5 Day Magical Garden Route Tour

Day 1: Cape Town -Knysna

Depart Cape Town driving over Du Toit’s Kloof Pass to the town of Robertson. We pass Montagu, a quaint country village and enjoy a wine tasting en-route. This is followed by a traditional South African lunch (not included) in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. After lunch, we continue through the little Karoo, traversing the Tradouw Pass.

Arrive at your hotel in the busy town of Knysna that is also known as the Oyster Capital of South Africa. Enjoy dinner (not included) at one of the various restaurants.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar

————–or————–

Day 1:  Port Elizabeth –Knysna

Departing Port Elizabeth, enter the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Attractions to be visited through the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the Big Tree. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna Loerie.

Gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the suspension bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River mouth, continue via the ‘millionaires playground’ of Plettenberg Bay to South Africa’s ‘Oyster Capital’, Knysna. Arrive at your hotel in Knysna and enjoy dinner (not included) at one of the various restaurants.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar

Day 2: Featherbed – Knysna Elephant Sanctuary

After breakfast you take a walk to the Knysna Waterfront and embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry. On arrival we take a “Unimog” (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna Forest to the restaurant area where lunch (not included) is served.

Upon returning to Knysna, enjoy an interactive elephant experience. Return to the hotel scenic sightseeing drive in the late afternoon. Dinner (not included) is available at one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 3: Ostrich Farm – Cango Caves – Cango Wildlife Ranch

Experience the stunning views of the Outeniqua Pass as we travel towards the Klein Karoo’s capital – Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch where we are given a guided tour to view these strange flightless birds with their magnificent plumage.

After enjoying a traditional ostrich lunch (not included), we proceed on to the world famous Cango Caves, where a guided tour allows us to explore the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. En route back to Knysna we are then introduced to some rare and endangered animals on a fully guided tour at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. Dinner (not included) is available at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 4: Plettenberg Bay – Ocean Safari –Monkeyland – Birds of Eden

Embark on a ocean safari, commencing with an exiting beach launch from Plettenberg Bay in search of Bottlenose and rare Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins, as well as certain shark species. Resident Bryde’s whales, Southern Right and Humpback whales, and even occasional orcas are seen (seasonal).

After an exhilarating beach landing on Central Beach (Plettenberg Beach), enjoy lunch (not included) at a restaurant close by.

Continue to Monkeyland where a monkey safari within an indigoes forest is conducted by an experienced game ranger, followed by a visit to Birds of Eden, a bird sanctuary located by a two—hectare dome (the worlds largest aviary) spanning gorge of indigoes forest.

Return in the late afternoon. Dinner (not included) is available at one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar – bed and breakfast basis

Day 5: Knysna – Cape Town

After a sumptuous breakfast, our journey to Cape Town begins. After a visit to Mossel Bay, we travel over the scenic Tradouw’s Pass toward Barrydale. Enjoy a wine tasting before you sit down to a real South African lunch (not included) in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. Continuing through the Little Karoo we drive through Montagu, a quaint country village.

We then traverse Kogmanskloof Pass through to the town of Robertson and Worcester. We continue over the Du Toits Kloof Pass with stunning views over the Paarl Valley to Cape Town. The adventure ends by being dropped off at your hotel or at the airport.

————–or————–

Day 5: Knysna – Port Elizabeth

Leaving Knysna we are passing through Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Attractions here include the Big Tree and the Storms River mouth. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna Loerie.

After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River Mouth, gaze in at the scenery whilst crossing the suspension bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leaving the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma we arrive in Port Elizabeth for drop off at your hotel or at Port Elizabeth Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is best done in one direction, either CT – PE or PE – CT.
If you would like to end your tour in your departure city (subject to availability) you will be repeating the first day of the tour, only in reverse.
A better option if you need to end the tour in your departure city would be our 4 Day Historical Garden Route Tour. (CT – CT)