Famous Garden Route to Cape Town (West)

DAY 1 ARRIVAL

Arrive at Port Elizabeth airport where you are welcomed by your friendly driver & -guide.
We transfer (1 1/2hrs) to the Kariega Private Game Reserve which is a family owned Big 5 Nature Extravaganza. Get close up and hunt for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and leopards with your camera on your first afternoon open vehicle game drive.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Private Game Reserve – Ukhozi Lodge

DAY 2 Kariega Private Game Reserve

We enjoy an early-morning open vehicle game drive followed by a breakfast buffet.
Explore and make use of the many lodge facilities before we hop into the vehicles for another lazy afternoon game drive.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Kariega Private Reserve – Ukhozi Lodge

DAY 3 Tsitsikamma National Park

We sneak in a final early-morning open vehicle game drive before bidding our hosts farewell and embarking on our next adventure to the Tsitsikamma area where we will explore the quirky Woodcutters Village.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village In or similar.

DAY 4 Tsitsikamma National Park

Today we visit the well-known Tsitsikamma National Park. This beautiful coastal park, with its picturesque day hikes, will delight the senses and edify the soul.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village In or similar.

DAY 5 Knysna

On our way to Knysna we’re spoilt for choice with optional extras aplenty: Monkey Land, Birds of Eden Dome or take on the challenge of the adrenaline induced Bloukrans Bungy Experience, to name a few.
Lose yourself in the breathtaking Birds of Eden, a two-hectare bird paradise of thousands of birds comprising more than 200 species.
We arrive in this beautiful coastal town of Knysna (pronounced “ˈ/naɪznə/”), famous for it’s picturesque Knysna Heads.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Protea Knysna Quays or similar.

DAY 6 Knysna

Today we explore the wonderful Featherbed Nature Reserve where we also tuck into a yummy lunch.
In the afternoon we explore the Knysna Heads for it’s iconic view.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Protea Knysna Quays or similar.

DAY 7 Oudshoorn

Today we drive across the striking Outeniqua Mountains to the unique little town of Oudtshoorn – the “Ostrich Capital of South Africa”.
As the sun treks downwards we take a scenic drive over the mountain pass and enjoy a brisk ‘sundowner’ hike before clocking in for a well-deserved dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Swartberg Country Manor or similar

DAY 8 Oudshoorn

At the Swartberg foothills, just outside Oudtshoorn, we find the mystery of the labyrinthine Cango Caves, forged over countless millennia in Precambrian limestone.
Start the day by exploring this natural wonder and then go have lunch on an actual working ostrich farm!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Swartberg Country Manor or similar.

DAY 9 Stellenbosch

Today we enjoy another scenic drive, via the famous Route 62, towards the historic town of Stellenbosch – the second-oldest European settlement in the province.
Restaurants and art galleries abound here but it’s the wine that takes centre stage…
So, oenophiles (wine lovers) rejoice as we settle in at the heart of the world-famous South African wine industry for some wonderful, late-afternoon wine tasting!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Stellenbosch Hotel or similar.

DAY 10 Stellenbosch

Today is again all about food and wine as we lunch in fabulous Franschhoek (“French corner”) and taste award-winning wines.
Whilst nobody here really speaks French anymore, Franschhoek, today, is nonetheless known as the culinary capital of the country and is indeed a member of the Delice Network of Good Food Cities of the World, joining the likes of Barcelona, Bordeaux, Merida, Montreal and Torino.
Bon Appetit!

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Stellenbosch Hotel or similar.

DAY 11 Cape Town

oday we drive to cosmopolitan Cape Town – the Mother City!
After a quick city orientation-tour, and a light lunch (optional), we hop on the famous Cape Town Cable Car to glide all the way to the top of iconic Table Mountain.
Watch the sun bathe the entire city in beauteous colours as it slowly moves towards the Atlantic Ocean turning it to liquid gold.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Portswood Hotel or similar.

DAY 12 Cape Town

Today we embark on a tour of Cape Town’s rich cultural history and, yet again, the foodies among us are in for a special treat on our Foodie Walking Tour as we stop in at the culinary hideaway of Mama Christina (known only to Sidewalk Africa Guides).
We seek out local delicacies and delights as we traipse around the multiethnic sights and sounds of this vibrant city.
It’s a day full of wonder for history buffs and gastronomes alike.

Meals Breakfast
Accommodation: Portswood Hotel or similar.

DAY 13 Cape Town

Today we travel around the Cape Peninsula on a full-day tour, stopping at some wonderful attractions such the Table Mountain National Park, spectacular Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope where the warm Mozambique-Agulhas current, coming from the Indian Ocean, clashes with the cool Benguela current of the Antarctic.
This striking part of the coastline was first spotted in 1488, by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who named it “Cabo Tormentoso” or the “Cape of Storms.” Later it was re-christened to “Kaap de Goede Hoop” or “Cape of Good Hope”
We also visit our delightfully oddball Penguin friends at Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town.
Photo opportunities are in abundance.
After a great day of sightseeing, don the soup-and-fish tux and evening gown, or just iron out the wrinkles in your birthday suit, and join the group for one last local dinner experience.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Portswood Hotel

DAY 14 Cape Town

After breakfast a ready airport transfer will be available and our tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast

ACTIVITY LEVEL

• Couch Potato
• Fairly fit  ✔
• Very fit
• Super fit

INCLUDES

• Private minibus transport between all destinations and excursions
• Certified National Tour Guide
• Thirteen Nights’ Accommodation
• Kariega Game Reserve: Includes game drives, guided bush walks, river cruise
• Entrance fee – Tsitsikamma National Park
• Guided Coastal-hike
• Lunch Cruise in Knysna – Featherbed Reserve
• Cable-car experience – Table Mountain
• All Breakfasts – Three Lunches – Four Dinners

EXCLUDES

• Wine tasting
• Entrance – Birds of Eden
• Entrance – Cango Caves

CLIENT FEEDBACK

Well planned itinerary which had a generous amount of varied and inclusive activities, including top accommodation and superb meals. Kariega Private Game reserve was outstanding in quality and sightings of wildlife. Loved the local experiences and the cultural knowledge the guide provided.
Linda – NZ

I found the total tour of immense value for money. The itinerary , activities , local community involvement, local history and the extra community food on offering was mind blowing.
Glen – Scotland