GARDEN ROUTE &
KLEIN KAROO TOUR

Garden Route and Klein Karoo Overland Tour
"Mountains and passes, forests and birds"

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 an optional lunch break before continuing through this silent wide valley, hemmed in by two great mountain ranges, past Ladismith and Calitzdorp - Port Wine capital 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 Knysna
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.

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 option of entering the cheetah enclosure to touch these magnificent animals.

Leave the little Karoo over the breathtakingly beautiful Outeniqua mountains in time to board the Outeniqua Choo-choo steam train at George. Travel along the coast to Wilderness and then via the lake district to the lovely coastal town of Knysna, well known for it's many art and craft shops.

Day 3: Knysna to Tsitsikamma National Coastal Park and back
Travelling eastwards, the first stop is the view site overlooking the tranquil Keurbooms Lagoon, the colourful fishing fleet and the pristine beaches of Plettenberg Bay - playground of the rich.

Detour from the main road to follow the scenic Grootrivier Pass to Nature's Valley and perhaps dip your toes in the warm Indian ocean. Continue with the equally impressive Bloukrans Pass winding through the heart of the ancient, mysterious and primeval indigenous forest.

Visit the beautiful Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park for 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. A short walk through the Tsitsikamma forest reveals a giant Outeniqua Yellowwood tree which was already growing when Europe was still caught in the Dark Ages.

Return to Knysna via the Bloukrans bridge from where many intrepid visitors have taken the optional 180 metre Bungi jump - the world's highest by far. On arrival at Knysna some leisure time to explore and maybe sample the locally-cultivated oysters before taking an optional cruise on the Knysna Estuary - guarded from the sea by the towering sandstone Knysna "Heads".

End the evening dining in one of Knysna's superb restaurants.

Day 4: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 Cape Point 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.

Enjoy an optional lunch at a restaurant set in idyllic surroundings before the next leg past the rolling wheatlands takes you 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 overlooking the Cape Flats with Table Mountain more than 60 kilometers away. Arrive in Cape Town an hour later to relax in the shadow of Table Mountain.

    

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