Duration(in days): 9
From: Cape Town
To: Port Elizabeth
See more ideas for: South Africa
Explore the scenic Garden Route in South Africa, staying in boutique guest houses as you drive along the coast, taking in the wild beaches, winding roads and stunning sunsets of the southernmost coast of Africa. Experience the bustling city of Cape Town before heading east along the coast, stopping in on the gourmet restaurants and vineyards of Franschhoek. Spend two nights in the coastline town of Knysna overlooking the Knysna Lagoon ending your journey in Port Elizabeth.
A wonderful way to experience South Africa, the Garden Route encompasses winding roads, incredible wildlife and our handpicked choice of guest houses dotted along the southern coast of Africa. If you would like to extend this trip to take in even more of the beautiful places along this coast please speak to your consultant, the trip can by fully tailored to your requirements
On arrival in Cape Town you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel in the city.
You shouldn’t be too jet-lagged since South Africa is on the same time zone as the UK so after checking into your guest house for 3 nights, go out and enjoy a relaxed evening in Cape Town. Head to the waterfront and taste some fresh fish, caught that very morning and served up on your plate by evening. Raise a glass to a great first night of your trip along the rugged coast of South Africa.
This morning, your car will be delivered to your guest house. With two days to explore the city you’ll have plenty of time to experience the traditional architecture and interesting shops that make up central Cape Town. Grab a gourmet lunch full of local ingredients before riding the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy beautiful views over the city, all the way to the ocean. Next, hop on a boat out to Robben Island making the short journey out to the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. End your day with drinks in the city centre and taste some of the Cape’s famous wines amongst the bustling bars of Green Point.
For your second day in the Cape, why not head out of the city and drive south towards Cape Point where the crashing waves and rugged rocks reveal incredible views of the ocean. After soaking in the coastal views drive back north and you’ll come across Boulders Beach, where tiny African Penguins wander around enjoying the attention of delighted passersby. Stop off once more and grab some dinner in Kalk Bay where you can choose huge prawns and crayfish cooked in garlic and olives for a delicious final meal in Cape Town.
Today you’ll leave Cape Town, driving the short distance up towards the wine lands of the Cape. This small town is packed to bursting with world class wines and fresh local produce, with delis, vineyards and boutique shops making this a great stop off for foodies. Hop between vineyards, tasting the famous South African wines and learning about the grapes of the region. In the evening, enjoy the views of Simonsberg with an artisanal evening meal made from the local ingredients you’ve been drooling over all day.
Today you’ll drive to the coast, past the cliffs outside George and along to Knysna. With golden beaches and a pretty seafront, it’s a great town to explore the shops and waterfront before heading out onto the water. The most famous sights are the two dramatic sea cliffs that protect the small harbour from the Indian Ocean. Look out for dolphins if you got out on the water, they’re easy to spot amongst the choppy waves. If you fancy catching some waves head to Buffalo Bay and take to the sea with a surfboard, enjoying the sunshine before wiling away the afternoon sunbathing on the wide beaches.
Leaving Knysna behind, drive along the coast to your final stop of Port Elizabeth. The city has been through an upgrade since it hosted several matches during the 2010 World Cup and the city centre and harbour are extremely enjoyable areas to explore the boutique shops and restaurants. Find a waterfront restaurant and dig in for the evening, enjoying one last plate of delicious South African food accompanied by a cool glass of sauvignon blanc. After 10 days exploring the varied coast of South Africa, you’re sure to be heading home with a whole host of fantastic memories.
Unfortunately it’s your final day so after breakfast drive to Port Elizabeth airport, where you can return your car and catch your onwards flight.
The climate is mild year round, however there are ‘seasons’ you may want consider when planning your trip along the Garden Route. They tend to experience rainfall during the winter months (June to August) when it tends to be greener all round. The rains come in with a cooler air, last maybe a day or two and are then usually followed by champagne days’ of crystal clear air, blue skies and brilliant colours!
The summer months (November to February) are usually warm or hot, and during December to January the surf is often at its best due to the south easterly winds.
All of our itineraries are tailor-made to give you an idea of just some of what is possible; this means we can adjust as necessary to completely suit your needs! Let your travel consultant know how long you plan to spend away, what you like to do, what properties you like to stay in and an idea of your budget and we will do the rest!