Cape Winelands & Garden Route

The Garden Route is a much-loved road trip that stretches along the south-eastern coast of South Africa. The route got its name from the incredibly diverse vegetation encountered in these parts with the landscape made up of forests, lakes, lagoons and, of course, the rugged coastline. Our tour begins in the Cape Winelands where we will stay for the first two nights, after which we will cover Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Tsitsikamma along the Garden Route. This tour includes the main attractions of each destination with the option to add extra activities to the itinerary.

ITINERARY

Day 1

· Depart Cape Town for Stellenbosch – this area forms part of the wine route and is home to one of the most beautiful towns in Southern Africa

· Walk the oak-lined streets of the town with its many stores, galleries, and cafes

· Wine tasting on a well-known estate

· Continue to Franschhoek – the heart of the Cape Winelands

· On arrival you will have the chance to explore this picturesque village that is found nestled between valleys and towering mountains and have lunch at one of the many restaurants on offer

· This afternoon warm hospitality awaits us at one of the wine farms where we will be staying

Overnight: Franschhoek Wine Farm BB

Day 2

· After a leisurely breakfast we will embark on a wine tour unlike any other aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram visiting some of the best wine farms in the country

· Afternoon at leisure

Overnight: Franschhoek Wine Farm BB

Day 3

· Today we set off along Route 62 for Knysna, visiting Oudtshoorn on the way – the scenery is spectacular as we pass through valleys of vineyards, rugged mountains blanketed with indigenous flowers, deep ravines bordered by sheer rock faces, and finally across semi-desert scrubland with fantastical geological formations

· We arrive in Oudtshoorn, which is situated in the heart of ‘Ostrich Country’

· Visit an operating Ostrich farm where visitors will see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development, in the surrounding Lucerne fields

· Continue to Knysna

· Check in

· The rest of the day is at leisure

Overnight: Knysna Hotel/ Guesthouse BB

Day 4

· Morning departure for Featherbed Nature Reserve – a privately owned reserve and South African Heritage Site

· Travel by ferry on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head

· On arrival we will hop into 4x4’s and wind our way up the headland for dramatic views

· Take a gentle, guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves

· Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch under a canopy of Milkwood trees

· Return via ferry

· The rest of the day is at leisure

· Overnight: Knysna Hotel/ Guesthouse BB

Day 5

· Depart for Tsitsikamma, stopping off en route at Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay is a frequented destination by locals and internationals alike for its location on the Indian Ocean that provides miles of unspoilt beaches

· We will have the chance to visit one or two of Plettenberg Bay’s Blue flag beaches, before exploring the hillside town of the bay

· Continue to Tsitsikamma, which will take us past the famous Bloukrans Bridge. This bridge is the highest commercial bungee jump bridge in the world and attracts visitors from all over the world (optional activity)

· Afternoon at leisure or sign up for an activity

Overnight: Tsitsikamma Lodge BB

Day 6

· This morning we visit Storms River with the impressive Paul Sauer Bridge across the valley, towering 139 m above the river. Tsitsikamma is the Khoisan word meaning “The place of much water”. This area is characterised by massive cliffs, narrow isolated beaches, and shady indigenous forests along the river valleys.

· Afternoon optional activity

Overnight: Tsitsikamma Lodge BB

Day 7

Depart for Port Elizabeth International Airport for your flight home

Included in tour:

· 2 nights Franschhoek Wine Farm BB

· 2 nights Knysna Guesthouse BB

· 2 nights Tsitsikamma Guesthouse BB

· Certified guide

· Air-conditioned vehicle

· Airport collection & meet and greet

· Cape Winelands

· Franschhoek Wine Tram

· Oudtshoorn

· Ostrich Farm Tour

· Knysna

· Featherbed Nature Reserve

· Plettenberg Bay

· Tsitsikamma

· Storms River Bridge

· Airport transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport

Excluded from tour:

· Lunches and dinners

· Additional activities

· Gratuities

· Items purchased of a personal nature

· International flights

· Travel insurance

What to bring

· Sunscreen & sun hat

· Suitable layers for the season you intend to travel

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Camera

· Swimming costume