Countries: South Africa
Destinations: Garden Route , Oudtshoorn , Whale Coast
Group Size: 10
Duration (days): 5
Number of Adults: 10
Number of Children: 0
Uncover some of the best parts of the Garden Route. This exquisite stretch of coastline promises adventure and scenic beauty that will have you captivated by South Africa. The Garden Route is famous for its diverse offerings of activities, sights, and landmarks.
Your journey begins in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and you will travel through Knysna, often called the heart of the Garden Route, and adored for its oysters. It is then on to Oudtshoorn, with a booming Ostrich industry, and a unique insight into these quirky creatures. The Cango Caves are a true highlight, a subterranean world that is a natural display of magnificence. The journey concludes with a trip to Hermanus, a whale-watching mecca (in season).
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garden Route | Tsitsikamma Village Inn |
| 2 | Garden Route | aha The Rex Hotel |
| 3 | Oudtshoorn | Hlangana Lodge |
| 4 | Whale Coast | Auberge Burgundy |
| 5 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Garden Route
Meet your representative and fellow travellers and head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. Overnight in Tsitsikamma.
Distance travelled today: 190 kms
For a varied, diverse, exciting and fulfilling holiday, one would be hard pressed to find a country in Africa, or the world, which offers more. South Africa has it all, including wildlife, mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, numerous cultures, first world cities, untouched landscapes, casinos, amusement parks, exciting activities, excellent roads and infrastructure, off road 4 x 4 routes, fantastic food, good wine, great sports stadiums, incredible people and a triumphant history.
Running from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, with rugged mountain ranges separating the forested coastline from the harsh, vast landscapes of the Karoo, the Garden Route has a host of enchanting towns, bays and beaches.
It is the ideal location for a family holiday, being simple to self-drive, and allowing pure relaxation.
With 3 main airports servicing the Garden Route, it is easy to access, but once there, it is hard to leave!
The Tsitsikamma Village Inn offers 49 beautiful and individually decorated rooms. This historic hotel, offering scenic accommodation in Storms River along the Garden Route of South Africa, was established in 1946. This hotel is situated in the Storms River Village tucked away in the lush Tsitsikamma forest, close to Storms River Mouth, in the Tsitsikamma National Park. This historic South African hotel has served as a stop-over for travellers for more than a century. Most of the rooms are situated around a typical Village green. These buildings reflect many of the different building styles that were to be found in the Cape Colony during the 1800s.
Day 2 : Garden Route
After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. Afterwards we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region. Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Dinner]
Distance travelled today: 100 kms
Knysna is a haven of beaches, forests, lakes and sea, and aha The Rex Hotel is one of this coastal town’s most sophisticated accommodation offerings. A warm welcome and timeless elegance ensure guests enjoy a special experience during their stay at aha The Rex Hotel, as we promise superior service and exceptional comfort time and again.
Located on the world-famous Garden Route, aha The Rex Hotel is a celebration of urban style, making it one of the most exhilarating getaway destinations in its class. Expect an eclectic mix of modern and classic comforts that capture the essence of 4-star luxury. The O Bar & Eatery serves Buffet Breakfast daily in a contemporary setting with cuisine that is beautifully presented and prepared using only the freshest ingredients that Knysna has to offer. aha The Rex Hotel offers travellers a gateway to Knysna’s outstanding restaurants, blossoming forests, nature reserves, arts and crafts, and the shores of the serene lagoon.
Day 3 : Oudtshoorn
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tractor tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking 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. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account). Overnight in Oudtshoorn. [Breakfast & Lunch]
Distance travelled today: 210 kms
The ostrich capital of the world is an adventure, culture and environment destination in the Klein Karoo – the unique semi-arid landscape that lies between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges.
Most visitors come to Oudtshoorn to see ostriches and to experience the Cango Caves, but the town itself is a treasure of interesting historical facts and -buildings. The good news is that it will cost the visitor less than an average meal to experience it. Why not spend a day or two just exploring the history of the town?
Day 4 : Whale Coast
There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, that focusses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to 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 supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world. Overnight in Hermanus [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 365 kms
The unspoiled Cape Whale Coast is embraced by majestic mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. This entire region is celebrated for its abundant whale sightings, especially within the Walker Bay region spanning from Hermanus to Gansbaai. These magnificent creatures venture into the bay for mating and birthing purposes, delighting observers with their captivating displays of breaching antics.
Day 5 - Day of Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town, where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 160 kms