Tour Code : TISD 21
Departure Times : Tuesday & Sunday
Summerstrand Hotels : ± 08h30
Participants: 2 – 26 per vehicle
Accommodation: 4 star hotels
Vehicle: luxury sedan or minibus
Languages: English only (Tuesdays)
Bilingual – English & German (Sundays) other languages guides available on request if booked on a private basis
Includes: Meals
Entrance Fees:   Conservation Fee for Garden route National Park (Storms River; Sunset Knysna Oyster Cruise; Cango Caves; Ostrich Farm; Ocean Safari; Elephant Interaction

Accommodation: Days 1 & 2 :   Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – bed and breakfast
Day 3 :  Surval Boutique Olive Estate  similar – dinner, bed and breakfast

Day 1 :  Sunday | Port Elizabeth to Knysna via Tsitsikamma Forest (± 285km)
Molo! Hello and a friendly welcome to the Garden Route. This morning you will be collected from your Port Elizabeth hotel by our tourist guide, head west towards Knysna via Storm’s River and the beautiful and ancient Tsitsikamma Forest, the heart of the Garden Route.

The Garden Route is a gorgeous coastal area featuring lush forests, blue ocean waters and rugged mountain peaks, and was named for its ecologically vast indigenous fynbos and other plant species. Our first stop brings us to Storms River. Take in the dramatic views on the suspension bridge at Storms River mouth where the river meets the Indian Ocean.

Enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, an indigenous forest where once the majestic Knysna elephant roamed freely. This forest is home to centuries old trees such as Yellowwood, Stinkwood and Ironwood.

A short journey further south brings us to the small, beautiful town of Knysna, meaning ‘place of wood’ in the Khoikhoi. On arrival, check into your hotel before embarking on a Sunset Knysna Oyster Cruise. This informative and interactive cruise introduces you and your taste buds to the wild Knysna Oyster while enjoying a drink in the natural surrounding beauty.
Tonight we dine out (own account).

yachts at Knysna

Day 2 : Monday  : Knysna to Plettenberg Bay and back (± 60km)

After breakfast we make our way to Plettenberg Bay or Plett as it’s fondly known by the locals, where the warm Agulhas current meets the temperate Benguela current which adds to its mild climate.

Plett was first named Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) by the early Portuguese explorers and sailors and with its beautiful craggy peninsula, lagoons and golden beaches it’s not difficult to see why.

From Lookout Beach you will be taken on an Ocean Safari (weather permitting). The Ocean Safari is dedicated to observation and conservation and allows for extensive and memorable whale, dolphin and seal watching. Following our marine excursion, we enjoy a relaxing lunch in Plettenberg Bay (own account).

In the afternoon we take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school and crèche. This is a community enrichment programme that sees the proceeds of its tours going into the education of the young children of Qolweni. Guests are welcome to donate pencils, books and other stationary.

Take the scenic drive back to your Knysna hotel and enjoy leisure time to either relax or explore the village of Knysna. In the early evening we make our way to the Knysna Waterfront for a leisurely dinner at one of their numerous restaurants (own account).

Day 3 : Tuesday : : Knysna to Oudtshoorn via Wilderness (± 125 km)

Depart after breakfast and start today’s journey to Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, via Wilderness and over the Outeniqua Pass.  

Our first scenic stop is in Wilderness. Surrounded by the complete natural beauty of the ocean, mountains, and lagoons, Wilderness is a wonderful location. Enjoy photo opportunities and unspoilt views at Map of Africa lookout point (weather permitting) before continuing on our journey through the Outeniqua Pass.

driving up the Outeniqua Pass, Western Cape, South Africa

The Outeniqua Pass, in the Outeniqua Mountains, bridges the lush Garden Route and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. The pass takes you through incredible views of cinematic mountain vistas with its delicate covering of restored indigenous fynbos.

Oudtshoorn, is the principal town of the Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of the world, which gave rise to great wealth and its grand Feather Palaces. It is also home to the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, an annual festival that enjoys immense popularity and attendance and is the second biggest festival of its kind In South Africa.

Lunch (own account) at an ostrich farm in the Cango Valley on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn before taking a tour of the farm that will introduce you to these large, flightless and exotic birds. For the daring, enjoy an optional ostrich ride.

Following our ostrich farm tour we drive to our evening’s accommodation. Once at the lodge, freshen up and enjoy some leisure time, or participate in an optional game drive (own account). Enjoy a dinner of local fare in this quaint, rural lakeside setting.

male ostriches at Oudtshoorn

dripstone formation in the Cango Caves

Day 4 : Wednesday Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Route 62 (± 420km)

Today our trip takes us from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via the Cango Caves and the iconic Route 62.

After breakfast guests enjoy an olive farm tour and tasting, paired with Protea Rose or juice, before the tour departs for the Cango Caves.

The Cango Caves are a 20 million year old natural treasure situated at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. The caves were first discovered in 1780 and have evidence to suggest they provided shelter to early humans for over 80 000 years. The gold and vermillion dripstone stalagmites and stalactites are a lead feature of the caves. 

Departing this world wonder, we travel along the much beloved Route 62 which is the picturesque route encompassing the contrasting regions of the Western and Eastern Cape. With its ever changing landscapes, this route will transport you from the dramatic mountain vistas and the unique beauty of the semi-arid Klein Karoo, to the tranquil winelands region.

Enjoy wine tasting (own account) en route and the gorgeous views of the Tradouw Valley.

Lunch is enjoyed en route (own account).

Your tour will end, with a late afternoon arrival, at your Cape Town hotel

Here we’ll say hamba kahle (go well), good bye