*Please note that this Garden Route tour can operate in two different orders. Both routes include the exact same destinations and attractions, but are conducted in a different order to avoid overbooking the accommodation establishments.*
Day 1: Cape Town – Hermanus – Cape Agulhas (~249km)
Early Monday morning we depart from Cape Town/Stellenbosch for Hermanus. (Shark cage diving clients will be picked up very early in the morning by the diving operator, and will miss the first half of Day 1). We follow the scenic coastal road, stopping at Betties Bay to view a colony of endangered African penguins. You can spend the afternoon in the seaside resort town of Hermanus, famous for hundreds of Southern Right Whales during the whale season (July to November) and many shops, restaurants and markets. In the afternoon we will drive on to Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa, where we visit a viewpoint known as the “real” place where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.
| Included meals: | Dinner |
| Included activities: | Penguins at Betties Bay |
| Optional activities: | Shark cage diving R2880, Whale watching boat trip (in season, July – November) R1050 |
| Overnight: | Cape Agulhas/Struisbaai |
Day 2: Cape Agulhas – Oudtshoorn (~330km)
We travel to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, known as the Ostrich Capital of the World, via the scenic and spectacular Route 62, which is South Africa’s longest wine route. You will be able to experience the subterranean beauty of the Cango Caves on a guided adventure tour, followed by a sampling of the local wine.
| Included meals: | Breakfast and Dinner |
| Included activities: | Local Wine Tasting, Cango Caves Tour |
| Optional activities: | None |
| Overnight: | Oudsthoorn |
Day 3: Oudtshoorn – Knysna – Sedgefield (~144km)
After breakfast we head over the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain pass where we will explore Wilderness National Park with some canoes. Enjoy an easy paddle up the Touws River through indigenous forest, enjoying the abundance of birdlife. After about 40 minutes, the canoes will be left for a 2km hike along a boardwalk which will take us to a lovely waterfall and rock pools. After the canoeing, we will head to the famous town of Knysna via the spectacular Lake District of the Garden Route. This up-market little town is filled with curios, restaurants and a waterfront, where you will be able to have lunch and do some shopping. After Knysna we will head to the Knysna Heads viewpoint for some spectacular views over Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. Late afternoon you can spend exploring Sedgefield with its spectacular views and beaches.
| Included meals: | Breakfast and dinner |
| Included activities: | Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park |
| Optional activities: | None |
| Overnight: | Sedgefield |
Day 4: Sedgefield- Tsitsikamma – Addo
After breakfast, off to Tsitsikamma National Park. En route we will stop at Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters). There is plenty of time for the adventure seekers among you to test their courage. The afternoon will be spent in Tsitsikamma National Park with its unique combination of indigenous forest and beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. The park has a wide choice of activities for all, including long and short hikes, crossing a suspension bridge and swimming. Late afternoon we will leave the Garden Route for Big 5 country, Addo.
| Included meals: | Breakfast and dinner |
| Included activities: | Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park |
| Optional activities: | 216M Bloukrans Bungee Jump R1400, Tree Top Canopy Tours R695 |
| Overnight: | Addo Area |
Day 5: Addo – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)(~40km)
We will spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park. We will spend up to 3-4 hours exploring the 28,000 hectare National reserve with over 600 elephant and some Cape buffalo, lion, black rhino, warthog, zebra, eland, koedoe, hartebeest and many more animals. After an exciting morning of game viewing we will drop you off in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) at approximately 1-2pm.**
| Included meals: | None |
| Included activities: | Entrance and 3-4 hour drive with tour vehicle through Addo Elephant National Park |
| Optional activities: | 2-hour open vehicle game drive with Addo field guide, R440 |
| Overnight: | None |
Departs:
Every Monday
Tour includes:
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver
- Pick up and drop off
- All transportation, as described in the itinerary
- 4 nights’ accommodation (backpacker or guesthouse options)
- Dinners and breakfasts (except day 5)
- Visit to the Southern Tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas
- Entrance to Stony Point penguin colony
- Local wine tasting
- Cango Caves tour
- Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
- Game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park
- Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park
