Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Summary Of The Route and Costs
A classic tour of the Garden Route starting in Cape Town and ending in the friendly city of Port Elizabeth. Over 6 days/5 nights, you take in all the highlights from the southernmost top of the entire African continent to jewel bright greens and blues of the forests and lagoons.
Departing on selected Mondays, the tour includes 5 breakfasts; 1 lunch; 1 dinner; 5 nights accommodation; porterage; transport as specified; and sightseeing as specified.
The tour departs with a minimum of 2 guests. All departures are in English. German commentary is available on selected departure dates. Guests on this tour will travel together in a luxury vehicle with a professional guide.
Summary Of The Itinerary
Holiday Title: Garden Route Splendour
Countries Visited: South Africa
Depart Cape Town with your tour group, and travel through the picturesque Sir Lowry's Pass, surrounded by magnificent mountains. Stop for coffee and a short rest at a farm stall at the top of Sir Lowry's pass. The journey continues through Caledon, Napier and Bredasdorp on your way to Cape Agulhas. You will spend some time at the Cape Agulhas lighthouse before departing for lunch in Swellendam. Thereafter continue onward to Mossel Bay for your overnight stay.
The Diaz Hotel & Resort is in the seashore town of Mossel Bay, a small slice of coastal paradise along the celebrated Garden Route. The hotel occupies an enviable space that allows it to have breathtaking sea views from every window and balcony and promises complete relaxation. The hotel has a range of culinary options that include everything from delectable dinners to informal cafe-style lunches as well as cocktails to sip while watching the gorgeous sunset.
The Garden Route
Depart Mossel Bay after a leisurely breakfast 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, followed by a wine tasting at a local wine estate before enjoying a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. You will then head to your accommodation for an overnight stay.
La Plume is a family-owned 1902 Victorian homestead on a working ostrich, alfalfa and vine farm outside the town of Oudtshoorn offering warm country hospitality and accommodations in refined style. Enjoy relaxing on the cool veranda with its sweeping view across the Olifant's River Valley to the Swartberg Mountains. The spacious en-suite rooms are tastefully furnished with gracious antiques and offer all modern conveniences.
The Klein Karoo
After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the 6th oldest town in South Africa, with many historical landmarks such as the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building; said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town. The tour then 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, 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 (included). The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.
The Rex Hotel is renowned for its chic urban style and impeccable service. The accommodation is inspired by a mix of contemporary and classic decor, featuring calming colours and plush fabrics.
The Garden Route
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Knysna area. Your journey will include a visit to the Garden of Eden, set in the lush, green, indigenous Knysna forest. The major attraction is the forest itself, beautiful yellow wood trees, thick green foliage and streams. 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. The sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. 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 breathtaking holiday location and a nature lover's paradise with its unspoilt beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.
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. Your 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 Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma 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.
The Tsitsikamma Village Inn is a family-run hotel in a magical setting on the outskirts of the Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River Mouth, and is known for its good food and old world charm. En-suite standard accommodation is in individually-decorated cottages, set village-style in beautiful gardens. The historic main building offers the De Oude Martha restaurant, the popular Hunters Pub, Cafe Bacchus and a tranquil guest lounge. Guests can relax in the manicured gardens or around the sparkling swimming pool.
The Garden Route
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, after which the tour ends. Guests may disembark, on request, at Port Elizabeth Airport.
Example Cost
Holiday Title: Garden Route Splendour
Holiday Destination: Holiday to South Africa for 5 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Section 6 of our booking conditions.
Interactive Map
Garden Route Splendour.
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