The Garden Route

Trip highlights

• Stunning coastal scenery
• Whale watching (in season)
• Good roads and enjoyable accommodation
• Great food and good value for money
• Cultural insight into life in Port Elizabeth

Itinerary

1. Day 1:
   Collect your hire car from Cape Town airport. Drive about 1½ hours (or longer if you take the more scenic route) to Hermanus. Relaxing afternoon, or perhaps whale watching. (B)
2. Day 2:
   Morning in Hermanus, then head along the Garden Route this afternoon to another lovely coastal village, Arniston. The pretty thatched fishermen's houses of Kassiesbaai, the oldest part of Arniston, have been declared a South African National Monument. The jagged coastline has a history of wrecks. Indeed the village derives its name from the British 'Arniston', which sank here in 1815. The vessel contained wounded soldiers and of the 378 people on board only 6 survived, making this one of the most serious disasters in the country's history. (RO)
3. Days 3-4:
   Travel east to Knysna with its beautiful forests and great arts and crafts shops. Enjoy great views over Knysna Lagoon from your lodge balcony.(B)
4. Days 5-6:
   Travel east to Tsitsikamma region (more or less the end of the Garden Route). You have two days to explore this beautiful region, and perhaps take a Storms River Adventure or walk the first part of the famous Otter Trail. (B or RO, depending on accommodation)
5. Day 7:
   Travel to Port Elizabeth (about 1½hr). This afternoon you have a ‘Real City Tour’, ending with dinner in a shebeen. (BD)
6. Day 8:
   Drive to Addo Elephant Park (about 1 hr). You can book game drives, guided walks or horse rides here. (RO)
7. Day 9:
   Drive back to Port Elizabeth. Depending on your onward arrangements, a morning game drive may be possible before you leave. (RO)

Price

2009: From £670 per person based on twinshare accommodation. Single supplements will apply. This price does not include flights.

Call us for single supplement details

Duration and details

9 days

Is it for you?

The Garden Route is a holiday which is suitable for anyone, and can be easily combined with other areas of South Africa.

Best times to go

From about October to March the weather along South Africa's Garden Route is mostly hot and dry. December and January are very Mediterranean in climate.

View South Africa climate chart

Included

9 days car hire (Group B with aircon), Real city Tour, accommodation and meals as specified.

Not included

Flights, visas, travel insurance, activities and excursions, fuel and other car related fees.

Getting there

There are direct flights from the UK to Cape Town (about 11 hours direct. Return flights from the UK cost from about £600 plus taxes.

View flight information

Comments