GARDEN ROUTE TOUR
& THE BIG FIVE

8 Day Garden Route, Little Karoo & The Big Five Safari AT51
"The Extavaganza"

Day 1: Cape Town to Oudtshoorn
Leave the winelands behind on the journey over the Hottentots-Holland mountains to Worcester, the beginning of the Breede River valley stretching eastwards for more than a 100 kilometers with estates producing some of South Africa's premier wines.

Guided by the Langeberg mountains, travel through Robertson and Ashton where we enter the little Karoo via the Cogmanskloof Pass to the pretty little town of Montagu. Admire the gables of the beautifully restored houses framed by an unbelievable variety of colourful bougainvillea.

Stop at Barrydale for a lunch break before continuing through this silent wide valley, hemmed in by two great mountain ranges, past Ladismith and Calitzdorp - Port Wine capitol of South Africa.

Arrive in Oudtshoorn in time for a guided tour of the the awe-inspiring Cango Caves with their great halls and incredible limestone formations. Sunset is the time to enjoy a glass of wine before dining on barbecued ostrich filet.

Day 2: Oudtshoorn to Addo National Elephant Park
At the nearby Cango Wildlife ranch a guided tour of the crocodile pens and Big Cats enclosure, (lions, tigers, pumas and jaguars), concludes with the opportunity to enter a cage with cheetahs and touch these magnificent animals. With 95% of the world's ostrich population around Oudtshoorn, a tour of one of the top ostrich show ranches is a must. Meet and learn more about these pre-historic birds.

Follow the Little Karoo eastwards to intercept the main N2 highway near the surfing Mecca of Jeffreys Bay. Overnight at a guest lodge in the vicinity of the Addo National Elephant Park.

Day 3: Addo National Elephant Park
Depart to reach the Addo Elephant National Park in time for a two hour guided game drive in open topped vehicles to see the gentle grey giants of the world, seemingly within touching distance. Buffalo, black rhino and many species of antelope and birds also abound. After a light lunch around midday spend the rest of the day game viewing before returning to your lodge to relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Day 4: Shamwari Private game reserve.
After breakfast we depart for Shamwari private game reserve. Book in and explore the complex before joining the game drives - conducted in open topped vehicles with knowledgeable guides. Free-ranging Big Five may be seen on this malaria-free reserve - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, as well as cheetah, hippo zebra, giraffe, hyena and numerous antelope and bird species.

End the evening with an unforgettable feast served indoors or outdoors under the southern night sky.

Day 5: Shamwari to Knysna
Early morning is reserved for another exciting game drive followed by breakfast, before having to say farewell to this beautiful reserve and take the road to Knysna.

Take a short walk through the Tsitsikamma forest to see the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood tree which was already growing when Europe was still caught in the Dark Ages.

Lunch break is in the beautiful Tsitsikamma Coastal National park. Take a leisurely stroll to the suspension bridge spanning the Storm's River mouth or relax with a drink on the restaurant deck overlooking the ocean to enjoy the view and maybe even spot a dolphin.

Mid afternoon takes us along the scenic old passes road through the indigenous forest to the holiday village of Nature's Valley. Opportunity to stroll on the beach and maybe dip your toes in ther ocean.

Stop at the view site overlooking Plettenberg Bay with its dozens of colourful fishing boats and pleasure craft, before taking the final leg to Knysna - our base for two nights.

Dinner is served in one of the fine restaurants in Knysna.

Day 6: Knysna
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to the eastern "Head" for a wonderful view of Knysna, Leisure Isle and the Knysna estuary. After an orientation drive through the town, board the ferry boat for a 20-minute cruise to the privately-owned Featherbed Nature Reserve. On arrival board the tractor-drawn trailer ride to the top of the western "Head". Here you have the option of returning the same way or joining the guide for an hour-long walk through the indigenous vegetation and along the lagoon edge - a truly worthwhile experience with wonderful photo opportunities. Lunch is served in lovely surroundings under the trees on your arrival back at the restaurant.

The boat cruise back to Knysna routes via the estuary's entrance to the sea. On arrival you have the option of taking an hour-and-a-half steam train journey along the lakes area before returning to Knysna explore the numerous art and craft shops at the Woodmill Shopping Lane and Waterfront area.

Dine at one of the Waterfront restaurants adjoining the harbour with its collection of yachts and other pleasure craft.

Day 7: Knysna
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to the eastern "Head" for a wonderful view overlooking Knysna, Leisure Isle and the Knysna estuary. After an orientation drive through the town, board the ferry boat for a 20-minute cruise to the privately-owned Featherbed Nature Reserve. On arrival board the tractor-drawn trailer ride to the top of the western "Head". Here you have the option of returning the same way or joining the guide for an hour-long walk through the indigenous vegetation and along the lagoon edge - a truly worthwhile experience with wonderful photo opportunities. Lunch is served in lovely surroundings under the trees on your arrival back at the restaurant.

The boat cruise back to Knysna routes via the estuary's entrance to the sea. On arrival you have free time to explore the numerous art and craft shops at the Woodmill Shopping Lane and the Waterfront area, at your leisure.

Dine at one of the Waterfront restaurants adjoining the harbour with its collection of yachts and other pleasure craft

Day 8: Knysna Mossel Bay - Swellendam - Cape Town
Westwards to Cape Town where the first stop is Mossel Bay to visit the Dias museum, displaying a replica of the caravel in which Bartholomew Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. The watering hole, shell museum and the historical Post Office Tree that served the Portuguese and other mariners since the early 16th century, are to be seen nearby.

As the dairy and sheep farms give way to wheat fields, the 18th century frontier town of Swellendam comes into view, snug against the Langeberg mountains.

Lunch break is at one of the fine restaurants in the area.

Continue on the next leg past rolling wheatlands, to the apple and pear orchards of Grabouw. Stop at an interesting little farm stall on the way to the Sir Lowry's pass view site from where one should catch a glimpse of Table Mountain. Arrive back at your hotel in the "Mother City" less than an hour later.

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