If you’re looking to see more of the incredible countryside without venturing outside of the Western Cape then this experience is tailor-made for you. The Garden Route offers travelers contrasting landscapes from mountain passes and untouched beaches to paragliding over lagoons and bungee jumping the world’s highest natural jump, this is one trip you need to be on to complete your visit to SA. The 2nd half of the tour ventures into the gems of the Klein Karoo. Go on a desert safari, experience small town gems, visit SA’s oldest tourist attraction and have your taste buds delighted. 5 Days. 5 Regions, over 1200 kilometers of pure road trip joy! For the traveler looking to experience a little bit of everything that the Western Cape has to offer. Good times await!

You’ll have your own private tour guide and companion who is well traveled along this route. Pick time is 7am and we’ll return to Cape Town at 4pm, 5 days later.

Duration of Tour: 5 Days, 4 Nights

Here’s what you can look forward to over 5 incredible days:

Day 1 - A Date with the Sharks and clocking some mileage!

• Coffee and breakfast stop at the No.1 Farm Stall in South Africa. A host of delicacies and refreshments are available and created from strictly local produce.

• Our journey then takes us South East to the famous Shark Cage Diving Town of Gansbaai. You’ll be briefed by the leader of the diving expedition. Your wet suit and other gear will be presented on the boat which will have one of the most helpful, friendliest crews around. The crew members are also trained in skills such as firefighting and medical emergencies. The 20 minute trip to Shark Ally lies ahead, followed by the most incredible experience as you dive for 20 minutes at first in a cage once the sharks arrive and for as long as you want after that as the boat spends 2-3 hours out at sea. Film footage and photographs are available after the dive.

• We'll then head to one of our favorite secret sunset spots close to Herold's Bay for a sunset drink. Loads of incredible ocean views! (ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN TOURING WITH 6 PAX OR LESS AS 4X4 VEHICLES NEEDED)

• Our overnight accommodation is based in a guesthouse in Wilderness or at the Oubaai Hotel & SPA where your tour companion will prepare a traditional South African Braai (BBQ) coupled with tasty side dishes. (Vegetarian + vegan options available)

Day 2 - The Heart of the Garden Route

• After a warm breakfast served on site we will head to the Map of Africa viewing point. The forest and hills have formed together to create a formation that mirrors the African continent, it’s uncanny! For the thrill seeker, guests are able to para-glide over the forests and lagoons of the Wilderness. The alternative option to the paragliding is taking part in the world’s highest natural bungee jump situated at the Bloukrans Bridge.

• The Knysna Elephant Park is our midday stop. A chance to walk and interact with Elephants. The Park is committed to the rehabilitation and protection of the elephants and we have gone to great lengths to insure the credibility of their ethical practices. You’ll be in the hands of an Elephant Expert Guide. This is an experience like no other and one that will certainly create some of your best memories in SA.

• Enrico's on the beach awaits! A late lunch/early evening dinner experience with a view of the Keurbooms lagoon, beer, wine or gin in hand, it's the perfect way to end of a phenomenal day.

• Overnight in comfortable rooms or a shared house in Plettenberg Bay or Knysna. Close enough to the beach for a late afternoon walk.

Day 3 - The Iconic Oudtshoorn

• A day on the roads of the central Karoo starts with a drive through the historic Montagu Pass built over 100 years ago (this is especially fun in our 4X4 vehicle).

• We'll then visit South Africa’s oldest and most incredible attraction. The Cango Caves are one of the 7 wonders of Southern Africa. A expert led tour into the 7 extraordinary chambers of the caves awaits.

• Our lunch stop is at a quaint and private family owned wine farm, this has been a huge highlight for Revelers of the past! An old barn has been converted into a beautiful restaurant, some of the best views of the trip are served up here. You’ll also be able to try their wine and wagyu tasting! (This is often the evening dinner experience should time dictate)

• The day ends with a Safari Drive experience at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. Experience true Karoo vegetation from an open game viewing vehicles. Our wide range of animals include Hippo, Elephant, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Rhino, Springbok and much more.

• Overnight in cottages/hotel rooms/glamping or farmhouse accommodation in the Langeberg mountains

Day 4 - The Famous Route 62

• Our penultimate day starts with a warm and hearty breakfast before we make the 3 hour journey to the famous little town of Barrydale. A firm favorite of visitors from all around the globe. Diesel and Creme provides the perfect desert like diner experience with a South African twist.

• We start the journey back toward Cape Town at this point. Farm Stalls and Mountain Passes await as we marvel at the beauty of open road and Karoo scenery.

• Our final stop of the day is at a privately owned secret beer brewery in the mountains of Robertson where you'll be treated to a tour of the beer making process. Great food is available on site, you'll find it hard to say no! (This can be substituted for a wine experience if the group prefers)

• We then make the 90 minute trip to our accommodation in the Stellenbosch region. Again, this will be in a charming guesthouse which is one of the things the town is renowned for.

Day 5 - Winelands Treats

• After breakfast we’ll make our way to the Delheim Wine Estate where you will have the option to do a traditional tasting or a cupcake and wine pairing in their ever cool and vibrant tasting room. Delheim has a well respected name in the most competitive of industries and is a firm favorite of Revelers of the past.

• Our 2nd stop for the day leads us to a bit of a boozy session. You’ll be start off on a tour of the distillery and the brandy making process followed by a Chocolate and Brandy tasting, Belgian chocolate and award winning potstill brandies. What could go wrong?

• Our final stop of the day is at what is often described as the most beautiful garden in Africa and by some, the world. This is a real treat for any visitor to the mother city. A 90 minute tour led by an on-site guide presents takes in the highlights of the season, exploring most of the Garden while including the oldest and most famous features like the Dell.

• Our 5 Day trip then comes to an end as we take a slow drive back to your Cape Town based accommodation

Included:

• Pick up from accommodation/airport /central point

• South African snack pack filled with local South African favorites

• All transportation

• All accommodation (4 Nights)

• Breakfasts on all days

• Private Guide

• Shark Cage Diving Experience

• Visit to the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary

• Braai (BBQ) Experience

• Sundowner Drink at end of day 1

• Knysna Elephant Park Experience

• Cango Caves Tour

• Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Safari

• Delheim Wine Tasting Experience

• Van Ryns Brandy Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour

• Kirstenbosch Gardens Visit

• On-board water on all days

Not Included:

• Additional food beverages

• Meals not mentioned above

Optional Experiences:

• Paragliding over the Wilderness Lagoon ($68 USD)

• Bungee Jump at Bloukrans ($100 USD)

• Bungee Bridge Walk ($15 USD)

• Quad-Biking Forest Trip ($30 USD for 30 minute/7km ride)

• Visit to Mountain Brewery & Beer Tasting OR Blend, bottle and name your own bottle of wine ($8 USD)

What to bring:

• A camera to take awesome photos!

• Spending money to buy gifts for those at home

• Sun cream (it can get really hot in summer)

• Warmer clothes for the winter months

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Lots of positivism and good feels!

Host / Vendor:

Your host will be Blaine Smith or Ryan Louw, local South African tourist guides. Blaine has lived in 6 of South Africa’s 9 different provinces and currently ventures all over the country on various expeditions. Ryan chose to make the Western Cape his home after a stint up north, you won’t find a bigger patriot for his country anywhere else! Both are extremely well traveled, with a wealth of knowledge and an unrivaled passion for local travel, you’ll be in the best of South African hands.

Difficulty Level & Special Requests

• The physical activity of this tour is low, it is however advisable to have comfortable walking shoes

• Inform us if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any other dietary restrictions

• If you'd like us to customize your tour to suit your needs or perhaps your particular budget or if you have questions then please don’t hesitate to contact us.