Kariega Game ReserveKnysnaOudtshoorn Hermanus Cape Town

Welcome to the Garden Route, one of the most scenic and breathtaking routes in South Africa. This stretch of coastal road is famous for its incredible natural beauty, towering mountains, lush forests, and gleaming oceans. As you journey along the Garden Route, you’ll encounter charming towns, hidden coves, and stunning vistas around every turn. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a relaxing break, the Garden Route has something to offer everyone. So sit back, relax, and get ready to experience the wonder and magic of this unforgettable journey.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Self-Drive or Privately Guided Options
  • Explore the rich culture of Cape Town
  • Go Whale Watching
  • Cango Caves and Ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn
  • Safari in Kariega Game Reserve

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

14

Nights

Price Guide

TBC

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Port Elizabeth

plan line
Day 2-3

Kariega Game Reserve

Meet your guide in Port Elizabeth and transfer to Kariega Game Reserve.

Settlers Drift is located in a remote and untouched part of the Kariega wilderness, a five-star luxury tented lodge in the Big 5, malaria-free Kariega Game Reserve. The lodge has nine spacious tented suites, each with stunning views and secluded decks providing stunning views of the Busman’s River and the passing wildlife. Refresh in the lodge swimming pool or lounge on the spacious deck as you read a book from the onsite library. Dine at the prestigious restaurant or around the boma, or be pampered at the luxurious spa.

Enjoy the game-viewing activities on offer at Kariega.

Kariega Game Reserve offers an amazing safari experience involving game drives that occur twice daily. During these drives, you can get up close and personal with a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. In addition to the stunning wildlife, you can also enjoy the sight of a myriad of exquisite birdlife.


Besides game drives, you can enjoy guided safari walks with their ranger along several walking trails to experience the African bush and watch wildlife and birds on foot. At Settlers Drift, located on the Bushman’s River, enjoy fishing. For a unique river safari experience, guests at Kariega Game Reserve can travel along the Bushman’s River and witness enchanting birdlife, including the Crowned, Martial, and African Fish Eagles. Additionally, Settlers Drift can also choose to arrive and depart by boat.


The skilled and knowledgeable game rangers at Kariega Game Reserve will ensure that all your questions are answered and will spend time unravelling some of the secrets of the African bush. They are happy to accommodate specific requests to make sure that you have the best time possible.

Day 4-6

Knysna

The Garden Route in the Western Cape Province features modern golf courses, ancient forests, secluded artists’ communities, modern malls, craft centres, mountain hideaways and beautiful beaches. The area is famous for its fynbos floral kingdom, secluded little bays and year-round holiday frame of mind. The Garden Route National Park, which weaves together the existing Tsitsikamma National Park’s ancient forests and wild coastline with the Wilderness National Park through a chain of lakes and sections of fynbos, is a fascinating mix of ecosystems. It’s not uncommon to catch sight of southern right and humpback whales, bottlenose and common dolphins, and even killer whales that frolic close to shore, especially near Plettenberg Bay. Other towns worth visiting include Calitzdorp, Sedgefield, The Wilderness, George and Mosselbay.

Drive from Kariga Game Reserve to Knysna with your guide, exploring the garden route heading towards Knysna.


On arrival, you will be hosted in a refined family home while enjoying the service and excellence of five-star boutique accommodation. The tranquil setting just outside of the main town centre allows you the relaxed enjoyment of the natural beauty that the Garden Route is famous for, while the restaurants, activities and shops of the town of Knysna are just a five-minute drive away. Knysna is an eco-wonderland offering you magnificent beaches, hiking, walking, cycling and water activities.

Day 7

Oudtshoorn

Today drive to Oudtshoorn, situated on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn en route to the Cango Caves and Ostrich farms, Rosenhof Country House is a carefully renovated homestead (circa 1852), with its yellowwood beams and ceilings and antique furniture exuding an aura of authenticity. Luxuriate in the stylishly decorated bedrooms, each individually furnished in Victorian Style with patios opening onto the courtyard and boasting unspoilt and tranquil views of the Swartberg Mountain. Each suite has its own private lounge with a cosy fireplace and a refreshing swimming pool in which to cool off.

Indulge in The Wellness Centre which offers a fully equipped gym, jacuzzi, sauna and beauty clinic where you can relax with stimulating treatments. Dine in traditional country cuisine with a cordon bleu touch and an extensive wine collection which make dining here an unforgettable experience. Rosenhof’s luxury and comfort is surpassed only by its staff’s commitment to individual care and service.

Day 8

Cape Whale Coast

The Cape Whale Route offers so much when it comes to exploring the Western Cape beyond Cape Town. There is far more to this route than just whales, with enough variety to keep families occupied. The road trip from Betty’s Bay along the coast toward the other towns on the Cape Whale Route is a peaceful experience, with the Atlantic Ocean on the one side and mountainous, fynbos terrain on the other. Travellers will pass through several quaint villages in between the more established towns.

Hermanus is the largest town along the Cape Whale Route and is famous for its whale-watching and the annual Hermanus Whale Festival. Adventure activity options along the route include hiking, shark cage-diving, sea kayaking, quad biking, parasailing, horse riding, and whale-watching boat tours.

Transfer from Oudtshoorn to George Airport for your charter flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival at Cape Town Airport, depart by road to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. The transfer time is approximately two hours. (this can also be driven)

Overlooking Walker Bay and falling within the Cape Floristic Kingdom, Grootbos Nature Reserve, nestled between mountain and sea, is an eco-paradise that showcases the incredible Flora and Marine life of the Southern Tip of Africa. Revel in the ‘Marine Big 5’ (whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins) and the unparalleled floral diversity of the luxury African experience Grootbos offers you.

Day 9-10

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Explore the reserve and the region with your guide..

Horse Riding – Experience the views and exhilaration of horse riding at Grootbos, whether a novice or an experienced rider.

Whale Watching – Witness the peaceful giant Southern Right whales at Walker Bay from elevated positions with experienced Grootbos guides.

Flower Safari – Learn about the fascinating story of fynbos and forest on a botanical safari with 800 recorded plant species to explore.

Beach Excursion – Enjoy the unique coastal ecosystem with swimming, walking, whale watching, angling, and other oceanic experiences.

Bird Watching – View various rare and endemic bird species feeding and breeding in the rich and diverse habitats surrounding Grootbos.

Klipgat Cave – Visit the historical site in the Walker Bay that was home to Middle Stone Age peoples some 70,000 to 80,000 years ago.

Walks and Hikes – Take in the entrancing Milkwood forest or fynbos-clad mountains and learn about the fascinating ecosystems on guided or self-guided walks.

Living the Future Tour – Discover how the entire Grootbos experience has been designed around benefiting the community and environment around you.

Day 11-14

Cape Town

Transfer from the Cape Whale Coast to Cape Town. The driving time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city at the centre of South Africa’s rich, multi-stranded history and heritage. The city offers a wealth of culinary experiences, unique shopping and adventures second to none. Colloquially named the Mother City, it is known for its harbour, natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region and landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Spend the days exploring Cape Town city and Cape Peninsula with your guide.

Day 15

Fly home

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide TBC

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

South Africa has a temperate climate with the majority of the country experiencing warm, sunny days. The summer months (November to March) are generally hot with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Winter (May to August) is mild with temperatures ranging from 3 to 20 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is highest in the summer months, with the Western Cape seeing the most rain. The Eastern Cape and Northern Cape tend to be dryer.

Add on’s

There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this South Africa itinerary, for example you could head to Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands going on daily safaris or explore the cities or Johannesburg or Durban

Namibia and Botswana are two perfect destinations within easy reach of South Africa to extend your holiday.

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