Garden Route

Day 1: Arrival Port Elizabeth

On arrival in Port Elizabeth do a short city tour; see the Campanile, Kings Beach, Horse Memorial, and Donkin Street. Continue to your hotel where you check in and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, refreshed for continuing on with the Garden Route Group Tour the following day.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel (included) and overnight.

Overnight: Summerstrand Inn, Port Elizabeth (DBB)

Day 2: Port Elizabeth

Elephants in the Sunset Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you travel to Addo Elephant Park situated deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area after intensive hunting – today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 350 elephants, 280 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Experience an open-vehicle guided game drive through the park.

Depart on Shebeen and Township Tour, your opportunity to relax and meet the locals, play a game of pool or dance to African rhythms. Overnight.

Overnight: Summerstrand Inn, Port Elizabeth (DBB)

Day 3: Port Elizabeth to Knysna

Enjoy breakfast and check out. Today you discover the Garden Route, on your route there is an endless natural garden of mountains, cliffs, forest, lakes, rivers and varying seashores, the spectacular scenery and majestic landscape marred only by the almost continuous ribbon of development along the coast. Do a walking trail to the Big Tree where trees of nearly 1000 years old are still reaching for the sky. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park. At Storms River Mouth walk the short “Hanging Bridge” trail across the river. Check into your hotel and freshen up.

In the afternoon embark on a boat trip on the John Benn for spectacular views of the Knysna Heads from the Knysna Lagoon. The John Ben herself is beautifully appointed with upper and lower decks constructed of Yellowwood sourced from the Knysna Forest

Overnight: Knysna Hollow, Knysna (BB)

Day 4: Knysna to Oudtshoorn

Enjoy breakfast and transfer to Knysna. Nestling on the banks of a shimmering lagoon Knysna is a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cosy cafe’s beckon with small-town charm and hospitality.
Knysna is synonymous with fine indigenous timbers, and famed for the craftsmanship of its furniture and timber products. The area is a veritable Garden of Eden: home to the only forest elephant in South Africa, the unique Knysna seahorse and the Pansy shell, the brilliantly coloured Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.

Transfer via Wilderness and George to Oudtshoorn, feather capital of the world. Visit the world famous Cango Caves described as one of the great natural wonders of the world. Sculpted by nature through the ages the fascinating limestone foundations occur in a variety of colours. Visit Cango Ostrich Farm, see the whole farming process and learn all about the largest bird on earth. You even have the opportunity to hug and kiss the super friendly female ostrich – Linda. Check into your hotel where you enjoy dinner and overnight.

Overnight: De Opstal & adjacent Lodges, Oudtshoorn (DBB)

Day 5: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

Early breakfast and check out. Proceed through the “Klein Karoo” via Calitzdorp, Ladismith and Barrydale to Montagu where you get to the Breede River Valley and the Boland. Continue to Worcester where you link with the N1 taking you via the magnificent Du Toits Kloof and the Huguenot Tunnel past Paarl and on to Cape Town, described as one of the most beautiful cities of the world. Take the Cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting). View what Sir Francis Drake described as “the fairest cape in all the circumference of the earth”. Check into your hotel. Freshen up, enjoy dinner (own account) and overnight.

Overnight: Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town (BB)

Day 6: Cape Winelands

Enjoy breakfast and depart for a day in the Cape Winelands. Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument, commemorating the survival and dynamic growth, against all odds, of this young language. Situated in the Paarl Rock Nature Reserve, you enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from the foot of the monument. Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the leading wine estates in the area. Continue to Franschhoek. View what is described as “the most beautiful valley” from the top of Franschhoek Pass. Land was allocated to some 200 Huguenots that fled persecution in France, in what is known as “Le Quartier Francais”. Delightful place to browse through quaint shops selling arts and crafts, art galleries and antique stores. Visit Stellenbosch, second oldest town in South Africa. Stroll down Dorp Street with the longest row of preserved homes from the early Dutch settler days, now a declared national monument. Return to hotel. Enjoy dinner (own account).

Overnight: Cape Town Lodge or alternative, Cape Town (BB)

Day 7: Cape Peninsula Tour

Breakfast and depart on a Cape Peninsula tour. Continue to the “Republic of Hout Bay”. Take a boat trip to Duiker Island, seal and sea bird sanctuary (weather permitting). In the event of poor weather you may visit “World of Birds”. See the wonderful selection of indigenous and exotic birds or go to visit Groot Constantia Wine Estate, first farm of Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel. Continue to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point where supposedly the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. Visit the Jackass Penguins at Boulders, one of only two mainland breeding colonies. Visit world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Walk the many trails to view the huge variety of indigenous trees, flowers and fynbos. Return to hotel. Enjoy dinner (own account).

Overnight: Cape Town Lodge, Cape Town (BB)

Day 8: Departure

Last day of the Garden Route group tour: Two Oceans Aquarium A day at leisure before you depart. Suggested optional excursions are:

Half Day City Tour.
Cape Town Safari.
Half Day Township Cultural Experience.
Half Day Shopping tour to Ostrich Leather, Gemstone, Diamonds, Gold and Art factories.
Harbour Champagne cruise (1 hour).
Two Oceans Aquarium where you see marine life of the southern oceans.
Visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Helicopter flight across the peninsula.

Or simply spend the time relaxing and doing some shopping at the V&A Waterfront. Late afternoon transfer to CPT International Airport for your outbound flight.

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