South Africa is well known for its attractions that entice, and the Garden Route, a safari experience and the Cape Winelands are some of the most sought after. The Garden Route, Safari & Winelands package combines the best elements for a journey beyond expectation.

ROUTING

CAPE TOWN – KNYSNA – CAPE TOWN

Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 18 guests

Selected departure dates on a Thursday

LANGUAGE

All departures are in English. German commentary is available on selected departure dates.

 Day 1 – Thursday   Cape Town – Oudtshoorn

This morning you will be met at your hotel by your representative and depart for the ‘Little Karoo’, travelling via Montagu, a picturesque spa town. Enjoy tea and scones at the only original Art Deco Hotel in South Africa. Stop off in the town of Barrydale, where we will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, that support local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Sample top quality port style wines in Calitzdorp, before continuing to Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Overnight in Oudtshoorn. Enjoy dinner at an Ostrich Farm, dining on local specialities. [Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 418 kms

Day 2 – Friday        Oudtshoorn – Knysna

After breakfast take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Return to Oudtshoorn for a fun filled interactive tractor tour and light lunch at an Ostrich Farm, including local specialities such as Ostrich Steak. Our journey continues over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George, the administrative hub of the Garden Route area and then onto Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Along the way, visit the ‘Map of Africa’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Distance travelled today: 204 kms

Day 3 – Saturday         Knysna – Plettenberg Bay – Knysna

After a leisurely breakfast, drive through the Tsitsikamma Forests. Explore this breathtaking stretch of the Garden Route, where mountains, indigenous forests, deep gorges, and lush vegetation hug the rugged coastline of cliffs and sandy beaches.  Visit the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). In the afternoon you’ll return to Knysna, with a stop in Plettenberg Bay, originally christened “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers.

There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity, goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive and reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild. There is also an option, (for own account and subject to availability) to visit the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity goes towards protecting genetically pure species of various Taxa in a semi-wild state and to hold the seeds of these Taxa for future reintroduction into the wild. Lunch will be enjoyed en route.

Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Distance travelled today: 200 kms

Day 4 – Sunday             Knysna – Albertinia

After a leisurely breakfast, drive through the Tsitsikamma Forests. Explore this breathtaking stretch of the Garden Route, where mountains, indigenous forests, deep gorges, and lush vegetation hug the rugged coastline of cliffs and sandy beaches.  Visit the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). In the afternoon you’ll return to Knysna, with a stop in Plettenberg Bay, originally christened “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers.

There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity, goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive and reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild. There is also an option, (for own account and subject to availability) to visit the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity goes towards protecting genetically pure species of various Taxa in a semi-wild state and to hold the seeds of these Taxa for future reintroduction into the wild. Lunch will be enjoyed en route.

Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Distance travelled today: 150 kms

 Day 5 – Monday           Albertinia – Hermanus

Our safari adventure continues with an early morning open vehicle game drive. Our expert guide will endeavour to spoil us with sightings of the ‘Big Five’, general game and prolific bird life. Leaving the bush behind, our journey will take us to the picturesque Cape Dutch town of Swellendam. This charming town was founded in 1745 and is famous for its youngberries, eclectic architecture, and National Parks, as well as outdoor activities. Our journey further continues to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August to November) in the world. Dinner at the Heritage Restaurant, one of the oldest fisherman’s cottages in Hermanus, where delectable dishes are created using seasonal, local produce. Overnight in Hermanus. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 370 kms

Day 6 – Tuesday         Hermanus – Cape Town

After a leisurely breakfast depart Hermanus and travel to historic Stellenbosch with its Cape Dutch architecture, absorb the quaintness of this lovely university town before continuing to Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast]

Distance travelled today: 150 kms

NOTE  – Option to extend and stay in Cape Town for a few nights to enjoy this beautiful city 

Accommodation included:

4* La Plume Guest House or similar x 1 night

4* Rex Hotel or similar x 2 nights

4* Garden Route Game Lodge or similar x 1 night

4* Misty Waves Boutique Hotel or similar x 1 night