Here are a few of our suggested itineraries just to give you an idea of what is on offer in South Africa. When 5x5 creates an itinerary for you we make sure that you will have enough time to get to know each destination along the way and we never suggest travelling more than half a day at a time.

Nearly all visitors to South Africa associate the country with safaris and spotting the big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.

At 5x5 we are extremely fortunate to have several game park experts amongst our partners. Mike who runs a fantastic place with his wife Kirsty in Hermanus was once a guide in several game reserves in the Kruger National Park. Alan, who runs a beautiful gust house in Grahamstown, has associations with one of the best game parks in South Africa. So we are well placed to give you expert advice on what to see and where to go.

Day 1
5x5 will pick you up from the airport and your vehicle will be delivered to your chosen accommodation. Start off your first day by orientating yourself with a trip around Cape Town. Take a leisurely drive to impressive shopping, restaurant and visitor complex at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and see the working harbour.

Then follow the coastal road to Llandudno and Camps Bay before stopping at Hout Bay for a fresh fish lunch and a trip to the seal colony at Duiker Island.

Visit an urban conservation reserve in our home territory of Noordhoek Valley. As well as great Cape views, you will see black rhino, buffalo and antelope.

Take a day trip out of Cape Town and view the big 5 on a game reserve only 2 hours drive from the ‘Mother City’

We have left this itinerary unstructured as you might like to combine some of the history and nature ideas with safari. We would strongly suggest you try and see the whales in Hermanus for example.

Once in Knysna there are various game viewing options (See History & Nature Itinerary) before heading east into the safari land of Grahamstown. You are ideally placed here to visit a number of stunning game parks as the well as the famous Addo Elephant Park.

We can offer various options according to preferences, budget, timetable etc.

Travel back to Cape Town along the stunning Route 62 stopping off to see the Ostriches at Oudtshoorn.

If, like me, you now prefer something less terrifying you can choose anything from mountain bike riding, pony trekking and canoeing to hiking, quad biking and kite flying.

For those who do enjoy the adrenalin rush you could go into a cage and get up close and personal with a Great White shark.

You tell us what you would like to try and we will arrange the activity for you at a discount rate.

Abseiling
Kloofing
Cycling
Flying
Horse riding
Kite surfing
Surfing
Wind surfing
Paragliding
Sand boarding
Hiking
Shark diving
Scuba diving
Fishing
Sky diving
...and many more!

Learn about the fascinating way South Africa has dealt with its chequered history, freeing itself from Apartheid to become a democratic ‘Rainbow Nation’ in a remarkably short period of time.

Day 1
5x5 will pick you up from the airport and your vehicle will be delivered to your chosen accommodation. Start your first day by orientating yourself with a trip around Cape Town. Take a leisurely drive to the world famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its impressive shops, restaurants and visitor attractions and to see its busy working harbour.

Then follow the coastal road to Llandudno and Camps Bay before stopping at Hout Bay for a fresh fish lunch and a trip to the seal colony at Duiker Island.

Day 2
Take the ferry from V&A Waterfront to Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela and his fellow freedom fighters were held in captivity. Visit District 6 Museum and learn more about the history of Apartheid. You can do this as part of an open top bus city tour or, if you prefer, a walking tour of the city centre.

Day 3
Take the Cableway to the top of Table Mountain and admire the breathtaking views before walking the many designated paths to view the flora and fauna. (It can get chilly on the mountain top, so don’t forget to take a warm jacket.)

Day 4
Another must is a township tour. Cape Town is a complete paradox. There are expensive luxury properties and upmarket restaurants, whilst townships and ‘informal settlements’ are just a few miles away. These tours are an excellent way of supporting the people who live in these areas. You can buy local art and craft or get involved in sponsoring some of the many ongoing community projects. Townships tours are an uplifting experience and not at all like you might imagine. It is possible to stay at B&Bs in the settlements and enjoy a drink with the locals in a shabeen.

Day 5
Visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and then take a coastal drive to view the 12 Apostles mountain range and the Lion’s Head before cruising along the magnificent Chapmans Peak Drive. Continue onto the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, the most southerly point of the Cape Peninsula.

Day 6
Drive the 1.5 hour trip to Hermanus. Book into Lesley’s or Mike & Kirsty’s then explore the town of Hermanus.

If you visit between October and March, you can take a whale watching cruise or observe these magnificent creatures of the southern seas from the town’s many cliff top walks.

For the more adventurous, there are cage dives that enable you to get close to great White sharks in their own environment. You can also take a boat trip to see the sharks, plus Cape fur seals and their pups, penguins and dolphins.

Day 7
Enjoy some fresh mountain air by taking a hike in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Observe the variety and beauty of natural fynbos (‘fine bush’) and follow one of the many well maintained trails. (You need not be particularly fit as there is a trail for every level.)

Bird Watching
Bird watchers can find numerous species in the mountains and the wetlands. The Klein River lagoon at the mouth of the Vogelgat River is an excellent spot to observe many species of waterfowl and summer migrants that flock to breed and feed by the lagoon.

Visit an art gallery
Works by many distinguished local artists, including Audrey Fourie, Hennie Niemann Snr and Neville Hickman, are on display in various galleries in and around Hermanus.

Day 8
The Garden Route.
Take the beautifully scenic N2 to Knysna, stopping off for lunch at one the many little towns on the way. Check into David & Marion’s or Mike & Sue’s and relax with a sundowner at The Heads or by the Knysna lagoon.

Day 9
Take a boat trip round the lagoon or through The Heads, or take the ferry across to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy a leisurely lunchtime cruise or romantic sunset dinner aboard a paddle steamer or dine at one of the many fine restaurants in the Knysna Quays or Thesen Islands.

Day 10
Visit a game farm to view a wide range of animals, including buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, giraffe and many species of antelope, within an hour’s drive of Knysna, or visit Knysna Elephant Park, Monkeyland and Birds of Eden at nearby Plettenberg Bay.

Train enthusiasts can drive to George and experience the old railway history of Southern Africa at the Railway Museum, or take an excursion on Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train. (Note: train no longer runs between Knysna/George due to rockfall damage to track. Don’t know when it will re-open – if ever!!)

Day 11
Take the 3 hour drive to Port Elizabeth

If you enjoy old buildings and history, you'll have a field day in PE. There is a guided walk round the central part of the city taking in some impressive architecture and monuments.

Day 12/13/14
Drive an hour and half north to historic town Grahamstown and stay at Alan Weyer’s sumptuous guest house.

Alan Weyer is quite simply unique. I say this as I have never met anyone in any part of the globe who has the paradoxical talents that Alan possesses namely renowned historian and famous comedian! And he runs a fabulous place as well!

Having seen Alan and his partner’s hilarious Boet & Swaer show, which pokes fun at farming life in the Eastern Cape, you start to realise how extraordinary he is. A self-taught historian from Grahamstown, he was brought up on a farm where he used to play with local Xhosa boys and learnt their language, ‘clicks’ and all.

He was recently quoted in the Independent newspaper in connection with the Xhosa language:

"The settlers thought these people were unsophisticated bushmen. Yet they're born diplomats, politicians and highly literate. They managed to sustain their society for thousands of years. In everyday speech they employ 126 different sounds. We use 44 and we think we're sophisticated."

Alan is very down to earth and this, combined with his unique story-telling skills, huge knowledge and passion for the Eastern Cape Region, makes for a really unforgettable experience. Take one of Alan’s fabulous award winning tours.

• 2005 winner of the prestigious SA Tourism’s Tour Guide of the Year
• 2006, the Grand Prix winner of the inaugural SA Tourism Welcome Awards as the best tourism product in the country.

Day 15
On your return drive to Cape Town, stop off in Oudtshoorn on the magnificent Route 62 a trip of 500kms (310) miles. What makes this road even more special is the fact that you see hardly any traffic.??

There is history at every step of the way of this route. From Bushmen paintings to architecture, from war memorials to national monuments. Visit the extraordinary of Cango caves an hour’s drive from Calitzdorp.

Day 16/17
There are plenty of places to stop off as you travel through the Klein Karoo and a warm welcome will await you from Gert and his staff when you arrive in Montagu. Gert is an expert on Route 62.

Day 18/19
Take a leisurely drive back to Cape Town and spend a day shopping at Century City before catching you evening flight home.

Now the golf. Choose from the courses we have selected below and we will do all we can to book tee times on the days you choose.

Most courses here in Cape Town cost about R300 per round but we will negotiate a discount for you. We have just given you a flavour of what is on offer but we can tailor your trip to your ability. Let’s start with the links course:

Day 2
Milnerton – Is a links course close to CPT city centre and offer a typical links challenge… the big question being whether the wind blows or not. The club was host to the SA Open in the early 1990’s and on the first two days there was no wind and the average score was 2 below par. The leaders had all rounds of 64s and 65s. The next two days the wind blew and not one player could break par! In summer, especially in February, hang on to your hat…and clubs…and caddy…. because it can howl!

Day 3
Atlantic Beach – Links course with absolutely the best view of Table Mountain. It is on a nature reserve and therefore players between the springbok and Cape “Fynbos” ( A general term for flora indigenous to the Cape) It comes at a price though (not money) – once in the rough, you are not allowed to leave the fairway to fetch your ball, since it is conservation land! This might (will) leave you short of balls. Make sure you stock yourself with lots & lots of balls. On average I loose ??? balls a round, but the experience is fantastic!

Now for the more precision golf, or “American” type courses:

Day 4
Mowbray – Located in the suburb of Pinelands, it is the most used course in Cape Town and I think best known. Very nice and playable and the wind stays in check most of the time. It is an old course, so the vegetation is well established. It is one of the courses right next to the N2, so you will see it from the Airport.

Day 5
Rondebosch – Being right next to the Mowbray golf course, it is only separated by the N2, so the other course you would see from the airport, is this one. Gets a lot of the highway noise, but is well established. Mostly used by the sport people, like Hirschelle Gibbs, Kallis and all the rugby players. Very nice and friendly club house.

Day 6
Westlake – This is the club you would pass on your way to the suburb of Tokai. Beautiful course, easy to walk and well established.

Day 7
Boshenmeer (Paarl) – It will be worth your while to drive out to the Paarl golf course. They have two courses there that are in immaculate condition. The price you pay is more expensive but it is really very nice.

Day 8
Pearl Valley – This course is my favorite course in the whole of South Africa. It is a Jack Nicklaus designed course and is owned by a Korean or Malaysian billionaire. It is expensive to play (I think R700 per round), but I think as a treat it is worth it. The manicure and pedicure of the course is fantastic, and the lay out makes it playable to all kinds of golfers. It is also in between Paarl and Franshhoek, so throw in some wine tasting on the way back!

Golfers often ask about the ‘Cape Doctor’ (wind) in the summer, it can be a factor, but then again, isn’t wind just another variable (challenge) in that wonderful game called golf?

These courses were chosen and reviewed by a good friend of ours Nico le Roux as he is a much better golfer than any of us (apart from Barbara’s son David who plays off plus 2 at 16 years of age!!!!)

On the road
Once you have played to your heart’s content in Cape Town it is time to move onto the Garden Route. The area was named the 2006 Golf Destination of the Year for Africa and the Middle East by the Global Trade Organisation for the Golf Tourism - beating top destinations like Dubai and Mauritius. More than 200 golf and tour operators in 38 countries cast their vote based on the quality of golf courses and accommodation, customer service, professional conduct of suppliers, support from the local tourism authority, value for money and accessibility of tee-off times.

Day 9
Driving an hour and half out of Cape Town you will have the opportunity of staying at Mike & Kirsty’s place which is right beside Hermanus Colf Club and close to the stunning Arabella golf estate. We think this is a must, Mike is also a golfer and better than he cares to admit.

Play a round in the afternoon and then relax with a sundowner with Mike & Kirsty.

Day 10
Back on the road to take the 3.5 hour trip to the golfers jewel in the crown Kynsna.

Here you can stay with David & Marion (both golf addicts) and play at the friendly local Knysna golf course before tackling the scenic but challenging courses of Simola & Pezula.

Day 13
Travel back along the spectacular Route 62, stopping off at Gert’s place in Montagu for a drink and a bite to eat, before returning to Cape Town for your last night before departure.

Last year the Garden Route on South Africa’s southern coast was voted the ‘Best golf destination in Africa and the Middle East’. Knysna is a lively and picturesque town at the heart of the Garden Route and an ideal base for golfing visitors. Stay at Armadillo Studios and you’ll be within an hour’s drive of eight of the best courses you’ll ever wish to play. Your golfing hosts, Marion & David, will be delighted to organise tee times at individual courses or arrange a complete golfing programme.

The ‘Great Eight’ comprises:

Simola Golf Estate, Knysna (15 mins from Armadillo Studios)
Set high up in the hills overlooking Knysna with views over the Knysna River and out to The Heads and Indian Ocean, Simola is not only a stunning course with superb greens but also offers spectacular scenery and gorgeous indigenous planting. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Simola offers all the features of a championship course but is a joy for the average handicap golfer to play.

Pezula Golf Resort, Knysna (10 mins from Armadillo Studios)
One of South Africa’s ‘must play’ courses, Pezula is perched on top of the cliffs overlooking the Knysna Lagoon on the front 9 and the Indian Ocean on the back 9. The course will test your skills to the full, the facilities are first class – and you’ll enjoy the novelty of driving a golf buggy with GPS navigation!

Knysna Golf Club (2 mins from Armadillo Studios)
On the edge of the Knysna lagoon the course is flat and offers easy walking with or without a cart. However, it has tree-lined fairways and many natural tidal water hazards that make the course more difficult than it looks. The superbly kept bent grass greens are undulating and tricky to read. The signature hole is the par 3 8th which has an island green. Friendly, welcoming clubhouse with good facilities.

George Golf Club (45 mins from Armadillo Studios)
Regarded as one of South Africa’s premier members’ clubs, George is a beautiful parkland course with attractive tree-lined fairways, which are narrow and undulating, superb greens and many natural hazards. The clubhouse offers excellent facilities and superb views of the Outeniqua mountains.

Fancourt, Bramble Hill Golf Club, George (45 mins from Armadillo Studios)
The only course on the world-renowned Fancourt Estate open to non-resident visitors, Bramble Hill offers a unique, and often tricky, golfing challenge with many natural and man-made hazards. Parts of the course run beside the famous Fancourt Links Championship Course.

Oubaai Golf Club, Herolds Bay (60 mins from Armadillo Studios)
On the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, this Ernie Els course is a pleasure to play with its superb greens, generous but undulating fairways and wonderful views. The rough can be punishing and the breeze can play havoc with your club selection!

Plettenberg Bay Golf Club (20 mins from Armadillo Studios)
A friendly, traditional members’ club, ‘Plett’ runs through an attractive river valley and offers a truly enjoyable golfing challenge. Well maintained and with several interesting holes, it’s a haven for birds and monkeys! Overseas visitors are always warmly welcomed.

Goose Valley Golf Club, Plettenberg Bay (20 mins from Armadillo Studios)
The average handicap player is guaranteed a wonderful time on this well designed and interesting Gary Player course. Always in superb condition whatever the weather, the fairways and greens are immaculate and there are some lovely views across the ocean and Tsitsikamma mountains. Attractive clubhouse with good facilities.

The reason is that I have seen one particular establishment highly commended in several guide books. I have now been three times and the service is poor…so I now hesitate to recommend unless I’m sure that standards are being maintained.

Then follow the coastal road to Llandudno and Camps Bay before stopping at Hout Bay for fresh fish and a trip to seal colony at Duiker Island.

Day 2
Go wine tasting in Stellenbosch or/and Franschhoek. With a an abundance of wine estates to visit you will be spoilt for choice but wine route maps are readily available from 5x5 Tours. Both areas have excellent wine routes that well signposted and easy to find.

Enjoy lunch at any of the restaurants at the wine estate or in either town which are both worth a visit. The scenery is beautiful.

If you want to stay closer to CPT visit the Constantia wine estates and then take a trip to the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Day 3
Drive down to the V & A Waterfront and take a ferry to Robben Island. When we visited Robben Island we were extremely fortunate that tour guide was an ex-prisoner and gave us a moving account of the political history of South Africa, this really is an interesting trip. When you return have lunch in the V & A before taking a cablecar to the top of Table Mountain for a spectacular view of the city and the harbour. It can get chilly at the top and if the “tablecloth” is on (clouds sitting over the top of the mountain looks like a table cloth) change your plans as you will not see anything!

Day 4
Take the False Bay coastline via Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek before stopping at Simon's Town to see the thousands of penguins who populate Boulders Beach. Travel onto Cape Point one of the most southerly points on the planet and enjoy the views you may even see whales. What ever you do not walk around eating food as Vicky found out….Baboons! love stealing food and it came as quite a shock when a baboon snatched the food from Vicky’s hand as they are very aggressive.

On the way back to CPT go over Chapman's Peak which has to be one of the most spectacular short ocean drives in the world.

Day 5
Another must is a township tour. Cape Town is a complete paradox. Highly expensive property and upmarket restaurants with townships just miles away. These tours are a really good way of benefiting the people who actually live in these areas. You can buy local art and craft or get involved in sponsoring some of the many ongoing projects, or you can stay at a bed & breakfast establishment sited within the settlements. We always find these tours uplifting and not a bit what you might perceive. It is possible to stay at bed & breakfast establishments in the settlements and enjoy a drink with the locals in a shabeen.

Day 6
Visit the Cape Town Aquarium or take a two drive out of Cape Town and go and see the big 5