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The Garden Route
South Africa

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Garden Route South Africa Family Beach Holidays
South Africa Garden Route Tours for the whole family. Click here to book your perfect Family Holiday, with a spectacular Garden Route South Africa Tour, incl. Garden Route Accommodation, Garden Route Tours and Garden Route Attractions and Adventures!

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South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | Garden Route South Africa | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours, Attractions and Accommodation
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | Garden Route South Africa | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours, Attractions and Accommodation

Grand South Africa Package Tour
19 Day South Africa Tour, incl. The Garden Route

DEPARTURES: Sundays from Johannesburg

We combine the best wild life and wilderness areas, also blended with the rugged beauty so synonymous with the African continent. It incorporates the areas in the diverse KwaZulu-Natal with habitats such as lakes, rivers, dune forests, beaches, mangrove forests and sub-tropical vegetation to the scenic mounains of Swaziland, and Mpumalanga with its mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and pockets of primal forests. The famous Kruger National Park, as well as a private game lodge adjoining the park, is included. Here we are treated to open vehicle game drives with powerful spotlights in search of the nocturnal animals and game viewing on foot! The ultimate experience - what an adrenaline rush! We relax in Durban, South Africa’s holiday mecca with the luke warm Indian Ocean and sub-tropical, all year round summer. We visit Drakensberg Mountains for some mild to a little more strenuous walks to experience great scenic views. We visit some of the world's best preserved ancient rock art and drive up the incredible almost 3000 m high Sani Pass into Lesotho with four by four vehicles. .

The coastline southwards between Durban and Cape Town encompasses a huge diversity of habitats. From the hilly grasslands with Xhosa huts dotted around the ridges, green valleys, crystal clear streams and the wild unspoilt coastline of the Eastern Cape (the former homeland of Transkei), to the mountains, lakes, cliffs and dense indigenous forests of the Cape South Coast, aptly called the Garden Route. The natural beauty and lush vegetation will captivate even the well travelled.
The Art Capital of South Africa, Grahamstown, and the Addo National Elephant Park  supporting some 400 elephants, lion, Cape buffalo and black rhino amongst other animals, are two highlights in the Eastern Region.
We also visit the semi-arid valley, called the Little Karoo. This region in turn offers natural wonders such as the Cango Caves and its ideal habitat for ostrich farming makes it the ostrich mecca of the world. The tour ends in Cape Town and you have just experienced some of the most beautiful areas in South Africa and arguably the world!

 

THE DETAILED  ITINERARY OF THIS TOUR

DAY 1.  Johannesburg – Dullstroom – Sabie – Panoramic Route

Our first day on tour takes us from Johannesburg via Middelburg, Dullstroom and Lydenburg to Pilgrim´s Rest, the early gold mining town turned into a living museum. Rich deposits of alluvial gold were found here at the end of the 19th century, hence the existence of the town deep in the mountains. We overnight in Sabie in the Lone Creek River Lodge.

DAY 2. Panoramic Route – Private Game Reserve

We visit Lone Creek Falls and travel via Graskop to marvel at scenic areas such God’s Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon, and some of the spectacular waterfalls in the area. Finally we descend to the Lowveld via Abel Erasmus pass and the Strijdom Tunnel to arrive at Mohlabetsi in the Balule private game reserve. This afternoon our encounter with Africa's wildlife begins as we travel on an open vehicle to search for the game. Enjoy a great dinner under the stars tonight (weather permitting). Overnight at Mohlabetsi.

DAY 3.  Private Game Reserve – Kruger National Park
After an early morning hike, searching for the wild on foot, and breakfast we enter the Kruger National Park and spend the rest of day in this magnificent reserve around 2 million ha in extent. We overnight in the reserve in one of the camps.

DAY 4.  Kruger National Park  -  Swaziland
We rise early for a game drive and return for breakfast in the camp. We spend the rest of the morning in the reserve and depart in the afternoon for the mountain Kingdom of Swaziland. We visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory and travel via Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, to Foresters Arms, our hotel in the mountains at Mhlambanyatsi.

DAY 5.  Swaziland – Zululand – Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
We visit the well-known Swazi Candles factory and the big arts and crafts market in the Ezulwini Valley, and drive past the National Stadium and the parliament buildings on our way to Manzini, the country's industrial centre. We travel further past Big Bend with the country's largest sugar plantations to the South African border. We continue to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park game reserve and arrive late afternoon at our overnight stop - Hilltop Camp. Here we join a late afternoon/early evening game drive on open safari vehicles equipped with high powered spotlights to search for the shy nocturnal animals. Dinner follows.

DAY 6.  Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – Lake St Lucia  - Durban
After an early breakfast we do our final game drive before travelling to the village of St Lucia. Here we join a boat cruise of the famous Lake St Lucia Estuary, a paradise with bird species such as fish eagle, Goliath heron and many more. Your guide will show you the world of the hippo and the crocodile and the other mystic inhabitants of the "deep". After this unforgettable experience we travel to Durban, South Africa’s holiday mecca.

DAY 7.  Durban – Natal Midlands – Drakensberg Mountains.
Drive inland to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, for a brief city tour. Stop at the railway station where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown off the train because of the colour of his skin, and see the waiting room where, in the silence of the night, he formulated his philosophy of passive resistance.  Visit the Church of the Vow that was built as a result of the Battle of Blood River between the Voortrekkers and the Zulus in 1838. Continue to Howick where we visit the 100m high Falls, and stop at the monument erected on the spot where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962. Continue through an area of gentle pastoral beauty called the Natal Midlands. We pass through grassy plains scattered with villages and lush farmlands where plump cattle and thoroughbred horses graze. We enter the Weenen Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing. We have a good chance of seeing, amongst others, white rhino, giraffe and zebra. Afterwards we stop at the place where Winston Churchill was arrested by the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War. Then we travel to our hotel from where you can enjoy magnificent views while enjoying sundowners.

DAY 8. Drakensberg Mountains
After breakfast we travel through QwaQwa, a former homeland, and watch the locals busy with their daily chores in this remote land. We arrive at the Sentinel, some 3200 meters above sea level, for a picnic lunch and some easy, or more strenuous, walks to viewpoints of the sheer drops into the Amphitheatre. For those VERY energetic souls, there is a stiff walk and climb up a chain ladder to the summit (weather permitting). Here you find the source of the mighty Tugela River and where it rushes over the edge of the cliffs to plummet down for hundreds of meters to the bottom; in total nearly a kilometre. After this unforgettable experience we return to our hotel late afternoon.

DAY 9. Drakensberg Mountains – Giant’s Castle
We depart after breakfast and drive to the Giant's Castle area for an easy walk to some of the country's best preserved ancient rock paintings. We have a peek into the mystical existence of these strange little people who became extinct at the beginning of the previous century. This afternoon we have time to take some hikes into the mountains. The scenery and views are magnificent! Dinner and overnight at Giant's Castle complex.   


DAY 10. Giant's Castle – Southern Drakensberg Mountains
Today we travel along these magnificent mountains and enjoy the views. Visit some quaint art and craft shops in the upper Midlands Meander - many artistic people fled the hectic pace of the big cities and made their new homes in this very beautiful area. There is no limit to inspiration here if inspiration comes from natural beauty! Then we travel to Underberg, a picturesque little village situated in the foothills of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Our hotel is in the lap of the mountain with peaks towering over 3000m (10 000 ft) above sea level. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel.

DAY 11. Sani Pass -  Durban
After breakfast we set off to Sani Pass, named after the primitive people who lived in the area millennia ago, on a four-wheel drive with hair raising bends and breathtaking views to the top of the mountain. Lunch is served at the top in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho some 3000m above sea level. We return early afternoon, change vehicles and drive back to Durban

DAY 12. Durban
Durban is an intriguing cultural blend of East, West and Africa, which with its endless summer climate, effervescent and lukewarm ocean lined with golden beaches, offers a subtropical carnival atmosphere all year round. Our tour of this bustling metropolis boasting the busiest port in Africa and often called the cultural 'melting pot' of South Africa, includes a drive past the so-called Apartheid Beaches, the Golden Mile, the impressive developments at the new Point Waterfront area, and the city centre. We stop at the Indian Market where you can bargain for souvenirs and spices. Our last visit is to the Botanical Gardens. You have the option of being dropped off at the end of the tour at the Ushaka Marine world with its world-class aquarium, and many shops and restaurants.  Return to your hotel with our bus or spend the rest of the afternoon here and take a taxi back to the hotel.

DAY 13. Durban
A free day in Durban to enjoy last minute shopping or the warm sunny beaches.

DAY 14. Durban – South Coast – Wild Coast
The drive from Durban along the South Coast takes you through lush subtropical vegetation and numerous holiday villages dotted along the seaboard. We visit the scenic Oribi Gorge and some beautiful little beaches. We enter the Eastern Cape at the former homeland of Transkei and work our way to the Wlid Coast – a rugged and deserted coast line with exceptional beauty – and arrive at Cremorne Lodge for overnight. This afternoon we explore the beach and some amazing scenic sites.

DAY 15. Wild Coast – Umtata –  East London
Before breakfast we enjoy another breathtaking walk. Then breakfast and travel via Port St Johns to Umtata, the capital of the former homeland. After a visit to the Nelson Mandela museum we travel further south to East London, the only river port in South Africa, and the place where a prehistoric coelacanth was caught in 1938. Overnight at Quarry Lake Inn.

DAY 16.  East London – Addo Elephant Park – Port Elizabeth
This morning's journey is along the coast and we enjoy the lush vegetation and rugged coastline. We visit Port Alfred, an outstanding holiday village situated on the Kowie river mouth and travel to Grahamstown. The small cathedral city is considered the art capital of South Africa and is steeped in history. At the Addo National Elephant Park game reserve we have an excellent chance of an encounter with these giants of the bush amongst other animals. This afternoon we reach Port Elizabeth, the fifth biggest city in the country, set on the shores of the Algoa Bay and also called the “Friendly City”. Overnight at Fifth Avenue Beach House.

Day 17.  Port Elizabeth – Garden Route
We depart from Port Elizabeth, along the N2 national route to the Storms River with the impressive Paul Sauer Bridge across the valley towering some 139 m above the river. Our next stop is at Tsitsikamma National Park (Khoisan for “The place of much water”) stretching more than 100 km of wild and rocky coastline characterised by massive cliffs, narrow isolated beaches and shady indigenous forests along the river valleys. Now, truly in the famous Garden Route of the Cape, we traverse more magnificently scenic river valley passes to Knysna on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon with its entrance to the sea guarded by two promontories known as 'The Heads'. The area also falls within a National Park proclaimed to conserve the extraordinary natural beauty of the Lakeland and adjacent indigenous forests. Knysna offers shopping opportunities of unusual, locally made, art and craft, etc. Overnight at the Fish Eagle Lodge.

Day 18.  Garden Route - Oudtshoorn
We explore the lake areas, the Wilderness National Park and travel via the scenic Montagu Pass to Oudsthoorn also known as the 'Feather Capital' of the world, as by far the largest concentration of ostrich farms in the world are found here. We visit the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa's foremost natural wonders. The fascinating calcite caves comprise an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight at La Plume Guest Lodge.

Day 19. Oudtshoorn – Mossel Bay – Cape Town
After an early start we visit to an ostrich show farm for some unique experiences, including ostrich racing. A ride on the back of an ostrich is not for the fainthearted. Our route to Mossel Bay takes us over the Outeniqua Mountains via Robinson's Pass. Here we visit arguably the oldest post office in Africa, the Post Office Tree, and the site of the first landfall, made by the Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz in 1488. After an early lunch we travel via Swellendam to Cape Town where we arrive late afternoon.

From our experience, we have compiled the above mentioned itineraries. These are merely suggestions. Please feel free to talk to us about adjusting, changing or personalising the tour for you.
We specialize in smaller, personalized tours with groups of 2 - 8 persons in luxury, air-conditioned vehicles.

Make sure to have a look at our other Garden Route Tour Options, which might be of help to you:
- Choose from 3 - 6 Day Garden Route Tours
- One-way tours from Port Elizabeth
- Bottelierskop - Game Farm
- Knysna Elephant Park - Touch an African Elephant!
- Monkeyland and Bird Sanctuary
- Tented Accommodation with Horse Riding
- Pay-as-you-please Tours : My vehicle - your program

South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures

Garden Route Tour Planner ::

Cango Caves ::

Ostrich Show Farms ::

Crocodile Ranch ::

Cheetahland ::

Outeniqua Choo - Tjoe ::

Bloukransbridge Bungee Jump ::

Ocean Safaris ::

South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
 
South Africa Design Your Own Garden Route Tour | South Africa Tours | Garden Route Tours | South Africa Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures

MAP OF THE GARDEN ROUTE
< Click on an area to view more information >
South Africa: South Africa Tours | South Africa Accommodation | South Africa Garden Route Tours | South Africa Cape Town Car Hire
Travel Times
Distance
Travel Time
Cape Town to Mossel Bay
390 km
4 hours
Cape Town to Oudtshoorn
440 km
4 hours & 30 mins.
Oudtshoorn to Knysna
120 km
1 hour & 45 mins.
Mossel Bay to Knysna
110 km
1 hour & 30 mins.
Knysna to Tsitsikamma
100 km
1 hour & 15 mins.
We offer the following services all over South Africa:  Cape Town City Tours, South Africa Accommodation, Garden Route Tours & Cape Town South Africa Car Hire.
Car Hire Cape Town | Car Hire South Africa | Cape Town Car Hire | Garden Route | Cape Town Wine Tours | Cape Town City Tours | Accommodation South Africa | South Africa Accommodation | South Africa Tours | Tours to South Africa | Accommodation in Cape Town | Cape Town South Africa Car Hire OUDTSHOORN - situated 55 kms north of George, you will discover the natural wonder of the Cango Caves. With 100's of Ostrich Farms all over Oudtshoorn and surrounding areas,  you will find 3 distingguished Show Farms, where you can enjoy these birds up close. Guided Tours are available. Garden Route: Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Information | South Africa Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures
UNIONDALE -
GEORGE - The 6th oldest town in South Africa provides attractions incl. The Choo-Tjoe Steam Train, a climb to the top of George Peak with a magnificnet 360 degrees view, conference facilities, major shopping cjains and transport facilities.
HEIDELBERG - WILDERNESS - famous for it's neverending view of tranquil sea and beaches. This 2500 ha of National Park includes 5 rivers, five lakes, two estuaries and 18 km of coastline. Fantastic wildlife, including birds. KNYSNA - Knysna has got something for everyone, young and old, business or pleasure, budget or luxury. The Garden Route is not complete without the beauty and mysteries of Knysna.
RIVERSDALE SEDGEFIELD - PLETTENBERG BAY - Often referred to as “The Jewel of the Garden Route”, this magnificent seaside town is regarded as one of the most fantastic holiday destinations in South Africa.
ALBERTINA - MOSSEL BAY - a favourit holiday destination with white sandy beaches. Enjoy a fantastic variety of sights and sounds, incl. boat rides, whale watching, shark diving, sailing and hiking and SO MUCH MORE!
Garden Route: Garden Route Tours | Garden Route Information | South Africa Garden Route Accommodation | Garden Route Adventures VERMAAKLIKHEID -
WITSAND - STILBAAI - Garden Route Tours | Cape Winelands Tours | Cape Town City Tour | Cape Town Airport Transfers | Cape Town Transfers |

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Garden Route:
> 3 Day Garden Route Tours
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> Safari Garden Route Tours
> Cape Winelands Tours
> Cape Town City Tours
> Cape Town Township Tours
> Big Five African Safari Tours
> South Africa Flower Tours
> Cape Town Table Mountain Tours
> South Africa Package Tours
> Garden Route SA Package Tours
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> Cape Town Accommodation
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> Cape Town South Africa Car Hire
> South Africa Map
> South Africa Garden Route Accommodation
> 11 Day 'Taste of South Africa' Package Tour
> 11 Day 'Classic South Africa' Package Tour
> 8 Day ' Wildlife & Scenery of SA' Package Tour
> 12 Day 'South African Explorer' Package Tour
> 19 Day 'Grand South Africa' Package Tour
> Garden Route Tours
> Garden Route Accommodation
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> Cango Caves
> Ostrich Show Farm
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> Garden Route Tour Planner

Our South African Garden Route Tours will provide you with all the most fantastic sights and sounds, incl:
| Cango caves | Ostrich Show farm | Crocodile Ranch and Cheetahland | Sir Lowry's Pass with views of False Bay | Elgin / Grabouw - Apple Region |
| The Wheatlands of the Overberg | Historical Swellendam | Gouritz River Gorge | Mossel Bay & The Diaz Museum | Outeniqua Choo - Tjoe | George | Wilderness | Featherbed Nature Reserve with a lagoon cruise | Knysna Heads | Plettenberg Bay | Nature's Valley | Tsitsikamma National Park |
|
Storms River Mouth | Bloukrans Bridge - highest bungee jump in the world | Outeniqua Pass |

Our SATOUR Registered Tourguides specialize in all the following South African Tour options:
| GardenRoute Tours | South Africa Flower Tours | The Winelands | Cape Town City Tours (incl. Table Mountain Tours) | Cape Town Township Tours |
| Cape Point Tours - The Cape Peninsula | South Africa Big Five Safari Tours |

Useful links to help plan your trip: (links will open in a new window)

www.capeteamtours.com | Choose from a friendly variety of Cape Town Tours, incl. Table Mountain, Cape Town City Tours, Township & Whale Tours!
www.capetowning.com | Plan your complete Cape Town Holiday here, incl. Cape Town Hotels and Accommodation, Tours, Airport Transfers & Car Hire.
www.carsinsouthafrica.com
| Fantastic selections of vehicles available for hire at great rates. South Africa Car Hire available all over the country!