7-day Garden Route + Winelands

Overview

7-day Garden Route + Winelands

TOUR OVERVIEW

Prepare yourself for a feast for the senses as a harvest table of flavours and diversity awaits. This well-rounded road trip perfectly pairs wildlife and wine, serving both taste connoisseurs and nature enthusiasts alike. Add in a dash of pure adrenaline and you have the perfect platter of South African indulgence. From meeting some of the Big Seven (yes, the Big Five with whales and sharks!) along the Garden Route to wandering the rolling hills of the Cape Winelands and strolling the cliff paths of Hermanus, this trip has something for every explorer. Think daring adventures, animal sightings, wine tastings, and authentically local culinary delights.

Hike in Tsitsikamma National Park, feel your adrenaline pumping with an exhilarating bungy jump, and catch prime game viewing at Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of wild elephants on the planet. Plus, you’ll come nose-to-beak with the planet’s largest birds in the feather capital of the world – Oudtshoorn, listen to the sounds of silence in Cango limestone caves and walk with the biggest land mammals on the planet in the Klein Karoo. And, if the mood takes you, learn to surf on some of the world’s top-rated waves or try a spot of sandboarding in Jeffreys Bay.

Expect surprises on the palate from the ubiquitous seafood on the coastal belt and Klein Karoo specialities like lamb and ostrich finished off with some of South Africa’s best Port-style wines along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Explore the winding roads from the Stellenbosch Winelands to Hermanus – considered to be the best land-based whale watching spot in the world – to visit the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Get a chance to see some of the Marine Big Five – whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and sharks – on a sea kayaking expedition, or wander your way along fynbos line cliff paths. You’ll also make new flipper friends at the Stony Point Penguin Reserve! 

And the cherry on top – a delight for the eyes as you drive along Clarence Drive, with dramatic twists along steep mountainsides, the perfect vantage point to view the vast False Bay.

Let’s uncork our best and let the adventure flow. Cheers!

7-day Garden Route + Winelands

DEPART Scheduled to depart every Monday & Saturday
START/END Cape Town
GROUP SIZE Small group 
MIN/MAX 1/13 passengers per guide & tour vehicle
TRANSPORT Van
GUIDED Local South African, English speaking professional tour guide

INCLUDED

• Cape Town Pick-up & Drop-off service (±10km radius from Cape Town CBD)
• Transport to tour highlights
• 6 nights accommodation
• 6 Breakfasts

Entry fees & Activities as listed:

• Cango Caves tour
• Ostrich Farm tour
• Route 62 Wine Tasting
• Wilderness Canoeing
• Tsitsikamma National Park Hike
• Addo Game Drive in tour bus (±2 hours)
• MCC Tasting
• Wine & Chocolate Pairing
• Hermanus coastal hike
• Penguin Reserve visit

EXCLUDED

• Personal Expenses
• Lunch, Dinner & drinks
• Travel Insurance
• Flight Tickets
• Visa Fees

Optional Activities

• Bungy Jumping OR Waterfall Ziplining  
• Elephant Bush Walk 
• Bungy Jump + zipline 
• Whale Cruise or Sea Kayaking 
• Buffelsdrift 4X4 Bush Safari

Prices are subject to change.

*** Excludes single supplement and any additional activities & meals not set out in the itinerary.

01 October 2020 – 30 September 2021
Backpacker accommodation at R12 500.00 per person sharing
3* Guest House accommodation at R16 500.00 per person sharing
4* Guest House accommodation at R20 400.00 per person sharing

Click here for more information or any other related information or tours

Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram

Early morning pick up from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch

This morning, you’ll wind your way through mountain passes where lazy baboons line the roadside; through fertile micro-climates with rows and rows of grapevines and rolling farmlands. A morning stop at Riviersonderend allows those with change in their pockets to indulge in the South African penchant for home-baked pastry like the creamy and delicious milk tart (Melktert) that the country claims from its Dutch origins.

The abundance of aloe lining the roadside heralds your arrival in Albertinia and provides plenty of Instagram opportunities with bigger-than-big succulents. By stark contrast the oasis-like towns of Wilderness and George are surrounded by lush national parks and an afternoon canoe paddle provides the perfect setting to bird watch and enjoy the clean wild air.

For those that savour a great night’s sleep, tonight’s end destination – the coastal town of Sedgefield or Knysna – promises just that. 

Pristine wild and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day. From a morning spent admiring the views from the imposing Knysna Heads to ocean and green river views atop Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump or as you zipline over gushing river gorge in the Tsitsikamma forest.  

The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yoyo. For the spectators, half the thrill is in watching their contorted faces on the TV in the nearby café and the other in watching a staff member ‘catch them’ and return them to safety.  Bungy jumping is an optional activity (at extra cost), and those that are not keen on jumping you can either decide to zipline through dramatic scenery and waterfalls in the nearby Tsitiskamma forest (at extra cost) or continue onward to start the hike in Tsitsikamma forest earlier.

This region is a playground for the outdoors and for those with tamer appetites who have opted not to bungy, a visit to some of Tsitsikammas’s abundant forests provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. As you head to the coastal belt, towns like Plettenberg Bay show why it and the Tsitsikamma (the first ‘T’ is silent) National Park are favourites with holidaying locals.  The short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone and, you’ll likely get a thrill as fellow tourists test its swing factor.

The large white caps (or seahorses as the locals call the surf break) of Jeffreys Bay herald your departure from the official Garden Route and your arrival into South Africa’s quintessential ‘Surf City’. Hang ten with the locals and slip into a relaxed frame of mind. 

A pre-dawn wake-up call might seem hard to take at first, but trust me, it’s worth getting an early start for your Addo game drive to see even more wildlife as the bush awakes.  Your guide will use local knowledge to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of most of the Big Five. 

The early morning start means free time in the afternoon and J’Bay’s surf village – with its discount outlets – is perfect for shopaholics. But, if you’ve always fancied learning to surf, then this town or the sand slopes beyond it are the places to put your goofy foot forward and go for it.

South Africa delivers on its contrasts with landscape and lifestyle as you leave the Indian Ocean shoreline behind and wind your way through the Langkloof Mountains to the arid lands of the Klein Karoo. Here, the ostrich reigns supreme. Bird-filled paddocks line the highway with colourful feather stalls and show farms around every corner as you head into Oudtshoorn. The palatial sandstone homesteads stand tall, harking back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold. A visit to the Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak. 

Now it’s time to delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights into the formation and dripstone evolution. Or, by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route. 

Subject to availability, return to the wild for an optional 4×4 game drive with a knowledgeable game ranger at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve for a possible sighting of resident giraffe, buck and more. This “bush safari” is more focused on being at one with nature and exploring the natural setting as the reserve only bost a limited amount of game.

Oudtshoorn hospitality is second-to-none, and the serving sizes are generous. Ostrich steak or kebabs complete the experience for those with an adventurous appetite. If you have the chance to try the Karoo lamb or local ostrich, don’t be shy – they are delicious.

As dawn breaks in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s sunniest town, join an optional stroll with rescued elephants – you are in Africa after all – along the dam wall at the Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Gentle giants, Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo made this their home after their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. This experience will have you following in their massive footsteps, making memories you’ll never forget. 

After your morning adventure, it’s time to head back to Cape Town along the famous Route 62, modelled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour. Route 62 is more than just burgers and beers, farm stalls or small country towns, the highway is also the longest wine route in the Western Cape. Oenophiles will be in their element with a wine pit stop to sample Port-style wines en route to Stellenbosch. Reach Stellenbosch lr travel to Cape Town by late evening. 

In contrast to the stark whites of the old Dutch architecture and surrounding farmlands, the modest, yet colourful buildings and corrugated lean-tos in Kayamandi township illustrate the diversity of our beautiful country. Pop in at a local’s house, where you’ll be treated to tea or home-made ginger beer and an array of local Xhosa treats such as amagwinya (vetkoek) and chakalaka. Be swept away by the stories of the diverse history of the area and the vibrant culture.

Just a little way on, you’ll pop in at the picturesque Simonsig, home of the country’s first ever produced MCC. Enjoy a bubbly tasting from the masters as you take a moment to soak in the fresh country air and the beauty of the Stellenbosch Winelands. Your next destination sees you venture into the quaint town of Franschhoek for some fine wine paired with hazelnut, cranberry or rich mint chocolates. You could also opt for a bit of local flair and choose a wine and biltong pairing instead where you’ll taste how the wine flavours are enhanced by beef and game biltong.

As lunch nears, South Africa’s epicurean capital, Franschhoek, with its multitude of eateries is a must-do for gourmands and on weekends the local farmers’ market beckons with colourful stalls and tasty aromas. You’ll have time to soak up the history of the French Huguenots who arrived in the 17th Century, catch an impromptu street performer, shop for nic-nacs along the main street, taste local creations or savour a gourmet meal at a 5-star restaurant.

From the rolling fields and unending vineyards of the Winelands, you’ll head to the southernmost point of Africa and the very spot where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans collide. Watch the sky burst into colour as the sun kisses the sea and spend a relaxing night at the tip of Africa.

Wake up to the sound of the ocean in Cape Agulhas and take a moment to breathe in the fresh sea air. You’ll then start the short journey to the coastal haven of Hermanus where winding ocean cliff paths await and are sure to enthral. Meander along coastal paths lined with indigenous fynbos, lulled by the crashing sounds of ocean waves against the adjacent rocky shoreline. Nature lovers will be thrilled by the rich birdlife and the chance to see local marine life frolicking about. Hermanus is also one of the best land-based whale watching locations the world, so you can look forward to trying to spot a few southern right whales during whale season from June to November. The hike will take around an hour, after which you’ll have a choice of how to spend the rest of your morning.

You could hop on an optional whale cruise in search of some cavorting whales (during whale season), or choose to stretch those sea legs with an optional guided sea kayaking experience. Test your grit as you glide across the open ocean and spot various marine life. For a tamer pace, have a whale of a time in the seaside town of Hermanus, littered with curio shops, fine restaurants and an unmistakable old world charm.

The thriving African penguin colony at Betty’s Bay adds the final nature wow. Being one of the only remaining breeding grounds of the African penguin, these clumsy creatures are sure to pull on your heartstrings. Try out your sightseeing skills as you spot rock hyraxes (dassies) sunbathing on the rocks in between the waddling penguins. Flap a wave goodbye as you head on along one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal routes – Clarence Drive – to reach Cape Town by late evening.