Highlights of This '12-Day South Africa Whale Watching Holiday'
Travel Dates & Prices
Nov- Mar
from
£2399 PP
Apr- Jul
from
£2499 – £2799 PP
Aug – Oct
from
£2899 – £3299 PP
Your Detailed 12-Day Itinerary
Land in Cape Town, collect your hire car or meet your private driver and travel to your hotel. Settle in for a four-night stay before spending the rest of the day at your own pace. You might begin with a stroll along the V&A Waterfront or simply relax after your flight.
Start your first full day with one of Cape Town’s defining sights: Table Mountain. Weather permitting, ride the cableway to the summit for sweeping views across the city and Atlantic coastline. Later, explore colourful Bo-Kaap, browse the V&A Waterfront or visit the city’s museums and galleries.
Follow the dramatic coastal roads of the Cape Peninsula, passing seaside communities and wide Atlantic viewpoints. Continue towards Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, with the option to stop at Boulders Beach to see its resident African penguin colony before returning to Cape Town.
Enjoy a free day shaped around your interests. Visit the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, take a ferry to Robben Island or explore the city’s markets and restaurants. Your FlightsPro travel expert can help add experiences that match the pace and style of your holiday.
Leave Cape Town and travel towards Hermanus, a coastal town known for its clifftop paths and seasonal whale sightings. After checking into your hotel for two nights, walk part of the scenic Cliff Path, visit the Old Harbour or pause at one of the viewpoints overlooking Walker Bay.
Head out on your included whale-watching cruise for the possibility of seeing southern right whales and other marine life in their natural surroundings. Sightings vary with the season and sea conditions, but the experience offers a memorable perspective of the Cape Whale Coast. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Hermanus.
Continue east towards the Garden Route, travelling via Cape Agulhas if your chosen routing allows. Stand near the southernmost point of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, before continuing through changing coastal and countryside scenery to your Garden Route hotel.
Discover Knysna, a relaxed town set beside a broad lagoon. Browse the waterfront, admire the views from the Knysna Heads or join an optional lagoon cruise. There is also time to sample the region’s seafood and explore the independent shops and cafés around town.
Travel into the Tsitsikamma region, where indigenous forest meets a rugged stretch of coastline. Walk towards the Storms River suspension bridge, follow one of the shorter forest trails or add a more adventurous activity. Return for your final night on the Garden Route.
Leave the coast behind and continue to your safari reserve for a two-night stay. After check-in, take time to settle into the lodge before joining your first included game drive. With an experienced ranger leading the way, begin searching for elephants, lions, rhinos and other wildlife.
Wake early for another opportunity to see the reserve at its most active. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal different landscapes and animal behaviour, while the hours between can be spent relaxing at the lodge and taking in the quiet surroundings. Finish the day beneath South Africa’s open skies.
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before your transfer or drive to the airport for your return journey to the UK. Your South Africa whale watching holiday ends with memories spanning city life, wild coastline, forested roads and the untamed African bush.
12 Days from £2,399 PP
Hotels Included in your Stay
*In the event of unavailability, a similar category hotel will be provided.
| Hotel Category | Cape Town – 4 Nights | Hermanus – 2 Nights | Garden Route – 3 Nights | Safari – 2 Nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | President Hotel Cape Town | Windsor Hotel Hermanus | Protea Hotel Knysna Quays | To be confirmed |
| Superior | The Winchester Hotel | Harbour House Hotel | To be confirmed | Gondwana Game Reserve |
| Luxury | Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa | Birkenhead House | The Plettenberg | To be confirmed |
Talk to a travel expert now0208 396 7200
South Africa Whale Watching Holiday Inclusions
- Return flights from the UK
- 11 nights’ 4★ accommodation
- Stays in Cape Town, Hermanus, the Garden Route and a safari reserve
- Car hire or private transfers
- Whale-watching cruise in Hermanus
- Included safari game drives
- Daily breakfast throughout the holiday
Best Time to Visit Cape Town, Hermanus and the Garden Route
August to October offers the best overall balance for this South Africa whale watching holiday. Southern right whales gather along the Hermanus coast, Cape Town begins moving into its milder spring weather, and the Garden Route remains rewarding for coastal drives and outdoor adventures. Safari experiences are available throughout the year, while September and October bring together strong whale-watching opportunities, comfortable sightseeing conditions and colourful spring landscapes.
Why Choose Between Coast and Safari?
This South Africa whale watching holiday works because no two stages feel alike. Cape Town brings mountain views, waterfront energy and time to explore the city, while Hermanus slows the pace with clifftop walks and the possibility of seeing southern right whales beyond the shore.
The Garden Route changes the scenery again. Forests, lagoons and ocean roads lead through Cape Agulhas, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, turning the journey between hotels into part of the holiday rather than simply a transfer.
Then comes the safari. After days beside the ocean, you finish in the African bush with guided game drives and the chance to search for the Big Five. In one 12-day journey, you experience city life, whale country, the open road and the wild—without needing to choose just one side of South Africa.
👉 See more of South Africa in one journey—call 0208 396 7200 and let our travel specialists shape the trip around you.
Why Book This Tour with FlightsPro
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Planning a holiday that combines Cape Town, whale watching, the Garden Route and an African safari naturally raises a few questions. These answers cover the details that matter when choosing your route—from wildlife seasons and travel options to game drives, packing and extending your stay.
August to October offers the strongest balance for this particular journey. Southern right whales are usually present around Hermanus, Cape Town is moving into spring, and conditions are comfortable for exploring the Garden Route. Safari stays operate throughout the year, although wildlife sightings always depend on nature. Travelling outside these months is possible, but the whale-watching element becomes less reliable.
Yes. South Africa’s Western Cape makes it possible to combine both experiences without adding a separate domestic flight. This itinerary travels from Cape Town to Hermanus, continues along the Garden Route and finishes at a game reserve. It is a practical option for travellers who want a varied wildlife holiday rather than spending their entire trip at one safari lodge.
No responsible safari operator can guarantee sightings because the animals move freely within the reserve. Experienced rangers use their knowledge of the landscape, tracks and recent activity to locate wildlife during game drives. Staying for two nights provides more than one opportunity to explore the reserve and experience its wider ecosystem, rather than treating the safari as a quick photographic stop.
Yes. The itinerary introduces several sides of South Africa without requiring complicated connections between distant regions. You have time in Cape Town, a dedicated stay in Hermanus, three nights along the Garden Route and two nights on safari. FlightsPro can arrange car hire or private transfers, making the route suitable for confident independent travellers as well as those who prefer additional support.
Car hire offers greater freedom to pause at coastal viewpoints, small towns and local restaurants along the route. Private transfers remove the responsibility of driving and allow everyone to enjoy the scenery. The better choice depends on your confidence, budget and preferred pace. FlightsPro can shape the same itinerary around either option without changing its main destinations.
Whale-watching cruises depend on sea and weather conditions, so an operator may cancel a departure when it is unsafe to sail. Alternative arrangements, rebooking or refund eligibility will depend on the operator’s terms and the timing of the cancellation. FlightsPro will help explain the available options, although sightings cannot be guaranteed even when the cruise operates.
Pack layers rather than planning for one consistent temperature. Cape Town and the coast can feel breezy, while early safari drives may be considerably cooler than the middle of the day. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a light waterproof jacket, sun protection and neutral-coloured clothing for game drives. Binoculars are also useful for both whale watching and wildlife viewing.
Yes. The two-night safari stay can be extended if wildlife is the main focus of your trip. Additional nights create more opportunities for game drives and allow time to enjoy the lodge between activities. FlightsPro can also discuss different reserve or room categories, subject to availability, and rebalance the rest of the route around your preferred holiday length.
Our Top
Add-On Things to Do in South Africa
There is even more to discover beyond your planned itinerary. Add food, history, wildlife or outdoor adventure to make your South Africa whale watching holiday feel entirely your own. The experiences below are optional, subject to availability and not included in the advertised package price unless stated otherwise.
Table Mountain Cableway
Ride the cableway to the summit of Table Mountain and take in far-reaching views across Cape Town, the Atlantic coastline and the surrounding mountain landscape.
Robben Island Tour
Travel by ferry from the V&A Waterfront and explore the former prison where Nelson Mandela was held. The guided experience gives valuable context to South Africa’s modern history.
Cape Winelands Day Trip
Spend a day among the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with cellar visits, wine tastings and time to explore the historic towns and their celebrated food scene.
Boulders Beach Penguins
Visit the protected African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Follow the boardwalks for close views of the birds before continuing along the beautiful False Bay coastline.
Bo-Kaap Cooking Experience
Step inside Cape Town’s colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood for a hands-on Cape Malay cooking class. Learn local recipes, work with fragrant spices and enjoy the meal you prepare.
Hermanus Coastal Kayaking
Paddle across the sheltered waters near Hermanus with a local guide. Look back towards the mountains and coastline while watching for seabirds, seals and other marine life.
Shark-Cage Diving in Gansbaai
Travel to nearby Gansbaai for a thrilling shark-cage diving excursion. Enter the water from the safety of a cage or watch the activity from the boat’s viewing deck.
Knysna Lagoon Sunset Cruise
Sail across Knysna Lagoon as the afternoon light settles over the water. Relax on board while enjoying views of the waterfront, surrounding hills and imposing Knysna Heads.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Cross Knysna Lagoon by ferry to this privately managed reserve. Explore its coastal forest and fynbos by 4×4, with the option to join a guided walk towards ancient sea caves.
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour
Glide between platforms high in Tsitsikamma’s indigenous forest. A series of ziplines carries you through the treetops, offering a completely different view of the Garden Route.
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Explore Our Safari Holiday Packages
Go beyond a single game drive with safari holidays designed around the way you want to experience Africa. Combine wildlife reserves with Cape Town, follow the coast before heading into the bush or build a longer journey across several regions. Explore our safari packages or speak to FlightsPro about creating a route with the right balance of wildlife, scenery and time to slow down.
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