Duration: Private 3 Day Overland Tour
Location: Cape Town to Knysna
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About the Itinerary

The Garden Route includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, Come with us along the route that winds its way for some 200 km via George, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna.

An important geological feature is the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone, situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions. Oudtshoorn itself, the heart of the ostrich feather industry when, is well worth seeing.

We head on-to Knysna where they eat oysters for breakfast, this quaint little fishing town abuzz with a fusion of cultures. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly coloured, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.we will also take some time out just walking and soaking in the sunset along the Buffalo bay 15 mins from the city

Whats included

  • Guided Tour of Hermanus town (Walking).
  • Park entrance fees for the Cango Caves & The Highgate Ostrich Experience
  • Guided Tour of the Town of  George (Walking).
  • Guided Tour of the Town of  Knysna (Walking).

 

Quick Interesting Facts you didn’t know….

  • The Cape Garden Route: (Afrikaans: Tuinroete) is a 300 kilometersstretch of the south-western coast of South Africa which extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape
  • Cango Caves: The first official guide of the Cango Caves was Johnny Van Wassenaar, who apparently walked for 29 hours to find the end to the cave system back in 1898..
  • An Ostrich: Most ostriches you see in South Africa are crossed with the Barbary ostrich of North Africa – smuggled into the country before World War I for its finer feathers.

 

Mini Map of the Tour Route

 

Flight Arrangements

AIRLINES FLIGHTS FROM DESTINATION GENERAL DEPARTS GENERAL ARRIVES
SAA Port Elizabeth/ PLZ Cape Town/CPT 12:10 13:50

Flight Arrangements Guest have a choice of flying from Port Elizerbeth back to Cape Town. Flight arrangements are done on request unless stipulated on the package as an inclusive offer. The above airlines, destinations and times are general and therefore changing constantly please enquire with our able staff regarding flight booking policy .

Garden Route in 3 daysTour Plan

Day 1

Cango Caves Oudtshoorn

After a warm meet and greet with your Guide and companion for the next 72 hours, we quickly leave Cape Town behind us on the N2 Eastbound exiting the city via the quaint suburban town of Summerset West. We drive through perhaps one of the most scenic spots rivalled only by the Garden Route itself, “Sir Lowry’s pass”, if time permits we may take the opportunity for a super quick stop for a picture pose. Our very first leg stretching stop will be at the  Peregrine Farm Store an hour out of the city of Cape Town.

We depart Cape Town and its surroundings bound for a 5hour drive through some dry landscapes towards the Cango caves. We’ll stop briefly in the tiny little Town of Swellendam. if you have kids or you beleive faeries, well your Tour guide might just treat you to a quick stop at the “Faerie Sanctuary” where faeries and Gnomes come to life in a magical forest. this place is so real it’ll boggle your mind.

We leave the N2 and head slightly north towards the Karoo landscapes as we make our way to the famous Cango caves just outside Oudtshoorn.
This spectacular underground wonder of the Klein Karoo is situated 29 km from Oudtshoorn at the head of the magnificent Congo Valley. The caves were discovered by Klaas Windvogel, a herder searching for his lost cattle in 1780.

In 1898 the first official guide of the Cango Caves – Johnnie van Wassenaar – allegedly walked for 29 hours to find the end of the caves, legend goes that he calculated how far he had travelled to be 25 kilometres from the cave entrance and 275 metres underground!According to the Cango Caves website entrance to the caves cost five “rix dollars” in the 19th century, that’s the modern equivalent of around R500. Not that this deterred people from visiting the site at all.
In fact, groups took advantage of the natural treasure and carted away parts of the delicate stalactites and stalagmites for souvenirs or carved their names, graffitistyle onto the walls.

Due to this the governor of the Cape Colony, Lord Charles Somerset published the first Caves Regulation in 1820. The first law was designed to protect the environmental resource in South Africa and banned the collection of souvenirs, charged fines for the defacing of the caves and determined an entrance fee to be paid to the District Officer

  • Leg-stretchers Swellendam & Ladysmith .
  • Activity Guided walking Tour of the Cango Caves & If time permitting perhaps a drive up the Swartberg Pass for some sunset gazing.
  • Dinner in OudtshoornBuffelsdrift Game Lodge Restaurant (restaurant also expands to the wooden deck, overlooking our 5ha waterhole filled with big fish, turtles and hippo. If you are lucky, you might even spot the elephants and other game on the opposite bank..)
  • Accommodation in Oudtshoorn1 night at the 4* Die Fonteine Guest House.

Cango Caves
 

Day 2

Highgate Ostrich Farm, George onto Knysna

After an early Morning rise and a fresh homemade breakfast we head out 15mins drive from the Guest house to “Highgate Ostrich Farm” where we will get to see and interact with Ostriches. This Farm has been telling the fascinating story of these interesting odd shaped birds and how they are farmed in Oudtshoorn for over a hundred years, and its tours have delighted visitors from all over the world. Meet ostriches face to face, learn about how they and enjoy everyone’s favourite – ostrich races! Ostrich tours are one of the most popular things to do in Oudtshoorn, described by our clients as family fun, interesting and an informative experience.

Highgate Ostrich Farm

George

After our Ostrich rendezvous, we head on to the beautiful little town of George, If history is to be believed, then this beautiful part of the world was only explored in 1688, well after Dias had landed in Mossel Bay in 1488, in the hope of finding meat and fresh water. To the Khoi people, who lived in this rich valley, the region was known as Outeniqualand – the ‘land of milk and honey’ – which aptly describes this lush and green paradise. A settlement was established here in 1811 and named George Town after the reigning monarch of England at the time. We will stop for a quick bite and a leg stretch, if time permits we may even do a short town centre walk.
Once done, we head-on an hour’s drive away to Knysna.

Knysna Sundown Experience

We arrive in this quaint, beautiful town of Knysna just in time to Check-in and drive to Buffalo Bay beach, (otherwise known as Buffeslbaai, Buffalo Bay or simply Buffs), a rustic sea-side resort town for people looking for a real holiday away from their busy lives. For much of the year Buffels Bay’s homes are empty, leaving the town to its quiet and simple ways. During the peak summer season it becomes a bustling, energetic place where one struggles to find parking near the beach.

After a relaxing beach walk your guide will take you to your evening treat of the day, “the Featherbed Paddle Cruiser” on the Knysna Lagoon, the perfect end to a day filled with awesome do’s. Its classic Mississippi-style furnishings – at times complemented by a jazz band – make for a great ambience as you dine in its on-board restaurant on a 2hr cruise along the shorline.? After dinner we call it a day as we retire to the Knysna River Lodge for the night.

  • Leg-stretchers George .
  • Activity Guided Ostrich Experience & Town Centre walk of the Town of George.
  • Dinner in KnysnaJohn Benn Dinner Cruise (1 1/2 Hour – Buffet Dinner Cruise on Paddle Cruiser. The Paddle Cruiser is South Africa’s only paddle-driven vessel, offering a unique and unforgettable experience on the Knysna Lagoon.Paddle Cruiser – to Knysna Heads – Buffet Dinner – Two full bars.)
  • Accommodation in Knysna1 night at the 4* Knysna River Club.

Evening view of the Knysna’s Waterfront
 

Day 3

Knysna

Knysna is a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. She nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve that is home to the extraordinary sea horse and over 200 species of fish.
Beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers provide endless opportunity for leisure and outdoor adventure. Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cosy cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly coloured, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.

A part of the migratory route of the Southern Right and other whale species, it is possible to view these marine mammals during the months of August and September, while dolphins are year round visitors. For thrillseekers, options abound, with everything from paragliding over the coastline, abseiling and skydiving, to scuba diving and tree top canopy tours within easy reach of the town.
The harbour area and the Knysna Waterfront is also home to most of Knysna’s nightlife, with several bars, restaurants and clubs where patrons can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the heads. Golf enthusiasts will find the area a treat, with several world-class courses on offer both in Knysna itself, and in neighbouring towns. Fancourt in George is within easy reach, and Simola, Pezula and the Knysna golf course are all located in the town itself..

  • Leg-stretchers George .
  • Activity Guided Ostrich Experience & Town Centre walk of the Town of George.
  • Dinner in KnysnaJohn Benn Dinner Cruise (1 1/2 Hour – Buffet Dinner Cruise on Paddle Cruiser. The Paddle Cruiser is South Africa’s only paddle-driven vessel, offering a unique and unforgettable experience on the Knysna Lagoon.Paddle Cruiser – to Knysna Heads – Buffet Dinner – Two full bars.)
  • Accommodation in Knysna1 night at the 4* Knysna River Club.

Town view of Knysna

(Return To Cape Town)

After a mouth-watering breakfast, we wave a fond farewell as we begin our 5hr drive back to Cape Town. Its not all over though as we make some interesting leg stretchers along the way.
Some interesting places we will be stoping or driving through are:

  • Mossel Bay Mossel Bay is a harbour town known for the wide Santos Beach and the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, which offers bay views. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, has been used as a mail collection point since the 1500s..
  • Swellendam Swellendam is the 8th oldest town in the Republic of South Africa, a town with 17,537 inhabitants. The town has over 50 provincial heritage sites most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture.
  • RiviersonderendJohn Benn Dinner Cruise (Riviersonderend is a village in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa, about 140 kilometres east of Cape Town. It is located on a loop of the Sonderend River, from which it takes its name.