TOUR SOUTHERN AFRICA IN LUXURY AND

GARDEN ROUTE TOUR

HERMANUS, KNYSNA, PLETTENBERG BAY, GEORGE AND P.E.

A MUST FOR ALL VISITORS!

VIP'S Magical Garden Route Tour includes visiting Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, the Addo Elephant Park, George, Fancourt, Knysna, the Wilderness and Hermanus to highlight but a few. One can only imagine the magic that the Garden Route South Africa has to offer.

Allow VIP & Executive Tours Cape Town & Namibia to paint you a day by day picture of what you can experience in the garden route while on our Garden Route Tour.

This must be one of the most beautiful tours of all South Africa, as one can see, what is often referred to as the "Floral Kingdom of the World", never ending beaches, lush evergreen indigenous forests, daunting mountain passes diversity of cultures and the undisturbed best wildlife of South Africa.

DAY ONE:

We leave Cape Town via the Paarl Winelands over the spectacular Du Toits Kloof Pass and then enter the Breede River Valley at Worcester from where we proceed to Robertson and the quaint town of Montaqu with its natural springs.

Proceeding further on Route 62, passing apricot and pear orchards, zig-zag over mountain ranges and picturesque valleys we arrive at Oudtshoorn, the mecca of South African ostrich farming. After a tour of the Safari Show Ranch and a ride on the fastest animal on two legs, we have lunch where you can't go wrong in ordering the specialty, an ostrich steak.

We continue our garden route tour with the world famous dripstone Cango Caves that is also known to be the most beautiful in the world. Time permitting we can also visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch, famous for its crocodile and cheetah breeding programs.

Our overnight accommodation is either in Adley Guest House, the oldest house in Oudtshoorn or Hlangana Lodge with its superb views of the Swartberg and an emphasis on excellent service or Foster's Manor, one of the few remaining fine examples of the Feather Palaces, which was built during the ostrich boom era.

DAY TWO:

After breakfast we continue our travels over the awesome Outeniqua Mountain Pass to George, the so-called capital of the Garden Route. We depart on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train to Sedgefield where your guide will meet you again. The train is one of the traditional modes of transport along one of the world's most picturesque rail routes which includes five lakes, five rivers, two estuaries. From Sedgefield we continue a short while until we reach Knysna where we will enjoy lunch at the waterfront During the afternoon we take a boat ride on the picturesque lagoon, home of the Chameleon Seahorse where after we continue our journey to Plettenberg Bay ", Pearl of the Garden Route" We overnight at Hog Hollow, a delightful private nature reserve set on the edge of indigenous forest or Milkwood Manor with panoramic sea and mountain views.

DAY THREE:

After we have spent some time during the morning in Plettenberg Bay we continue along the shores of the Indian Ocean to Port Elizabeth and through to Addo Elephant National Park, home of the unique species of elephant, where the female has no tusks. There are approximately 300 of these elephants in the park, as well as rhino, buffalos and other antelope. We enjoy an evening game drive before dinner.

We overnight either in The Elephant House, an exclusive lodge or Woodall Country House a beautiful citrus farm. Both accommodation establishments are only minute away from Addo Elephant Park.

DAY FOUR:

Situated between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown is the Shamwari Game Reserve, committed to game preservation, natural surroundings, reintroducing the "BIG FIVE" and to conserve a vanishing way of life. We visit the Born Free Conservation Centre which is at the forefront of drawing the public's attention to the plight of wild animals confined in impoverished captive environments. Another visit is Khaya Lendaba, an African Cultural Village. After a buffet lunch we enjoy a game drive in an open landrover to see wildlife at its best. We overnight in one of the lodges at Shamwari Private Game Reserve

DAY FIVE:

After a city tour of Port Elizabeth we depart for the Tsitsikama Rain Forest at Storms River Mouth one of the most beautiful places on the African continent. Here we take a stroll along a forest boardwalk until we reach the Storms River Suspension Bridge, which is not for the faint hearted. A boat trip up the river is also something not to be missed and the giants of the forests which include the great Outeniqua Yellowwood Trees are quite spectacular. Here we can enjoy a swim and perhaps some lunch at the local seafood restaurant. Close to Natures Valley we will visit the world's highest bungy jumping (216m) where you will be given the opportunity to try this adventurous and popular feat! Time permitting we may also be able to visit Monkeyland where we do a walking safari conducted by a game ranger.

We proceed to Knysna for an optional sunset cruise on the Knysna estuary out to the famous "Heads" and back to the waterfront complex. Dinner must include oysters and Cape Sparkling. We overnight at Headlands House, which is dramatically situated on the highest point of the famous Knysna Heads or Milkwood Bay Guest House with an uninterrupted view across the bay.

DAY SIX:

After breakfast we proceed to Mossel bay for a historical tour through the Bartolomew Diaz Complex, to board the replica of the Caravel the navigator used to sail into this bay anno1448. We continue to Swellendam where we will enjoy lunch and have time to explore this wonderful historical town with all its unique architecture. During the afternoon we will have the opportunity to stand on the most southern point of the African continent at Cape Agulhus from where we will proceed for Hermanus a seaside retreat to the wealthy and famous. During the months August to November whale watching from the cliffs is guaranteed. We overnight at Schulphoek Guesthouse one of the best-kept secrets of this area or the stylish Provençal style guest house, Auberge Burgundy. Both places have spectacular sea views.

DAY SEVEN:

After a hearty breakfast, the morning is at leisure. Optional will be a face-to-face meeting with a great white shark in a shark cage diving excursion or a visit to one of the wine estates in the area. Another possibility is to stroll around Hermanus or to enjoy some time on the beach. After lunch we proceed for Cape Town via Clarence Drive, which is most probably one of the most scenic drives in the world. Should you decide to stay on in Cape Town, my favourite overnight establishment would be the Raddisson Hotel which has excellent cuisine, unsurpassed sea views and close to the famous V & A Waterfront.

NOTE:
This garden route tour can be shortened to five / four days by way of cutting days 3, 4 / 7 from the above itinerary or lengthened by adding extra days in Cape Town or along the Garden Route.

No Prophylaxes have to be taken against the dreaded Malaria parasite, as it is a malaria free area.

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