Magnificent Garden Route

The Garden Route is a journey of exploration, of discovery and the chance to see why this part of the world is renowned for its beguiling diversity. This stretch of coastline connects Mossel Bay to the Storms River Mouth and has sandy beaches, lovely lakes and lagoons, lush, evergreen forests, and protea-studded slopes.

You will start in Cape Town and go to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the true meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. You will then spend time in Oudtshoorn, where ostriches are the main source of tourism as well as the Cango Caves. Knysna is the next stop, which features a gorgeous lagoon and mythical forests. Your adventure comes to an end in the friendly city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

DAY 1 – MONDAY                               CAPE TOWN – MOSSEL BAY

This morning you will be met by your local tour guide and depart for the scenic Garden Route. Travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass, with its magnificent views, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. Stop en route at a farmstall packed with locally produced products from the area. Our journey continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely been untouched and unexplored with its rugged coastline being the graveyard for many a ship. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is considered the icon that signifies the tip of Africa. After this thrilling experience, we continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay, from where the Garden Route extends to the Storms River in the east. Overnight in Mossel Bay.

Distance travelled today: 507 kms

Mossel Bay lighthouse

DAY 2 – TUESDAY                                MOSSEL BAY – OUDTSHOORN

After breakfast, visit the Cape St Blaize Cave, site of one of South Africa’s oldest archaeological excavations, known as the Cradle of Human Culture. We continue our journey to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world and home to the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. Visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local wine estate in the scenic Schoemanshoek Valley, before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Overnight in Oudtshoorn with dinner at your boutique guest house, dining on local specialities such as Ostrich Steak. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Distance travelled today: 155 kms

DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY                          OUDTSHOORN – KNYSNA

After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, with many historical landmarks like the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building; said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town. The tour travels via Wilderness, an attractive holiday resort, 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. Journey into the magical Knysna Forests, the stamping ground of the elusive Knysna elephants. Discover the stories of the woodcutters who worked the forests, the elephants that were hunted to extinction and the discovery of gold. Visit the Dalene Matthee Big Tree Memorial. The enormous Yellowwood tree of over 880 years was named after Matthee, best known author of four books on the Knysna Forest. Enjoy a delicious lunch, in the forest, of traditional cuisine and local treats at Totties Farm Kitchen.

Overnight in Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]

Distance travelled today: 170 kms

Knysna Heads

DAY 4 – THURSDAY                            KNYSNA –GQEBERHA (PORT ELIZABETH)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred (unescorted, driver only) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). You’ll head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), affectionately known as the “friendly city”. The tour ends on arrival in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). [Breakfast]

Guests may disembark, on request, at Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport.

Distance travelled today: 274 kms

Please note: 

• Please treat all pricing as a guide only. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. 
• Rates vary according to seasonality. Please enquire for more details.
• Guests may opt to start the tour from Stellenbosch.