Garden Route Splendour & Safari
14 day Small Group Tour & Safari – from £2439
With flights from £3329
After a Cape Town city stay, join this enjoyably-paced escorted tour of the Garden Route, before heading to an Eastern Cape safari lodge to go in search of the ‘Big 5’.
Highlights:
- Enjoy a four night stay near the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
- Journey through the Winelands and Little Karoo to the Garden Route
- Go wine tasting, visit an ostrich farm and discover the Cango Caves
- Stay three nights at Ukhozi Lodge in the untamed Kariega Game Reserve
- Spot elephants, big cats and more, on morning and afternoon game drives
Your Itinerary
Expand AllThis itinerary is customisable. Just let us know if you would like to add extra nights, activities or destinations.
Feel the excitement build as your flight touches down at Cape Town Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the V&A Waterfront for a four night stay.
With three full days, you have time to see the sights, learn about the city’s history and unique culture, and discover the stunning coastal landscapes nearby. You can explore independently or pre-book guided excursions, including to Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope and Robben Island. Just let your Travel Consultant know what you would like to do.
Protea Hotel Breakwater
Day 5 – Cape Town to Mossel Bay
After an early morning departure from Cape Town, travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass with its magnificent views to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains.
The journey continues to Cape Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area’s unspoilt rugged coastline historically was the graveyard for many ships and the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse here, signifies the southern most tip of Africa. Afterwards, continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay.
Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar
Day 6 – Oudtshoorn
After breakfast continue the journey to the Route 62 town of Oudtshoorn, located in the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape, the town is renowned as the ‘feather capital of the world’ and a visit will be made to an ostrich farm for a guided tour.
Next, enjoy a tasting at a local wine estate in the scenic Schoemanshoek Valley, before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages.
La Plume Guest House
Day 7 – Knysna
After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, which has some fine examples of Edwardian architecture. The tour then travels through the attractive holiday resort of Wilderness with its long stretch of beach on its way to Knysna. Known as the oyster box of South Africa, Knysna nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route.
Later, journey into the magical Knysna Forests where you will learn stories of the woodcutters who worked the forests, the elephants that were hunted to extinction and the discovery of gold. There will be a visit the Matthee Big Tree Memorial, an enormous Yellowwood tree of over 880 years.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the forest of traditional cuisine and local treats at Totties Farm Kitchen.
Rex Hotel
Day 8 – Knysna
Today explore further the natural beauty of the Knysna area with a visit the Forest Legends Museum, the colourful Old Suzie steam engine, that was used to generate power, and the stately Old Forester’s House.
Afterwards you’ll have the opportunity to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. The sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates.
The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads, before travelling to the nature lovers paradise of Brenton on Sea with its unspoilt beaches. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.
Rex Hotel
Day 9 – Tsitsikamma
After breakfast travel to the Plettenberg Bay area where you will visit Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary provides a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds.
The journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single span arch bridge in the world, currently offering the highest commercially operated bungy jump in the world (optional!).
Later, visit the Tsitsikamma National Park which contains the popular Storms River Mouth suspension bridge. The park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline, secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Tsitsikamma Village Inn
Day 10 – Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
After breakfast, travel eastwards by the Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where the tour ends and you will be dropped off at your hotel for a one night stay. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
The Beach Hotel
Day 11 to 13 – Kariega Game Reserve
After breakfast, you’ll be met at the hotel for your transfer to the picturesque Kariega Game Reserve for a three night stay in Ukhozi Lodge. Family owned since 1989, the reserve covers 11,500 hectares of pristine African wilderness, dissected by the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers, both magnets for wildlife.
Your stay at Kariega Game Reserve includes all meals and morning and afternoon game drives in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, antelope, to name but a few species that reside in the park. You can also join a river cruise or guided bushwalk, led by an experienced ranger.
Between activities, enjoy the luxuries of a private reserve and the relaxed atmosphere that comes with it. Spend time on your private deck or by the pool, or indulge in a spa treatment.
Kariega Game Reserve
Day 14 – Farewell
You’ll be collected this morning for the scenic drive to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight home.
Your Itinerary
This itinerary is customisable. Just let us know if you would like to add extra nights, activities or destinations.
Day 1 to 4
| Cape Town
Feel the excitement build as your flight touches down at Cape Town Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the V&A Waterfront for a four night stay.
With three full days, you have time to see the sights, learn about the city’s history and unique culture, and discover the stunning coastal landscapes nearby. You can explore independently or pre-book guided excursions, including to Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope and Robben Island. Just let your Travel Consultant know what you would like to do.
Protea Hotel Breakwater
Day 5
| Cape Town to Mossel Bay
After an early morning departure from Cape Town, travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass with its magnificent views to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains.
The journey continues to Cape Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area’s unspoilt rugged coastline historically was the graveyard for many ships and the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse here, signifies the southern most tip of Africa. Afterwards, continue via historic Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, to Mossel Bay.
Diaz Hotel & Resort or similar
Day 6
| Oudtshoorn
After breakfast continue the journey to the Route 62 town of Oudtshoorn, located in the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape, the town is renowned as the ‘feather capital of the world’ and a visit will be made to an ostrich farm for a guided tour.
Next, enjoy a tasting at a local wine estate in the scenic Schoemanshoek Valley, before setting off on a tour of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages.
La Plume Guest House
Day 7
| Knysna
After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George, the sixth oldest town in South Africa, which has some fine examples of Edwardian architecture. The tour then travels through the attractive holiday resort of Wilderness with its long stretch of beach on its way to Knysna. Known as the oyster box of South Africa, Knysna nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route.
Later, journey into the magical Knysna Forests where you will learn stories of the woodcutters who worked the forests, the elephants that were hunted to extinction and the discovery of gold. There will be a visit the Matthee Big Tree Memorial, an enormous Yellowwood tree of over 880 years.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the forest of traditional cuisine and local treats at Totties Farm Kitchen.
Rex Hotel
Day 8
| Knysna
Today explore further the natural beauty of the Knysna area with a visit the Forest Legends Museum, the colourful Old Suzie steam engine, that was used to generate power, and the stately Old Forester’s House.
Afterwards you’ll have the opportunity to visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. The sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates.
The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads, before travelling to the nature lovers paradise of Brenton on Sea with its unspoilt beaches. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure.
Rex Hotel
Day 9
| Tsitsikamma
After breakfast travel to the Plettenberg Bay area where you will visit Birds of Eden sanctuary, the biggest single free flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary provides a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds.
The journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, the highest single span arch bridge in the world, currently offering the highest commercially operated bungy jump in the world (optional!).
Later, visit the Tsitsikamma National Park which contains the popular Storms River Mouth suspension bridge. The park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline, secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Tsitsikamma Village Inn
Day 10
| Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
After breakfast, travel eastwards by the Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where the tour ends and you will be dropped off at your hotel for a one night stay. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
The Beach Hotel
Day 11 to 13
| Kariega Game Reserve
After breakfast, you’ll be met at the hotel for your transfer to the picturesque Kariega Game Reserve for a three night stay in Ukhozi Lodge. Family owned since 1989, the reserve covers 11,500 hectares of pristine African wilderness, dissected by the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers, both magnets for wildlife.
Your stay at Kariega Game Reserve includes all meals and morning and afternoon game drives in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, antelope, to name but a few species that reside in the park. You can also join a river cruise or guided bushwalk, led by an experienced ranger.
Between activities, enjoy the luxuries of a private reserve and the relaxed atmosphere that comes with it. Spend time on your private deck or by the pool, or indulge in a spa treatment.
Kariega Game Reserve
Day 14
| Farewell
You’ll be collected this morning for the scenic drive to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight home.
This Holiday Includes
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Garden Route Splendour & Safari small group tour & safari and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- A Cape of Good Hope day tour or visit to Robben Island
- An upgrade to the five star Settlers Drift at Kariega Game Reserve
Next Step
Please get in touch with our Africa Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Garden Route Splendour & Safari
14 day Small Group Tour & Safari – from £2439
With flights from £3329
Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar standard if necessary.