South Africa Garden Route Journey
Embark on an oyster cruise on the Knysna Estuary and enjoy whale and dolphin watching on an ocean safari. Travel from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town along the scenic Route 62 and Klein Karoo in a Guided small tour. This experience is also available as a private guided experience or self-drive option and would be tailored to your needs and available on selected dates of travel and quoted on a bespoke basis.
Walk across the Storms River suspension bridge
Dolphin watching on an ocean safari
Sunset Knysna oyster cruise
Ostrich Farm tractor tour
Olive and wine tasting in an orchard
The Guided Difference
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 Classic
Duration 4 days | 3 nights
2 nights Knysna
1 night Oudtshoorn
Start location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
End location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Participants: 2 – 8 guests per vehicle
Port Elizabeth to Knysna via Tsitsikamma Forest (±285km)
Guests are collected from their hotel and head west to Knysna via Storms River and the Tsitsikamma Forest; in the heart of the Garden Route. Guests stop at Storms River and enjoy a short walk to the suspension bridge to take in the views.
Guests enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest, home to century-old trees, then continue on to the picturesque town of Knysna. After arrival and check-in, they board the informative Knysna oyster cruise to sample oysters and enjoy a sundowner.
Guests savour an evening’s dinner next to the Knysna Estuary (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast
Knysna to Plettenberg Bay and back (±60km)
After breakfast, guests make their way to Plettenberg Bay.
Guests depart from Lookout Beach on a marine excursion (weather permitting) dedicated to the observation and conservation of marine mammals. This Fair Trade Tourism certified ocean safari affords guests extensive and memorable whale, dolphin and seal watching. Back on shore guests enjoy a relaxing lunch (own account).
In the afternoon, guests take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school, and crèche. This is a community development programme; allocated tour proceeds fund the education of Qolweni’s children. Guests are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary.
Guests take the scenic drive back to Knysna and spending the afternoon at leisure or exploring the village of Knysna. In the early evening, dinner is enjoyed at one of the many restaurants at the Knysna Waterfront (own account).
Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast
Knysna to Oudtshoorn via Wilderness (±125km)
After breakfast, the tour departs for Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo.
Continue via the Outeniqua Pass over the Outeniqua mountains. Oudtshoorn is the principal town of the Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of the world.
Lunch (for own account) is enjoyed at an ostrich farm in the Cango Valley on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn and guests take an informative tractor tour of the farm.
Guests enjoy dinner in this quaint setting.
Overnight at Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Route 62 (±420km)
The tour departs for Cape Town, via the Cango Caves and the iconic Route 62.
After breakfast, guests enjoy an olive farm tour and tasting, paired with Protea Rose or juice, before the tour departs for the Cango Caves.
Departing the Cango Cave system, the tour traces Route 62, the region’s iconic freeway. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting (own account) and the sweeping views of the Tradouw Valley. Lunch is enjoyed en route (own account).
Guests arrive at a Cape Town hotel in the late afternoon.
Selected Tuesdays and Sundays
Day 1 – Tuesday or Sunday
Port Elizabeth to Knysna via Tsitsikamma Forest (±285km)
Breakfast (own arrangements and own account)
Storms River Bridge (included)
Lunch in Tsitsikamma Forest (own account)
Arrive at hotel
Sunset Knysna oyster cruise (included – weather permitting)
Dinner at a restaurant next to Knysna Estuary (own account)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast (4-star)
Day 2 – Wednesday or Monday
Knysna to Plettenberg Bay and back (±60km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Ocean safari in Plettenberg Bay (included – weather permitting)
Lunch in Plettenberg Bay (own account)
Short township orientation tour (included)
Arrive at hotel; time at leisure
Dinner at Waterfront (own account)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast (4-star)
Day 3 – Thursday or Tuesday
Knysna to Oudtshoorn via Wilderness (±125km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Outeniqua Pass drive
Ostrich farm visit – tractor tour (included)
Lunch at ostrich farm (own account)
Arrive at lodge late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel (included)
Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)
Day 4 – Friday or Wednesday
Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Route 62 (±420km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Olive farm tour and tasting in the orchard, paired with Protea Rose or juice (included)
Cango Caves heritage tour (included)
Wine tasting en route (own account)
Lunch en route (own account)
Drive via Route 62 and Worcester
Drop-off at Cape Town hotel
Departure time: PE central hotels ±08h30
Collection times vary and are subject to the hotel collection route and will be confirmed, via the hotel, the day prior to departure. Selected pick-up and drop-off hotels list available on request
Language: English
German
French
Other language tour guides available on request if booked on a private basis
Accommodation: 4-star hotels
Vehicle: Luxury sedan or minibus
Baggage allowed: One suitcase and one shoulder bag
Tour Guide: Services of CATHSSETA registered tour guide for the duration of the tour
Fitness level required: Moderate
Visa / passports: Not required
Flights summary: No domestic flights required – Guided tour from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 dinner.
Entrance Fees: Conservation fee for Garden Route National Park (Storms River).
Excursions: Sunset Knysna oyster cruise, ocean safari, township tour, ostrich farm tractor tour, Cango Caves heritage tour, olive farm tour, olive and wine tasting.
Green Seat: SAN Parks Honorary Rangers, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Trees for Tourism.
Travel insurance, flights, airport transfers, porterage, 4 lunches, 2 dinners, gratuities, visa fees and personal expenses.
Suitable for ages 2 to 80
Should there be a family l this will be provided on a private