Garden Route Uncovered - 6 Day Scheduled Tour (Tour)

Introductions

Garden Route Uncovered - 6 Day Scheduled Tour

Enjoy a 6-day journey from Cape Town through Oudtshoorn, Knysna, and Tsitsikamma, exploring caves, coastlines, forests and wildlife.

5 nights

from £2245

Description

The Garden Route begins a few hours outside of Cape Town and is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline. It is a wildly popular route that consists of a series of towns that each offer diverse and unique experiences, some favored and others off-the-beaten track.

The Garden Route Uncovered package is a collection of all the experiences that make this region celebrated. You will follow the path from Cape Town, through the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, also home to the Cango Caves, and then enjoy the splendour of Knysna and the Tsitsikamma. A world of natural wonder beckons.

Highlights

Visit a farmstall packed with locally produced products from the Overberg region
Visit Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa)
Travel via the scenic Tradouw Pass
Guided tour of the Cango Caves
Guided tractor tour of a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn
Wine tasting, sampling top quality wines of the Klein Karoo region
Afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon
Visit to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary & Birds of Eden Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay
Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park and scenic Storms River Mouth
• Enjoy carefully chosen MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that positively impact our travellers and the communities we visit
• Meals included in this trip support sustainable food production with at least 30% of the food on the menu being sourced locally (within 50-80km) of where it’s prepared

Additional Information

Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 10 guests

What's included:

7 Meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner including gratuities
5 Nights’ accommodation including porterage
Transportation including toll fees in air-conditioned vehicles
Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Bottled water in eco-friendly packaging

Please Note:

Transportation is in air-conditioned touring vehicles appropriate to the requirements of the tour

2 guests will travel in a sedan vehicle
3-10 guests will travel in a 13-seater vehicle

One suitcase and one overnight bag per person is allowed.

Selected Departure Dates in 2025:

January - 6,13,27
February - 3,10,17,24
March - 3,10,17,24,31
April - 7,14
May - 5,19
June - 9
July - 7
August - 4,18,25
September - 1,15,22
October - 6,13,20,27
November - 3,10,17,24
December - 1

Pricing

Jan

Jul 2025

Departure Date	Number of Pax	Premium Category	Price/Person	Amount
6 Mon	1	6-Day Garden	£18810.00	FROM£37620.00

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Darrell James Travel

02089118889

mail@darrelljamestravel.co.uk

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Description

Cape Town-Cape Agulhas-Oudtshoorn

This morning, you will be met by the 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 farm stall packed with locally produced products from the area.

The journey continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely remained untouched and unexplored, with its rugged coastline serving as a graveyard for many ships. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is considered the icon that signifies the tip of Africa.

After this thrilling experience, continue via the historic town of Swellendam and the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale, home to the famous Route 62. Continue to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Enjoy dinner at an Ostrich Farm, dining on local specialities such as Ostrich Steak.

Accommodation: La Plume Guest House or similar
*Dinner included

La Plume Boutique Guest House

La Plume is a Boutique Guest House on a working ostrich, alfalfa and cattle farm with spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Olifants River Valley. A warm welcome awaits you at this charming 1902 Victorian homestead with its tranquil surroundings where Karin, the owner, has combined old-world charm with modern comforts to ensure extraordinary service and personal attention.

Meals Included: Dinner

DESTINATION

Oudtshoorn

When you arrive in Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Little Karoo, you will be welcomed with hospitality which has become synonymous with the people of the Klein Karoo. The Klein Karoo is an oasis-like setting in a fertile valley cupped by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, and is situated on the edge of the Garden Route. Set along the Grobbelaars Rivers which meanders southwards from the Swartberg, providing fertile soil and water for irrigation, Outdshoorn is a town with the most sunny days per year in the whole country. Shielded from the coastal belt by the mountain ranges the Klein Karoo also enjoys many windless days. As a result, crops such as lucerne, tobacco, fruit, grapes and grains grow here in abundance.

Overview

The Klein Karoo is one of South Africa's eight wine regions and although it is large in area it is small in production. The wines produced here are high in demand and classed amongst the best from South Africa. You can experience the joy of life in the country and breathe in the healthy, unpolluted as you stop at the numerous estates on the Klein Karoo Wine Route from Montagu in the West to Meiringspoort in the East. Whichever way you approach it, you'll have to traverse a mountain pass to get to Oudtshoorn which located a 4 hour drive from Cape Town.

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Description

Oudtshoorn

After a leisurely breakfast, take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. Join a fun-filled interactive guided tractor tour at a working Ostrich Farm, followed by a wine tasting, sampling top quality wines of the region.

Accommodation: La Plume Guest House or similar
*Breakfast included

La Plume Boutique Guest House

Meals Included: Breakfast

DESTINATION

Oudtshoorn

Overview

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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. Enjoy a delicious lunch en route of traditional cuisine and local treats. The remainder of the day is at leisure until you join an afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon.

Accommodation: Rex Hotel or similar
*Breakfast and Lunch included

aha The Rex Hotel

Knysna is a haven of beaches, forests, lakes and sea, and aha The Rex Hotel is one of this coastal town’s most sophisticated accommodation offerings. A warm welcome and timeless elegance ensure guests enjoy a special experience during their stay at aha The Rex Hotel, as we promise superior service and exceptional comfort time and again.Located on the world-famous Garden Route, aha The Rex Hotel is a celebration of urban style, making it one of the most exhilarating getaway destinations in its class. Expect an eclectic mix of modern and classic comforts that capture the essence of 4-star luxury. The O Bar & Eatery serves Buffet Breakfast daily in a contemporary setting with cuisine that is beautifully presented and prepared using only the freshest ingredients that Knysna has to offer. aha The Rex Hotel offers travellers a gateway to Knysna’s outstanding restaurants, blossoming forests, nature reserves, arts and crafts, and the shores of the serene lagoon.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

DESTINATION

Knysna

Holidays to Knysna take you to a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking lagoon and home to a protected marine reserve that features extraordinary sea horse and over 200 species of fish, Kynsa is probably the most famous town on the garden route. With beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers, a wide range of activities and excellent places to stay, eat and drink, there are plenty of reasons to stop in Kynsa. Knysna is located in the middle of the Garden Route, approximately 500 km from Cape Town and 270 km from Port Elizabeth.

Overview

With beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers, a wide range of activities and excellent places to stay, eat and drink, there are plenty of reasons to stop in Kynsa. Knysna is located in the middle of the Garden Route, approximately 500 km from Cape Town and 270 km from Port Elizabeth.

Destination: Over 8000 plant species

The indigenous forests in Knysna constitute the largest complex of closed-canopy forest in southern Africa and the remarkable richness of the Fynbos vegetation contributes over 8000 plant species to the Cape floral kingdom. Exploring the Knysna forests, along demarcated walks, with the occasional call of the Loerie provides an escape from reality for the body and soul.

Destination: The only forest elephant in South Africa

Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cosy cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly coloured, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.

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Knysna

Today you’ll have the opportunity to further explore the natural beauty of the Garden Route. Visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. This award-winning sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates.
*A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive and reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild.

The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Afterwards, you’ll travel to Brenton on Sea, a breath-taking holiday location and a nature lover’s paradise with its unspoilt beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.

Accommodation: Rex Hotel or similar
*Breakfast included

aha The Rex Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

DESTINATION

Knysna

Overview

Destination: Over 8000 plant species

Destination: The only forest elephant in South Africa

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Knysna-Tsitsikamma

Travel to Plettenberg Bay, considered the jewel of the Garden Route, for a visit to the Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free-flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary was developed to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds.
*A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards protecting genetically pure species of various Taxa in a semi-wild state and to hold the seeds of these Taxa for future reintroduction into the wild.

The journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, currently offering the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world. Visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar
*Breakfast included

Tsitsikamma Village Inn

The Hotel’s Hunters Pub was a hunting lodge that was built in 1841 to accommodate hunters that walked into the area to hunt game in the surrounding forests. In 1860, Thomas Bain constructed the road from Plettenberg Bay to Kareedouw through the Tsitsikamma. This 184 km road took 4 years to complete with the help of 200 convicts. Just past the Tsitsikamma Village Inn is the original pass – at the time the pass was so narrow, it was only open to traffic in one direction each day. Travellers waiting for their turn used to outspan in the Hotel’s ground.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DESTINATION

Tsitsikamma

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Tsitsikamma-Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), affectionately known as the “friendly city”. Enjoy a city orientation tour of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where the tour ends on arrival.

Guests may request to be dropped off at Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport.

*Breakfast included

No Vendor Set

Meals Included: Breakfast

DESTINATION

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, also known as the "Friendly City", is a popular tourist destination located on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is renowned for its stunning beaches, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. The city boasts a mild and temperate climate, making it an ideal destination for travelers all year round.

One of Port Elizabeth's biggest draws is its magnificent coastline. From the popular Kings Beach to the secluded Sardinia Bay, there is a beach for everyone. The city is also home to several nature reserves and national parks, including the Addo Elephant National Park and the Schoenmakerskop Nature Reserve, where visitors can see a variety of indigenous wildlife such as elephants, lions, and buffalo.

For those interested in history and culture, Port Elizabeth offers a glimpse into South Africa's past. The Donkin Heritage Trail is a must-visit for anyone interested in the city's history, as it showcases the history of Port Elizabeth from its earliest days as a small trading post to its present-day status as a major city. Additionally, the city is home to several museums, including the Red Location Museum and the Bayworld Oceanarium, where visitors can learn about the area's rich cultural and maritime heritage.

Aside from its natural beauty and rich history, Port Elizabeth is also known for its fantastic food scene. From traditional South African dishes to international cuisine, the city offers a wide variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Visitors can also sample local wines from the many vineyards in the surrounding area, or enjoy a cold craft beer from one of the city's microbreweries.

For those looking for a more active vacation, Port Elizabeth offers plenty of opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities. From surfing and kitesurfing to hiking and mountain biking, there is something for everyone. The city is also home to several world-class golf courses, making it a popular destination for golfers from around the world.

Whether you are interested in exploring the natural beauty of the Eastern Cape, discovering the rich history and culture of South Africa, or simply relaxing on one of the city's stunning beaches, Port Elizabeth is a must-visit destination for travelers. With its friendly locals, fantastic food, and endless opportunities for adventure, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience in this "Friendly City".

Overview

When you want to hit the beach, Algoa Bay, the coastal strip of Nelson Mandela Bay, is a 40km-stretch of beaches with protected areas for swimming at Kings Beach, Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach (a world-class, Blue Flag beach), Pollock Beach and Denville Beach. Fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing are enjoyed at the quieter spots including Wildside, Sardinia Bay, Blue Horizon Bay, Bluewater Bay, Beachview and Schoenmakerskop.

If you’re interested in culture, you’ve got to check out the Red Location Museum, a museum in New Brighton Township that portrays “both the horrors of institutionalised racism and the heroic efforts of the anti-apartheid movement”.

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