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Overview
The Garden Route is a journey of exploration, of discovery and the chance to see why this part of the world is renowned for its beguiling diversity. This stretch of coastline connects Mossel Bay to the Storms River Mouth and has sandy beaches, lovely lakes and lagoons, lush, evergreen forests, and protea-studded slopes.
You will start in Cape Town and go to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the true meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. You will then spend time in Oudtshoorn, where ostriches are the main source of tourism as well as the Cango Caves. Knysna is the next stop, which features a gorgeous lagoon and mythical forests. Your adventure comes to an end in the friendly city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 10 guests
Departure Day - Monday, selected departure dates.
Detailed Itinerary
This morning you will be met by your local tour guide and depart for the scenic Garden Route. Travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass, with its magnificent views, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. Stop en route at a farmstall packed with locally produced products from the area. 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. After this thrilling experience, we continue via historic Swellendam and the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale and the famous Route 62. Sample top quality port style wines in Calitzdorp, before continuing to Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Overnight in Oudtshoorn. Enjoy dinner at an Ostrich Farm, dining on local specialities such as Ostrich Steak. [Dinner]
Distance travelled today: 550 kms.
Meal: Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Afterwards enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine estate in the scenic Schoemanshoek Valley. Return to Oudtshoorn for a fun filled interactive guided tour at a working Ostrich Farm.
Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 90 kms
Meal: Breakfast
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. Journey into the magical Knysna Forests (weather & road conditions dependent), the stamping ground of the elusive Knysna elephants. Discover the stories of the woodcutters who worked the forests, the elephants that were hunted to extinction and the discovery of gold. Visit the Dalene Matthee Big Tree Memorial. The enormous Yellowwood tree of over 880 years was named after Matthee, the best-known author of four books on the Knysna Forest. Enjoy a delicious lunch en route to traditional cuisine and local treats. Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]
Distance travelled today: 170 kms
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred (unescorted, driver only) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). You’ll head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), affectionately known as the “friendly city”. The tour ends on arrival in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). [Breakfast]
Guests may disembark, on request, at Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport.
Distance travelled today: 274 kms
Meal: Breakfast
Gallery
Inclusions
- 5 Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner including gratuity
- 3 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
Exclusions
•International airfares
•Optional activities
•Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
•Personal equipment
•Travel insurance, Gratuities
•Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
•Travel and medical insurance
•Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
Hotels Envisaged OR Similar
Oudtshoorn - La Plume Guest House or similar
Knysna - Rex Hotel or similar
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visit Dassiesfontein, a farmstall packed with locally produced products from the Overberg region
Visit to Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa)
Travel via the scenic Tradouw Pass
Sample top quality Port style wines in Calitzdorp, a town well known for its fortified wines
Guided tour of the Cango Caves, a wine tasting in the scenic Schoemanshoek Valley, guided tour of an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn
Immersive journey into the mythical Knysna Forests, discovering the legends build around woodcutters, elephants, steam trains and gold miners
Enjoy carefully chosen experiences that positively impact our travellers and the communities we visit
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.
LANGUAGE: English commentary on all departures
Prices are subject to alteration without prior notice. Prices are also subject to adjustment in the event of changes in government imposed taxes, fuel price, airfares, hotel charges, tourism levies and the introduction of national, regional or local taxes or levies of whatever nature.
Departure on Mondays.