Adventure Tour Garden Route, Cape Town and Overberg Tour
Day 1 – Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma
This morning you will arrive in Port Elizabeth / Cape Town, and you will make your way to the car hire company to collect your Group B Nissan Almera or similar. Travel to the Tsitsikamma forest, an indigenous primeval forest with towering ancient yellowwood trees, lush vegetation and deep gorges. Drive down a steep pass to the aptly-named Storms River Mouth, where there are numerous short walking trails into the forest. You should also visit the 800-year old "Big Tree". Check in to your accommodation and overnight in the Tsitsikamma forest for two nights on B&B basis. This evening you will enjoy country hospitality and try some typical South African cuisine at your accommodation's in-house restaurant.
Tsitsikamma Lodge
Day 2 – Tsitsikamma Forest
Spend the day in the Tsitsikamma Forest swinging from the giant Yellowwood trees! Gently glide along in a harness attached to steel cables 30 meters above the forest floor. The birdlife in the forest is abundant, and you may spot some Knysna Loeries and the elusive Narina Trogan, to name just two species. Your guide will also explain to you the ecology of the primeval forest, and all of the guides have gone through stringent training to ensure a safe and fun day for all. The duration of the tour is approximately 3 hours, so you may want to explore the forest further after the Tree Top swinging. Return to your accommodation in the forest and overnight once again on B&B basis.
Day 3 – Tsitsikamma to Knysna
This morning you can either book another adventure tour in the forest, or you can take a stroll through the forest right at your doorstep where you have stayed. Check out and make your way to Bloukrans Bridge. Here you will experience the world's highest commercial bungy jump, which is operated by a team of South Africans, New Zealanders and Australians. After the jump, continue along the Garden Route, bypassing Plettenberg Bay. Arrive at the lagoon town of Knysna and check in to your accommodation for the evening. Visit the Knysna Waterfront, and enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants that specialises in locally-caught fresh fish.
Graywood Hotel
Day 4 – Knysna to Swellendam
This morning spend some time browsing through the arty-crafty shops in Knysna, as well as through the various craft markets scattered along the road where locals sell their wares. Check out and drive to George, travelling via the scenic Lake District and Wilderness. Continue along the way and bypass Mosselbay, and then you will arrive in Swellendam, a charming village nestled at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Check in to your charming guest house and overnight on B&B basis.
The Hideaway
Day 5 – Full day kayaking on the Breede River, on to Cape Town
This morning make your way to the Breede River for the start of your full day kayaking on this beautiful river. You will kayak for approximately two hours, then enjoy lunch on the riverbanks. Continue river kayaking for a further two hours until you reach base camp again. After an awesome day on the water, leave the Breede River and Swellendam behind, and drive to the fairest city of all, Cape Town. Check in to your accommodation for four nights on B&B basis. This evening you are at leisure to wander around the V&A Waterfront shopping mall, which has some world-class restaurants to choose from for dinner.
Accommodation:
V&A City Lodge -more info
City Lodge V&A Waterfront
Within walking distance of the centre of Cape Town and situated right at the gateway to the world-famous V&A Waterfront, this hotel maintains a tasteful décor throughout the hotel, and it is well known for its superb service and friendly environment.
A nautical theme runs through the hotel and there is an outdoor plunge pool. The rooms all have en-suite bathrooms with a separate shower and bath unit.
The City Lodge V&A Waterfront is graded 3-star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 6 – Guided walk up Table Mountain
This will be an early start to avoid any inclement weather which may stop your hike up Table Mountain. Meet your mountain hiking guide at the base of the mountain for your safety briefing. Then, start your hike up Table Mountain, and enjoy the views, plant, bird and animal life found on the mountain as you ascend. At the top of the mountain you will have a sense of achievement and exhilaration. Enjoy refreshments while you view Cape Town across Table Bay to Robben Island. Descend the mountain either by cable car or on foot. This evening, enjoy dinner once again at the waterfront, or your hotel's in-house restaurant.
Accommodation:
V&A City Lodge -
Within walking distance of the centre of Cape Town and situated right at the gateway to the world-famous V&A Waterfront, this hotel maintains a tasteful décor throughout the hotel, and it is well known for its superb service and friendly environment.
A nautical theme runs through the hotel and there is an outdoor plunge pool. The rooms all have en-suite bathrooms with a separate shower and bath unit.
The City Lodge V&A Waterfront is graded 3-star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 – Cape Town leisure: drive to Cape Point
Today should be kept aside for your drive along the coast to the peninsula of Cape Point. Take the coastline southwards, travelling via the quaint seaside village of Hout Bay and the famous cliffside Chapman's Peak Drive. You will reach Cape Point shortly after. Looking at this dramatic promontory jutting into the sea gives you an idea why early sailors nicknamed it the Cape of Storms. Continue along the coastline northwards via Simonstown, where you should visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach. Take a stroll through the glorious Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, devoted almost exclusively to the indigenous flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom. A leisurely drive through the leafy southern suburbs brings you back to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Accommodation:
V&A City Lodge -
Within walking distance of the centre of Cape Town and situated right at the gateway to the world-famous V&A Waterfront, this hotel maintains a tasteful décor throughout the hotel, and it is well known for its superb service and friendly environment.
A nautical theme runs through the hotel and there is an outdoor plunge pool. The rooms all have en-suite bathrooms with a separate shower and bath unit.
The City Lodge V&A Waterfront is graded 3-star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 – Cape Town leisure: visit V&A Waterfront
Today you are at leisure to visit the V&A Waterfront. Here you should take a ferry from the Waterfront across Table Bay to Robben Island. An ex-prisoner takes you on an extensive tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Nelson Mandela's cell, the limestone quarry and the old leper colony. This afternoon you could visit the Waterfront's Two Oceans Aquarium, which is highly recommended for the insight it gives into life in the two oceans off the southern tip of Africa – the cold Atlantic Ocean and the warm Indian Ocean. You can also browse through the world-class jewellery stores, clothing boutiques and enjoy a meal at one of the fine restaurants.
Accommodation:
V&A City Lodge -
Within walking distance of the centre of Cape Town and situated right at the gateway to the world-famous V&A Waterfront, this hotel maintains a tasteful décor throughout the hotel, and it is well known for its superb service and friendly environment.
A nautical theme runs through the hotel and there is an outdoor plunge pool. The rooms all have en-suite bathrooms with a separate shower and bath unit.
The City Lodge V&A Waterfront is graded 3-star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 – Cape Town to Gansbaai
This morning check out of your Cape Town accommodation and make your way to Gordon's Bay. Travel along the scenic coastal road via the seaside towns of Kleinmond and Betty's Bay. Stop for lunch in Hermanus, known as the best land-based whale watching in the world. After lunch, take a stroll along the famous Cliffside path to view any whales or dolphins that may be visiting the bay. Continue to Gansbaai and check in to your accommodation for two nights on B&B basis.
Accommodation:
De Kelders -De Kelders
De Kelders is situated on the shores of Walker Bay near Hermanus where the Southern Right Whales migrate each year to calve and nurse their young.
De Kelders is situated on the shores of Walker Bay near Hermanus where the Southern Right Whales migrate each year to calve and nurse their young.
De Kelders is graded 4 star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 – Shark cage diving
This morning you will meet at 08h00 for the start of your shark cage dive. There will be a safety briefing and breakfast, then you will board the 10m Dive Cat deep-sea cabin cruiser. The ride out to sea will take approximately 20 minutes, and the operator will provide mineral water and soft drinks on the boat, as well as snacks. The duration of the trip is 4-5 hours, and you are guaranteed to see at least 4-5 sharks on your dive. They have seen up to 12 sharks on a single dive before! Remember to bring a windbreaker, suncream and hat while you are on board the boat. After an exhilarating day cage diving, return to your guest house and overnight on B&B basis.
Accommodation:
De Kelders -
De Kelders is situated on the shores of Walker Bay near Hermanus where the Southern Right Whales migrate each year to calve and nurse their young.
De Kelders is situated on the shores of Walker Bay near Hermanus where the Southern Right Whales migrate each year to calve and nurse their young.
De Kelders is graded 4 star.
Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 11 – Gansbaai to Plettenberg Bay
This morning check out of your guest house and make your way inland, via Bredasdorp, to Swellendam. Continue via Mossel Bay and George, through the lagoon town of Knysna and on to Plettenberg Bay, known to many as South Africa's “Millionaire's Playground". This afternoon take a gentle “eco" stroll on the Robberg Peninsula, a rocky headland which presents a fine example of how plants and animals adapt to the interacting influences of land and sea. Robberg also affords spectacular views of any whales or dolphins that may be visiting the bay. Check in to your accommodation on the beachfront on B&B basis. Enjoy dinner at one of Plett's trendy restaurants (not included in rate).
Bayview Hotel
Day 12 – Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth
Take a slow drive back to Port Elizabeth, via the old Passes Road to Nature's Valley, where you can stop for a swim at the unspoilt beach. Once you arrive in PE, drive to the beachfront and enjoy lunch at one of the trendy bistros scattered along the promenade. After your lazy day in the Friendly City, make your way to the PE airport, hand in your hire car and check in for your flight out.