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

Guests arrive at Port Elizabeth Airport and transfer to their accommodation. Overnight at the Paxton Hotel*

*Please note all hotels and accommodation quoted are subject to availability

DAY 01 - PORT ELIZABETH

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

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

Addo Elephant Park and Port Elizabeth City Tour

A short drive brings us to Addo Elephant National Park, where game drives will be conducted in our air-conditioned vehicles. Originally proclaimed as an elephant reserve in 1931 when only eleven animals remained in the area, today it is sanctuary to over 350 of these majestic beasts as well as being home 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.

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

DAY 02 - KNYSNA AND THE OLD PASSES ROUTE

After an early breakfast guests depart for a drive to Plettenberg Bay where they tour the Robberg Nature Reserve and Knysna en route to George.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

1. Robberg Nature Reserve and Knsyna Tour

WARNING: THIS WALK IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE FAINT HEARTED, FRAIL, OR ELDERLY. PARTS OF THE WALK ARE ALONG STEEP CLIFF EDGES WITHOUT BARRIERS OR HAND RAILINGS & ARE VERY SLIPPERY.
Robberg means "mountain of seals" and the reserve is a scenic 4km promontory of red sandstone that probes finger-like into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. A 2.5km walk is offered along part of the peninsula to the windswept white sands and the steep cliff face to a cave that was once inhabited by ancient people called "strandlopers" (beach walkers). The northern flank of Robberg is rocky and wild, but the south is in complete contrast, with white beaches. Lying between lush forests and a peaceful lagoon is the town of Knsyna where guest will stop for a lunch break at the waterfront (guests' own account).The 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 the 4m tree ferns and 600-year old trees. After lunch we take a drive along the Old Passes route to George. Guests overnight at the Outeniqua Protea Hotel. GOOD WALKING SHOES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 350 km).

Guests overnight at the Outeniqua Protea Hotel.

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. Cango Caves and Swartberg Pass

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 Outeniqua Protea Hotel.

DAY 04 - MOSSEL BAY - GARDEN ROUTE

Breakfast will be served at the hotel after which guests embark on a tour of Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay lies at 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 Diaz Museum with its replica of the caravel in which Diaz 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 Albertina where they will check in to their accommodation before being taken on a game drive. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 280 km).

Guests overnight at the Garden Route Game Lodge.

DAY 05 - ALBERTINA AND WINELANDS / OVERBERG REGION

Breakfast will be served at the Garden Route Game Lodge, after which guests embark on a tour of the Reptile and Cheetah Conservation Centre. Following this guests depart for Worcester and Cape Town.

TODAY'S ACTIVIES

1. Historic Heart of the Winelands

Our day starts with a drive to Worcester, which offers splendid views over vineyards, plantations and rugged peaks. After our lunch break (guests' own account) guests tour the Taal Monument in Paarl, a monument built in tribute to the Afrikaans language. One wine tasting is included in this excursion. Guests then drive through to Stellenbosch for a tour of South Africa's second oldest town, located in the heart of the Winelands. (Full day; distance traveled: ± 460 km).

Guests overnight at the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel.

DAY 06 - TRANSFER DAY

If guests are transferring to an hotel, this will be arranged for them in the morning. If guests are flying from Cape Town International Airport on afternoon flights, a shuttle service into the city will be available to do extra shopping or to do any one of those specialised activities that could not be fitted in to the last two days.

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 from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, starting from only 15 minutes' duration including only the City Bowl to half an hour or longer, 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.

5. Shark Cage Diving - Gansbaai

Participants will be picked up in Cape Town early in the morning and taken to Gansbaai, where their encounter with the "Great White" awaits them. Divers will be briefed about caging procedures before the cage is put down into the water. Once the first shark is spotted, the bait lines are drawn in and everybody has the opportunity to view and admire this magnificent predator of the sea. (Full day. Neither Cape Town City nor the Peninsula Tour will be possible if this option is chosen. Weather dependent).

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.