This exciting adventure will take you along South Africa’s enchanting Garden Route, and along the way, you’ll get to visit penguin colonies and see majestic whales. During this tour, you will have time to explore the subterranean beauty of the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn and take a canoe trip through Wilderness National Park. There will also be time to hike to cascading waterfalls, soak in the panoramic views from Knysna Heads, and journey through Tsitsikamma National Park. Towards the end of the trip, you will be taken on an exciting game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, where you might catch sight of Africa’s Big Five.
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Itinerary
Depart early in the morning from Cape Town/Stellenbosch together with your guide for Hermanus. We follow the scenic coastal road, stopping at Betty’s 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.
Overnight at Cape Agulhas Guest House on a bed & breakfast basis
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 local wine & craft beer.
Route 62 might market itself as the longest Wine Route in the world, but that’s definitely not all there is to it. Lush greenery and fertile valleys form a stark contrast against the semi-desert of the Klein Karoo while towering mountains and their rivers and streams provide an awe-inspiring backdrop throughout. Some of the renowned attractions visitors will spot as they follow the route are the winelands of the Breede River Valley, the majestic Swartberg mountains, the Cango Caves and ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn, and the fruit orchards of the Langkloof Valley.
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriot Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate on a bed & breakfast basis
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 Touw 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.
Overnight at Graywood Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis
After breakfast, we head off to the Tsitsikamma National Park. There is plenty of time for the adventure seekers among you to test their courage. It only takes a 30 minute walk to the suspension bridge for a breath-taking view into the abyss. Late afternoon we will leave the Garden Route for Big 5 country, Addo. En route we will stop at Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters).
Overnight at The Kraal Addo Country Estate on a bed & breakfast basis
We will spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park during an exciting game drive. The famous 28,000 hectare National reserve is home to over 450 elephant and some Cape buffalo, lion, black rhino, warthog, zebra, eland, kudu, hartebeest and many more animals.
Your guide will take you back to Port Elizabeth for your onward arrangement
COST
From: ZAR 21,550.00 Per Person Sharing
INCLUDED
- Accommodation and boards as per itinerary
- Stony Point Penguin Colony
- Services of a certified Tour Guide
- Vehicle and Petrol
- Hermanus
- Route 62
- Cango Caves
- Wilderness National Park/Canoeing and Hike
- Tsitsikamma National Park with Suspension Bridge
- Addo Elephant National Park
- The price includes a service fee for the configuration of the requested Tour Package / Services according to your specifications. fees at Leopard Hills
- Eco-Charge at White Pearl Resort
NOT-INCLUDED
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Optional and recommended Excursions
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Visa fees (where applicable)
- Airport taxes
- Souvenirs
Cape Agulhas Guest House
Luxury guest house within 2 minutes walking from the sea. Hearty South African breakfasts served in spacious breakfast room. Catering for diabetics, vegetarians and religious diets. Restaurant where meal of the day is served for lunch and dinner. Fully licensed bar facilities. Spacious lounge area and DSTV lounge. All rooms have en-suite shower.
Conference facilities for groups up to 15.
In process of going ‘green’. Solar heating, energy efficient appliances and recycling already in place.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate***
Meet Protea: Africa’s top hotel company joins the Marriott family of brands. Combining country charm with Protea Hotel’s superior standards, this hotel is situated in a farm-like setting with well-appointed thatched rondawels and is only 20 minutes away from the Cango Caves. Enjoy the best Oudtshoorn has to offer from the comfort of Protea Hotel Riempie Estate—a cozy country atmosphere in a tranquil setting. The hotel is close to the exotic crocodile and ostrich farms the town is famous for and a short drive from the town’s central business district. It’s a hotel that complements your travel style. The hotel offers an excellent restaurant that serves the best in country fare and guests can keep their heart rates up with golf, tennis, squash, gym and lawn bowling amenities nearby, plus we have state-of-the-art conference facilities for our business and corporate guests.
The Graywood Hotel***
The Graywood Hotel offers visitors a perfect base from which to explore the quaint village of Knysna and the many adventures found on the Garden Route. The Hotel itself is centrally situated in the town, within easy walking distance to the Knysna Waterfront, as well as the town centre. Amongst the many interests, you will find quaint shops, restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, boat cruises and ferry rides and local art galleries In keeping with the character and spirit of the surrounding indigenous Knysna forest, the hotel enjoys beautiful woodwork throughout. An extensive collection of original railway and steam train memorabilia recall a bygone era, while our selection of historic photographs gives you deeper insight into Knysna’s locomotive past. The wood is complimented by lush landscaped gardens with a sparkling swimming pool suspended in a wooden sundeck. Breakfast at the hotel may be enjoyed inside The Blue Goose Restaurant or on the sundeck overlooking the courtyard and pool. Relax in the comfort of your room, refresh with a dip in the pool or sit back on the sun deck and surrounding gardens with a drink while you contemplate the choice of local restaurants for dinner. The Graywood Hotel offers 48 tastefully decorated en-suite rooms. Decor is fresh and uncluttered with crisp white duvets and warm tones in the upholstery. Each room is equipped with air-conditioning, an electronic safe, remote control TV, direct dial telephone, hairdryer as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
The Kraal Addo Country Estate
The Kraal Addo is situated just 15 km from the main gate of the word famous Addo Elephant National Park. This now-fully restored hotel built in 1844 retains its colonial charm and acts as a gateway to the National Park.
Each unit at The Kraal Addo is fully Air Conditioned and the modern bathrooms are equipped with spacious power showers and free WiFi in all of the rooms. Toiletries are also provided in the rooms for our guests comfort.
A full English or continental breakfast is included in our hotel rooms, served in the dining room every morning, while the pub is a frequent favourite watering hole for locals and visitors alike in the afternoon.
The Kraal also has three mixed dorm rooms. This is a shared room comprising of four single beds with a shared bathroom and small fully equipped kitchen. Breakfast can also be added for an additional cost.
Guests can spend their free time relaxing in our comfortable TV room, exploring our beautiful wild flower gardens before refreshing themselves with a swim in our outdoor pool.
The Kraal Addo also offers a shuttle services at a surcharge to and from Port Elizabeth International Airport which is 58 km away, while Grahamstown is within a 1 hour, 30 minutes’ drive of the property.
Frequently asked questions
Ideally, you should spend a week exploring the ins, the outs and all the hidden places in between, but a well-rounded Garden Route tour should take between 3 and 4 day
South Africa’s Garden Route stretches along 300km or 190 miles of the Eastern Cape’s stunning coastline.
The Garden Route is stunning all year round but many consider February to April as the best time of the year to visit this spectacular natural attraction.
Addo is best known for being the only national park in the world where travellers get to see the Big 7 (Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Lion, Great White Shark, and Southern Right Whale)
It is best to spend at least two to three days visiting Addo Elephant Park. This will give you more than enough time to see all sorts of wildlife.
Recommendations & Extension Options
