A 6-day journey offering amazing and comprehensive views of the Garden Route, incorporating virtually every highlight internationally regarded as a 'must see'. Guests travel along this exceptional stretch of countryside and enjoy the great variety of landscapes, shorelines, cultures and lifestyles that the "Rainbow Nation" has to offer.

PRE-DAY - CAPE TOWN

Guests arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Cape Town's nautical heritage, diverse cultural influences and the magnificence of its setting with Table Mountain dominating the skyline, make this one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in the world.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

1. Two Oceans Aquarium

The Aquarium is located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and offers an exciting insight into the indigenous fresh and seawater creatures of South Africa.

2. Robben Island Tour

For nearly 400 years Robben Island was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. During the Apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known as the place of incarceration of Nelson Mandela and other heroes of the struggle.

3. Helicopter Flight

Various helicopter flight options are offered departing from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and starting from only 15 minutes' duration (including only the City Bowl) to half an hour or longer (also including the Cape Peninsula)

4. Table Mountain

Experience an awesome ride up Table Mountain in a cable car where the view from the top is spectacular. This activity is weather dependent.

An evening shuttle service will be available at the hotel to take guests to and from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Guests overnight at the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel.

DAY 01 - WINELANDS / OVERBERG REGION

Surrounded by proud mountain ranges, the fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands enjoy a Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall which produces some of the best wines in the world. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl areas have become justly famous for their whites, reds, fortified wines and brandies. The Overberg region to the southeast embraces mountains, valleys and coastal areas and annually welcomes the Southern Right Whale to its waters.

TODAY'S ACTIVIES

1. Historic Heart of the Winelands

After breakfast we drive to the heart of the winelands, to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. Guests walk along the streets to view the many historical buildings before they proceed to Paarl to visit the Taal Monument followed by a visit to Fairview Wine Estate. We travel through the Huguenot Tunnel to Worcester, where the tour stop for lunch(guests' own account). Worcester offers splendid views over more picturesque vineyards, plantations and rugged peaks. Guests depart Worcester for Albertina where they check in at the Garden Route Game Lodge.

Guests will be taken on an evening game drive before dinner. Overnight at the Garden Route Game Lodge.

DAY 02 - MOSSEL BAY - GARDEN ROUTE

After breakfast guests enjoy a tour of the Reptile and Cheetah Conservation Centre. Guests embark on a tour of Mossel Bay mid morning. Mossel Bay lies in the heart of the famous Garden Route and is situated on a spectacular sun-washed peninsula.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

1. Mossel Bay Tour

The first meeting between Europeans and Africans on southern African soil occurred at Mossel Bay in 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias set foot ashore and encountered the ancient Khoi-San people. We visit the Dias Museum with its replica of the caravel in which Dias sailed from Portugal to South Africa more than 500 years ago. We also see the famous "Old Post Office Tree" where later explorers left post for passing ships. Mossel Bay features in the Guinness Book of Records as having the second mildest all-year climate in the world (second only to Hawaii). After the tour of Mossel Bay guests depart to George. On arrival there is a tour of the Transport Museum before checking in at the Protea Hotel Outeniqua. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Guests overnight at the Protea Hotel Outeniqua.

DAY 03 - KLEIN KAROO

Breakfast will be served at the hotel before guests depart for Oudtshoorn. Surrounded by natural beauty, Oudtshoorn is situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountain range. Many rivers, streams and waterfalls have their origins in the Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kammanassie ranges which surround the town. Oudtshoorn is regarded as the centre of the Klein Karoo and is world-renowned for the Cango Caves and the breeding of ostriches.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

1. Etosha National Park

Leaving the coast behind, we ascend the Outeniqua Pass into Oudtshoorn, famous for its ostrich boom in the early 20th century - they feathered the world in the time of the boa and adorned many grand hats. The industry produced many millionaires who, in turn, created elaborate lifestyles in this remote part of South Africa. The great natural wonder of the Cango Caves is our next stop where we will see a series of great colourful underground chambers with breathtaking limestone formations. Lunch is for guests' own account. We continue via the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert and return to Oudtshoorn via the spectacular Meiringspoort Drive. Late in the afternoon guests are taken to visit an Ostrich Show Farm for an unforgettable tour. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 280 km).

Guests return to overnight at the Protea Hotel in George.

DAY 04 - KLEIN KAROO

Breakfast is served at the hotel before guests depart for a tour of the Old Passes and the Robberg Nature Reserve.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

1. Old Passes Route and Knysna

George is situated on a 10-kilometre plateau between majestic mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. We head via the Old Passes Route to Knysna, winding between the lush primeval forest of the Homtini and a peaceful lagoon. The Knysna Heads - two sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon connecting the estuary with the sea - is a dramatic viewpoint. In the "Garden of Eden" we take a walk among 4m tree ferns and 600-year old trees. The Robberg (meaning "mountain of seals") Nature Reserve is a scenic 4km promontory of red sandstone that probes finger-like into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A number of walks are offered, ranging from reasonably difficult to gentle strolls. Along the way there are caves which were once inhabited by an ancient people known as "strandlopers" (beach walkers). The northern flank of Roberg is rocky and wild, but the south is in complete contrast with white beaches. GOOD WALKING SHOES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 370 km).

Guests drive to overnight at the Paxton Hotel in Port Elizabeth. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

DAY 05 - PORT ELIZABETH

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, after which guests depart for the Addo Elephant Park and Port Elizabeth City.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

Addo Elephant Park and Port Elizabeth City Tour

A short drive brings us to the Addo Elephant National Park, where game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. The original elephant reserve was proclaimed in 1931 when only eleven animals remained in the area. Today it is sanctuary to over 350 of these majestic beasts and is home also to Cape buffalo, black rhino and a variety of antelope species. An extended lunch in Port Elizabeth (guests' own account) will be followed by a tour of the "Friendly City", which forms part of the Nelson Mandela Metropole, a major seaport with diverse eco and adventure attractions. The first Coelacanth in modern times was caught off its coast in 1938. The tour includes stops at several historical buildings in the city centre. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 170 km).

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Evening Township Tour

Our visit includes townships within the Nelson Mandela Metropole, which have become the pulsating beat of an emerging united city. This tour offers guests a better insight into the new South Africa.

DAY 06 - TRANSFER DAY

Guests transferring to other hotels will be taken there during the morning. Guests flying from Port Elizabeth Airport will be transferred two and a half hours before their flight times.

Included in the package price:

NOT included in our package prices:

PLEASE NOTE:

SHONGOLOLO EXPRESS DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE DAILY PROGRAMME. HOWEVER THE COMPANY WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO COMPLETE THE DAILY PROGRAMMES TO THE BEST OF ITS ABILITY.