Tour Features:
From Port Elizabeth we take in the scenic highlights of the famous Garden Route, including Storms River, the Big Tree, and the Bloukrans Gorge. In Knysna, we visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve, the 'Heads' and take a cruise on the Knysna Estuary. We visit the craft shops along the route and enjoy a walk on the pristine beaches at Wilderness. Continuing, we drive the scenic Outeniqua Pass and visit an ostrich farm and the world famous Cango Caves. Take in the historic town of Swellendam, the spectacular Atlantic Ocean coastline at Hermanus and finish in the 'mother city' - Cape Town.
Tour Details:
Day 1
10h00
PORT ELIZABETH TO STORMS RIVER (Lunch & Dinner)
Make your own way to Port Elizabeth Airport where you will meet your guide in the arrivals hall at +-10h00. ( Final time to be confirmed) From Port Elizabeth travel to the Storms River Bridge and visit the Tsitsikamma National Park which offers the contrasting beauty of river, forest, sea, and fynbos. A short walk along the rugged coastline before an open-air lunch with spectacular sea views. In the afternoon, we make our way to the hotel and dinner is taken in the restaurant.
Accommodation:
Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar
Distance:
Port Elizabeth to Storms River - 170km
Day 2
STORMS RIVER TO WILDERNESS (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
A full day today and after a hearty breakfast and an early morning walk, for the more energetic types, we travel west to Knysna where we spend four unforgettable hours on the pristine Western Head of Knysna.
This private Nature Reserve is accessible only by ferry. The trip includes the ferry ride, a hearty lunch at the Food Forest restaurant, a 4x4 trailer ride and an optional 2, 2 km walk through Milkwood forests to the beachcomber caves. After the excursion we make our way through the 'lake district' of South Africa to our overnight hotel at Wilderness. We check into our hotel and an evening walk along the pristine beach is an option before sundowners and dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Accommodation:
Cinnamon Guest House or similar
Distance:
Storms River to Knysna - 72km
Knysna to Wilderness - 45km
Day 3
WILDERNESS TO SWELLENDAM VIA OUDTSHOORN (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After a hearty breakfast and a beach walk, we leave the coast and head inland via George and the impressive Outeniqua Pass. The pass was opened in 1951 after 10 years of construction. From the summit that is 600 metres above the start there are fine panoramic views of the region.
Visit the world famous Cango Caves. An hours visit with a specialist guide, takes us into the wonders of Cango one, the first sequence of the caves, which runs for approximately 760 metres (Cango 2 and Cango 3 which stretch for another 1800 metres are not open to the public). The largest chamber in Cango 1 is the Grand Hall - 116 metres across and 16 metres high. The exciting history and the unique geology of the area will be explained.
Near Oudtshoorn we visit an Ostrich Farm where we meet the animals close up and even try riding one, if the urge takes us. The great Ostrich feather boom occurred in the 1870's when in the region of 450 000 kg of feathers a year were exported to the fashion capitals of Europe. We are given a first hand insight into the history of the Ostrich industry in Oudtshoorn and then finish our visit with a superb lunch that might include an ostrich steak or other ostrich delicacies.
Time permitting we visit Cango Wildlife Ranch famous for its tame cheetahs and a host of other animals that can be experienced at close quarters. In the afternoon we travel via the Little Karoo, also known as the 'country of ostriches' to Barrydale. The little Karoo is an area which extends eastwards for about 250 km from the town of Montagu and is sandwiched between the Swartberg to the North and the continuous ranges of the Langeberg and Outeniqua mountains to the South.
We arrive in town of Swellendam, established in 1745 as a military outpost, lays claim to being the third oldest town in South Africa.
Dinner is taken in one of the local restaurants and is included.
Accommodation:
Swellendam Country Lodge or similar
Distance:
Wilderness to Oudtshoorn - 75km
Oudtshoorn to Swellendam - 230km
Day 4
SWELLENDAM VIA HERMANUS TO CAPE TOWN (Breakfast)
After breakfast take a walk through the historical town and visit the museums. From Swellendam, we head westwards to the quaint seaside town of Hermanus. Originally established as a fishing village in the late 1800's it has grown rapidly and today lays claim to being the 'Whale Capital of the World', with large numbers of Southern Right whales starting to arrive in late June and leaving again in November. We take time to walk a section of the cliff path with beautiful views of the coastline and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in the mountains behind town. Lunch is for your own cost and taken in one of the fine restaurants in the town.
From Hermanus we travel in to Cape Town and do a short city tour before you are dropped off at your hotel in Cape Town city centre or waterfront area.
Distance:
Swellendam to Hermanus - 150km
Hermanus to Cape Town - 110km
Passenger Information:
Tour Code
GDN01
Dates
05 - 08 May 2016
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Depart
10h00 from Port Elizabeth Airport
Vehicle
Luxury air-conditioned vehicle to suite group size
Minimum
5 passengers
Maximum
20 passengers
Price
ZAR 12 313.00 per person sharing
ZAR 13 375.00 in a single room
Included
Registered Guide, transportation as per itinerary, accommodation, & meals as per itinerary, entrance fees, information pack, porterage at hotels on tour, sightseeing as specified.
Excluded
Gratuities, beverages, laundry and items of a personal nature, internal domestic flights.
Meals
3 x Breakfasts, 3 x Lunches, 3 x Dinners
Accommodation
Standard accommodation as per the itinerary or similar.
Comments
This will cover some of the most beautiful scenery between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. No flights are included and you are under your own arrangements to get to Port Elizabeth Airport for the start of the tour.
