Depart Cape Town heading east through Strand, along the coast to Gordon's Bay,  then via Betty's Bay and Kleinmond to Hermanus. 

Leaving the coast you will travel through Stanford to Riviersonderend and Swellendam. Continuing inland over the Tradouw Pass, entering the Little Karoo at Barrydale and continuing to Ladismith, set against the Swartberg Mountains. 

On to Calitzdorp and then Oudtshoorn. The remainder of this afternoon will be at leisure.

Overnight at The Queen's Hotel  (DBB—dinner, bed & breakfast basis)

The first stop today is to explore the vast limestone caverns known as the Cango Caves. Regarded as one of South Africa's foremost natural wonders, the fascinating calcite caves comprise an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. Then it is on to the Ostrich Show Farm for a guided tour. The visit includes lunch, with optional ostrich delicacies. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight at The Queen's Hotel  (DB-L—bed & breakfast basis, with lunch)

This morning you will travel over the Outeniqua Pass, which took 10 years to build, to George, and then on to Victoria Bay, which is renowned as one of the world's best surfing beaches. The rivers have lovely stretches navigable by small boats, the chain of lakes in the Wilderness, and the great lagoon at Knysna lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. We spend the next three nights in the Knysna area, which serves as a perfect base for discovering the rest of the Garden Route.

Overnight at Brenton-on-sea Hotel  (DBB—dinner, bed & breakfast basis)

Spend the day in Knysna, with a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve for a seafood lunch. This afternoon we visit the local oyster factory for oyster tasting as well as Mitchell's Brewery. You may want to explore the specialist and craft shops of Die Ou Fabriek and Woodmill Lane, offering a wide range of items unique to this area. 

Overnight at Brenton-on-sea Hotel  (DBB—dinner, bed & breakfast basis)

Day at leisure in Knysna.

Overnight at Brenton-on-sea Hotel  (DBB—dinner, bed & breakfast basis)

After breakfast you will head eastward through the Tsitsikamma forests and across the deep gorges of the Groot and Bloukrans Rivers to Storms River. Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest for a trailer ride (wagon) covering the original route taken by the woodcutters. In the forest there are several massive trees, some of which are reputedly 1000 years old. There are more than 300 species of indigenous trees, ferns and climbers, and such rare birds as the Knysna loerie. 

This afternoon you will continue into farmlands and finally your journey will end 70km outside Port Elizabeth on a Game Reserve, where you will enjoy game-viewing.

Overnight at Shamwari Game Reserve  (FB—full board basis)

Game drives are taken in the morning and evening with rangers who share their knowledge with you and bring you close to Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Giraffe, Hippo and more than eighteen antelope species. Game drives are in open landrover for you to fully appreciate the plains, grasslands, valleys, thicket, vast species of birds and animals that Shamwari has to offer. Various research and current conservation projects will be explained to you, as well as the fascinating Settler history this area has to offer.

Overnight at Shamwari Game Reserve  (FB—full board basis)

Transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport in time for your connecting flight home, or continue on to your next module.

Includes:

  2 O/N on a bed and breakfast basis
  3 O/N on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
  2 O/N on a full board basis
  2 lunches
  Private transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach
  Satour registered English speaking guide for the duration of the tour 
  All porterage at airports and hotels
  Entrance fees to sightseeing venues and National Parks
  Value Added Tax at 14%

  All airfares and air reservations
  All other meals
  All alcoholic and other beverages
  Gratuities for guides/game rangers
  Personal expenses such as telephone calls and laundry
  Any other services not mentioned above

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