Experience the highlights of the Garden Route in five days.
Enjoy the bright greens & blues of the forests & lagoons and the evocative landscapes of the Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn.
MINIMUM 2 | MAXIMUM 10 GUESTS.
Departure Day - Saturday, selected departure dates.
ROUTING : GQEBERHA (PORT ELIZABETH) - CAPE TOWN
Meet your representative and fellow travellers and head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. Overnight in Tsitsikamma.
Distance travelled today: 190 kms.
Meal: No Meal
After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful 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. Afterwards we’ll continue our travels 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 sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region. Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Dinner].
Distance travelled today: 100 kms.
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tractor tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Congo Caves, one
of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account). Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [Breakfast & Lunch].
Distance travelled today: 210 kms
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the
opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, that supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to
the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world. Overnight in Hermanus [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 365 kms
Meal: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town, where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast].
Distance travelled today: 160 kms
Meal: Breakfast
• 6 Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner including gratuities
• 4 Nights’ accommodation including porterage
• Transportation including toll fees in air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
• Bottled water in eco-friendly packaging
•International airfares.
•Optional activities.
•Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program.
•Travel insurance, Gratuities.
•Voluntary tips for guides or drivers.
•Travel and medical insurance.
•Any items not mentioned as included.
Accommodation included:
3* Tsitsikamma Village Inn (Log Room East) or similar x 1 night
4* Rex Hotel (standard room) or similar x 1 night
4* Hlangana Lodge (standard room) or similar x 1 night
4* Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel (standard room) or similar x 1 night
Transportation:
Transportation is in air-conditioned touring vehicles appropriate to the requirements of the tour
• 2 guests will travel in a sedan vehicle
• 3-10 guests will travel in a 13-seater vehicle.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park and scenic Storms River Mouth.
• Enjoy a delicious dinner at a delightful lagoon side restaurant in Knysna
• Afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon
• Visit the ‘Dolphin Point’ lookout in Wilderness, with spectacular views of Wilderness beach and beyond
• Guided tour of the Congo Caves and a guided tractor tour of a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn.
• Visit a rural farm school in the Barrydale area with the opportunity to interact with the children. This visit supports our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund that encourages local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. School will be closed 01 – 14 Jan; 29 Mar - 07 April; 28 Jun.– 21 Jul; 04 – 12 Oct; 11 - 31 December 2025.
• Explore the small towns along the well-known Route 62.
• Visit Hermanus, a seaside resort in the heart of the whale route.
• Meals included in this trip support sustainable food production with at least 30% of the food on the menu being sourced locally (within 50-80km) of where it’s prepared.
• Enjoy carefully chosen optional experiences that positively impact our travellers and the communities we visit.