Enchanted Garden Route

Meet your local Tour Guide between 08h00 & 08h30 at the reception of your Cape Town CBD Hotel.

Depart the Mother City and drive through the Winelands to the mighty Du Toits Kloof Mountains, flanked by vineyards.

On the other side of the mountains lies Worcester which through its position is a centre of commerce and industries. The town offers many schools and institutions for children and adults with impairments, for example, the Institute for the Blind.

The route continues along the Hex River Mountains and the Langeberg Mountains through the fertile Breede River wine lands to Robertson, where we stop for a wine tasting at Van Loveren Wine Estate.

Situated on the banks of the Breede River, spend some time in the beautiful gardens, soaking up the peace and tranquility and tasting their wines under the large shady trees. Our favourite wines are the Van Loveren range – especially their Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz Blend, light and crispy Sauvignon Blanc, and of course their lightly oaked Chardonnay.

Thereafter we travel past Ashton to Montagu.

Montagu is also the center of the apricot and peach industry and is well known for its sweet Muscadel wines.

Travel distance: 185 km

• Included: Visit and Wine Tasting at Van Loveren Wine Estate

Pass the small town of Barrydale and drive to Ladismith. Towering above the town is the landmark Towerkop. It is said that the top was split by the broom of an angry witch as she fled over the mountain peak.

You continue through the Little Karoo and drive over the Huisriver to Calitzdorp, the capital of the local South African Port wine industry, and onto Oudtshoorn. Here we stop for a very informative tour on a working Ostrich Farm.

Safari Ostrich Farm is a working farm where visitors see large flocks of ostriches. The tour informs about the life and behaviour of these large birds, from egg to adult birds. Depending on the season, one sees breeding pairs, eggs in incubators, hatching chicks, and little ones of various ages. The tour also covers information about different types of ostrich feathers and the processing of ostrich skins is showing the different parts of the skin and its use.

Shortly after Oudtshoorn, the route passes hop fields and leads to the Outeniqua Mountains Pass. This 12-kilometer-long pass road has been constructed by Italian Prisoners of War who were captured during World War II.

George, the capital of the eastern part of the Western Cape Province lies on the other side of the mountain range. It has over 120,000 inhabitants and is an important industrial centre, for example for frozen vegetables and timber industries. It is popular amongst golf players with the George golf course and the world-renowned Fancourt golf courses.

The road winds down to the Indian Ocean and to the Garden Route with the small sea-side town Wilderness. It lies at an almost endless white beach and offers fantastic views of the Outeniqua Mountains.

Pass the village of Sedgefield en-route to Knysna, a small seaside town on a protected lagoon. The name derives from the Khoi language and probably means “straight down”, a reference to the Knysna Heads. They shelter in the lagoon of the Indian Ocean. Its most celebrated settler was George Rex, who arrived in 1804 and was rumoured to be an illegitimate son of King George III. Knysna is well known for its oysters, its nature reserves, and various activities offered to its visitors.

Check into your hotel for the evening at leisure.

Travel distance: 360 km

• Included: Visit Safari Ostrich Farm

We will take you on a Full-day excursion today, discovering Tsitsikamma National Park. Enjoy a walk to its famous Suspension Bridge and visit the impressive Big Tree.

The untouched, indigenous nature of the Tsitsikamma National Park stretches from the Outeniqua Mountains, over coastal plateaus and down to the Indian Ocean. Hiking trails of various lengths await the visitor. Some trails take several days to complete such as the well-known Otter Trail (48 km) or the Tsitsikamma Trail (72 km). Hikers encounter small inhabitants of the forest and experience the unique plants of this area, including over 800 year old yellowwood trees.

A walk, leading from the parking area through lush forest to a hanging bridge, offers spectacular views over Storms River Mouth.

• Included: Visit Tsitsikamma National Park
• Storms River Suspension Bridge
• Big Tree

Enjoy a day at leisure with the possibility to explore Knysna on your own or come with us on an Oyster and white wine tour on Knysna’s Lagoon.

• Excluded: Optional Oyster and white wine Boat Cruise and Boat-based whale watching (seasonal and weather dependent)

Just after Wilderness, the road turns inland and towards the Mossel Bay area. This town’s history dates back to 1488 and to Bartholomew Dias. It was in this area, the first European set foot in South Africa.

Tiny Albertinia is the home of a thriving Aloe Vera production. Various products of this natural remedy can be bought directly at one of the two factories. The road passes many canola fields. Canola and wheat are the main products of the Overberg area.

The next villages are Riversdale, Heidelberg, and Swellendam, one of the oldest European administration centers going back to 1747.

Turning towards the coast, our home for tonight is based in Arniston, right next to one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches.

Travel distance: 365 km

Leaving romantic Arniston behind, the road passes a hilly area dotted with flocks of sheep, passes Stanford, and leads to Hermanus.

Hermanus offers some of the best shore-based whale watching in the world, with a seaside trail that runs for miles along the coastal cliffs. The land drops off sharply into a deep bay below where whales come to cruise of play, sometimes as little as 20 meters away from the shore. To ensure that visitors are kept in the know, a designated ‘whale crier’ patrols the trail, sounding his kelp horn when he spots these majestic ocean mammals.

Here we stop for a walk along Hermanus’s famous Wale walk and stroll along the picturesque streets of this quaint town.

The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley starts just outside Hermanus. The relatively cool climate together with the soil creates an ideal climate for wine growing.

Pass Elgin and approach Sir Lowry’s Pass to cross the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Enjoy a magnificent view over the False Bay to the Cape of Good Hope.

After the descent, you pass through Somerset West, a town well known for its beautiful setting, various golf courses, and an array of well-known wineries. Travel along the majestic Helderberg mountain towards Stellenbosch. The second oldest town of South Africa and without doubt one of the most beautiful and most kept cities.

Many original Cape Dutch buildings are situated in Dorp Street and its neighbouring streets in the vibrant old town. The Stellenbosch Village Museum, a museum complex of historical houses furnished with period furniture depicts the lifestyle of the inhabitants of this town from the 16th to the 18th century. Stellenbosch is surrounded by countless wineries and is the hub of the wine industry in the Western Cape. Discover the historical center of Stellenbosch during a walk and visit of the Museum.

Stellenbosch on Foot Historical Walk is a great way for visitors to explore and discover Stellenbosch. Visitors can explore the numerous oak-shaded avenues, admire the Cape Dutch Architecture of the town, and listen to the tales of past inhabitants. Visitors also discover how Eerste River got its name, where Simon van der Stel set up camp as well as explore the many historical buildings and lastly hear the tales of The Eikestad.

The Stellenbosch Museum currently comprises four houses of historical interest and their gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represents a different period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors, and their gardens have been wonderfully restored, furnished, planted, and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of the time. Houses in the museum complex include the Schreuderhuis, Blettermanhuis, Grosvenor House, and O.M. Berghhuis. The museum is open to guests every day of the week.

Travel distance: 180 km

• Included: Whale Walk – Land-based Whale watching in Season (June-November)
• Historical Stellenbosch walk with a visit to the Stellenbosch Museum

Enjoy breakfast, check out and your African adventure ends with a transfer to Cape Town’s Airport or your Cape Town City Centre Hotel.

Travel distance: 50 km

We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa!

Look out for waterfalls cascading down cliffsides, colourful fynbos, and historical landmarks like the Toll House. Be sure to keep your camera handy, as around every twist and turn there’s something beautiful to see.

You can visit the waterfront, tuck into fresh seafood at the harbourside restaurants, or browse through the shops. You can also sign up for a boat cruise where you might spot dolphins and whales, or take a trip to Featherbed Nature Reserve.

During peak whale season, generally from June to November, spotting these incredible creatures is highly likely. Even outside of the peak season, Hermanus offers opportunities to spot Humpback whales, making it a year-round whale watching destination.

The best time to visit depends on your preferences. For warm weather and outdoor activities, plan a trip between September to November or from March to May. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast and set on whale watching in Hermanus, then June to November is the prime time to visit.

Temperatures generally range from the low 60s°F (around 15°C) in winter to the high 80s°F (around 30°C) in summer. Rainfall is most frequent during the winter months (June to August). The weather can be unpredictable, so packing layers is always a good idea.