Winelands and Garden Route Discovery
A 5 day discovery of the secluded Cape Winelands, the road less travelled, Garden Route sites and guest house and boutique hotel hospitality experiences
- Stellenbosch walking tour
- Wine cellar tour, cheese and wine pairing
- Bainskloof Pass drive
- Travel along the world’s longest wine route
- Enter the Cango Caves
- Experience crossing the Storms River suspension bridge
The Guided Experience
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: Comfort
Duration 5 days | 4 nights
- 1 night Wellington
- 1 night Oudtshoorn
- 2 nights Knysna
Start location: Cape Town, Western Cape
End location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Guests are collected from the hotel, and travel northeast to Wellington via the Cape Winelands. Journey into the heart of the Winelands and enjoy a craft beer tasting (own account) before arriving at the university town of Stellenbosch. Embark on a walking tour of Stellenbosch which includes the town’s historic sites and colonial Cape Dutch architecture. These structures are some of the country’s oldest buildings. Stop for lunch (own account) at one of the many wine farms and eateries near Paarl. Guests visit the town of Paarl, South Africa’s third oldest town. At Paarl Rock, the second largest granite projection on the planet, guests visit the Afrikaanse Taalmonument (Afrikaans Language Monument) and learn more about the museum. Found in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Wellington is home to Cape Dutch homesteads and beautiful gardens and wineries, as well as South Africa’s only whisky producer. Check in at the guest house, and enjoy time at leisure before drinks and dinner (own account) at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
Enjoy breakfast at the guest house before departing Wellington en route to Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, via the scenically-attractive Bainskloof Pass and Route 62. Built in 1854, the 18km Bainskloof Pass was an engineering masterpiece known as the ‘Gateway to the North’. It is now a national monument and offers unsurpassed views of the area. Enjoy a cheese and wine pairing followed by a cellar tour at an estate in the Robertson wine valley, located off the world’s longest wine route, the Route 62. Savour lunch en route (own account). Arrive at the guest house on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. Spend the late afternoon and evening at leisure. Enjoy dinner and warm hospitality at own expense.
Following breakfast, guests spend the day at leisure, or an optional excursions in and around Knysna. Guests can board a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (own account, including lunch). The local tour guide will share tales about Knysna whilst guests enjoy panoramic views on board the ferry and a 4WD vehicle. An optional 2.2km guided nature walk, through the forest and along the coast, is recommended. Enjoy a buffet lunch at a unique outdoor restaurant under a canopy of milkwood trees, on the edge of the lagoon. Guests spend time at leisure before dinner at own expense.
After an early breakfast, the tour departs for Port Elizabeth, via the Garden Route. Travel to the Storms River Mouth and experience unique views of the Tsitsikamma from a suspension bridge. Guests enjoy lunch at own expense, in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees. The tour concludes at a Port Elizabeth city hotel of choice.
Selected Mondays
- 4 breakfasts
- Entrance fees for Taalmonument, Garden Route National Park conservation fee (Storms River Bridge)
- Excursions included are Cheese and wine pairing, wine cellar tour, Stellenbosch walking tour, Cango Caves heritage tour, ostrich farm tractor tour
- Green seat contribution for SANParks Honorary Rangers, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Trees for Tourism
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Visa fees
- Porterage
- 5 lunches and 4 dinners
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Suitable for ages 2 to 80