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Peregrine Travel Centre

South Africa’s Garden Route & Winelands

South Africa’s Garden Route & Winelands

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Description

South Africa’s Garden Route is famous for its glorious stretch of rocky coastline, dotted with dense forest, sun-kissed beaches and excellent spots for wildlife-viewing. Kick off this 12-day trip in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), then follow the route to Addo Elephant National Park (home to more than 800 elephants!). Go on a 4WD safari to search for rhinos, giraffes and more in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, step into the ancient Cango Caves and watch wild meerkats emerging at sunrise near Oudtshoorn. Then, head to the winelands to walk through vineyards and soak up mountain scenery in Stellenbosch. End your journey in Cape Town with sweeping ocean views at the Cape Peninsula and a culinary experience to remember.

Trip Name
South Africa's Garden Route & Winelands
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
12
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Search for elephants on a 4WD safari in Addo. Look for giraffes, zebras, rhinos and more at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, then rise early to watch wild meerkats emerge from their burrows in Oudtshoorn.
  • Explore the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park on foot, following the forest trail to Storms River Mouth and traversing the rocky coastline of the Waterfall Trail.
  • Spend two nights in Stellenbosch, surrounded by the mountains and vineyard-covered hills of the winelands, with a free day to explore at your own pace.
  • Discover Cape Town through an African food and storytelling experience where you'll meet local entrepreneurs and creatives, uncover the city’s history and sample a curated selection of dishes around town for a memorable final dinner with your group.
  • Head inland to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and take a guided tour of the Cango Caves’ vast limestone chambers. Admire the intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites as you learn how the caves formed over millions of years.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., SOUTHERN AFRICA IN PEAK SEASON Southern Africa is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is, therefore, becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However, we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that the included activities are not affected.

Day 1 - Port Elizabeth
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your Garden Route adventure begins in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you’ll have time to explore before meeting your leader and fellow travellers. This coastal city – the largest in the Eastern Cape province – is full of beaches where you can stretch back on the sand. Or you could go for a stroll along the Summerstrand promenade to take in views of Algoa Bay, passing public art installations and plenty of spots where you can stop for coffee or gelato along the way.
Day 2 - Addo Elephant National Park
Leave Port Elizabeth and travel to Addo – a world-class wildlife destination with a remarkably varied landscape. This region is made up of five of South Africa’s nine biomes, ranging from forest in the Woody Cape area to coastal dunes on the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt. In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on a sunset 4WD safari in Addo Elephant National Park. This is the only national park where you can find the southern right whale and great white shark as well as Africa's five iconic animals – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for your first glimpse of these remarkable creatures.
Day 3 - Tsitsikamma
Travel west towards Tsitsikamma, where forest meets a rugged stretch of Indian Ocean coastline. After arriving, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and enjoy the surroundings. You’ll explore the coast on foot tomorrow.
Day 4 - Tsitsikamma
Get out and about to discover the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park. Start by walking the short Storms River Mouth Trail. You’ll traverse coastal forest to reach the river mouth and a suspension bridge, where you can see views of the Tsitsikamma forest and the Storms River Gorge. Then, take on the Waterfall Trail, which makes up the first section of the famous Otter Trail. Follow the rocky shoreline towards a waterfall overlooking the sea, where you can pause to soak up the views.
Day 5 - Knysna
Continue your drive along the Garden Route, stopping in Plettenberg Bay to visit Old Nick Village. You’ll have time to have lunch and browse the locally run shops – an eclectic range of boutiques selling ceramics, beadwork, textiles and artisanal chocolate. If it’s open during your visit, you can also see textiles being made at the Mungo Weaving Mill. Then, travel to the town of Knysna, set between forested hills beside a protected lagoon. This evening, you can choose to join a sunset cruise on the lagoon. You’re likely to see African black oystercatchers – this bird can be found in the area year-round.
Day 6 - Oudtshoorn
On the way to Mossel Bay, head to the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve for a 4WD safari. This 6000-ha reserve is set against a backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains and is home to rhinos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, mountain zebras and the rare black impala. An impressive array of over 200 bird species can be found here. After, continue to the Point of Human Origins in Mossel Bay for a guided tour. Learn about the archaeological discoveries made in this cave and what they reveal about early human life around 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. Then, travel inland to the town of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo.
Day 7 - Oudtshoorn
Go on a guided tour through the limestone chambers of the Cango Caves, located in the Swartberg Mountains. Learn how the caves formed over millions of years as you pass each chamber filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Some of these formations have names based on what they resemble – keep your eye out for Cleopatra’s Needle and the Dried Tobacco Leaves of Oudtshoorn. Later, you’ll have some free time to explore Oudtshoorn at your own pace or simply relax at your hotel.
Day 8 - Stellenbosch
You’ll have an early start today, rising before the sun to observe wild meerkats near Oudtshoorn as day breaks. Settle in quietly and keep watch as the group emerges from its burrows. Continue to the town of Stellenbosch, passing through the Little Karoo. Stellenbosch is a lively hub of culture, history, food and wine. When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk through town. This evening, there’s the option to head to the Kayamandi township for a home-cooked dinner and a chance to hear about life in the community.
Day 9 - Stellenbosch
Spend a free day exploring Stellenbosch and the surrounding countryside your way. If you’d like to explore beyond Stellenbosch’s town centre, consider joining a guided walk through the nearby vineyards, taking you through mountain scenery. This walk is run by a community tourism initiative that employs local guides and hosts, so you’ll get a personal insight into what life is like in this scenic region. If you’re after something more laidback, you could wander through town at your own pace. For those who didn’t join the home-cooked dinner last night, there’s another opportunity to do so tonight.
Day 10 - Cape Town
Witness the raw beauty of the Cape Peninsula today. Follow the peninsula towards Cape Point, where you’ll have time to take in the ocean views. After, head to Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins. Watch the penguins waddling around freely in this protected marine area. African penguins are among the smallest and most endangered species of penguin. Hit the road again, bound for Cape Town, where you have a free evening. Ask your leader for recommendations on where to try some local dishes for dinner – boerewors (a spiral-shaped, spiced sausage) and chakalaka and pap (vegetable stew with cornmeal) are classics.
Day 11 - Cape Town
Today is a free day for you to explore Cape Town at your own pace. Speak to your leader if you need some suggestions to help you plan your day. This evening, join your group for an African food and storytelling experience. You’ll explore the city through the eyes of local entrepreneurs and creatives, meeting the locals who run Cape Town’s restaurants, community kitchens, bookshops and tailors. Along the way, hear how migration and history have shaped this city’s diverse food scene, making stops to take part in four curated tastings at various eateries.
Day 12 - Cape Town
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-04-202716-04-2027AUD $ 5,465-
03-05-202714-05-2027AUD $ 5,465-
14-06-202725-06-2027AUD $ 5,465-
19-07-202730-07-2027AUD $ 5,465-
16-08-202727-08-2027AUD $ 5,465-
06-09-202717-09-2027AUD $ 5,465-
13-09-202724-09-2027AUD $ 5,465-
04-10-202715-10-2027AUD $ 5,465-
15-11-202726-11-2027AUD $ 5,465-
13-12-202724-12-2027AUD $ 5,465-
20-03-202831-03-2028AUD $ 5,740-
03-04-202814-04-2028AUD $ 5,740-
01-05-202812-05-2028AUD $ 5,740-
12-06-202823-06-2028AUD $ 5,740-
17-07-202828-07-2028AUD $ 5,740-
14-08-202825-08-2028AUD $ 5,740-
04-09-202815-09-2028AUD $ 5,740-
11-09-202822-09-2028AUD $ 5,740-
02-10-202813-10-2028AUD $ 5,740-
13-11-202824-11-2028AUD $ 5,740-
11-12-202822-12-2028AUD $ 5,740-

Accommodation

Hotel (8 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Lodge (2 night)

Transport

Private Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle

Map

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