5 - Day Garden Route Tour:

This tour explores some tranquil coastlines, exciting mountain passes, relaxing forests and unique animal encounters.

Day 1: We depart from Cape Town at 7h30am (please refer to Pre-Departure Information) and travel to pretty Hermanus (only in season) which is famous for its miracle of nature as the Antarctic whales come into Walkers Bay to calve (seasonal). Our route to Mossel Bay is via farmlands of apple/pear orchards and rolling hills with lunch on route. From here we drive along the scenic route to Sedgefield, our overnight stop for 2 nights. (D)

Day 2: After a good breakfast we drive via Georges and the picturesque Outeniqua Pass to the Mecca of South African ostrich farming – Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the world famous and stunning dripstone cave – Cango Caves* (optional cost as it is only for able bodied people – unfortunately not accessible at all), one of the many Ostrich Show Ranches and the Cango Wildlife Farm. After a leisurely drive back with breathtaking views we relax for the 2^nd night at Sedgefield. (B/D)

Day 3: Today you have the option to board the “Outeniqua Choo Tioe” steam train* (optional cost as it is not accessible to people who cannot transfer easily) which takes us trough the Wilderness and the Lake district, along one of the world’s most picturesque train routes to Knysna (train operates seasonal only: August to May); or take a similar drive with our tour vehicle. After a fascinating stop at Knysna Head and a boat cruise* (weather dependant) on Knysna Lagoon we travel to the hart of the Garden Route – the Tsitsikamma National Park which embraces an 80km strip of superb coastline together with a marine reserve that stretches 5 km offshore. Here you can relax or take walks in the forest which is richly endowed with plant life and birds, the rock pools teem with colourful marine life; and whales, dolphins & sea otters can often be seen sporting close to the shoreline. (B/D)

Day 4: In the morning you have the chance to visit the Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and the Elephant Sanctuary* where you can do a “Trunk in hand tour” (Elephant-back Ride* also available on request at optional cost) or you can take some time out and just relax. After an exiting or peaceful morning our journey takes us to Stormsriver, the Adventure centre of the Garden Route with the Bloukrans Bungi-jump* (216M!!), one of the highest in the world. We take a leisurely drive along more fantastic coastline before returning to Tsitsikamma Forest for the second night. (B/D)

Day 5: Today we take a leisurely drive along the coastline and end up in the 5th largest city in South Africa - Port Elizabeth, also known as “friendly city” or “windy city”. On arrival in PE the tour ends (B)

Please note that the above itinerary can also run in reverse and other changes may occur due to accommodation availability or other unforeseen circumstances