Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

Print Email

Detailed Trip Description

This can be a self driven or a guided tour. Although short, this tour has much to offer. The Tsitsikamma forest, a boat trip up the Storms River gorge and the Cango Caves. The route takes you through rural back roads, quaint towns, and villages usually missed by standardized coach tours, though you still visit the places that have made the Garden Route so famous. Please note this tour can be done in reverse, from cape town to port elizabeth.

Print Email
 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Port Elizabeth

 
Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma.
Sightseeing

We depart Port Elizabeth and travel to the Tsitsikamma, an indigenous primaeval forest with towering ancient yellowwood trees, lush vegetation and deep gorges.

Sightseeing

After lunch we drive down a steep pass to Storms River Mouth and take a boat trip up the Storms River Gorge, where cliff faces extend 150 metres above the river.

Food and Dining

The evening brings welcome country hospitality and typical South African cuisine.


Day 2 - South Africa

 
Tsitsikamma to Knysna.
Sightseeing

Before leaving the Tsitsikamma Forest, we stop at Bloukrans Bridge to see the highest commercial bungi jump in the world. We're in the heart of the Garden Route and we will enjoy a scenic drive along the Old Passes road, stopping to swim at the unspoiled beaches of Natures Valley or at the glamorous resort of Plettenberg Bay. We set off on a forty-five minute 'Eco-stroll' along the Robberg Peninsula, a rocky headland, where you will see indigenous plants and animals. Robberg affords excellent views of any whales or dolphins that may be visiting Plettenberg Bay.

Sightseeing

We reach Knysna in time for a drive along the shores of the Knysna Lagoon and an elegant afternoon tea at the quaint village of Belvedere.

Food and Dining

You will enjoy a seafood dinner, while overlooking the lovely lagoon.


Day 3 - Oudtshoorn

 
Knysna to Oudtshoorn.
Trains

We have a few hours to shop in Knysna before catching the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train to George.

Sightseeing

After that we cross over the protea covered Outeniqua Mountains to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon we visit an ostrich farm and drive to the Cango Caves to explore those massive limestone caverns. We return to our guesthouse.

Food and Dining

The evening brings an ostrich steak or delicious Karoo mutton dinner.


Day 4 - Cape Town

 
Oudtshoorn to Cape Town.
Sightseeing

We journey through Little Karoo, passing through Calitzdorp and Barrydale, and then enter the verdant Breede River Valley. As we follow this "fruit route", we enjoy magnificent mountain views, vineyards, orchards and indigenous flora. We stop at a roadside farmstall to purchase fruit and other delicacies. In Worcester we tour the Karoo National Botanical Garden, indicative of the fabulous wealth of the Cape floral kingdom, and a haven for rare or endangered plant species. Du Toit's Kloof Pass brings us over the mountains and into Cape Town.

Hotels

The tour ends at central hotels.


Request more info

Not the trip you were looking for?

 

You may also start a free trip request below and get matched with up to three travel specialists who can help you plan your travel:

Create Trip Request

 

Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist

Search for travel inspiration