We arrange bespoke tour itineraries for small groups of friends or colleagues wishing to travel together to a special destination or for specialist horticultural groups. The minimum numbers are eight guests who will be accompanied by Susan or her specialist guides. We have the experience, know the good hotels or lodges and the best itineraries to offer. The itineraries below are examples of bespoke tours. Tailor-made programmes can be arranged for your personal preferences.
To know more please contact us on info@susanwornertours.com or +44 (0) 1423 326 300.
The Western Cape garden tour combines beautiful gardens with the flora and wildlife in the spectacular hinterland of the Little Karoo and the mountainous coastline.
The region has a Mediterranean climate, abundant sources of water, mostly acid soil and above all a rich indigenous flora and exceptional gardens. Some surround delightful Cape Dutch manor houses, others are extensive plant collectors’ gardens and some with contemporary design. Kirstenbosch gardens have an exceptional collection of only plants of the Cape in a stunning location at the foot of the Table Mountain Range
The Winelands town of Stellenbosch is our base to discover the fabulous private gardens of the Cape. Oude Werf Hotel is in the centre of Stellenbosch, a university town with eye-catching Cape Dutch architecture. It has many street cafes, good shops and restaurants. We visit the national park of Cape Point with its rich indigenous fynbos vegetation and superb vistas.
We continue to the remote Karoo hinterland to stay at the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve of 52,000 hectares. The reserve is involved in the re-introducing and conserving wildlife eradicated over a century ago and the rich wild flora. We leave over the mountains for the coastal region to the superb private nature reserve lodge at Grootbos surrounded by a milkwood forest and rich coastal fynbos. There is a chance to whale watch in Gansbaai.
Itinerary
DAY ONE
Evening departure on the overnight flight from London Heathrow with British Airways or South African Airways.
DAY TWO
Morning arrival in Cape Town and you will be met by Susan. Short transfer to Hotel Oude Werf in the historical centre of Stellenbosch (6 nights). For lunch we walk to the University Botanic Gardens and then enjoy a guided introduction to the Cape Flora. Aperitif and short talk on the programme in the garden before enjoying dinner together.
DAY THREE
We spend most of the day in the Elgin district where many apple orchards are found. Morning visit to a private garden of great plant collectors and propagators. Their woodland garden is a profusion of climbing roses. The indigenous wachendorfia and tall blue aristea are particularly striking. After lunch we visit a beautiful, privately-owned garden with views to the Kogelberg mountains. Return through the mountains and the Franschoek valley. Evening at leisure.
DAY FOUR
Morning visit to the Rustenberg wine estate gardens renovated by Rozanne Barlow who shows us her own delightful manor house garden at Schoonzicht. A tasty picnic with Rustenberg wine is enjoyed in the shade of the oak trees on the estate with fabulous views to the Hottentot Holland mountain range. Afternoon visit to the superb terraced gardens at Old Nectar in Jonkershoek Valley created by the late Una van der Spuy, a renowned rose grower. Evening at leisure.
DAY FIVE
Kirstenbosch, at the foot of Table Mountain, is a magical garden with exclusively indigenous flora except for the avenue of Camphor Trees. We are guided through the main parts of the garden. Lunchtime in the garden. Afternoon visit to Sandy Ovenstone’s outstanding garden, Stellenberg, her Cape Dutch manor house near Cape Town. David Hicks was involved in some of the design and the Ovenstone’s recent restoration along the stream is inspiring. We return to the hotel and enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant.
DAY SIX
The exceptional gardens at the Babylonstoren wine estate in the Drakenstein Valley have been recently created by Patrice Taravella of Prieuré d’Orsan, principally designed as a potager garden. Liesl van der Welt, head gardener/curator will show us around with great enthusiasm. We enjoy lunch in the farm’s Babel restaurant tasting dishes made from their garden produce. The Helsgroote Pass is renowned for its wine growing. We visit a prolific private garden of a wine estate. Evening at leisure.
DAY SEVEN
Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are in a vast natural park and fully protected. Accompanied by a local ecologist, Uschi Pond, we take the eastern coast to the park, enjoy a walk to discover the extensive fynbos and wildlife – rock hyrax, zebra, ostrich and bontebok may be seen and a multitude of seabirds. Return on the dramatic western coast. On our final evening we enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DAY EIGHT
Depart Stellenbosch (with luggage) across the mountains to the Worcester Desert Botanic Gardens to discover Karoo vegetation. Continue along the Route 62 to Montagu and enjoy a picnic lunch. At the entrance of Sanbona, we transfer to Land Cruiser vehicles to drive to our lodge. Late afternoon game drive on the reserve to experience the rich variety of game and wilderness. After a sundowner we return to the lodge for dinner.
DAY NINE
Early morning game drive returning for breakfast and time to relax. Possibility of seeing elephants, a pride of lions, giraffe, springbok, kudu and the white rhinos re-introduced after well over a century to this vast conservation reserve. Late afternoon drive in the amazing Little Karoo fynbos to the dam where hippos can be seen. Dinner in the lodge.
DAY TEN
Early morning we discover on a nature walk both fynbos plants endemic to the Little Karoo and the ancient rock art of San people indigenous to the Karoo. Return for lunch and time to relax. Afternoon game drive with a sundowner before enjoying dinner together.
DAY ELEVEN
Depart by Landcruiser to the entrance transferring to our minibus. We traverse the spectacular Tradouws Pass in the Langeberge mountains and on through vast cereal farmland during the harvest season. Chance to see blue cranes and francolin. Arrive in the afternoon at Grootbos Reserve above Gansbaai on the coast. We meet our specialist guide for an introductory walk in the fynbos. Sundowner on the terrace overlooking Walker Bay before enjoying dinner together.
DAY TWELVE
After breakfast we drive into the hills with our guide to discover the profuse coastal fynbos, and perhaps some springbok and baboons. After lunch we go down to the coast hopefully to spot the Southern Right whales just off the cliffs. Time to relax or walk in the milkwood forest before dinner.
DAY THIRTEEN
We depart in morning (with luggage) to visit the Harold Porter Botanic Gardens and the indigenous penguins on the coast. We then take the scenic coastal road to Cape Town airport for the return overnight flight to London Heathrow.
DAY FOURTEEN
Arrive early morning in London Heathrow airport.