African Blue Tours

11 Day Private Garden Route & Cape Town (PE-CT)

At a Glance

• Tour duration: 11 days / 10 nights
• Group size: Minimum of 2 people per tour
• Tour departs from: Cape Town
• Price: R0 per person

Tour Highlights

• Big 5 safari
• Garden Route
• Tsitsikamma Forest
• Klein Karoo
• Cape Agulhas
• Hermanus
• City of Cape Town

Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Port Elizabeth to Sundays River Valley

   Collection from Port Elizabeth and head direct to Addo Elephant National Park to enjoy a day of exploring this famous Big 5 area with your guide in the tour vehicle.
   
   Check in an enjoy dinner at the lodge (included)

   OVERNIGHT: Africanos Country Estate or similar

2. DAY 2: Sundays River Valley to Stormsriver

   After breakfast, we head into the park again to enjoy more game viewing, searching for animals not yet ticked off your list, Late morning we travel down the N2, popping into surf towns like Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis to enjoy some walks along the beaches and maybe a spot of shopping.
   
   We arrive into the Tsitsikamma region in the early evening and check into our accommodation in Storms River Village for the next 2 nights.

   OVERNIGHT: Tsitsikamma Villlage Inn or Similar

3. DAY 3: Stormsriver

   A full day to explore the adventure capital of South Africa!
   
   For the energetic among you, a Treetop Canopy tour or Kayak & Lilo adventure up the Storms River could get the pulse going ... the options really are endless and all up to your appetite for adventure.

   OVERNIGHT: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar

4. DAY 4: Stormsriver to Knysna

   Departing Storms River Village, we visit Natures Valley for a beach walk (if you wish) and then The Crags area which is home to many wildlife options, we can visit Jukani or Tenikwa for the big cats, Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary, Monkeyland & Birds of Eden.
   
   We also spend some time exploring Bahia de Formosa (original name given by the early Portuguese explorers) or rather Plettenberg Bay. "Plett" as the locals call this popular holiday town, is known as playground for the rich and famous. We can enjoy a whale & dolphin cruise from central beach, sea kayaking trip, enjoy a nature cruise up the Keurbooms river, hike the Robberg Peninsula and the list goes on and on.
   
   We can end the day with watching the sunset from the Knysna Heads before checking into our lodge overlooking the Knysna lagoon with amazing views.
   
   Dinner tonight (included) will be enjoyed at the famous JJs Restaurant in the Knysna Waterfront..

   OVERNIGHT: Rexford Manor Hotel or similar

5. DAY 5: Knysna to Oudtshoorn

   We slowly meaner through the lake district of Wilderness, surrounded by mountains, ocean, lakes and lagoons. Wilderness makes for a tranquil and splendid destination. Enjoy the stunning and unspoilt scenery at Dolphin Point and Map of Africa look out points (weather permitting).
   
   We can also kayak on the Touws River (own account) in Wilderness with Eden Adventures.
   
   Heading over the Outeniqua Pass (one of many in the area) we drop into the Klein Karoo and arrive into Oudtshoorn.
   
   Relax and enjoy the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality, with dinner at your country lodge.

   OVERNIGHT: De Denne Country House or similar

6. DAY 6: Outshoorn to Cape South Coast

   After your country breakfast, we journey along Route 62 (longest wine route in the world) through the Klein Karoo and in a secluded valley, which was once a lake, we'll discover Calitzdorp, South Africa's port wine capital. Port can be a bit of an acquired taste due to its strength and sweetness, but that's a journey we are happy to help you start on.
   
   We travel through the small artists town of Barrydale at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains then cut through them on the Tradauw Pass where you will notice the scenery starts to change dramatically. It's often said that South Africa has one of the most varied landscapes of any country, and there's nowhere better to see this than on the drive from the semi-arid desert like Klein Karoo back down to the coast.
   
   Our final destination today is the seaside village of Arniston. You can either enjoy dinner at the hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean or maybe take a short meander into the historic fishing village of Kasiesbaai where you are invited to take part in a traditional evening meal by candlelight in one of the fishermen's houses. The meals are prepared by the fishermen's wives, a rather authentic experience.

   OVERNIGHT: The Arniston Spa Hotel or similar

7. DAY 7: The Cape South Coast via Cape Agulhas to The Cape South Coast

   Today we visit the rugged, windswept beauty of the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. A place where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic, the Cape of Storms has caused many an ancient mariners to brave its waters and wreck their ships in the name of exploration and adventure.
   
   The Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum is well worth a visit to read up on the rich local Maritime history and we can also enjoy some wine tasting on the Elim Wine Route.
   
   The Arniston harbour is where you can watch the fishing boats come in is located right in front of the hotel. Next to the harbour you will find the historical fishing village of Kassiesbaai, which welcomes strollers and photographers.

   OVERNIGHT: The Arniston Spa Hotel or similar

8. DAY 8: The Cape South Coast to Cape Town

   We continue our journey to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching, a place where Southern Right whales return annually during the winter and early spring months (July to November).
   
   Spend a full day in Hermanus walking the cliff paths viewing whales, maybe joining a boat based whale watching trip in Walker Bay (your guide can arrange) and there is also the Hemel-en-Aarde valley behind the town for some great wine tasting and picturesque lunch venues like Creation, Newton Johnsons and La Vierge estates to name a few.
   
   Continue our sweeping coastal route along Clarens Drive overlooking False Bay with its panoramic views of Cape Point and Table Mountain, before arriving back to the mother city of Cape Town.

   OVERNIGHT: The Portswood Hotel or similar

9. DAY 9: Cape Town

   Free day to be spent at leisure or exploring the V&A Waterfront and Mother City on your own.
   
   Optional: Cape Winelands or Cape Town City tour

   OVERNIGHT: The Portswood Hotel or similar

10. DAY 10: Cape Town

    Our journey to the Cape Peninsula takes us along the scenic Atlantic seaboard, passing the pristine soft white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, with the 12 Apostles rising above the chilly blue Atlantic Ocean below. There is no doubt the coast of the Cape Peninsula offers magnificent scenery with its great biodiversity. We arrive at the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay with its imposing Sentinel. A chance to enjoy a boat ride out to Seal Island (own account) or shop for souvenirs at the craft market on the quayside.
    
    Our tour continues over Chapman's Peak which offers amazing photo opportunities, and onto the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, a great example of how the land once was many hundreds of years ago in its virgin state of Cape Fynbos. If lucky you may spot some small buck, numerous birds, the Cape Mountain Zebra, Eland and of course the mischievous baboons. Enjoy lunch (own account) at a restaurant overlooking False Bay. Take the funicular (own account) or the footpath for a 20 minute walk up to the old Cape Point lighthouse to experience a breath taking panoramic of False Bay and the great Atlantic ocean
    
    We visit Boulders Penguin Colony, home to the indigenous and endangered African Penguin, see these cute little creatures waddling in and out the water or nesting their young chicks or eggs. An extra and optional visit can be made to the recreational side of the beach where one can actually take a dip in the calm sea for a bit of a swim. The few penguins that frequent this side of boulders can offer a more intimate and natural encounter, with possibly one or two darting past you in the water.
    
    We continue back to Cape Town, passing through Simons Town with our route either taking us over Ou Kaapse Weg or through the cosy little seaside towns of Fishhoek, Kalk bay and Muizenberg.

    OVERNIGHT: The Portswood Hotel or similar

11. DAY 11: Cape Town

    Morning at leisure before private airport transfer for your onward flight.

    TOUR ENDS

Note

Includes:

Accommodation as specified
Meals: 10 x Breakfasts ; 2 x Dinner
Entrances: Addo NP, Cango Caves Heritage tour, Tsitsikamma/Storms River Mouth, Cape Agulhas Lighthouse & Museum.
Private Cape Town day tours as specified