Inspirational Garden Route in 6 Days Escorted Tour
Cape Town
Tsitsikamma National Park is an area of the Garden Route National Park, on South Africa’s southern coast. It encompasses a marine reserve, deep gorges and local vegetation like the Big Tree, a towering yellowwood. The Mouth Trail crosses a suspension bridge over Storms River. The Otter Trail leads to Nature’s Valley, with birds including the Cape batis. The park is also home to small mammals, including bush pigs.
Highlights
- A stunning coastal drive brings us to the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its delicate coastal Fynbos.
- Explore the unique cliff paths of Hermanus and gasp at the outstanding views of Walker Bay.
- Have the opportunity to marvel at the impressive Cango Caves, filled with wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations.
- Cruise the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you will learn more about the fascinating history, fauna and flora of the area.
- Have the opportunity to attempt the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge.
- Immerse ourselves in the splendour and tranquillity of the Tsitsikamma National Park and head to the Storms River Mouth for unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean.
- Day 1 - Cape Town - Hermanus
- Day 2 - Hermanus - Oudtshoorn
- Day 3 - Oudtshoorn - Knysna
- Day 4 - Knysna
- Day 5 - Knysna - Tsitsikamma
- Day 6 - Tsitsikamma - Port Elizabeth
- Additional Information
We depart Cape Town after breakfast. A stunning coastal drive brings us to the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with its delicate coastal Fynbos. We also seek out the small breeding colony of African Penguins at Stoney Point. In the “Hemel en Aarde” region, one of South Africa’s newest wine routes, we indulge in a wine tasting at a boutique winery before arriving in Hermanus.
Distance travelled today: 200 kms
Misty Waves Boutique Hotel
Hermanus Western Cape, South Africa. The impressive boutique hotel is situated in the best land based whale watching destination in the world Hermanus a charming coastal village in The Cape Whale Coast or Overstrand.
This morning we explore the unique cliff paths of Hermanus and gasp at the outstanding views of Walker Bay. During the months of July – November, the possibility of whale sightings could add further enhancement to our explorations. We depart late morning stopping for a late lunch (for own account) in the pretty village of Barrydale on the scenic “Route 62”, then onward to Oudtshoorn. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 380 kms
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.
Today we will have the opportunity to marvel at the impressive Cango Caves, filled with wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations. Thereafter enjoy a guided tour at an ostrich farm, which will give us insight into why Oudtshoorn is known as the “feather capital of the world”. We travel via the panoramic Outeniqua Pass to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 220 kms
Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Knysna Hollow Country Estate is set on a secluded 3-hectare Country Estate just 5 minutes from the centre of Knysna, a quaint seaside town widely regarded as the jewel of the Garden Route. Knysna Hollow re-opened in October 2018 as a brand-new contemporary country retreat offering stylish accommodation with warm personal service and authentic dining in the casual restaurant, Social Eatery. Situated in the middle of the iconic Garden Route National Park of the Southern Cape Coast, Knysna is the ideal base from which to explore the myriad of attractions the region has to offer. The history of Mossel Bay, the arid, semi-desert of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and the coastal towns of Wilderness, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay are all within an hour’s drive, as is Tsitsikamma National Park which is renowned for the Storm’s River Mouth and some of the country’s best hiking trails.
This morning we cruise the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where you will learn more about the fascinating history, fauna and flora of the area. Return for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure (unescorted) to further explore the charming village of Knysna. [Breakfast & Lunch]
Distance travelled today: 20 kms
Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Knysna Hollow Country Estate is set on a secluded 3-hectare Country Estate just 5 minutes from the centre of Knysna, a quaint seaside town widely regarded as the jewel of the Garden Route. Knysna Hollow re-opened in October 2018 as a brand-new contemporary country retreat offering stylish accommodation with warm personal service and authentic dining in the casual restaurant, Social Eatery. Situated in the middle of the iconic Garden Route National Park of the Southern Cape Coast, Knysna is the ideal base from which to explore the myriad of attractions the region has to offer. The history of Mossel Bay, the arid, semi-desert of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and the coastal towns of Wilderness, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay are all within an hour’s drive, as is Tsitsikamma National Park which is renowned for the Storm’s River Mouth and some of the country’s best hiking trails.
We depart Knysna after breakfast and travel to Plettenberg Bay for an ocean safari (weather permitting). During the summer months we may encounter bottlenose and common dolphins as well as seals in their natural environment. During the winter months we may see southern right and humpback whales. For those brave souls amongst us, this afternoon you have the opportunity to attempt the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (for own account and weather permitting). We arrive late afternoon at the picturesque village of Storms River. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 130 kms
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.
This morning we immerse ourselves in the splendour and tranquillity of the Tsitsikamma National Park and head to the Storms River Mouth for unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean (weather permitting). We continue our journey to Port Elizabeth where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast]
Distance travelled today: 190 kms
Minimum 2 guests / Maximum 8 guests
TOUR INCLUDES:
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, accommodation, porterage, transportation, sightseeing as specified
Departure Dates in 2018 and 2019:
19th Jan19
16th Feb19
16th Mar19
20th Apr19
18th May19
15th Jun19
13th Jul19
10th Aug10
14th Sep19
12th Oct19
9th Nov19
14th Dec19
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