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The Garden Route - South Africa
8 days (10 inc. flights) - from £825
- Stunning nature retreat near Gansbaai.
- Picnic in a magical and whacky botanical garden.
- Fabulous coastal scenery, beaches and lagoons.
- Stay in a winery.
- A homestay in Outdshoorn. Chance to see the Cango Caves, meerkat project and ostrich farms.
- A tour of the Knysna Elephant Park.
- Exciting eco-marine encounter - chance to see whales and dolphins.
Description
Many different companies offer Garden Route holidays. So why should you consider our Garden Route holiday? Simply because it's different. It includes lots of excellent activities within the price (most don't), and allows you to meet some really wonderful local people. We will also get you close to the nature of the Cape Floral kingdom, and even take you to a garden, experiences which - perhaps surprisingly - you'll struggle to find on most other itineraries!
This is a self-drive holiday and we've arranged some great places for you to drive to and to stay in: a Dutch Homestead at a winery, a gorgeous hotel in a remote nature retreat on the fynbos coast near Gansbaai, a fascinating and friendly homestay in Outdshoorn, and a lovely (and charmingly-named) guesthouse at Plettenberg Bay.
We've also included some excellent activities which will really bring you closer to what the Garden Route is all about. There is a picnic in a very special and quite mad garden, a tour of the Knysna Elephant Park and an eco-marine trip to see dolphins and whales.
We give you plenty to do, but also leave you enough free time to do your own thing, whether that's exploring ancient caves, touring an ostrich farm, or meeting meerkats and cheetahs. And you can Make it Yours by adding on a Dyer Island Cruise, a treetop canopy tour, a walk amongst elephants or extending your holiday with a few days relaxation at the beach.
So you see, this really is no ordinary Garden Route holiday!
Itinerary Summary
- Day 1: Arrive Cape Town, collect hire car and drive to Gansbaai.
- Day 2: Full day in Gansbaai. (B)
- Day 3: Garden visit and picnic, plus stay at a wine farm. (B,L)
- Day 4: Outdshoorn. (B)
- Day 5: Knysna - inc. tour of the Elephant Park. (B)
- Day 6: Free day in Plettenberg Bay. (B)
- Day 7: Morning eco-marine encounter. (B)
- Day 8: To Port Elizabeth. Flight to Johannesburg and connect to overnight flight back to UK (if selected). (B)
Detailed Itinerary
- DAY 1 (Sat): Depart Cape Town. Collect your hire car and drive to the lovely fishing town of Gansbaai, approx 2 and a half hours away. Hermanus would be a lovely place to stop along the way for some lunch and a spot of sight-seeing. Drive to your gorgeous nature retreat set at the foot of fynbos-covered mountains in a pristine 800 ha private reserve with views towards the ocean, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon hike or chill out by the pool.
- DAY 2 (Sun): Another perfect day in the Cape Floral Kingdom. There is so much to do around here! You could consider a whale cruise (Feb-Oct), head for the beach, drive down to nearby Cape Agulhas, go horse riding (pay locally), or simply enjoy walking in this very special and beautiful environment. (B)
- DAY 3 (Mon): Today we’re putting a garden into the Garden Route! Set off early this morning to drive about 2 hours to a simply enchanting place. Enjoy a Dutch picnic lunch in one of the world's most original, fascinating and whacky gardens. A guided tour of Soekershof's maze and gardens, arts and crafts is magical - even if you're no gardener! And, as you'll be on on the edge of the Cape wine growing region, what better way to end your day than with a stay at a wine farm? Nuy Valley Guest Farm is rather special, and we suspect you'll be tempted to take up their wine tasting option. We can also recommend the food! (B,L)
- DAY 4 (Tues): Today you take a scenic drive slightly north to the town of Outdshoorn in the Klein Karoo. The two main highlights of this area are the ancient Cango Caves and the ostrich farms. There is also Meerkat Magic, where you can try to see wild meerkats in a conservation project, and Cango Wildlife Ranch where you can meet cheetahs up close and personal! You'll struggle to do everything, so we've left the day free so you can choose what most appeals. You'll spend the night in Hazel's Homestays, where friendly hosts welcome you into their homes. For dinner tonight, either stay in for some tasty home cooking, or try one of the great local restaurants. (B)
- DAY 5 (Wed): After breakfast and a fond farewell to your hostess, head south, driving for about 2 hours through the spectacular Outeniqua Pass down to Knysna by the coast. Get here in time to enjoy the shops, cafes and sights, as well as your tour of the Knysna Elephant Park (or upgrade to a 2hr elephant walk). You'll spend the night at Knysna Hollow Country Estate, set amongst lush gardens near Knysna's famous lagoon. (B)
- DAY 6 (Thurs): Today you'll head east along the coast to Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of the Garden Route. With its incredible beaches, wonderful walks and indigenous forests, 'Plett' is a picturesque, bustling town that you'll have the day to explore at your leisure. Cottage Pie Guest House, located 5 mins from the town centre and only 100m from the stunning Robberg beach, will be your home for the next 2 nights. (B)
- DAY 7 (Fri): An exciting morning awaits, as you head out on a two hour eco-marine encounter trip. You will hopefully see common, bottlenose and Indo-Pacific dolphins, resident Bryde’s whales and, in season (June-Oct) Southern Right or Humpback whales. What an exhilarating way to spend a morning! The rest of the day is yours, to explore or just to chill. (B)
- DAY 8 (Sat): Your last morning to enjoy the Garden Route before driving about 2 hours east to your final destination, Port Elizabeth. And just because it's the last day, that doesn't mean that the fun has to stop - if your schedule permits, why not stop in at Tsitskamma on the way and take an exhilarating treetop canopy tour? Then drop your car at the airport before flying to Jo'burg (if selected) to connect to your flight home or continuing with onward arrangements. (B)
Is it for you?
This holiday is great for all adults and children. There is variety, excitement, a chance to really get to know the Garden Route area and people, and some wonderful places to stay.
Best times to go
From about October to March the weather along South Africa's Garden Route is mostly hot and dry. November and February are very Mediterranean in climate.
Getting there
The journey starts in Cape Town. If coming from abroad you'll obviously fly here, but if you're arriving from elsewhere in South Africa, you could come by train, in which case we'll collect you from the station (we can book a train for you if you like). At the end, from Port Elizabeth you can fly out to Jo'burg, Cape Town, or other regional airports, and connect to homeward flights if relevant. If coming from the UK you would normally take an overnight flight to Cape Town the day before this itinerary starts and on the way back would also take a night flight arriving back in the UK the following day.
Gallery
Responsible Travel
How your holiday helps:
There is so much to this holiday which is positive. Buying this holiday, you are helping local conservation, local people and local wildlife. It’s a gem of a holiday for you, but it gives SO MUCH back to the area.
(Note: FTTSA is the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa).
The nature retreat near Gansbaai is an accredited member of the FTTSA, and the owners work tirelessly to protect the indigenous and rare plants and habitats of their 800 hectare reserve. There are various different habitats here, but the area is most noted for the indigenous ‘fynbos’ (meaning fine bush or heath), which include plants such as proteas and ericas.
Soekershof Garden is an accredited member of the FTTSA and its mission statement is: "Soekershof is a sacred enterprise, based on the appreciation of nature, humor, play, creation, expression and respect for the land and the growth and development of the people and plants that participate”. Not only have they brought back to life a dying garden, but they are also a community-orientated venture, and back local artists and suppliers such as Joey, a talented wire artist.
The winery has a primary school on their farm, and a staff empowerment and upliftment scheme (eg their head chef was an alcoholic, but now copes with life, work and family).
Dreamcatcher’s Homestay and Cookup with Kamammas give back to the Kamammas and their helpers, creating work and income for a lot of people. The Dreamcatcher Foundation is one of the founders of community-based tourism in South Africa. With about 100 projects, they estimate that they benefit about 20,000 people. Through tourism ventures they work for the well-being and advancement of under-privileged communities in South Africa, with an emphasis on supporting women.
The aim of the marine tour company we use is: “to create, in partnership with the community, a conservation model in Plettenberg Bay to sustain marine and coastal resources through improved management, research and education”. In our view, a whale and dolphin boat trip with this company is the best you can find, AND it gives back in many ways. They even back a local disadvantaged community with funds for education and a crèche.
Storms River Adventures who do the Woodcutter’s Journey through the forest in Tsitsikamma is an accredited member of the FTTSA, and they have won various awards for their responsible tourism practices including social involvement, economic impact of local communities and environmental management.
Carbon Offsetting:
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details …
Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in South Africa. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.
The Calabash Trust is a charity based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It works with poor communities based in the urban townships of Port Elizabeth. While the primary focus is nutrition and education, they also engage in job creation and skills training.
We will shortly have a page with photos of the project on http://www.the-tribes-foundation.org/.
FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PRINCIPLES, CLICK HERE.
Add-ons
Make it Yours.
We promise that all our Down to Earth holidays are exciting adventures as they stand. But you are an individual. ("I'm not." ed). So why not add extras to your holiday to make it different and more unique to you?
You can extend your holiday with the following short trips:
These optional extras are available to add to your trip:
Holiday Combinations
Many of our holidays have been designed in relatively short sections which can be added together as a combination. Only those that work together are shown below. If there are none shown then this is not an option for the particular holiday you have chosen.
When you click on any of these holiday combination options you will be taken to the relevant holiday details. You can return to this holiday by selecting it from the menu in the left hand column. If you add more than one holiday to your basket there may potentially be a gap between the two sections. You can fill this gap by adding the handy overnight extensions we offer in the relevant city.
A Cape Safari
There's excellent game viewing in the Cape region! So why not go wild after our Garden Route or Cape and Winelands Trip, and experience this 'big five', malaria-free wildlife reserve? Or, if time is tight, you could even take it as a short, sweet, standalone safari adventure...
Duration: 4 days (6 inc. flights), From £0pp
Cape Town and the Winelands
A holiday which takes you to the heart of Cape Town, shows you the highlights and introduces you to local people and their traditions. This is a Cape trip unlike any other!
Duration: 7 days (9 inc. flights), From £1025pp
Kruger Tented Safari
Camping under the stars with nothing but the sights and sounds of the African bush surrounding you, this trip gives you a fantastic game experience! And you definitely won't be roughing it. This is superior camping, complete with personal chef. How does the idea of gourmet candlelit bush dinners sound? Not to mention the sunsets, the sundowners, and the wildlife...
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £1300pp
Kruger Tented Safari
Camping under the stars with nothing but the sights and sounds of the African bush surrounding you, this trip gives you a fantastic game experience! And you definitely won't be roughing it. This is superior camping, complete with personal chef. How does the idea of gourmet candlelit bush dinners sound? Not to mention the sunsets, the sundowners, and the wildlife...
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £1300pp
Kruger Walking Safari
A walking safari that gets you right out there amongst the African wildlife, following in their footsteps, getting up close to the daily drama of their lives and sharing their space! This trip is a wonderful bush experience!
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £0pp
Kruger Walking Safari
A walking safari that gets you right out there amongst the African wildlife, following in their footsteps, getting up close to the daily drama of their lives and sharing their space! This trip is a wonderful bush experience!
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £0pp
Kruger and the Panorama Route
With truly stunning scenery and fantastic wildlife, Kruger is one of the not-to-be-missed places in South Africa. We take you game viewing in this iconic region and give you an insight into the wonderful work of the Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre. En route, you travel along part of the spectacular Panorama Route, taking in the breathtaking view from the aptly-named God's Window.
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £1160pp
Kruger and the Panorama Route
With truly stunning scenery and fantastic wildlife, Kruger is one of the not-to-be-missed places in South Africa. We take you game viewing in this iconic region and give you an insight into the wonderful work of the Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre. En route, you travel along part of the spectacular Panorama Route, taking in the breathtaking view from the aptly-named God's Window.
Duration: 6 days (8 inc. flights), From £1160pp
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