From Cape Town our route to the Garden Route first leads via Gordon’s Bay up Sir Lowry’s Pass. At the highest point of the pass we stop for a fantastic view over the whole of False Bay.
We reach the idyllic Cape Dutch town of Swellendam. After a lunch break we continue via Mossel Bay to Knysna. We drive to our accommodation on Leisure Island on the Knysna Lagoon.
Before dinner we go up to the “Knysna Heads” to enjoy the sunset and the view over the lagoon and coast. Afterwards we explore Knysna’s little Waterfront and, if you wish, try the freshly caught oysters.
Overnight stay in a 4* guesthouse on Leisure Island
Today we travel via Plettenberg Bay with its lovely swimming beaches towards Addo Elephant Park. For the very brave there is an opportunity for a bungee jump on the way. But just watching is fun too.
In the afternoon we reach our accommodation, right at the southern entrance of Addo Park. At sunset we take a boat trip on the Sundays River, along the longest sand dunes in the world.
Overnight stay in a 4* lodge at Addo Elephant Park
The day begins with a morning safari in Addo Elephant National Park, where besides elephants you can see lions, buffalo, zebras, antelope, rhinos and many other wild animals. This elephant park is the largest in the Eastern Cape and was founded in 1931 to protect the last 11 surviving elephants of the region.
In the afternoon in Schotia Park we experience a guided safari game drive. This safari park is home to various big game, including giraffes, wildebeest, hippos, antelope and a particularly large number of lions.
The day ends with a traditional dinner in a boma (open-air restaurant) under the clear African starry sky. Afterwards it is not far to our accommodation at Addo Park.
Overnight stay again in the same 4* lodge at Addo Elephant Park
We say goodbye to the wild animals with a last morning safari through Addo Elephant Park and drive to Plettenberg Bay in the morning.
In Tsitsikamma National Park we climb across the Storms River suspension bridge and in Nature Valley we enjoy the dreamlike view and a short walk on its wonderful beach.
Having arrived in Plettenberg Bay we drive to our accommodation. For dinner we visit one of the first-class restaurants in Plettenberg Bay.
Overnight stay in a 4* guesthouse in Plettenberg Bay
Today we slowly make our way into the Little Karoo. The route first leads us back via Knysna, where we enjoy a walk on the most beautiful beach of the Garden Route at Brenton on Sea.
We continue via Wilderness. Wilderness is known for its eight-kilometre-long white sandy beach and its many lagoons. The Touws River flows right through Wilderness and, together with several other waters, forms a lagoon between the dunes.
Via Swellendam we now continue to Hermanus. This town is well known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Every year between July and November they sometimes come as close as 20 m to the shore.
Our accommodation is right on the sea. In the evening we eat in one of the great restaurants in Hermanus.
Overnight stay in a 4* accommodation with a sea view in Hermanus
After a whale-watching boat trip we say goodbye to the whales and Hermanus today.
We drive along False Bay, on one of South Africa’s most beautiful coastal roads, to Cape Town. In the coastal town of Betty’s Bay we visit the penguins at Stony Point.
Then it continues past Pringle Bay, Rooi Else and Gordon’s Bay to Cape Town.
Afterwards transfer to the airport or hotel, or a follow-on programme such as a 3-day classic Cape Town tour.
