Embark on a captivating journey and celebrate the extraordinary beauty of South Africa's renowned Garden Route. This classic tour begins in the vibrant city of Cape Town and culminates in the hospitable embrace of Port Elizabeth.
Along the way, you'll traverse a diverse tapestry of landscapes, from the evocative sepia-tinged vistas of the Karoo desert to the enchanting hues of lush forests and the serene charm of coastal lagoons. Immerse yourself in the region's rich natural and cultural heritage, making this tour an unforgettable adventure
HIGHLIGHTS
The stunning scenery and warm hospitality of the Karoo
Explore vibrant Cape Town
Enjoy extraordinary natural beauty and fascinating flora and fauna of the mountain, forest and coastal eco-systems of the Garden Route
INCLUSIONS
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Five nights accommodation
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Meals as indicated, 5 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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Porterage
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Sightseeing as specified
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Guide and Transportation
Price from AUD$1,445 per person. Twin Share.
DAY 1
CAPE TOWN - MOSSEL BAY
After an early morning departure from Cape Town, you’ll travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass, with its magnificent views from the top, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains.
Our journey continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely been untouched and unexplored with its rugged coastline being the graveyard for many a ship. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is considered the icon that signifies the tip of Africa and that creates unforgettable memories. After this thrilling experience, we continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay, from where the Garden Route extends to the Storms River in the east.
Accommodation: The Diaz Hotel & Resort
Meals: N/A
Activities: N/A
OUDTSHOORN
After breakfast we continue our journey to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. Visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine estate before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages.
Accommodation: La Plume Guest House
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Activities: Ostrich Farm Visit, Wine Tasting, Tour of Cango Caves
DAY 2
DAY 3
KNYSNA
After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, with many historical landmarks like the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building; said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town. The tour travels via Wilderness, an attractive holiday resort, to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.
Accommodation: Rex Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Activities: Lagoon Cruise
KNYSNA
Today you’ll have the opportunity to further explore the natural beauty of the Knysna area. Visit the Forest Legends Museum, that exhibits tools and household items used by the woodcutters, the colourful Old Suzie steam engine, that was used to generate power, and the stately Old Forester’s House. Afterwards you’ll have the opportunity to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. This award-winning sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. A portion of the trip price goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive and reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild. The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Afterwards you’ll travel to Brenton on Sea, a nature lover’s paradise with its unspoiled beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.
Accommodation: Rex Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Activities as listed
DAY 4
DAY 5
TSITSIKAMMA
Travel to Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of the Garden Route, before visiting Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary was developed to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds. Our journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single span arch bridge in the world, currently offering the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Activities as listed
PORT ELIZABETH - DEPARTURE DAY
Head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth, known as the “friendly city” with a wonderful climate. Enjoy a city orientation tour of Port Elizabeth, where the tour ends on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Activities: City Orientation Tour
