Garden Route Tour

Description:  This 8 day tour showcases the best this region has to offer. From scenic beauty and adventure to natural wonders and real wildlife experiences! Not only do we travel along the famous Garden Route but we start our journey in the Cape winelands, venture inland along the R62 to the Karoo thirst lands, tour the exquisite rock formations of the Cango Caves, safari in a Big 5 reserve, hike in ancient forests and more. This truly is an 8 day tour of a lifetime.

Highlights: Cape Winelands | Route 62 | Ostriches in Oudtshoorn | Cango Caves | Boat cruise in Knysna | Walk with elephants | 2 day Safari in Addo Elephant National Park

Price:

€1000 + ZAR 1000 local payment

*based on 8 people travelling

*airport transfers can be arranged, price on application

Day 1 – Cape Winelands

We meet for breakfast and a tour briefing at your accommodation in Cape Town at 8am. Once our vehicle is packed we start the adventure by heading into the famous and picturesque Cape Winelands. Here we visit three wine estates for tutored wine tastings, a cellar tour, cheese and wine pairing and lunch at an elevated wine estate with sweeping views of our surroundings.

This is followed by a trip into the historical, university town of Stellenbosch (the 2^nd oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town) for a chance to do some shopping, have cup of coffee or visit the Village Museum. In the late afternoon we check into our accommodation on the outskirts of Franschoek to settle in, relax and freshen up. Dinner will be at one of Franshoek’s local restaurants, renowned for the quality of food and wine they serve.  (B)

Day 2 – Route 62 & the Little Karoo

After breakfast we leave the vineyards behind and travel along the famous Route 62 enjoying astonishing examples of the earth’s power and geological time in the form of the Cape Fold Mountains. Along the way we visit a port cellar in Calitzdorp and end our wine tasting by sampling some of South Africa’s best dessert wines. Lunch will be at one of the well known local roadside establishments. We arrive at our accommodation in Oudtshoorn in the late afternoon to relax, swim and freshen up before heading to the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in the little Karoo, where we can enjoy a sun-downer at the waterhole before dinner at the lodge restaurant. (B)

Day 3 – Oudtshoorn                  

This morning we visit one of the oldest functioning ostrich farms in the country, there is a guided tour which covers the history of the ostrich industry and functioning of the contemporary farm, there’s even a chance to ride an ostrich! We have lunch at the Cango Wildlife Ranch where there is a fascinating display of wildlife. You can interact with big cats such as lions and cheetahs or even cage dive with Nile crocodiles. After an entertaining lunch we continue to the Cango Caves for a guided tour of South Africa’s largest and most impressive cave system. We head back to our accommodation to freshen up and relax before dinner at one of the town’s local restaurants. (B)

Day 4- Knysna

Travelling south we move away from the desert thirst land of the Karoo, over the Outeniqua Mountains and into the Garden Route, a fertile coastal strip, recognised for its indigenous forests and lagoon systems. Once checked in at our accommodation in Knysna you can head into town on foot for lunch and explore the myriad of stalls and cafes. In the afternoon we take a boat cruise on the Knysna lagoon to view the Knysna Heads and taste the local oysters for which the area is famous. We eat dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Knysna Lagoon. (B)

Day 5 – Tsitsikamma & Storms River Mouth

Today, we visit a home for orphaned African elephants to have an up-close and personal encounter with the largest land animal on the planet. We take a tour back in time into one of the few remaining indigenous forests of South Africa, the enchanting Tsitsikamma. The Storms River Mouth, part of the Tsitsikamma National Park, is the next stop for a seaside lunch and the chance to hike this beautiful coastline, snorkel in the bays or take a boat trip up the gorge of the river mouth. On our way home we pass the world’s highest bridge bungee jump (optional) before heading back to relax before dinner at a local restaurant. (BL)

Day 6 – Addo Elephant National Park

We move away from the coast and into the land of the last remaining wild Cape elephants, the Addo Elephant National Park. Once checked in we have lunch before heading out to enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of wildlife with the possibility of seeing the Big 5 and more. In the evening you are treated to a traditional South African braai (barbeque) prepared by your guide. (BLD)

Day 7 - Addo Elephant National Park

We are up with the rising sun for a quick breakfast. We then head out into the park as soon as the gates open with the anticipation of what we might find. Today is about the animals and our schedule is determined by what we see and which animals we spend time with. We will probably head back to camp during the heat of the day for lunch and a siesta but this will depends on what we encounter. In the afternoon we resume our search for wildlife and postcard-perfect pictures before a sun downer from a view point in the park. Tonight you are treated to more traditional South African fare in the form of potjiekos (a slow cooked stew in a cast iron 3-legged pot, cooked over the coals). After dinner we enjoy the “bush TV” (campfire) and swap stories under the stars to the sounds of the African night. (BLD)

Day 8 – Tour ends

This morning there is an optional early morning game drive to get those last photos and animal encounters before returning to camp for a hearty breakfast. You will then be transferred to Port Elizabeth airport to catch an onward lunch time flight to your next destination. (B)