Cape Town & Garden Route

Garden Route
Self-Drive Tours
10 days
on request

For first timers to South Africa, the Cape Town & Garden Route is the perfect destination. The roads are well signposted and maintained that take you to beautiful areas to be explored. Don’t worry about safety – I assure you, Cape Town and the Garden Route are very safe! You just follow some rules, that apply to overseas countries as well, and you will be absolutely fine.

Most people presume it’s called the Gardenroute because of its many beautiful gardens. But in fact it’s called Gardenroute because it reminds of the Garden of Eden.

It’s a small area but of such beauty and diversity: Wilderness on the Indian Ocean with long unspoiled beaches, Knsyna – the heart of the Gardenroute surrounded by forest and a lagoon where oysters are cultivated. Oudtshoorn in the ‘Klein Karoo’, a half desert with plenty of ostrich farms, the beautiful and upmarket Plettenberg Bay with stunning views and Tsitsikamma, a tropical forest bordering the Indian Ocean.

Here is an example of a Cape Town & Garden Route Tour which can be tailor-made to your liking:

Itinerary

DAY 1 / CAPE TOWN: On arrival at Cape Town airport, transfer to your hotel / guesthouse, or assistance with collecting of your rental vehicle. Time to relax and refresh from the long flight. I recommend an early dinner at one of the many Restaurants at the Waterfront.

Overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 2 / CITY TOUR: Take the red hop on, hop off bus for a city orientation tour, which also stops at Table Mountain for a ride in the cable car. Or book a tour with your own private tourguide, who will show you all the beautiful historical buildings and explains about Cape Town and its people.

Overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 3 / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: Explore the beauty of the Cape Peninsula and take a drive along beautiful coastal roads and suburbs to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Enjoy beautiful views from the lighthouse and take a picture at the most south westerly point of Africa. Visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders and Kirstenbosch Garden, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world.

Tip: lunch at Harbour House in Kalk Bay, beautifully located at a small working harbour with fantastic views and excellent food.

overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 4 / STELLENBOSCH OR FRANSCHHOEK: After breakfast check out and drive to the winelands, mere 70km from Cape Town. Visit beautiful winefarms with rolling vineyards, taste some of the excellent locally produced wines and enjoy a picnic lunch under shady oak trees.

Overnight at a 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 5 / OUDTSHOORN: Travel along the Klein Karoo on route 62 and the Langeberg Range to Oudtshoorn. Here you can visit an ostrich farm and learn everything about the ostriches during an interesting tour.

Tip: enjoy a typical BBQ with mouth watering ostrich steak on Safari Ostrich Farm

overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 6-8 / KNYSNA: Knysna lies in the heart of the Gardenroute. There is so much to see and explore. Take the ferry to Featherbed Island, taste oysters that are cultivated in Knysna lagoon, visit Monkeyland and the Elephant sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay and take a long walk on Nature's Valley remote beach.

overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse incl breakfast
DAY 9 / SWELLENDAM OR HERMANUS: Drive along the N2 to the third oldest town of South Africa. This charming town lies on the foot of the Langeberg mountains and is known for its youngberries, architecture and history. Take a walk to waterfalls through indigenous forest at Merloth Nature

During July - November I recommend a stay in Hermanus. Famous for their majestic nature and gargantuan size, the Southern Right Whale has always been a fascination for many. Their playful nature and rarity have made them a famous addition to the Cape Whale Coast between July and November every year.

overnight at 4 star hotel / guesthouse
DAY 10 / GOOD BYE: From Swellendam it's a 2.5 h drive to Cape Town airport or 1.5h from Hermanus. Drop off your rental vehicle and catch a flight back home.

Time to say good bye .