Garden Route Tour

6 DAY (sample itinerary)

Tour route & highlights:

On our six-day Garden Route Tour, we collect our guests in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle from their hotel and head towards the magnificent Garden Route, the name commonly used to describe the beautiful Southern Cape coastal area of South Africa.

We travel on the N1 highway inland along the famous Route 62 via Worcester, Robertson, Bonnievale and Calitzdorp, with a comfort stop along the route at the oddly-named Ronnie’s Sex Shop. We arrive in Oudtshoorn around lunch time and have lunch at Wilgewandel Farm which serves local farm style cuisine.  After lunch we visit the magnificent Cango Caves and do the adventure tour of the caves. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

On day 2 we leave Oudtshoorn to visit Safari Ostrich farm and then proceed to the Wilderness area, where we do a Kayak tour on the Touw river.  Lunch in Knysna at the Waterfront and then visit the Knysna Elephant Park to interact with orphaned African elephants. Overnight in Plettenberg Bay.

On day 3 we head towards the Addo Elephant National Park to do a game drive in the park in the afternoon. En-route we stop at Bloukrans Bridge to observe the highest on-land bungee jump in South Africa, as well as a stop at Storms River bridge for a walk over and, time permitting, a stop at the Big Tree. Lunch will be in Jeffreys Bay, thereafter we spend some time on the beach. We arrive in the afternoon at Addo and do a guided game drive.  Overnight in Addo.

On day 4 we depart Addo, to go do zip lining in Tsitsikama Forest, lunch at Storms River, thereafter we visit the Tsitsikama National Forest and hike to suspension bridge and then overnight in Knysna.

On day 5 we depart Knysna, and travel up the Garden Route, via Wilderness, George and Mossel Bay and then stop at the quaint town of Stillbaai, where we do an hour distillery tour and gin tasting at Inverroche. Thereafter we head to Cape Agulhas, where we tour the lighthouse and see where the two oceans meet at the Southernmost tip of Africa and then we head to Hermanus to overnight there.

On day 6 we depart Hermanus for a morning of great white shark cage diving, returning for lunch in Hermanus and to whale watch from the shore.  In the afternoon, we head back to Cape Town via one of the most scenic coastal drives in South Africa, Clarence Drive, which is also part of the Whale Route and features a dramatic coast line and beaches, fynbos biosphere, baboons, and if time permits, we stop off at Stony Point Nature Reserve to view the African penguin colony. We conclude in Cape Town with a drop off at your hotel in the early evening.

A bit about our route & stops:

Route 62

Route 62 is a tourist route between the Western and Eastern Cape.  It meanders from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, offering a shorter, scenic alternative to the N2 highway.
It is dotted with easily accessible towns, nestled along valleys, with wineries and game reserves, and for the more adventurous: hiking trails and mountain climbing.  Our stop is at Ronnie’s Sex Shop, which has an interesting story to its name. It has had visitors from all over the world, judging by the graffiti, and it has also become a regular stop for bikers, local farmers and visitors travelling the R62.

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s famous for its ostrich farms and is along the Route 62 wine route. This town is the capital of the Little Karoo and the feather capital of the world. Only 80km from the Southern Cape coast, Oudtshoorn is 305m above sea-level and enjoys a healthy climate of cold winters and hot humidity-free summers.

The Cango Caves

Just 30km north of Oudtshoorn are the Cango Caves – a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers discovered by a herdsman in 1780. The caves, made up of a wonderland of caverns, stalactites and stalagmites, owe its origin to the ancient ocean deposits of limestone that have been uplifted by movements of the earth’s crust and dissolved by water. They are so old that one cannot take in the significance of the timespan. Tours are conducted hourly and we take the 90-minute adventure tour where we go much deeper into the caves than the regular heritage tour.

Safari Ostrich Farm

Safari Ostrich Farm is a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn. Established in 1956 as a tourist activity, it remains a must-see attraction and is situated in the heart of “Ostrich Country” only 6km outside of Oudtshoorn. It is one of the oldest established ostrich farms and offers daily tours. On a guided tour you will learn and see all aspects of ostrich farming and ostriches. A professional guide will show you all stages from incubation to adulthood. Afterwards go feed and meet the ostrich up close in one of the breeding camps. Safari Ostrich Farm is also home to the beautiful & rare White Ostrich. Welgeluk is the name of the homestead which was built in 1910 and this Neo-Cape design is one of the finest in the district combining materials from many parts of the world.

Wilderness

Wilderness lies at the heart of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, this charming world of lakes, rivers, fens, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains. Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers. The series of lakes connected by the Touw River host a variety of aquatic species. During the spring, the lakes are surrounded by a carpet of flowers, further enhancing the verdant beauty of this wetland area.

Knysna

This quaint fishing town is built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, known as the Knysna Lagoon, which is fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands. These are popularly known as “The Heads”.  The town is a popular destination for tourists and the forest, rivers, estuary, and ocean surrounding the town are dotted with hiking trails and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Hikers, runners, kayakers, swimmers, and fishermen are fond of Knysna.

Knysna Elephant Park

The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs. The present KEP herd numbers nine – the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the country. Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat and who they want to interact with. There are no fences to spoil the close encounter and our environment encourages elephants to exhibit natural behaviours.

Plettenberg Bay

A Portuguese explorer sailed into the bay and named it ‘Bahia Formosa’ (the Bay Beautiful). It is easy to see why it was called ‘beautiful’ – a great expanse of clear blue water is captured by the rugged Robbeberg peninsula and a curving beach of golden sand stretches away to the east for 20km. The clear turquoise lagoon of the Keurbooms and Bitou Rivers lies behind the beach. Fringing the lagoon, fresh green hills stretch away to the interior towards the mighty Tsitsikamma Mountains.  It is a popular upmarket holiday resort.

Bloukrans Bridge

The largest single arch, reinforced concrete bridge in Africa, stands 216m above the Bloukrans River. Construction commenced in 1981 and the bridge was officially opened in 1984.  A view site with picnic facilities is reached via a turn-off 1 km east of the bridge. A museum depicting the method of construction and progress photographs is open to the public from 8:00 to 17:00 every day.  For adrenalin-junkies, the highest on-land bungee jump in South Africa, at 216m can be experienced at Bloukrans Bridge.

Storms River (Paul Sauer) Bridge

This concrete bridge is 191m long and stands 120m above the waters of the Storms River. Construction took 2 ½ years and it was opened to traffic in 1956 at a cost of £200 000. The construction of the new bridge was unique in that the two halves of the arch were cast in a vertical position on hinges attached to platforms on either bank of the river, and then lowered using steel cables, until the two halves met in the middle. The deck was then built on the completed arch. Such was the workmanship, that 30 years later (1986) the deck of the bridge was widened and now incorporates a walkway on both sides of the road.

The Big Tree

This giant Outeniqua yellowwood is just 500 metres from the parking area off the N2, just east of the entrance to Storms River Village. Walking to the tree takes about 10 minutes. The tree is estimated to be over 800 years old and stands almost 37 metres high. The trunk is over 18 metres high, 8.5 metres in diameter at chest height, and contains approximately 51 cubic metres of wood and has a circumference of almost 9 meters. An entrance fee is paid to see the tree and the fees are used to help cover the costs of conservation work.

Addo Elephant National Park

The 180 000 hectare Addo Elephant National Park is an area of interest to lovers of big game. An extraordinary assembly of tough, drought resistant plants, shrubs and stunted trees combine to produce the famous Addo bush. The Addo Elephant, with a population of over 600, has its home in the Addo bush. Although it belongs to the same species as the African elephant, the reddish Addo elephant is smaller; with more rounded ears and the females generally have no tusks.

Jeffrey’s Bay

Jeffrey’s Bay is known among the world surfers for its rollers, especially when there is a ground swell coupled with a northwesterly breeze at low tide. These perfect conditions occur mostly in winter when a skillful surfer can hitch a ride of half a kilometer or more. For this reason, national and international surfing championships are often staged at Jeffrey’s Bay.  It had its beginnings as a ‘harbour’ and trading post.  Paradise Beach on the southern bank of the lagoon is the largest breeding colonies of swans in the country.

Tsitsikama Forest

The name originates from the Khoi language meaning ‘a place of many/sparkling/abundant water’.  Forestry in the Tzitzikamma region is comprised of commercial forestry (plantations) and conservation forestry (indigenous forests). The region has two main sections: the first (Tsitsikamma) lies between the city of Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay, and the second (Amatola) is in the Stutterheim area. The Tsitsikamma commercial forestry enterprise has up to 11 plantations, with a total forested area of 42 000 hectares.

Cape Agulhas

Here is evidence of the geographical divide of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and the most southerly point of the African Continent. The most prominent feature is the Cape Agulhas lighthouse built in 1849. It is the second oldest in use in South Africa. A tearoom and museum are housed in this 7.5 million candle-power seafarers’ life-saver.

Hermanus

Situated on Walker Bay, Hermanus has become well known for its Whale Route. The annual pilgrimage of the Southern Right Whale to our coast for the bearing of young and for mating, sees many of these giants take haven in Walker Bay between July and November. It is also the center of South Africa’s perlemoen (abalone) industry.

Inverroche Gin Tasting

Inverroche is the first gin distillery in South Africa, and the only one that focuses exclusively on making gin from traditional fynbos (local flora). Inverroche is a family owned, artisan distillery located just outside the coastal resort of Stilbaai on the southern coast of the Cape. It is a region rich in natural beauty with rolling hills of pristine limestone and mountain fynbos, surrounded with rugged mountains and indigenous forests. They produce a range of fynbos gins combining traditional botanicals – (juniper, citrus and spice) with the exotic and aromatics from the leaves, blooms and berries of selected fynbos.

Great White Shark Cage Diving Experience

We set out early from your hotel in Hermanus on day 6 and take you to Kleinbaai, to enjoy your shark diving experience with the White Shark Diving Company.  White Shark Diving Company is about more than shark diving South Africa. This is a truly unique experience.  They have been operating for 20 years with a 100% safety record and they limit the number of passengers on White Shark to 22 people in order to provide more shark cage viewing time and a more personalised, exclusive experience. They are the holders of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2014/2015/2016 and are fully committed to the preservation of white sharks and our marine environment as a whole. This is reflected in their various conservation and social responsibility initiatives. You can enjoy topside viewing during your wait as shark activity is often close to the surface.

Stony Point Nature Reserve

Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African Penguin in the world. Located in the quaint coastal town of Betty’s Bay in the Overberg, the Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to a unique colony of African Penguins. Stony Point offers the public the chance to see these wonderful flightless birds up close, via the boardwalk through the colony, which allows the public to observe the penguins go about their daily activities in their natural habitat, without disturbing or disrupting them.

Adventure Activities:

Day 1:

• Cango Caves: Duration – 90-minute adventure tour

Day 2:

• Safari Ostrich Farm: Ostrich Tractor Safari – Duration: 1 hour
• Kayak/Canoe self-guided ride on the Gouws River – Duration: 1 hour
• Knysna Elephant Park – Duration: 2 hours

Day 3:

• Big Tree visit and walk
• Storms River bridge walk
• Addo Elephant National Park game drive

Day 4:

• Jeffreys Bay beach walk
• Ziplining in Tsitsikama Forest
• Storms River Mouth National Park hike

Day 5:

• Wilderness, George, Mossel Bay and Stillbaai
• Gin tasting at Inverroche
• Cape Agulhas & lighthouse tour

Day 6:

• Shark Cage Diving
• Hermanus whale watching from the shore
• Stoney Point African Penguin Colony

Quote Includes

Registered Tourist Guide & Driver rate; Vehicle/gas/insurance cost (at AA rates) for 6 days and all Adventure Activities & Entrance Fees.  Excludes accommodation (which can be booked for guests if required).

Proposed itinerary and timing:

Day 1

08:00 Collect guests at Cape Town hotel and travel outward-bound on N1 highway making our way on R60 towards the famous SA Route 62 via Worcester, Robertson, Bonnievale and Calitzdorp. Drive takes just over 5 hours (423 kilometres) with a stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop for a refreshment/comfort break (and photos).

13:30: We arrive in Oudtshoorn and have lunch at Wilgewandel Farm, which serves local farm style cuisine (lunch at guests’ own cost).

15:00 After lunch we visit the magnificent Cango Caves (30 kms from Oudtshoorn) and do the adventure tour of the caves (departs at 15:30 for 90 minutes).  Thereafter if time permits, we drive up Swartberg Pass to summit for vistas.

18:00 Overnight in Oudtshoorn (suggest: Buffelsdrift Game Farm).

Day 2

09:00 Depart accommodation and drive from Oudtshoorn to Wilderness via N12 (84 kms), en route we visit Safari Ostrich farm (one-hour tour from 10 – 11). 30 minutes for shopping.

11:30 Drive to the Wilderness area, where we do a one-hour self-guided Kayak or canoe ride on the beautiful Gouws river. (Eden Adventures from Fairy Know Hotel).

13:30 Lunch in Knysna at the Waterfront (suggested option: 34degree South) Lunch at guests own cost.

15:00 Visit the Knysna Elephant Park (https://knysnaelephantpark.co.za) to walk and feed elephants. (Unfortunately no riding of elephants after March 2018).

18:00 Overnight in Plettenberg Bay (suggest Beacon Isle Hotel)

Day 3

08:30 Depart hotel down Garden Route coastline, en route, stop at Bloukrans bridge to watch the Bungee jumpers and then take a walk over Storms River bridge.  May visit Big Tree or do it on return drive up the Garden Route.

12:00 Stop in Jeffreys Bay for lunch and to give guests time on the beautiful beach there.

14:00 Arrive at Addo Elephant National Park. Game drive in the park to view the abundant wildlife.

18:00 Overnight in Addo Elephant National Park (suggest Nyati Camp).

Day 4  

08:30 Depart Addo hotel, drive Tsitsikama Forest to do zip lining
(https://www.canopytour.co.za/locations/tsitsikamma/)

12:00 Drive to Storms River Mouth National Park – Have lunch in the restaurant, and do the hike to the suspension bridge

18:00 Overnight in Knysna (suggest Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays)

Day 5

09:00 Depart hotel in Knysna and travel up the Garden Route, via Wilderness, George and Mossel Bay, with a comfort stop along the way.

11:30 We travel towards the coast to the quaint town of Stillbaai, where we do an hour distillery tour and tasting at Inverroche (with lunch at the distillery).

13:00 Thereafter we head to Cape Agulhas.

15:30 We tour the lighthouse and see where the two oceans meet at the Southernmost tip of Africa and then we head to Hermanus to overnight there.

18:00 Overnight in Hermanus (suggest Harbour House Hotel)

Day 6 Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks

06:00 We depart from your Hermanus hotel for Kleinbaai, near Gansbaai, for your exciting and safe shark cage diving experience with White Shark Diving Company.  The duration of this experience is 4 hours, excluding travel time to and from Hermanus, (departure time could vary, we can only confirm this the day before, depending on conditions).

13:00 We return to Hermanus for lunch and some shore-based whale watching (this is the time of the year they visit this coastline).

15:00 Head back to Cape Town via the scenic coastal route, Clarence Drive, via Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Gordon’s Bay.  If time permits, we can stop at Stony Point to view the African Penguin colony there. Return to Cape Town hotel.

• Route may change depending weather, individual requirements and any unforeseen circumstances or natural disasters.
• With regards the Shark cage dive – please note that due to weather and tide conditions, all tours and tour times are only confirmed the day before your tour and may be cancelled if the conditions are not right to dive with sharks. Exact times vary due to seasons, tides, sea and weather conditions, number of daily trips, shark activities, etc. We cannot be held liable if this happens. In addition, the company we use has a 98% shark sighting success rate through the year, however, please bear in mind that sightings of wild animals can never be guaranteed. In the unfortunate event that you do not have shark sightings during your trip, they do not offer refunds but they will provide you with a voucher (valid for two years) allowing you to join them for another trip free of charge on a date of your choice (dependent on availability).
• There is a size requirement for the adventure tour of the Cango Caves – as guests need to be small enough to ‘Leopard Crawl’ through a low, wide slot – the only exit route. It is only 27 centimetres high.