Wildlife, Wine and Garden Route

This morning, you are met at your hotel by your representative and depart for the ‘Little Karoo’, travelling via Montagu, a picturesque spa town. You enjoy tea and scones at the only original Art Deco Hotel in South Africa. You stop off in the town of Barrydale, where you have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards the Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, which supports local education for underprivileged children in rural communities (The school visit is subject to the school being open). You sample top-quality port-style wines in Calitzdorp before continuing to Oudtshoorn, the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and center of the world’s ostrich farming industry. You overnight in Oudtshoorn and enjoy dinner at an Ostrich Farm, dining on local specialties. The distance travelled today is 418 kilometers.

Accommodation: La Plume Guest House

After breakfast, you take a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. You then return to Oudtshoorn for a fun-filled interactive tour and light lunch at an Ostrich Farm, including local specialties such as Ostrich Steak. Your journey continues over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to George, the administrative hub of the Garden Route area, and then onto Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestled on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Along the way, you visit the ‘Map of Africa’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. You overnight in Knysna. The distance travelled today is 204 kilometers.

Accommodation: The aha Rex Hotel

After a leisurely breakfast, you drive through the Tsitsikamma Forests and explore this breathtaking stretch of the Garden Route, where mountains, indigenous forests, deep gorges, and lush vegetation hug the rugged coastline of cliffs and sandy beaches. You visit the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). In the afternoon, you return to Knysna, with a stop in Plettenberg Bay, originally christened "Bahia Formosa" (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers.
There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive and reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land 23. There is also an option (for own account and subject to availability) to visit the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards protecting genetically pure species of various Taxa in a semi-wild state and to hold the seeds of these Taxa for future reintroduction into the wild. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land 4. You enjoy lunch en route and overnight in Knysna. The distance travelled today is 200 kilometers.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will travel via George and Mossel Bay to Albertinia, a town nestled at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountain Range. Along the way, you can enjoy a leisurely walk or swim at Victoria Bay, one of the smallest and most beautiful bays along the Garden Route. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to join an open vehicle game drive at a malaria-free private game reserve. This reserve is home to an abundance of animal and birdlife, including the Big Five. Afterward, you can savor a relaxed dinner of safari cuisine while discussing the day's game viewing. Finally, you will spend the night in the region of Albertinia1. The total distance traveled today will be approximately 150 kilometers.

Accommodation: Garden Route Game Lodge

After an early morning open vehicle game drive, you will be spoiled with sightings of the 'Big Five', general game, and prolific birdlife. Afterward, you will leave the bush behind and travel to the picturesque Cape Dutch town of Swellendam. This charming town was founded in 1745 and is famous for its youngberries, eclectic architecture, and National Parks, as well as outdoor activities1. From there, you will continue your journey to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August to November) in the world1. You will have dinner at the Heritage Restaurant, one of the oldest fisherman's cottages in Hermanus, where delectable dishes are created using seasonal, local produce1. Finally, you will spend the night in Hermanus1. The total distance traveled today will be approximately 370 kilometers.

Accommodation: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel

After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart from Hermanus and travel to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards. More than 300 years ago, French Huguenots settled in this area, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. During your visit, our guide will take you on a tour through Franschhoek village, sharing the fascinating history of the French Huguenots. You'll also drive past the Victor Verster prison, where Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. Finally, you will continue your journey to Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa, which is spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain. The tour will end upon your arrival in Cape Town. The total distance traveled today will be approximately 180 kilometers.