8 Day Wonders of the Garden Route Trip
Countries: South Africa
Destinations: Eastern Cape , Garden Route , Oudtshoorn , Cape Town
Group Size: 12
Duration (days): 8
Number of Adults: 14
Number of Children: 0
The Garden Route offers the finest scenery, ocean sunsets and sub-tropical forests from the Big 5 in the Addo Elephant National Park to the iconic Cape Town. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to partake in an interactive interpretative nature walk, focusing on biodiversity, adaptation, the importance of organisms, interdependence and the need for conservation.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Cape | The Kelway Hotel |
| 2 | Eastern Cape | Addo Elephant Rest Camp |
| 3 | Garden Route | Tsitsikamma Village Inn |
| 4 | Garden Route | Tsitsikamma Village Inn |
| 5 | Oudtshoorn | Mooiplaas Guesthouse |
| 6 | Cape Town | Pullman Cape Town |
| 7 | Cape Town | Pullman Cape Town |
| 8 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Eastern Cape
On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day may be spent at leisure in the “friendly” city by the sea to participate in optional activities or enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the beach.
South Africa
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.
Eastern Cape
Located in the south-eastern part of South Africa, the Eastern Cape is a destination of unmatched natural beauty – from the warm Indian Ocean to the vast plains of the Camdeboo, stretching from the foothills of the Sneeuberg Mountains in the north to the rugged Baviaans mountain wilderness in the south.
The Eastern Cape’s boasting rights include over 800 km of incredible coastline with some of the most amazing beaches in all of South Africa, jaw-dropping rock formations and landscapes, and magnificently rich diversity of fauna and flora. The Baviaanskloof is renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its extreme floristic diversity. Uniquely the Eastern Cape offers sightings of the Big 7 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, Southern Right whales and Great White sharks). Friendly people and their generous hospitality is not the only warmth you’ll experience. The Eastern Cape has more ‘sunshine’ days than any other South African province – more than 300 out of 365 days are sunny. Most significantly, the Eastern Cape is the birthplace of several of South Africa’s most celebrated leaders, notably the late global icon and humanitarian, Nelson Mandela.
The Kelway Hotel
Offering views of Nelson Mandela Bay and its cliffs, this 4-star hotel features spacious rooms and a plunge pool. The hotel is located opposite Bayworld Oceanarium and offers free parking. Including views of the Atlantic Ocean or cliffs, all modern rooms at The Kelway are furnished in dark wood. The rooms include coffee/tea facilities,satellite TV and air conditioning. Decorated with hand-crafted tables, Kelway's Farranger restaurant serves fusion cuisine and overlooks Algoa Bay. Guests may be lucky and spot dolphins or whales on the adjoining sun deck. Guests can enjoy South African wine in the bar, decorated in a steam-train theme. It has a 9-metre glass wall that offers panoramic views of the bay. The 24-hour reception can book a shuttle service to Port Elizabeth Airport, 5 km away. They can also arrange trips to Addo National Elephant Park, 75 km away. Humewood beach is a 5-minute walk from the property.
Day 2 : Eastern Cape
Today we will explore Route 67 on a walking tour, which consist of a series of public art works celebrating the 67 years of public service of the freedom icon, Nelson Mandela, fondly known as Tata Madiba. In the early afternoon, you will be transferred to Addo National Park. A benchmark conservation success, the park offers a unique wildlife habitat, famous for the Addo elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. We spend the afternoon on a game drive in
our tour vehicle, in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. Additional game drives conducted in open game-viewer vehicles are available at an extra expense. An evening spent at the floodlit waterhole allows us to watch the nocturnal animals and listen to their calls.
Addo Elephant Rest Camp
Also known as “Main Camp” it is the hub of the Park. This is where the majority of activities take place and where most of the accommodation offerings are located, and also where visitors will find The Park’s Shop and Cattle Baron Grill and Bistro.
A unique feature is the waterhole lookout point, floodlit at night, within the camp as well as the underground hide, allowing close encounters with wildlife at the waterhole. The evenings are punctuated with the calls of lion, spotted hyena and jackal while francolin and bokmakierie herald each dawn. Accommodation units are situated within easy walking distance of each other and of facilities such as the swimming pool, restaurant and shop.
Day 3 - 4 : Garden Route
This morning after breakfast our journey takes us to a region of startling beauty along South Africa’s southern coastline, known as the Garden Route. We spend two nights in the Storms River Village, at the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. We will take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails, which allow you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungi jump at the Bloukrans River (for own expense).
Garden Route
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!
Tsitsikamma Village Inn
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 5 : Oudtshoorn
After visiting ‘The Heads’ in Knysna, a town nestled on a tranquil lagoon, we will enjoy an interactive and educational oyster tasting experience. We continue our journey, travelling over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in the town of Oudtshoorn. We take a trip to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites before overnighting in the ostrich capital of the world. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to partake in an interactive interpretative nature walk, focusing on biodiversity, adaptation, the importance of organisms, interdependence and the need for conservation.
Oudtshoorn
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?
Mooiplaas Guesthouse
Mooiplaas Guest House is a luxurious four-star guest house in Oudtshoorn – situated on our family-run working ostrich farm, in the heart of the Klein Karoo.
Here you can enjoy the open spaces of the ostrich farm and the spectacular views of the magnificent and ever-changing purple Swartberg mountains.
If you wish to relax, this is the place to get away from it all. If you are looking for sport and adventure, stay with us and enjoy the large variety of attractions and activities in the Klein Karoo area.
Day 6 - 7 : Cape Town
En-route to Cape Town, we visit the pretty university town of Stellenbosch, for wine tasting and a cellar tour. Once in Cape Town the afternoon is at leisure, enjoy sundowners at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront. The next day we get to explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer on our Cape Point tour.
Cape Town
Scenically spectacular, with an array of activities on offer, Cape Town is great for an extended holiday on its own, or for an add on to a safari in South Africa, or any other countries.
As an easy 2 hour hop from Johannesburg, with numerous daily flights, as well as some international flights from and to various countries, Cape Town is easily accessible, and an enjoyable way to ease into, or wind down, an African itinerary.
Cape Town has regularly been voted amongst the world's most popular holiday destinations, with many visitors returning year after year.
Pullman Cape Town
In the most sought-after location in the bustling city center brimming with local culture, cuisine and electrifying nightlife, Pullman Cape Town weaves itself into the colorful fabric of its surroundings. Visit immersive contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and local restaurants and markets right on our doorstep, lining the streets of Long and Bree. A stylish 5-star journey in a world-class city.
Pullman Cape Town, City Centre occupies an architecturally award nominated building in the city's central business district. The hotel is within walking distance of some of South Africa's top restaurants in Bree and Long Streets. Enjoy proximity to major tourist attractions such as Table Mountain, Castle of Good Hope and Camps Bay Beach, as well as the renowned Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Pullman Cape Town, City Centre is a stylish urban oasis in downtown Cape Town
Day 8 - Day of Departure
Spend the final day at leisure. Weather dependent there is the chance to take the cable car up Table Mountain (own expense) and enjoy one last view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport.