Southern South Africa in Depth

Your small-group tour to South Africa’s Garden Route starts with your arrival at Cape Town airport. A warm welcome to one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

During the drive to your inviting guesthouse in the heart of Cape Town, you already get a first impression of what awaits you over the next few days.

Settle into your room at your leisure before meeting your fellow travellers and your guide in the evening. Over a shared dinner (at your own expense) you get to know each other and receive a detailed briefing for your upcoming trip.

You spend the night at the centrally located Bayflowers Guest House.

Today the focus is on exploring Cape Town. If the weather plays along, Table Mountain is your first destination first thing in the morning.

The cable car takes you up to the landmark of the “Mother City”, which is over 1,000 metres high. Enjoy the unique view of Cape Town and the endless ocean as well as across the entire Cape Peninsula.

Afterwards, together with a local guide, you immerse yourself in the history of the city. A particular focus is on District Six, in earlier times a lively and multicultural neighbourhood.

During apartheid, however, its residents were forcibly evicted and resettled and the entire district was razed to the ground. You also visit the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Stroll through the old harbour area, which delights with its special charm and bustling activity.

Overnight stay again at Bayflowers Guest House.

After your luggage has been stowed in the tour vehicle, you set off towards Cape Point. Along beautiful coastal roads you reach the Cape of Good Hope.

The legendary “Cape of Storms”, as many seafarers used to call it, is known not only for its dangers but above all for its natural and rugged beauty.

Look forward to a grandiose panorama over the vast Atlantic Ocean, offered to you from the old lighthouse and the many viewpoints along the way.

You then continue to Simon’s Town. Framed by large granite boulders, Boulders Beach is a habitat for African penguins. Watch the cute little fellows waddling along the beach, playing in the water or simply lazing around.

Finally you leave the Cape Peninsula. South Africa’s most important wine region around Stellenbosch is your destination for the day, and the enchanting Cultivar Guest Lodge just outside Stellenbosch is your home for the next two nights.

At a beautiful wine estate in the area, a delicious dinner (at your own expense) awaits you in the evening – what a great end to an eventful day!

Together with Cape Town, Stellenbosch is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. On a walking tour you explore the historic town centre with its gleaming white Cape Dutch-style buildings.

Via the scenically beautiful Helshoogte Pass you then continue to neighbouring Franschhoek.

Stroll through the little town, which is full of cafés, restaurants, galleries and art shops, and enjoy the French flair.

Very close to Franschhoek you visit an idyllic wine estate to taste the different varieties at an extensive wine tasting. The estate’s restaurant, by the way, is an excellent place for lunch!

Slowly you then make your way back to Stellenbosch. On the way you stop for another wine tasting and let first-class wines work their magic on you. For dinner you visit one of the excellent restaurants in town (at your own expense).

You spend another night at Cultivar Guest Lodge.

After breakfast the journey continues to a farm typical of the Cape region, beautifully situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains.

Here you take a short hike to a viewpoint. The view over the whole of False Bay as far as Table Mountain is simply breathtaking!

On a clear day you can even see as far as Cape Point. Back from the hike, something very special awaits you at lunch – be surprised!

Well fortified, you then continue along a picturesque coastal road beside False Bay to Hermanus. Depending on your mood, in the afternoon you can stroll along the coastal path and enjoy the fantastic view of the ocean.

Overnight stay at Bamboo Guest House.

After a generous breakfast you start the day well fortified. During whale season, take a boat trip for whale watching (optional).

You should on no account miss the chance to get up close with the gentle giants of the sea.

Outside whale season, you explore Fernkloof Nature Reserve on a short hike in the morning. Discover the unique world of fynbos and look forward to wonderful panoramic views over the town of Hermanus and the whole of Walker Bay.

The afternoon is at your leisure. If you wish, your guide will gladly show you the magnificent viewpoints along the Rotary Way high above Hermanus and drive with you into the green Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the Heaven and Earth Valley.

This wonderful gem in the Overberg region invites you to linger and indulge with its numerous wine estates, delightful restaurants and small farm stalls.

Those who would rather relax in the afternoon are welcome to do so on the dream beaches of Hermanus.

You have dinner at an excellent fish restaurant in town (at your own expense) and spend another night at Bamboo Guest House.

Today you leave the coast and drive inland. Your first destination is the little town of Swellendam, set in dreamlike surroundings.

Here you take a historical walking tour to admire the Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture and immerse yourself in bygone times.

The journey continues over the impressive Tradouw Pass into the Little Karoo. You reach the small town of Barrydale at lunchtime – ideal for a stop at a pretty bistro serving delicious home-made food.

Through beautiful landscapes along the picturesque Route 62, your small-group tour finally takes you to Oudtshoorn.

At Thabile Lodge, your accommodation for today, you have dinner together.

Look forward today to an unforgettable drive along the Swartberg Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in South Africa.

As its name suggests, it leads over the Swartberg mountain range, which separates the Little Karoo from the Great Karoo.

Soon the tarred road gives way to a gravel road that winds impressively through the Swartberg. Behind every bend a new fantastic view and unique photo opportunities await you.

Along the way your guide makes repeated photo stops and gives you insights into the flora, fauna and geology of the region.

Your next destination is the dreamy town of Prince Albert with its historic buildings and hospitable locals. Here you have time to stroll through the nice shops and galleries and have lunch at one of the cafés or restaurants (at your own expense).

Through the picturesque Meiringspoort Gorge, a narrow gorge along the Groot River right through the Swartberg, you finally head back. Steep mountain walls with imposing rock formations line your way.

If you wish, your guide will gladly stop along the way for a walk to the Meiringspoort waterfall.

Via the small village of De Rust you return to Thabile Lodge, where you will spend another night.

Oudtshoorn is known not only as a centre of ostrich farming but also for the Cango Caves. In the morning you visit the impressive stalactite caves.

Find out how nature shaped them over hundreds of thousands of years, and marvel at the fascinating formations and bizarre structures.

A visit to an ostrich farm must not be missing from your trip either! On a guided tour you learn all sorts of interesting facts about these large flightless birds.

You then make your way back to the coast and drive over the Outeniqua Pass, which offers dreamlike views of the mountains, to Wilderness.

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. You spend the night at Mes Amis Guest House with a magnificent view over the kilometres-long white sandy beach.

In the morning you explore the hinterland of Wilderness, part of Garden Route National Park.

You first board canoes and paddle along the clear, winding Touw River. At a landing stage the canoes are pulled ashore and you cover the last two kilometres to a small waterfall on foot.

Depending on the temperature that day, the waterfall invites you to a refreshing dip! Take a break and enjoy the glorious nature. Then it is back to the canoes, and you paddle at a relaxed pace back to the starting point.

You spend the rest of the day as you please. Relax on the beach or make yourself comfortable at the guesthouse.

You spend another night at Mes Amis Guest House.

After a leisurely breakfast you set off for Knysna. Together with your guide you explore this charming little town on the edge of a beautiful lagoon.

A narrow opening flanked by two steeply rising sandstone cliffs – the so-called Knysna Heads – connects the calm lagoon with the rough sea.

Your guide takes you to a viewpoint on the eastern cliff, where a magnificent view opens up over the lagoon, the town and the Indian Ocean. You then continue to Plettenberg Bay.

In the afternoon you go on a hike in Robberg Nature Reserve, which extends over a peninsula south of “Plett”. The trail leads over boardwalks, sand and stones, and again and again offers fantastic views of rugged cliffs, the deep blue sea and seals playing in the water.

Back at the vehicle, your journey continues to Storms River. Tsitsikamma Village Inn is your home for the coming night.

Look forward to a morning full of exploring in Tsitsikamma National Park, a true paradise for hikers, nature lovers and adventurers.

On an impressive suspension bridge you cross the mouth of the Storms River. Let the rough breeze blow around your ears and enjoy the roar of the surf.

Along the way there are repeated viewpoints that invite you to linger. You can also discover the rugged mountain and coastal landscape on various hiking trails, and your guide will gladly accompany you.

Around midday you leave the park and continue your varied journey. Via Port Elizabeth you drive towards the famous Addo Elephant National Park and, in the course of the afternoon, reach the lovely De Old Drift Guest Farm. Here you can relax in a cosy atmosphere.

Perhaps tonight you will dream of the great herds of elephants you will hopefully meet tomorrow…

Game drives in the park

Today another highlight of the trip awaits you. The day in Addo Elephant National Park is devoted entirely to wildlife viewing. On a game drive in an open safari vehicle you experience South Africa’s wildlife up close.

The park is best known for its namesakes: large herds of elephants are at home here and often crowd closely together at the waterholes. Rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard can also be tracked down and observed with a bit of luck.

In addition, zebras, various antelope species and rich birdlife roam in South Africa’s third-largest national park. With exciting wildlife experiences in your luggage, you return to De Old Drift Guest Farm around midday.

In the afternoon there is the option of going out again with your guide in the tour vehicle to look for the park’s inhabitants.

The evening, too, holds a highlight in store for you. While your guide grills for you over an open fire in true South African tradition, you can look back together on the best experiences of the past few days.

The last day of your South Africa trip starts with a leisurely shared farewell breakfast. Afterwards you make your way to Port Elizabeth.

Your guide takes you to the airport at around 11 am and it is time to say goodbye. An eventful trip comes to an end. Totsiens – until next time!

Breakfast

Please do not book flights before 1 pm from Port Elizabeth.

If you feel you have had too little wildlife viewing on this trip, we would be happy to arrange an extension in Kariega Game Reserve for you.

On game drives in an open safari vehicle you can, with a bit of luck, see the Big Five. Boat trips and bush walks are also offered, so that you get to know the impressive nature from other perspectives too.

Please ask us for a quote!