Best of the Garden Route - Premium Adventure
From CAD $7,980
Guarantee
Small Group
Unknown
Rating
Experience Overview
Experience the greatest adventures on the Garden Route, handpicked by our local experts to showcase the very best of South Africa. Begin in buzzy Cape Town, ascending Table Mountain by cable car, before touring the Winelands, exploring the 20m-year-old Cango Caves, and searching for ocean giants on a wildlife-watching boat trip. It ends in the African bush, where expert rangers help you spot those iconic safari animals. To elevate your experience, you’ll stay in Premium accommodation throughout – the perfect sanctuary after a day of adventure.
Profile
— Accommodation: 10 Premium nights (hotels) — Travel by private minibus — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 10 Premium nights (hotels) — Travel by private minibus — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Walks: This is primarily a vehicle-based adventure, although we can take walks in Tsitsikamma National Park and Cape Point Nature Reserve. These are generally along good paths and boardwalks and take about one to two hours.
Drive times: These can vary but the maximum amount of driving in one day is approximately 5hr 30min with numerous stops throughout. On most days, we are on the road for less than three hours (not including stops or game drives).
Legal note: All group members joining this tour are asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. It’s a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.
Eating Drinking
Food on this trip is very similar to the kind of food you are used to at home, though there may be the opportunity to try local meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
The provided water is safe, clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.
Transportation
We use a minibus for this trip. Each is fitted with forward-facing seats and tows a luggage trailer. They have large windows for good views while touring.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: The Winchester Boutique Hotel, 24 Driftsands Dr, Humewood, Port Elizabeth
Phone: +27 (0)41 45 000 90
Recommended arrival time: There is a welcome briefing around 6pm
Airport: Cape Town (CPT)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is around 25 minutes’ drive from Cape Town Airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Flying via Johannesburg
If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Port Elizabeth (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.
Catching your return flight
There’s one group transfer to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Weather Information
Summer is from October to April and the average daytime temperature is 25C-30C (77F-86F). The average night-time temperature is 10C-20C (50F-68F). Winter is from May to September and average temperatures are colder. In general, however, the Cape Town climate is quite mild. Summer is typically dry and warm, but the southeasterly wind can blow up to 43mph (70kph) at least a few times a month. This helps to cool things but can be a little unpleasant if one is walking in exposed areas. Most of the rainfall is in winter but it is frontal rain off the Atlantic. Therefore, it can rain solidly for two days, and in between there will be warm, sunny days. It is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on the higher mountains. Our programme is flexible enough to accommodate any major changes in weather and still make it enjoyable.
Spending Money
For meals not included, average costs are:
— Dinners: 340-510 rand (US$20‐US$30) — Lunches: 135-220 rand (US$8-US$13) — Incidentals: Allow about 170 rand (US$10) per day
Optional excursions
All prices listed are subject to change:
— Robben Island: 600 rand (US$35). If you would like to book this excursion, please advise us at least four weeks before travel (ideally when you book the trip). We will take all names and the tickets will then be payable locally – this is to avoid disappointment as it is a popular tour. Once you have signed up, we cannot accept cancellations. Refunds will only be issued if we are refunded by the ticket office for adverse weather conditions etc. — Cape Town township tour: 850 rand (US$45) per person — Zip‐lining at Tsitsikamma National Park: 895 rand (US$49)
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Tipping is optional but we recommend approximately 80-100 rand (US$4.70-US$5.80) per person per day. You may also want to budget for porter tips if you need help taking your luggage to your rooms.
Highlights
— Experience the very best of the Garden Route, staying in Premium hotels each night — Tour the highlights of Cape Town, including a cable car ride up Table Mountain — Sip your way through the renowned Winelands — Go underground to explore the ancient Cango Caves — Search for ocean giants on a marine safari adventure — Spot iconic safari animals with three game drives in Kariega Private Game Reserve
Trip Details
Product Code: 35728
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: touring.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ACG
Starts: Cape Town, Cape Town
Finishes: Cape Town, Cape Town
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughoutAccommodation
Premium hotels and lodgesEnjoy the best of the Garden Route, staying in everything from historic Cape Dutch properties to a remote lodge deep within the African bush. The variety and quality of properties featured will undoubtedly be a highlight of your adventure! Cape Town: The Winchester Boutique Hotel (nights 1-3) Opposite the Sea Point Promenade, the Winchester has a prime location by the Atlantic Ocean, while the buzzing V&A Waterfront is just a 10-minute walk away. Within the 1920s Cape Dutch property, there’s a pretty courtyard dressed in bougainvillea, a swimming pool and plenty of options for food and drink (the buffet breakfast has been named one of the best in the city!). Franschhoek: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa (nights 4-5) Another shining example of Cape Dutch architecture, this magnificent property has a beautiful spot in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Surrounded by mountains and leafy vineyards, it’s a peaceful spot to unwind after a day’s adventure, while the bar and lounge serves excellent coffee, fine wines and cocktails – best enjoyed on the terrace with views of the glorious landscape. Oudtshoorn: Surval Boutique Olive Estate (night 6) Experience elegance and excellent service on this working farm, where energy-boosting breakfasts are served on the deck with valley views. Head to the pool area to unwind while gazing over the mountains, while the Su Casa restaurant serves produce from the local Klein Karoo region. Plettenberg Bay: Hog Hollow Country Lodge (nights 7-8) Nestled within a private nature reserve, on the edge of indigenous forest, this remote lodge offers glorious views over valleys and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The heart of the action is the Boma Deck, where you can end the day on comfy chairs gazing over the peaks. Alternatively, cool off in the pool, before relaxing with a cold drink in hand. Kariega Private Game Reserve: Kariega Main Lodge (nights 9-10) End the adventure deep in the African bush – at one with nature and far from the bustle of city life. We stay in air-conditioned log chalets, designed to integrate with the environment, with large private viewing decks for glorious views over the landscape. Family-owned since 1989, the property offers an immersive experience in this wonderful game reserve. Worth knowing Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,980 ($725 /day)
Itinerary
Begin your adventure in Cape Town, undeniably beautiful, culturally rich and a gateway to the Garden Route. Around 6pm, say howzit to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big South African welcome by arranging dinner at the hotel restaurant. Want to explore Cape Town further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: The Winchester Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Experience the best of Cape Town today. It starts with a driving tour around the city, visiting plenty of landmarks, including the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade and St George’s Cathedral. We then head to Table Mountain, where we ascend to the top by cable car, weather permitting, for glorious views over Cape Town, Robben Island and the Twelve Apostles. The afternoon is free for you to explore further, including an optional excursion to Robben Island, which you can book before the trip begins. Accommodation: The Winchester Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Discover the highlights of the Cape Peninsula, jumping into the vehicle to enjoy the Chapmans Peak drive, among the most spectacular coastal routes in the world, on our way to the Cape of Good Hope, where we take the funicular to the Cape Point lighthouse. Nest, we visit the protected African penguin rookery at Boulders Beach, before lunch at Seaforth Restaurant in Simon’s Town, where we can tuck into seafood while gazing over the waters of False Bay. After, we head to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the slopes of Table Mountain. Here, we wander the trails, seeing some of the 7,000-plus southern African plant species that form a gorgeous natural display. Accommodation: The Winchester Boutique Hotel (or similar)
After a leisurely morning at the hotel, we dive deep into traditional Cape Malay cuisine, known for its fruity, mild and full-bodied flavours. And there’s no better place to do this than the Bo-Kaap district of Cape Town, an area characterised by steep cobblestone streets and brightly painted houses. We learn the history of the Cape Malay people from our tour leader as we stroll to a home, before we learn the secrets of Cape Malay cooking from our host, attempting to fold samosas, while also sampling delicious dishes. After, we head to our hotel in South Africa’s renowned wine region, ready for our explorations tomorrow. Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa (or similar)
Join your tour leader for a delightful day exploring the Winelands. Our first stop is Stellenbosch, where we join our leader on an orientation tour, before ducking into a wine estate for an expertly guided tasting. After, we head to Franschhoek, said to be the gourmet capital of South Africa, to enjoy another tour, before a food and wine pairing at MIKO restaurant with views of the Franschhoek Valley and vineyards. Finally, we visit another wine estate, exploring the cellars and enjoying another tasting experience. Accommodation: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa (or similar)
Bid farewell to the Winelands and transfer (five hours) to one of South Africa’s greatest natural treasures: the Cango Caves. Formed over 20m years ago, this extensive complex of caverns is home to magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, which we learn all about from a local guide. We then complete our journey, arriving at our hotel in Oudtshoorn, a town at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains. Accommodation: Surval Boutique Olive Estate (or similar)
Our journey today takes us to Bloukrans Bridge (home to the highest commercially operated bungy jump in the world) and Tsitsikamma National Park, where we visit Storms River Mouth (weather permitting), the end point of the Garden Route. We then continue to Plettenberg Bay, but not before stopping in Knysna, where we can stop for lunch at a lagoon-side restaurant, and you can enjoy an optional oyster tasting. Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge (or similar)
After a morning at leisure, we hop onto a boat for a sea safari. To give us the best chance of spotting mighty ocean animals, the skipper determines the best route. Depending on the time of year, we may visit Humpback Highway, where migrating humpback whales travel on their way to breeding or feeding grounds. With the help of the experienced skipper, we may also spot southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Accommodation: Hog Hollow Country Lodge (or similar)
Leave early this morning and transfer (3hr 45min) to our lodge in Kariega Private Game Reserve, where we enjoy lunch. In the evening, we head into the private reserve for a game drive in open safari vehicles. Joined by an experienced ranger, we explore the African bush, with the chance to spot lions, elephants and more. Cap the day with a sundowner in the bush! Accommodation: Kariega Main Lodge (or similar)
Rising early for tea, coffee and a snack, we leave for an early morning game drive or river cruise with the chance to spot more safari animals. After returning to the lodge for a late breakfast, you can either enjoy a bush walk, spa treatment (additional cost), have a swim or relax after your early start. Post-lunch, we depart for an evening game drive and sundowners, a chance to see animals you may not have spotted yesterday or this morning. Return to the lodge for a farewell dinner, in which we can relive some of the adventures we’ve had together. Accommodation: Kariega Main Lodge (or similar)
The adventure ends at Kariega Private Game Reserve. If you’d like more time to explore the African bush, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Share a personalized trip brochure!
