Explore the mysterious forests and glorious beaches of the Garden Route, kick back to an awesome big game safari in the Eastern Cape and crown it all with a grand finale of solitude on the Wild Coast
DAY 01
Departing ex Cape Town, self-drive a beautiful route (about 450 km) to the Garden Route holiday-town of Wilderness, situated on the N2 down the picturesque Kaaiman’s River Pass, not far beyond George. Laying claim to a rugged, pearl-white beach and a placid lagoon, Wilderness is a small paradise for holiday-makers. Spend the afternoon in Wilderness and dine out at one of the town’s several eateries.
OVERNIGHT IN WILDERNESS
DAY 02
Check out of the guesthouse and drive to Knysna (about 44 km). One of the Garden Route’s favourite holiday spots with tons of leisure activities, Knysna is set on the edge of a mirror-smooth lagoon and surrounded by dense forests. Popular activities in Knysna include an eco experience in the Featherbed Nature Reserve, sunset dinner cruises, a cruise-tour of the Knysna Oyster farm, beach walks, forest tours, a town walkabout, the Knysna Elephant Park, and much more. Alternatively, you could proceed a little beyond Knysna to The Crags (another 35 km), a beautifully verdant area of rivers, streams and forests near Plettenberg Bay.
OVERNIGHT IN KNYSNA OR THE CRAGS
DAY 03
Spend the day exploring your choice of attractions in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or Nature’s Valley. Nature’s Valley is an abundantly idyllic area situated alongside an estuary and forming part of the Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve. In Plettenberg Bay there is no end to the leisure activities on offer. Enjoy the Keurbooms River Ferry, take an ocean ride to see whales and dolphins, visit Monkeyland sanctuary or the local wolf sanctuary, take to one of the area’s many wonderful hiking paths, or visit Birds of Eden.
OVERNIGHT IN KNYSNA OR THE CRAGS
DAY 04
Check out of the hotel and drive from Knysna (or The Crags) to Jeffrey’s Bay (198 km). This small beachside town is the surfing hot-spot of the Eastern Cape. Walk an endless stretch of beach or allow the rhythms of the ocean to mesmerise you on the pooldeck where a rim-flow pool overlooks the beach and the legendary surf.
OVERNIGHT AT DIAZ 15 APARTMENTS
DAY 05
Check out after a slap-up breakfast prepared for you in your sea-facing suite, and drive to the Addo area (about 110 km) for your safari. Gear up for a fabulous safari that includes the Addo Elephant National Park – South Africa’s third largest national park and the place where you can view elephants at remarkably close range.
OVERNIGHT AT WOODALL COUNTRY LODGE, and do daily drives into Addo, OR
OVERNIGHT AT THE SAFARI LODGE, and enjoy a Big Five safari on the Amakhala Game Reserve featuring trips into Addo
DAY 06
Enjoy another day of wildlife viewing and five-star hospitality in the rugged and malaria-free Eastern Cape.
OVERNIGHT AT WOODALL COUNTRY LODGE, and do daily drives into Addo, OR
OVERNIGHT AT THE SAFARI LODGE, and enjoy a Big Five safari on the Amakhala Game Reserve featuring trips into Addo
DAY 07
Check out of your lodge after breakfast and drive to Cintsa East on the exquisitely beautiful Wild Coast (approximately 280 km). The Wild Coast is one of South Africa’s most untrodden gems – a region so unspoiled you can leave your foorprint on a pristine beach washed clean of the tracks of anyone who might have come there before you. The Wild Coast offers year-round beauty, seasonal sardine runs and whale and dolphin viewing. Stay at a luxurious lodge set in a dune forest with private access to 21 km of pristine beach. If you’re travelling in June /July, you have a good chance of witnessing the spectacular Sardine Run on the Wild Coast.
OVERNIGHT AT PRANA LODGE
DAY 08
Bodybronze on a sublimely tranquil stretch of coast and reconnect with your deep inside person through yoga, meditation and health treatments at Prana Lodge’s Thai Wellness Centre. Do some fishing, or scuba diving, surfing and kite-boarding, or visit the nearby Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve to view rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra and antelope on a guided drive. There’s prolific birdlife in the area, including sea, estuary, river and inland species.
OVERNIGHT AT PRANA LODGE
DAY 09
Check out of lodge, and self-drive back to Cape Town, stopping on route, or drive to East London, return hired car and fly back to Cape Town or to another destination.
END OF TOUR
This tour can be custom-made to suit your particular interests and travel schedule. It can also be combined with other holiday ideas to create a more comprehensive tour of South Africa.
Mail us for more information or call +27 21 797-7122.
