Garden Route Tour - 12 days

Departing from any location in Cape Town the Garden Route tour offers guests the opportunity of experiencing one of South Africa's top destinations accompanied by an experienced guide. The tour is private and can start on any date specified by clients. The Garden Route is regarded as the area between Mosselbay in the South and Port Elizabeth in the North. We explore the area from Knysna a town located in the central Garden Route which is regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of the area.

Garden Route Tour - 12 days

Classic Tour
Privately Guided / Self-drive

12 days / 11 nights Garden Route with a difference

The Garden Route and Safari Tour departs from Cape Town and explores the Garden Route area from the town of Knysna. Three nights are spent in the Garden Route before traveling on to the Addo Elephant Park.

The park is home to Africa's Big Five and is definitely the finest safari area in the southern part of South Africa. Upon completion of the safari guests are transferred to Port Elizabeth Airport for a flight to Cape Town. The tour is private and can start on any date specified by clients.

A great itinerary for friends, families, couples or groups to tour the Garden Route. It caters for tourists who wish to enjoy a private holiday with the comfort of a personal guide or even choose a private self-drive vacation.

Highlights:

1 night accommodation in Franschhoek
Whale watching & wine tasting in Hermanus
Overnight on a sheep farm
Visit Cape Agulhas and Arniston
Boat trip on Knysna lagoon, oysters & champagne
Visit Tsitsikamma and animal rehab center
City tour of Port Elizabeth
Full day at Addo Elephant Park
Visit Cango caves, ostrich farm and wildlife centre
Wildlife safari in Ceres
West Coast Langebaan visit

Day 1: Franschhoek

Depart Cape Town airport (or anywhere in Cape Town) for the beautiful Wine Lands and visit some of the historic wine estates for some wine tasting along the way. Enjoy lunch in the Franschhoek valley in the Cape Winelands. Its excellent cuisine will delight the palate.

We explore the many antique shops, Huguenot museum and other places of interest and book in at our overnight accommodation, set high on the slopes of the majestic Simonsberg with spectacular vistas across vineyards to the immense Boland Mountains.

Overnight: Cathbert Country Inn Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

DAY 2 – Hermanus

Today's scenic trip takes us to Hermanus where from mid July to November we will be able to do some whale watching. This is where the largest mammals on earth give birth to their young close to the beach and their numbers are growing due to the great conservation efforts of most countries of the world.

We enjoy lunch at Bientang’s Cave and then embark a boat trip to view whales and experience these wonderful creatures at close range. Check in at our overnight accommodation. Dinner is served at the estate.

Overnight: Blue Gum Country Estate Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

DAY 3 - Hermanus

We explore the beauty of Hermanus and surroundings. Of course, we have to visit a few wine farms in the area.

Overnight: Blue Gum Country Estate Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 4 – Bredasdorp

We check out and drive to Bredasdorp, a sleepy little agricultural village surrounded by Protea flowers. We visit one of the oldest working sheep farms in the Cape - since 1838. We will spend 2 days here, wander around the farm, rest at the shore of its lake and feel content at such beauty and the tangible aura of history.

We enjoy dinner in the company of our host, a young descendant of the founder, Michiel van Breda.

Overnight: Zoetendals Vallei Farm Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 – Cape Agulhas

Still on the farm, we enjoy a hearty breakfast and then depart for Cape Agulhas where the two oceans really meet. From its unique position, the lonely lighthouse has sent its never-ending message to ships at sea for centuries.

Drive to Arniston close by to visit a cave called “waenhuiskrans”. Its direct translation means wagon garage cliff, so called because it is so large that a wagon with a full span of oxen could turn around in the cave.We visit some of the many shipwrecks of unwary sailors of years gone by and the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp before returning once more to the farm.

Overnight: Zoetendals Vallei Farm Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6 – Knysna

We depart after breakfast and drive to Knysna. A pleasant boat cruise on the “Spirit of Knysna” awaits us on the Knysna Lagoon, where we also will enjoy lunch. We will make a point of it to visit the oyster farm to enjoy some oysters and champagne. We leave Knysna and drive to the neighbouring Plettenberg Bay where we check in to overnight.

Overnight: Lairds Lodge Country Estate Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 – Tsitsikamma

We depart after breakfast towards Tsitsikamma National Park. We also stop at Teniqua Rehab centre to visit some wild cats. The road continues towards Port Elizabeth where we do a quick city tour. We continue to our overnight accommodation near the Addo Elephant Park, where we find another of those especially selected gems of accommodations.

In anticipation of the game-drive tomorrow, we discuss our experiences over a gourmet dinner.

Overnight: Woodall Country House & Spa Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8 – Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant Park’s elephants are among the smallest in the world, but demand the same respect as their larger cousins in the rest of Africa. Of course, we will search for the rest of the “Big 5” animals, which include rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard, apart from all the rest of the animal to be found.

We enjoy a Picnic-Basket lunch to look after our physical well-being. We return by late afternoon for the evening sundowner, followed by dinner and a good night's rest.

Overnight: Woodall Country House & Spa Meals: Full board

Day 9: Oudtshoorn

Depart after breakfast towards Oudtshoorn. We follow one of the most scenic routes through the beautiful Meiringspoort to Prince Albert for lunch before we head for Oudtshoorn via the Swartberg pass. Your evening is free to enjoy dinner at any of the great restaurants available in town.

Overnight: Hlangana Lodge Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is the Ostrich Capital of the World and some of the farms boast in excess of a million birds. We visit one of these ostrich farms and acquire a souvenir if you whish. For the daring, there is a chance to participate in an ostrich race against the elite jockeys of the farm.

But our day still has much to offer and we continue to the world- renowned Cango Caves, which are reputed to be the most extensive and magnificent cave system in the world.

Our next activity leads us to the Cango Wildlife centre for quite an interesting educational experience. Here, the brave could swim with crocodiles and for the more careful; you could have your picture taken while stroking a cheetah. Dinner is again at leisure tonight.

Overnight: Hlangana Lodge Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Touws River

After breakfast, we head in the direction of Touws River and check in at Aquila Game Reserve. Aquila is not just another luxury game reserve and lodge, its primary purpose is to offer an educational experience to all who visit in the hope that knowledge will enrich our understanding of the importance of living in harmony with Mother Nature.

In another of our conservation efforts, we currently offer our visitors a complimentary educational introduction to our cheetahs, highlighting the plight of the free ranging cheetah and their critically diminishing numbers.

Overnight: Aquila Game Reserve Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Cape Town

We return to Cape Town airport (or anywhere in the Cape Town area) via the West Coast resort of Langebaan.

Meals: Breakfast

This is where this tour ends.

BOOK THIS TOUR NOW

Why not extend your stay in South Africa? We have a wide range of options available. The perfect extension for this tour is the Victoria Falls and Chobe reserve in Botswana, or even South Luangwa in Zambia. Enquire now on these extensions.

Price per person sharing: Price available on request

Starting Point: Anywhere in Cape Town

Ending Point: Anywhere in Cape Town

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Minimum persons: 2. A supplement applies for single travelers

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

Flights to Kruger Park and Johannesburg
Return flights to Mozambique
All airport and ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
Specified accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
Meals as per itinerary
Services of a registered cultural and nature guide
Activities specified in itinerary, including transfers and entrance charges
(For self-drive option) Car rental inclusive of super-cover and unlimited mileage

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

International flights to and from South Africa. Book your own, or ask us for a quote
Lunches & dinners (unless specified)
Drinks & refreshments
Tips for guides, porters and restaurants
Telephone calls, laundry & other incidental personal expenditure
Additional activities not specified
Travel insurance
(For self-drive option in Cape Town) Fuel deposits and airport surcharges, additional driver/younger driver surcharges, fuel, oil, vehicle collection, etc.
Airport departure taxes, in countries where these apply e.g. Mozambique: currently US $10 per person

Please ensure you take the necessary US dollars for this purpose

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All activities are subject to prevailing weather conditions
Malaria precaution is advisable for the Kruger Park and Mozambique
Our standard terms & conditions apply. Here you can find more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important issues.

Note:

Jewel of Africa Safaris is a registered tour operator with the necessary permits and insurance cover to transport International Tourists. All our driver/tour guides are Satour accredited, medically cleared, hold Professional Driving Permits. All our guides are accredited First Aid practitioners.

This suggested itinerary is based on our many years of experience and previous tailored tours for other clients. As this tour will be conducted on a private or self-drive basis, the itinerary can be tailored to include any number of days, persons or accommodation required, depending on your personal requirements.

Optional extensions are available - enquire now

This is an open invitation to speak directly to me concerning this tour or any of our itineraries. If you email me with your contact detail, I will phone you personally. My contact detail is available HERE

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