Garden Route & Day Safari
Description
Pricing
Itinerary
Sub Trips
Hotels
The Garden Route was originally named after the vineyards, orchards and agricultural areas that used to sit between the Karoo Desert and the coast. Now it is more recognized for the forests, coastline, beaches, marine life & game reserves as well as the picturesque towns and villages along the way. Travel from Swellendam to Plettenberg Bay (home of the best dolphin watching in the world) to Port Elizabeth, where you will have the opportunity to experience a safari in the Eastern Cape.
Start in Swellendam, gateway to the Garden Route, there transfer on to Plettenberg Bay. Originally christened “Bahia Formosa” (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers, Plettenberg Bay offers the visitor miles of sweeping, unspoiled golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea. It is also home to some of the best dolphin watching in the world and is an adventure lover’s paradise with everything from surfing to kayaking and horse riding. Finish at Port Elizabeth where you will have the opportunity to experience a safari in the Eastern Cape. The game reserves in this area offer a wonderful introduction to Big Five game viewing and are easily accessible and affordable. This is the ideal way to finish a trip down this beautiful region of South Africa.
This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels.
Additional information on this trip:
-
Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
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Visited Cities:
Swellendam,
Plettenberg Bay,
Port Elizabeth
Day 1
Upon arrival at the Cape Town airport, reception and transfer to your hotel in Swellendam. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Day 2
This is a day at leisure where you can explore the historic town of Swellendam, take a trip to the Southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhus, or explore the wine farms of the Robertson region. There is a 3 hour transfer to Plettenberg Bay in the afternoon.
Day 3
After breakfast you will be taken to Knysna where you will have the chance to browse the markets of this bustling town, before heading out on a boat cruise on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon and a chance to see the infamous Knysna Heads.
We will return to Plettenberg Bay, after a stop for you to get something to eat, where we will take a trip on the Ocean Blue whale and dolphin excursion. Plettenberg is known for having some of the best dolphin watching in the World and it is an amazing year round experience to watch the huge pods playing in the surf and around your boat. If you are lucky you will also see the rare Orca (Killer) Whale (most frequently seen August-October).
Day 4
We start early today and transfer to Port Elizabeth (approximately 2 hours). We will then head straight to Addo National Park, which has an enormous elephant population and is also home to the Big Five. This is an excellent introduction to a safari and you will get some superb photo opportunities of the plentiful wildlife.
Day 5
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Cape Town airport or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Suggested Hotels by City and Category *
|
Swellendam
|
| 3-star |
Swellendam Country Lodge, or similar. |
| 4-star |
Bloom Estate, or similar. |
| 5-star |
De Kloof Estates, or similar. |
|
Plettenberg Bay
|
| 3-star |
Periwinkle, or similar. |
| 4-star |
Emily Moon River Lodge, or similar. |
| 5-star |
Bay Lodge, or similar. |
|
Port Elizabeth
|
| 3-star |
Summerstrand Hotel, or similar. |
| 4-star |
King Edward Hotel, or similar. |
| 5-star |
Windermere, or similar. |
* Subject to confirmation at time of booking
5 days , from £1748
| Occupancy Type |
3-Star |
4-Star |
5-Star |
| Double | £1748 | £1834 | £2334 |
| Single | £3233 | £3361 | £4069 |
Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).
- Dolphins and safari animals may be viewed all year round.
- Whales are ONLY viewable June-November.
- PEAK whale viewing is August-October.
- Visitors to South Africa for tourism, short business meetings, or those in transit do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days.
- Travelers entering South Africa from WHO-designated yellow fever countries are required to present their current and valid “International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (commonly called a “yellow card”) or statement of medical exemption (also located on the same yellow card). Additionally, South Africa treats Zambia and Tanzania as yellow fever countries. This requirement is imposed on travelers flying to South Africa via yellow fever countries, even when transiting passengers are required to stay on board the plane, or if the plane makes an unscheduled landing in a yellow fever country. As a precaution, all travelers to South Africa should carry their original yellow card.
- While most of South Africa is malaria-free, malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural low-altitude areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, including Kruger National Park and neighboring game reserves. Risk also exists in the coastal lowlands of KwaZulu-Natal north of the Tugela River (including in Zululand, but excluding urban areas of Richards Bay). In all risk areas, risk is much lower from June to September.
South Africa
Garden Route Scenery
Knysna
Elephant
