisure. This afternoon, you could explore the town of George.
Day 6- Option 1
Today you will savour the very special experience that is Fancourt as you play the Outeniqua course. The Outeniqua is one of two majestic 18-hole Parkland layouts at Fancourt. Designed by legendary Grand Slam golfer Gary Player, it is similar in character to its sibling The Montagu, and its challenging design and fine conditioning will ensure an excellent test for all levels of golfers. As with all courses at Fancourt, there are a variety of tees from which to choose to play, ensuring that golfers are unlikely to ever feel overpowered by the course. As with The Montagu, play is restricted to hotel residents, members and their guests, so you are unlikely to ever feel crowded on the course. The warm-up area, featuring a full-length range and a chipping and bunker practice area, is available to all golfers before play. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting, while knowledgeable caddies are available too. Please note that to improve your playing enjoyment and to ensure a steady pace-of-play, it is expected that there are at least two caddies for each fourball and they will already have been booked for you.
Day 7- Option 1
Following another leisurely breakfast at Fancourt, you travel to short distance into George where you will play at the beautiful George Golf Club, currently ranked the seventh best course in the Cape. The George Golf course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par, 18 hole course, one of the oldest in South Africa. Surrounded by the imposing backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountain Range, there are beautiful views from almost any hole on the golf course. The rolling parkland layout with its high quality fairways, tough roughs and strategically placed bunkers provides for a variety of challenging shots. The course is 6105 meters long with the 17th hole as one of the best par 3's in South Africa. This 183 meters long par 3 requires a long iron into an exaggerated oval shaped green that is fairly shallow from front to back. Situated in a region that has abundant rain the course stays green throughout the year. With its wooded tees and well-established trees and shrubs surrounding the fairways this course provides challenging golf in beautiful surroundings.
Day 8- Option 1
Following the usual leisurely breakfast, you will check out of the Fancourt Hotel & then enjoy your sixth round of golf at the magnificent Fancourt Montagu course. The Montagu is a much celebrated parkland course and has been ranked as the number-one golf course in South Africa in the past. It has recently undergone major renovations with several holes being redesigned and has two completely new holes - the 1st and the 9th. The new-look course, which has now grown in superbly, has been restored to its former glory where it will once again hold its head high amongst the best in the world. The warm-up area, featuring a full-length range and a chipping and bunker practice area, is available to all golfers before play. Golf carts are available for hire, weather permitting, while knowledgeable caddies are available too. Please note that to improve your playing enjoyment and to ensure a steady pace-of-play, it is expected that there are at least two caddies for each fourball.
In the afternoon, travel the short distance to the beautiful town of Knysna, voted Most Popular Town in South Africa. Knysna is one of the Garden Route´s best known travel destinations - situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful estuary. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. The 21 hectare estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth". The lagoon is home to the unique Knysna seahorse, the exquisite Pansy shell and at least 200 species of fish. Humpback and Southern Right whales frolic along these coastal waters from May to September, whilst dolphins are year-round residents. Knysna is also home to the only forest elephant in South Africa. In and around Knysna you will find a selection of fine restaurants, seafood taverns, pubs, coffee shops and eateries, to match your mood.
You will be spending the next 2 nights at the outstanding Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, which opened in February 2005. This exclusive hotel offers remarkable levels of luxury and privacy with 78 sumptuous suites, a gourmet restaurant, world-class spa and gym. It is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World and was recently named one of the Top 20 Overseas Leisure Hotels - Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, by the 2006 Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Readers' Travel Awards.
Day 9- Option 1
After breakfast, what a fantastic experience awaits you as round number 7 will be at the Pezula Championship Course, adjacent to your hotel. Pezula is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. The breathtaking, award-winning 18-hole course which was designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan USA, rates amongst the best and the most scenic golf courses in the world. In 2001, just a few months after it opened, the Course was awarded Best New Golf Course in South Africa. In February 2005 Compleat Golfer rated it a Five Star Golf Experience.
It was also awarded:
Best South African Golf Development - Homes Overseas Awards London 2006
Most Outstanding Golf Resort Worldwide - 2006 VIP International Traveller Reader's Travel Award
Best South African Golf Development - Bentley International Property Awards London 2005
The Clubhouse facilities are in keeping with the overall five-star experience and include a terrace, restaurant, bar, golf shop, short game practice area and putting green. Golf carts are obligatory and the resort's carts are fully equipped with GPS systems, computerised scoring and the facility to pre-order lunch. After golf you could explore the fascinating town of Knysna before maybe embarking on a sunset cruise across the beautiful lagoon. Perhaps dinner tonight could be under the African stars at the Knysna Oyster Factory & Restaurant. Experience these delicious home-grown delicacies with a glass of champagne. You might consider taking the short drive to Plettenberg Bay. Perhaps you would like to relax on miles of golden beach or explore the vibrant town. Fully relaxed, you will return to Knysna, back to the luxury of Pezula.
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Day 5- Option 2
After breakfast, you check out of Arabella & travel down the beautiful Garden Route to fascinating coastal town of Mossel Bay. Perhaps explore the Diaz Museum Complex where the fascinating history of this town is shown. See the Post Office Tree Museum with its unique history & fascinating story. You will then drive to Pinnacle Point Golf Estate, where you will stay in one of their luxury villas. There is also a casino on site, so perhaps you might win enough to pay for your Pinnacle Golf Tour !!
Day 6- Option 2
Your golf today is at the spectacular Pinnacle Point Golf course, where a very special treat awaits you. You will certainly not forget your round of golf here! The Pinnacle Point Golf Course is an immaculate eighteen-hole championship golf course, co-designed by renowned golf architect Peter Matkovich and professional golfer, Darren Clarke. The golf course stretches along four kilometers of spectacular coastline and boasts dramatic cliff-side holes and over 1000 acres of unspoiled beachfront. Pinnacle Point Golf Course is comparable with the best in the world and truly is a design masterpiece. At the opening in November 2006, Darren Clarke described the completed layout as the "best golf course on the planet".
A professional golfer on both the PGA and European tours, this Northern Irishman has featured in the top 10 on the Official World Golf Rankings. Peter Matkovich, the golf architect responsible for many of South Africa's premier golf courses, has described Pinnacle Point as "the most dramatic golf course site I've ever encountered anywhere in the world!" The emerald green fairways and tees provide the perfect surface for making shots and the bent grass greens will ensure a challenging and entertaining game. The views are awe inspiring, with dramatic coastal views of the ocean from all area's of the course. Some of the holes are situated along the cliff side. In addition to this, the natural beauty of the indigenous flora and fauna complete this unique golfing experience. Following golf you will drive to Oubaai (Old Bay) Golf Estate in Herolds Bay, just outside George. You will be staying in one of the luxury villas on the estate.
Day 7- Option 2
Following breakfast at Oubaai, you travel to short distance into George where you will play at the beautiful George Golf Club, currently ranked the seventh best course in the Cape. The George Golf course is a beautifully manicured, 72 par, 18 hole course, one of the oldest in South Africa. Surrounded by the imposing backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountain Range, there are beautiful views from almost any hole on the golf course. The rolling parkland layout with its high quality fairways, tough roughs and strategically placed bunkers provides for a variety of challenging shots. The course is 6105 meters long with the 17th hole as one of the best par 3's in South Africa. This 183 meters long par 3 requires a long iron into an exaggerated oval shaped green that is fairly shallow from front to back. Situated in a region that has abundant rain the course stays green throughout the year. With its wooded tees and well-established trees and shrubs surrounding the fairways this course provides challenging golf in beautiful surroundings.
Day 8- Option 2
Following breakfast, you will check out of Oubaai & then enjoy your sixth round of golf at the magnificent Oubaai course. Oubaai is proud to be the first and only Ernie Els signature course in South Africa. The golf course design allows for a challenge to all levels of golfer and is a testimony to the talents of South Africa's favourite golfing son. Oubaai Golf Club is a Championship Golf Course designed by 3 times Major Championship Winner Ernie Els. Els himself has placed Oubaai as his favourite course in the world. The Golf Course is a Links layout where veld grasses line the lush fairways and greens. The elements, predominantly the wind, play a role in the defences of the course, being a coastal golf course. However you will find generous fairways off the tees but in the spirit of the course these are well bunkered to penalize any stray or ill considered drives. The greens are in excellent condition and roll smooth and true. They are set up normally to run at 10 on the stint meter. Oubaai is a course that will reward the well executed shot and penalize any wayward shots in the true time honoured tradition of a championship golf course. The course measures 6516 meters from the Pro tees. This is long for a coastal course, but the design and placement of tee boxes allow all levels of handicap golfer the opportunity to extract a respectable score given patience and good course management. The most photographed hole on the course is the Par 3 17th where the green is below you and framed by the ocean which influences you to take a short club. However, be warned. The short distance of the hole of 144 meters from the back tee and the downhill elevation of the hole can offer a false sense of security however it is prudent to remember the 4 bunkers guarding the green and with the breeze coming in off the sea that can add up to an extra 3 clubs on those special Cape South Coast days! All of a sudden you are looking at a much smaller target! It does make the hole even more memorable if you lucky enough to sight a whale the Indian Ocean during your time spent in this corner of the course.
We are confident that Oubaai will become known as the benchmark of quality golf and excellent service. Oubaai is a memorable, challenging and enjoyable golfing adventure.
Following golf you will drive (40 miles) to the beautiful town of Knysna where you will be spending the next 2 nights. Knysna has been voted Most Popular Town in South Africa. Knysna is also one of the Garden Route´s best known travel destinations - situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful estuary. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. The 21 hectare estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth". The lagoon is home to the unique Knysna seahorse, the exquisite Pansy shell and at least 200 species of fish. Humpback and Southern Right whales frolic along these coastal waters from May to September, whilst dolphins are year-round residents. Knysna is also home to the only forest elephant in South Africa. In and around Knysna you will find a selection of fine restaurants, seafood taverns, pubs, coffee shops and eateries, to match your mood.
Day 9- Option 2
After breakfast, what a fantastic experience awaits you as round number 7 will be at the Pezula Championship Course, adjacent to your hotel. Pezula is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. The breathtaking, award-winning 18-hole course which was designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan USA, rates amongst the best and the most scenic golf courses in the world. In 2001, just a few months after it opened, the Course was awarded Best New Golf Course in South Africa. In February 2005 Compleat Golfer rated it a Five Star Golf Experience.
It was also awarded:
Best South African Golf Development - Homes Overseas Awards London 2006
Most Outstanding Golf Resort Worldwide - 2006 VIP International Traveller Reader's Travel Award
Best South African Golf Development - Bentley International Property Awards London 2005
The Clubhouse facilities are in keeping with the overall five-star experience and include a terrace, restaurant, bar, golf shop, short game practice area and putting green. Golf carts are obligatory and the resort's carts are fully equipped with GPS systems, computerised scoring and the facility to pre-order lunch. After golf you could explore the fascinating town of Knysna before maybe embarking on a sunset cruise across the beautiful lagoon. Perhaps dinner tonight could be under the African stars at the Knysna Oyster Factory & Restaurant. Experience these delicious home-grown delicacies with a glass of champagne. You might consider taking the short drive to Plettenberg Bay. Perhaps you would like to relax on miles of golden beach or explore the vibrant town. Fully relaxed, you will return to Knysna, back to the luxury of Pezula.
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Day 10
After breakfast, check out and travel the short distance to the other side of Knysna & yet another spectacular treat awaits you this morning as you play your eighth round at Simola. Keeping your head down at Simola can be a challenge; simply because the views around the course are awe-inspiring, and with this, it is clear to see why Simola takes its place as one of South Africa's premier golfing destinations. It's also the first Jack Nicklaus Signature course on the Garden Route, reflecting the maestro's philosophy of attuning the layout and design to the natural lie of the land. The course offers challenging and rewarding golf amidst spectacular scenery. Fairways flow with the natural undulating contours of the terrain and the unusual configuration of five par 5's and five par 3's adds a new dimension to the game. It's par for the course that every hole boasts exceptional views; either out across the Knysna Lagoon all the way to the Heads or over the picturesque Knysna River as it twists and turns through the valley below. Following your round, you will drive to Port Elizabeth, the Friendly City, where you will stay tonight at the Courtyard Hotel. Perhaps you should try your luck at the Boardwalk Casino, next door to your hotel.
Day 11
Check out of your hotel and play your ninth & final round at the uniquely challenging Humewood Golf Course. Humewood is home to one of the world's most challenging links courses. It is consistently ranked as one of South Africa's top courses. The late Bobby Locke considered Humewood to be the best in South Africa & said that it compared favourably with the top links courses in the British Isles. It has hosted the S.A. Amateur 9 times & the S.A. Open 4 times. If the wind is blowing .. watch out - Humewood can be a brute. Following golf, you will travel the 90 minute journey to your Big Game Safari. Ideally located at the end of the Garden Route, in a malaria-free area, you will experience the thrill of close encounters with Africa's fabled Big 5 - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant & rhino. You will stay in either 4 or 5 star luxury & enjoy a magical experience under the vast African sky.
Days 12 & 13
You will probably enjoy a light early breakfast & then embark on a thrilling early morning Game drive, in an open topped vehicle with highly experienced Game Rangers. Following this adventure, you will return for a hearty brunch. Relax & enjoy your beautiful surroundings before leaving for a late afternoon, sunset Game Drive, followed by a Safari Cuisine dinner.
Day 14
Experience one final early morning Game drive, before checking out & heading back to Port Elizabeth. Return your hire car & prepare for your journey home.
Thank you for booking a Pinnacle Golf Tours package. We hope to have exceeded your expectations & look forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful country. Bon Voyage.
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