South African Wild Coast and Garden Route
Explore the Wild Coast and the Garden Route, view the home town of South Africa’s beloved Madiba, the Storms River Bridge, as well as an ostrich farm, before sampling the wines of Route 62.
- See and hear Mandela’s story
- Beach hotels
- Wild Coast scenery and villages
- Wine tasting on the world’s longest wine route
- Cape Point
- Stand on top of Table Mountain
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 Essentials
Duration 8 Days | 7 Nights
1 night Port Edward
1 night Mthatha
1 night Port Alfred
1 night Keurboomstrand
1 night Oudtshoorn
2 nights Cape Town
Start Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
End Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Participants: 2 – 30 guests per vehicle
Guests enjoy the morning at leisure. The tour departs late afternoon for Port Edward on the South Coast. Arrive early evening, in time for dinner (own account) at one of the resort’s many restaurants.
Overnight at Wild Coast Sun or similar – Breakfast
Guests enjoy the morning at leisure before departing for Mthatha, stopping for lunch en route (own account). The Mandela Route takes a scenic drive on the N2 highway to Mthatha. Once there, guests can follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, a South African icon.
Arriving at the hotel in the late afternoon, guests freshen up before enjoying dinner at the hotel (own account).
Overnight at Hotel Savoy or similar – Breakfast
Mthatha to Port Alfred via Qunu
Guests enjoy an early breakfast and depart from Mthatha to the marina town of Port Alfred via Qunu, where Nelson Mandela was laid to rest and is still recognised as his family home. Guests continue south and enjoy lunch en route (own account), and arrive late afternoon at the hotel in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy refreshing drinks (own account) before savouring the delightful local cuisine.
Overnight at The Royal St Andrews Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Port Alfred to Plettenberg Bay via Eastern Garden Route
After an early breakfast, guests enjoy a boat cruise (weather permitting) along the scenic Kowie River before travelling inland along the Garden Route.
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
NOTE: The vehicle may be required to collect guests at a Port Elizabeth hotel.
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 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).
Arrive at their hotel in Cape Town. This evening’s dinner can be enjoyed at the hotel (own account), or one of the many world class restaurants located in close proximity to the hotel.
Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
Cape Town boasts a smorgasbord of delights, including an impressive mountain range, an inviting night life, extensive shopping venues, world-class art and cultural events.
After breakfast, guests spend the morning at leisure discovering the Mother City or join an optional, guided full day Cape Point tour (own account) including Cape Point, Boulder’s Beach (entrance fee for own account) and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Dine out or at the hotel (own account).
Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
Guests enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending the last day of the tour at leisure. Guests can select an optional Table Mountain and City Tour (own account). Table Mountain is a unique conservation area and affords its visitors the best views of Cape Town.
Guests can enjoy the revolving cable car ride up the mountain (own account and weather permitting). The tour continues through the Malay Quarter, city centre and Company Gardens and time permitting, the Castle of Good Hope.
Selected Saturdays
Day 1 – Saturday – Durban to Port Edward (190km)
Breakfast at hotel (own arrangements and own account)
Morning at leisure
Lunch (own account)
Depart to the South Coast in the late afternoon
Arrive at beachfront hotel early evening
Dinner at a resort restaurant (own account)
Wild Coast Sun or similar – Breakfast (4-star)
Day 2 – Sunday – Port Edward to Mthatha (280km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Morning leisure time
Lunch en route (own account)
Arrive at hotel late afternoon
Dinner at hotel (own account)
Hotel Savoy or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 3 – Monday – Mthatha to Port Alfred via Qunu (365km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Mandela Museum (free)
View Qunu – Mandela’s Route
Lunch en route (own account)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Dinner at hotel (included)
The Royal St Andrews Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)
Day 4 – Tuesday – Port Alfred to Plettenberg Bay via Eastern Garden Route (380km)
Early breakfast at hotel (included)
Morning river cruise / sunset cruise on Day 8 (included – weather dependent)
The vehicle may be required to collect guests at a Port Elizabeth hotel
Lunch in Tsitsikamma (own account)
Storms River Bridge in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (included)
Arrive in Keurboomstrand, afternoon at leisure
Dinner at hotel (own account)
The Dunes Hotel & Resort or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 5 – 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
Ostrich Farm visit – tractor tour (own account)
Lunch at the Ostrich Farm (own account)
Cango Caves (own account)
Arrive at hotel, at leisure
Dinner in town (own account)
Protea Hotel Riempie Estate or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 6 – Thursday – Oudtshoorn to Cape Town via Winelands (450km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Drive via Route 62 through small towns or villages
Lunch en route (own account)
Cheese and wine pairing, cellar tour (own account)
Arrive at hotel in afternoon
Dinner at hotel (own account)
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 7 – Friday – Full Day at Leisure in Cape Town
Breakfast at hotel (included)
At leisure or optional Cape Point full day tour (own account)
Dinner in town/V&A Waterfront (own account)
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (3-star)
Day 8 – Saturday – Day of Departure – Morning at Leisure in Cape Town
Breakfast at hotel (included)
At leisure or optional Table Mountain and City morning tour (own account)
Airport transfer (own arrangements and for own account)
Departure Time: Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Umhlanga ±15h30
Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Edward ±16h00
Collection time will be confirmed with the guest, the day before departure
Language: English
German
Other language tour guides available on request if booked on a private basis
Accommodation: 3 and 4-star hotels
Vehicle: Luxury sedan, minibus or coach
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 – Seat-in-vehicle from Durban to Cape Town
Meals: 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner
Entrance Fees: Garden Route National Park conservation fee (Storms River Bridge)
Excursions: River cruise
Green Seat: SANParks Honorary Rangers, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Trees for Tourism
Travel insurance, flights, airport transfers, porterage, visa fees, 8 lunches, 6 dinners, optional excursions, gratuities and personal expenses
Suitable for ages 2 to 80
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