SOUTH AFRICA

GARDEN ROUTE PREMIUM

5 days: Explore South Africa’s most iconic road trip destination

Cape Town – De Hoop – Knysna – Tsitsikamma NP – Oudshoorn – Cape Town

De Hoop Nature Reserve
Mooiplass Guesthouse
Storms River
Ostrich Farm tour

TRIP OVERVIEW

The Garden Route derives its name from the diverse indigenous Flora and unspoilt natural areas that unfolds in front of your eyes as you travel along this iconic part of South Africa. You will experience many quaint little towns in regions with rich histories and cultures.

Enjoy the coastal towns of this region while you marvel at the beautiful scenery of the cold Pacific and the warm Indian oceans, activities include a visit to the Southernmost Tip of the African continent, an interpretative walk with local expert at the De Hoop Nature Reserve, township tour with a local resident, a beautiful hike in Tsitsitkamma National Park, and many more all with the backdrop of ever changing magnificent landscapes.

5 days
Cape Town to Cape Town

From

$ 1,461.00

or ZAR 27, 029.00

GET IN TOUCH

TRIP DETAILS

Day 1: Cape Town to De Hoop Nature Reserve

Set out from Cape Town, expectant for the day ahead with a guaranteed window seat. You’ll head along the spectacular Clarence Drive, winding along the coastal roads. The view changes exposing the vast expanse of False Bay and it’s coastal beauty as you continue towards the beautiful town of Hermanus.

Included activity: Southernmost Point of Africa visit
The true Southernmost tip of Africa is in the small town of L’Agulhas – named by the Portuguese explorers meaning ‘the place of needle’ after dangerous reefs, rock formations and an area where the compass needle loses magnetic north, every sea captain’s nightmare.

After the Southernmost tip visit we will have lunch at the local Struisbaai harbour.

We continue the drive to the De Hoop nature reserve offers sea, sand dunes, a floral sensation and diverse antelope amongst the Potberg Mountains. There are great birding opportunities on the shores of the vlei while the Potberg Mountains are home to a colony of endangered Cape vultures. The local fauna of the area are bontebok, Cape mountain zebra, eland, baboons and ostrich.

Included activity: Interpretative Marine Walk (2 hours)
A walking trail exploring coastal rock pools and sandy beaches while a qualified guide points out interesting marine life forms. Also a great way to experience the Southern Right Whales in the bay between June and December. Depart an hour before low tide from Koppie Alleen Parking Area.

You are in for a treat for dinner and the great ambiance that exists at this overnight stop.

Accommodation: 1 night Premium hotel (De Hoop Collection or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: De Hoop Nature Reserve – George – Knysna

Up bright and early as we will head to the town of Knysna that was founded in 1804 by George Rex who was thought to be the illegitimate son of King George III, and settled his family on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. The land was covered in indigenous forests and so began Knysna’s famous timber trade.

Pay close attention to the drastic change in scenery and coast line as you leave the Overberg as the lush green areas of indigenous fynbos continue but slowly make way for coastal forests of the Knysna area. As we turn a corner you will lay eyes upon the Knysna lagoon and it is a lovely tranquil sight indeed. 

Enjoy some free time to explore your surroundings and grab lunch before joining up with a local for the Knysna cultural township tour. 

Included activity: Knysna Township Tour (1.5 hours)
Learn more about local customs, the turbulent history of the country & area and enjoy the vibrant inhabitants on your walk.

Enjoy some free time to explore and relax with a sundowner (local term for a drink with sunset) at one of the many restaurants at the Knysna waterfront.

Accommodation: 1 night Premium hotel (Knysna Log Inn Hotel or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Tsitsikamma National Park – Storms River – Plettenberg Bay

We have the perfect day planned for you and after breakfast we show you the best that the area has to offer. 

Included activity: Tsitsikamma National Park visit & Stormsriver Bridge Hike
Tsitsikamma means “place of the sparkling waters”. With its rugged coast, thriving indigenous forest, panoramic views and abundance of fresh water streams which makes this park a paradise to visitors. Explore this lush location with its huge Yellow Wood trees and walking over the suspension bridge at Stormsriver Mouth (1 hour easy hike).

After visiting the National Park, we have some free time to enjoy lunch in Tsitsikamma Village. After our stop we make our way to Plettenberg Bay for the afternoon Ocean Blue Marine Wildlife Cruise. The name ‘Garden Route’ will become more and more fitting as the green surroundings do not stop.

Included activity: Ocean Blue Marine Wildlife Cruise (1.5 – 2 hours) *Dec-May Whale season
Most recently, our highest success rate is to head offshore to what we refer to as the “humpback highway”. This is a passage of water from the Robberg Point across to Nature’s Valley and the Tsitsikamma Marine Reserve, where migrating humpback whales are often encountered en route to their breeding or feeding grounds.
Occasionally we also head along the Keurbooms Beach in search of breeding groups of southern right whales. This area is also a popular hang-out for bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

Staring out the window and taking it all in is hard work and you might find your thoughts drift… don’t fight the urge and take a little cat-nap on the drive back. 

You have the rest of the afternoon to relax or to join many of the great optional activities on offer in the area.

Optional activities (at additional cost):

Knysna Sunset Cruise:
There is no better way to end off the day than enjoying wine and oysters in a relaxing boat cruise and taking in the magnificence of Knysna as the African sun starts to set over the lagoon.
Accommodation: 1 night Premium hotel (Knysna Log Inn Hotel or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Knysna – Otteniqua Pass – Oudtshoorn

The road from Garden Route towards Oudsthoorn leads us to the spectacular Outteniqua Pass! We will be spending the day around the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, which is situated between the Swartberg and Outteniqua Passes.

The Klein Karoo region is big sky country and is the most diverse region in the Western Cape. Oudtshoorn is famous for its rich history and friendly people.

Included activity: Cango Caves Tour (morning)
Head deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. The Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights your guide provides into the formation and dripstone evolution.
Included activity: Working Ostrich Farm Tour (afternoon)
In the afternoon visit one of the many ostrich farms in the area and learn about this fascinating bird, which played such a big economic role in this town.
Accommodation: 1 night Premium hotel (Mooiplass Country Guesthouse or similar)
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 5: Oudtshoorn – Route 62 – Cape Town

Then it’s time to travel the last bit of Route 62; capturing the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, rugged Karoo plains, vineyards and orchards as you approach Cape Town.

Included activity: Route 62 drive and stops
South Africa’s most famous country road and the longest wine route in the world. You’ll travel along the Breede River Wine Route. Nestled between the Langeberg and Riviersonderend Mountain ranges, this wine route offers a landscape of flower fringed roads, majestic mountains and world-class wines.
Included activity: Wine tasting and Lunch
Taste some of the local preferred wines and a delicious lunch at one of the local wine farms.

End the day being dropped at your Cape Town hotel (approx. 4pm-5pm).
Our services end upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

INCLUDED FOR THIS TRIP:

ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
Your Arrival Transfer is ALWAYS included with Inspired Routes (arrival to start hotel)
–
ACCOMMODATION:
4 nights in Premium hotels/lodges/guesthouses
–
MEALS:
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
–
ACTIVITIES:
Southernmost Point of Africa Visit
Knysna Township Tour
Tsitsikamma National Park Visit & Stormsriver Walk
Ocean Blue Marine Wildlife Cruise
Cango Caves Tour
Working Ostrich Farm Tour
Route 62 Drive & stops
Wine Tasting & Lunch
–
TRANSPORTATION:
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Private vehicle
Walking
Boat
–
GUIDED ADVENTURE:
Local Tour Guide
–
Airport transfer:
ALWAYS INCLUDED
We take care of the stress of arriving to a new destination and not knowing where to go. A great first impression!
–
Trip Type:
SHORT TRIP
Short trips maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local trip leader partners, and these may operate independently from each other.
–
Service level:
PREMIUM
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
–
Group size:
PRIVATE & GROUP DEPARTURES
Min 2, max 12.
The minimum number of people is required to run this departure.
–
Physical Rating:
LIGHT
Some physical activities included in this trip, no physical preparation needed.
–

ROOM DETAILS:

Please note, room options and availability differs for each trip.

Single-room:
If you’re travelling solo, please book a single-share room, as this trip doesn’t allow you to share a room with other travellers.

Twin-room:
Share a room with someone you’re travelling with.

2024 Pricing

Valid from 1st October 2024 to 31st December 2024

Twin room occupancy (per person): Min 2 people
USD 1,461.00 or ZAR 27,029.00

Single room occupancy (per person):
USD 1,715.00 or ZAR 31,720.00

For a private departure with a different number of people contact us (discounts available for 4+ group).

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2025 Pricing

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR UPDATED PRICING

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gallery

Mooiplass Guesthouse
Nature's valley
Storms River
Garden Route
The Turbine Hotel
De Hoop Collection cottages
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Ostrich Farm tour

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