High on the must-see list of most visitors to South Africa is the Garden Route, and with good reason: you can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty of the scenery. The range of topography, vegetation, wildlife and outdoor activity on this coastal route is breathtaking.

The biggest attraction of the Garden Route is the Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales that visit between June and November to calve and nurse their young. Other year-round residents include colonies of Cape fur seals, large schools of bottlenose dolphins, endangered oyster catchers, sharks and the occasional orca. The area is extremely generous on experiences, from the ostriches along Route 62 to the large herds of elephants in Addo National Park.

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While the Garden Route road is extremely scenic, it is the hidden destinations on its side roads that are the secret of this region.

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DAILY ITINERARY:  Daily order of events may change due to weather or availability

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town and your guide will meet you after baggage claim and transfer you to your hotel.  Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or explore the V&A Waterfront.

Day 2: Drive along the scenic coastline as you enjoy the Cape Peninsula today, which includes the Penguins at Boulders beach, Table Mountain, historical Bo-Kaap & the tempestuous Cape Point.  No visit to the Cape would be complete without a drive along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak, as you head back to your hotel.  

Day 3: Anyone for Great White Shark Diving?  This is the day to do this!  (additional cost to guest) After breakfast, we travel through the Cape Winelands.  Enjoy some wine tasting at various wineries en-route to Franschhoek, including the theatrical Duck Parade!  We end our day in Hermanus, famous for the best land-based whale watching.

Day 4:  Today we travel through the beautiful Overberg country scenery, which encompasses Merino sheep farms, vineyards, apple orchards, canola fields.  We travel via Bredasdorp to the towns of Agulhus and Struisbaai, visit the shipwreck museum in Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas lighthouse, the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa – erected in 1848. Our Garden Route Tour continues to the town of Albertinia.

Day 5: We continue our travels toward Mossel Bay via the Robinson Pass.  Spend a little time exploring the Diaz Museum Complex and visit the Point of Human Origin Cave Tour and the Post Office Tree, which is regarded as the original Milkwood Tree in which letters were found in a shoe about 500 years ago, before heading north to Wildness. 

Day 6: This morning we head toward Oudtshoorn to visit an Ostrich Show Farm for some unique experiences, including Ostrich riding and racing, followed by an exploration of the world famous Cango Caves. We then head south toward the town of George, via the Outeniqau Pass, and end our day in Knysna, the Heart of the Garden Route.

Day 7: This morning we visit the Knysna Elephant Park for a hands-on experience of these majestic beasts. Nature’s Valley is en-route with a stop at Bloukrans Bridge, home of the longest bungee jump in the world. Our day ends in Tsitsikamma and end your day with a walk to the suspension bridges located at the river mouth for spectacular views.

Day 8:  Today we head toward Port Elizabeth via the surfing town of Jeffrey’s Bay.  Enjoy a game drive in Kragga Kamma Game Reserve before heading to Port Elizabeth airport. Sadly, you have reached the end of your safari.  Connect to your next destination.