Holiday Overview
The Garden Route is a classic South African self-drive holiday that offers wonderful scenery with excellent accommodations, food and of course Big Game.
Begin by exploring Cape Town, before moving onto the Cape Winelands and the tempting vineyards of Stellenbosch. Journey onwards to the coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its marine wildlife before moving onto Knysna and Port Elizabeth.
From Port Elizabeth finish your adventure in style, with a Big 5 malaria free safari.
14 Nights / 15 Days
Start Cape Town / End Port Elizabeth
The Garden Route & East Cape Safari includes:
- International flights
- 3 Nights accommodation Cape town
- Fully Inclusive Car Hire
- 2 Nights accommodation Stellenbosch
- 2 Nights accommodation Hermanus
- 2 Nights accommodation Knysna
- 2 Nights accommodation Port Elizabeth
- 3 Nights East Cape Safari
Day 1 - Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
The Vineyard
Day 2 - Cape Town
Enjoy a full day of exploring Cape Town at your own pace. Ask your consultant for details on the many day trips and tours available, including Cape Point and Robben Island
Featured accommodation
The Vineyard
Day 3 - Cape Town
Enjoy Cape Town at your leisure. At an agreed time, your hire car will be dropped off at your hotel.
Featured accommodation
The Vineyard
Day 4 - Cape Town - Stellenbosch
Bid a fond farewell to Cape Town and take the short (around 1hr) drive to the Cape Winelands town of Stellenbosch. After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring this picturesque wine region at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Oude Werf Hotel
Day 5 - Stellenbosch
Spend the day sampling the wonderful scenery and epicurean delights of Stellenbosch. Cafes, restaurants and wineries are all on hand delivering delicious African fare.
Featured accommodation
Oude Werf Hotel
Day 6 - Stellenbosch - Hermanus
Hermanus is considered the world’s best land-based destination for whale watching. Southern right whales swim from Antarctica every year to breed and rear their young, making Walker Bay their home from about July to November. The famous Hermanus Cliff Path provides visitors with exceptional views of these gentle giants which can sometimes come within 10 meters of the coast.
Featured accommodation
The Marine Hermanus
Day 7 - Hermanus
Hermanus is not just about whale watching, this bohemian town has a vibrant ambience and features museums, art galleries, markets and great restaurants.
Featured accommodation
The Marine Hermanus
Day 8 - Hermanus - Knysna
Continue East along the Garden Route to Knysna.The forested town of Knysna grew around its large, warm- watered lagoon and is still the town’s principal showcase.
Featured accommodation
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
Day 9 - Knysna
Why not stroll along the paved pathway that leads to the top of Knysna Heads and makes a terrific viewpoint and offers spectacular photos. The town itself is also an amalgamation of wealth and bohemian artistry with something for every kind of traveller.
Featured accommodation
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
Day 10 - Knysna - Port Elizabeth
Contiue along the Garden Route by driving into the popular town of Port Elizabeth
Featured accommodation
Hacklewood Hill Country House
Day 11 - Port Elizabeth
Enjoy a full days leisure in Port Elizabeth. Perhaps explore some of the blue flag beaches, situated along the Indian Ocean coastline, or enjoy a lazy lunch and some people spotting in on of the many restaurants and cafes in the town.
Featured accommodation
Hacklewood Hill Country House
Day 12 - on Safari
Complete the last section of the Garden Route, en route to the wildlife reserve of Shamwari, your home for the next 3 nights
Featured accommodation
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Day 13 - on Safari
A full day on safari. After thrilling game drives, you can lounge at one of two swimming pools or read in the garden lounge. The views are pristine and French doors open onto rolling river meadows and an extensive lawn. A more decadent option would be treatments in the tranquil spa. Long Lee Manor exudes an enviable luxury.
Featured accommodation
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Day 14 - on Safari
Enjoy your last full day on the rolling savannah, spotting game and enjoying the wonderful facilities.
Featured accommodation
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Day 15 - Port Elizabeth
After your morning game drive and breakfast, chech out from Shamwari and take the 90 minute drive to Port Elizabeth airport, where this tour concludes.
The Vineyard
Over the past two centuries, The Vineyard has proudly evolved into one of the most environmentally-friendly, progressive hotels in Cape Town.
Taking the lead from the original owner, we have developed and adapted into the progressive hotel that you see before you today.
The eight-acre property home to a diverse range of fauna and flora is as innovative and groundbreaking as it was when the original house was built in February 1800. You can see the remnants of the first English style house to be built in the area, gracefully merging with the contemporary interior styling and luxury features expected from a modern hotel.
While time and progress took its toll on the vines at The Vineyard, it was replanted in 2008 to mark the 350th anniversary of winemaking in the Cape. Enquire about a guided garden tour.
Oude Werf Hotel
As the oldest running hotel in South Africa, the Oude Werf Hotel has a history that spans back over three centuries, surviving multiple fires and evolving into the luxury hotel that you see before you today, dedicated to green hospitality and giving back to the community. Established in 1686 as a modest thatch-roofed church at the request of Dutch governor Simon van der Stel, the namesake of Stellenbosch. Originally named d’Ouwe Werf or ‘the old yard’. In 2007 the hotel was bought by the Petousis family and developed into what it is today, a premier Stellenbosch landmark.
The Marine Hermanus
The Marine is one of South Africa’s most spectacular seaside hotels. Located on Hermanus’ famous cliff path, overlooking the breathtaking Walker Bay, the hotel offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience the finest land-based whale watching in the world from June to November each year. Guests are even able to view these majestic creatures from the comfort of their own sea view room.
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
Located on the Eastern Head of Knysna, surrounded by a lush paradise of indigenous forests, mountains, lakes and pristine beaches, this hotel offers unsurpassed luxury on South Africa’s iconic Garden Route. With a Championship Golf Course on your doorstep and luxurious suites, an award-winning spa and a restaurant focused on locally sourced dining to enjoy, it’s easy to see why Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa should be your Knysna luxury hotel of choice
Hacklewood Hill Country House
Built in 1898, and nestled in a lush English garden setting in the leafy suburb of Walmer, Hacklewood Hill is one of the few remaining Victorian Manor Houses in the city, and as such retains much of the elegance and grace it would have boasted when its first inhabitants – a young doctor and his family – once lived here.
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Overlooking the magnificent plains of Shamwari you’ll find the exquisite Long Lee Manor. This newly redesigned lodge boasts Edwardian styled suites and a stupendous rim-flow pool. Long Lee Manor redefines elegance in nature.
In addition to the rolling landscapes, the extravagant Long Lee Manor boasts the original Manor House and offers several unique features that will keep you comfortable during your stay.
The accommodation is tastefully designed to enhance its location, while the Manor House has been lovingly restored to pay homage to the area’s rich heritage, adding a bit of romance to any stay.
Image Gallery
Cape Town
Zebra
Safari Sunset
Stellenbosch
Elephant
Knysna
Cape Town
Port Elizabeth
Hermanus
Hermanus Breach
Lion
Rhino
Cape Town
Cape Town
Dutch Church, winelands
Port Elizabeth
Plettenberg Bay
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
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