Lagoons, forests, beaches – and the elephants of Addo: experience the majesty of South Africa’s Garden Route and the pristine wilderness areas of Addo Elephant National Park and the private wildlife reserves of Eastern Cape on this rewarding self-drive holiday.
Note: This tour can be custom-made to suit your interests, travel schedule and budget. It can also be combined with other holiday ideas to create a more comprehensive tour of South Africa.
STAY 1: Departing Cape Town, drive to the pretty character-town of Swellendam (220 km), a centuries-old town with more than 50 recognized heritage sites and many wonderful restaurants, and close to several nature reserves. Swellendam links the Southern Overberg with the Garden Route.
STAY AT SCHOONE OORDT COUNTRY HOUSE (5*) OR AUGUSTA DE MIST (4*)
STAY 2: Check out of your Swellendam hotel and drive to Knysna (270 km), travelling through the well-known Garden Route towns of Mossel Bay, George and Wilderness. Knysna has loads to offer holiday-makers: do a tour of the Featherbed Nature Reserve, accessible by ferry trip on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, walk through Milkwood forests and see the scenic Knysna Heads separating the sea from the lagoon; visit Brenton-on-Sea on the Western Heads, explore secluded Noetzie Beach; sample Knysna’s famous oysters; visit Buffalo Bay in the Walker Bay marine reserve; take to forest hiking trails where elephants once roamed; and enjoy the lagoon on a variety of cruise experiences. There are also sailing charters, cycle routes, fantastic golf courses and appealing shops and markets.
STAY AT HEAD OVER HILLS (5*) OR BELVIDERE MANOR (4*)
STAY 3: Travel 33 km to Plettenberg Bay, a popular coastal holiday town on the Garden Route. Revel in the beauty of this recreation hot-spot, its pristine beaches and hiking trails, numerous animal sanctuaries, nature reserves, ocean adventures, and the world’s highest bungy jump. There are also canopy tours, segway experiences in Tsitsikamma, and much to enjoy in the town itself.
STAY AT HUNTER’S COUNTRY HOUSE (5*) OR PERIWINKLE LODGE (4*)
STAY 4: Drive from Plettenberg Bay to the seaside village of St Francis Bay (165 km). One of the main features of this picturesque town is its canal system and marina lifestyle. Enjoy paddling, canoeing, wind- and kitesurfing, fishing, jetskiing, whale watching, birding, and more.
STAY AT SANDALS GUEST HOUSE (4*)
STAY 5 (OPTIONAL): Travel from St Francis Bay to Port Elizabeth (110 km), or travel directly from St Francis Bay to the Addo area (160 km). In friendly Port Elizabeth visitors can enjoy excellent beaches, boat charters and water sports, ziplining, a casino, and the Donkin Heritage Trail which features many historical sites connected to the history of the 1820 settlers.
If visiting Port Elizabeth, STAY AT SINGA TOWN LODGE (4*)
STAY 6: Travel to Addo (72 km from Port Elizabeth; 160 km from St Francis Bay), home of the famous Addo Elephant National Park, a wilderness conservation area in the Sundays River area where elephants can be seen at incredibly close range. It is said that the park has the greatest profusion of elephants in all the world. The park is also home to other of South Africa’s wildlife.
STAY AT GORAH ELEPHANT CAMP (5*) OR WOODALL COUNTRY HOUSE & SPA (5*) OR THE SAFARI LODGE (4*)
STAY 7 (OPTIONAL): Extend the trip to include a Big Five safari in the Kenton-on-Sea area. This unique territory features Big Five wildlife viewing in the bushveld wilderness area, as well as river activities and trips to the nearby beaches at Kenton-on-Sea.
STAY AT KARIEGA SETTLERS DRIFT (5*) OR KARIEGA RIVER LODGE (4*)
After your stay in the Kariega Game Reserve, either drive back to Port Elizabeth (130 km) and fly to your next destination, or drive back to Cape Town, staying in the Oudtshoorn area to break the journey.
STAY AT DE ZEEKOE GUEST FARM OR DE DENNE COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE
END OF TOUR
This tour can be custom-made to suit your interests, travel schedule and budget. 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.
