Garden Route Essentials
Explore the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth, visiting Tsitsikamma, standing on the Storms River Bridge, Oudtshoorn sights and the Cape Winelands.
- Experience crossing the Storms River suspension bridge
- Visit an ostrich farm and Cango Caves
- Wine tasting opportunity along the world’s longest wine route
Being accompanied by a registered tour guide throughout the itinerary reduces any cultural or language challenges that may arise, and allows guests to relax, knowing that they have a knowledgeable expert guiding them on tour.
Tour Classification: Essential
Duration 3 Days | 2 Nights
1 night Keurboomstrand
1 night Oudtshoorn
2 nights Cape Town
Start Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
End Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Participants: 2 – 30 guests per vehicle
Optional Excursions:
Ostrich farm tractor tour
Cango Caves heritage tour
Cheese and wine pairing, cellar tour
Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay via Eastern Garden Route
Guests depart for the Garden Route around midday.
The Garden Route derives its name from the ecologically diverse vegetation of the area found between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma mountains. Guests enjoy lunch in Tsitsikamma (own account) and take a short walk to the suspension bridge of the Storms River Mouth.
Guests arrive at the beach hotel in Keurboomstrand and enjoy time at leisure. Guests can enjoy walks on the beach, and stunning sunsets.
Dine at the resort’s restaurant (own account).
Overnight at The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – Breakfast
Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn via Cango Caves
After a hearty breakfast, guests depart for Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, via Knysna.
This morning’s excursion gives guests the opportunity to photograph the Knysna Lagoon and the Knysna Heads.
Travelling inland to the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, driving over the Outeniqua Pass, the tour arrives in time for lunch (own account) at an ostrich farm on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, where a tractor tour (own account) introduces guests to the ostrich industry. In the Cango Valley guests discover the spectacular subterranean world of the Cango Caves (own account).
Arriving at the hotel, guests enjoy the afternoon at leisure, and have the opportunity to explore the charming country setting and enjoy dinner (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Riempie Estate or similar – Breakfast
Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Winelands
After breakfast, the tour journeys westwards, along Route 62 and via the Cape Winelands, to Cape Town.
Route 62 is an iconic route with intoxicating and ever-changing landscapes and is possibly the world’s longest wine route. Lunch en route (own account). Guests visit a wine estate for a cheese and wine pairing followed by a guided cellar tour in the Robertson Wine Valley (own account).
Guests arrive at the city hotel in Cape Town late afternoon.
Selected Tuesdays
Day 1 – Tuesday – Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay via Eastern Garden Route (255km)
Breakfast at hotel (own arrangements and own account)
Depart Port Elizabeth around midday
Lunch in Tsitsikamma (own account)
Storms River Bridge in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (included)
Arrive at Keurboomstrand, afternoon at leisure
Dinner at hotel (own account)
The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 2 – Wednesday – Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn via Cango Caves (160km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Scenic drive through Knysna and stop at lookout point – views of Knysna Lagoon and Knysna Heads
Outeniqua Pass drive
Ostrich Farm visit – tractor tour (own account)
Lunch at the Ostrich Farm (own account)
Cango Caves heritage tour (own account)
Arrive at hotel, at leisure
Dinner in town (own account)
Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 3 -Thursday – Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Winelands (450km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Drive through Route 62 small towns or villages
Lunch en route (own account)
Cheese and wine pairing, cellar tour (own account)
Drop-off at hotel in afternoon
Meals: 2 breakfasts
Entrance Fees: Garden Route National Park conservation fee (Storms River Bridge)
Green Seat: SANParks Honorary Rangers, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Trees for Tourism
Travel insurance, flights, airport transfers, porterage, visa fees, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, optional excursions, gratuities and personal expenses
Suitable for ages 2 to 80