Garden Route

8 days / 7 nights self drive tour
Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Tsitsikamma & Addo National Elephant Park

From R 4 666 per person sharing

DAY 1:  OUDTSHOORN 

Depart along the N1 national road and then along the famous R 62, through the beautiful Breede River Valley, to the “Ostrich Capital” of South Africa, the town of Oudtshoorn. Once you have had lunch and checked into your accommodation, wonder around the center of the town, and visit the various museums and stores. 

Accommodation: La Plume Guest House


DAY 2:  OUDTSHOORN 

Visit the Safari Ostrich Farm  in the morning. During the course of the tour, every aspect of ostrich farming is explained explain, from breeding to rearing.Visitors get to sit on an ostrich and those who are brave enough can even try their hand at riding one. Every tour ends with an "Ostrich Derby" where local jockeys display their riding skills.

In the afternoon, visit the renowned Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa’s greatest natural wonders. The caves contain spectacular halls and grand limestone formations as well as some rather small passages on the Adventure Tour. 

Accommodation: La Plume Guest House


DAY 3:  KNYSNA

Drive onto Knysna, a town of exquisite beauty, nestled around a lagoon and estuary, provides an ideal habitat for the cultivation of oysters. The town offers many art shops, tantalizing restaurants and a bustling Waterfront. 

Accommodation: Elephant Hide Guest Lodge


DAY 4:  KNYSNA

Take a ferry from the Knysna Waterfront on a unique eco-experience along the lagoon and estuary, towards the western side of the Knysna Heads, where the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve is located. Spend the afternoon at leisure. 

Accommodation: Elephant Hide Guest Lodge


DAY 5: TSITSIKAMMA

Visit Monkeyland approximately 20 km outside PlettenbergBay, where you will have the privilege to walk through a 12 ha indigenous forest and experience numerous species of monkeys.  “Birds of Eden”, one of the biggest aviaries in the world; as the nets cover the entire forest, is just next door.

After checking in to your accommodation, walk across to The Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tour, the first of its kind in Africa. Imagine the TsitsikammaForest….30 meters above, as you gently glide on 10 slides to 10 platforms high up in Giant trees. 

Accommodation: Armagh Country Lodge


DAY 6: ADDONATIONAL PARK

You should arrive at Zuurberg Mountain Inn by 13h00 to enjoy lunch. The drive to the AddoElephantNational Park will depart at 14h00 from the Hotel. On this drive you can expect to see large herds of elephants, both young and old moving to and from the waterholes, lions, hyena, buffalo, eland, Bushbuck and much more. Snacks and drinks will be served at one of the alightment areas in the park.You will return to the Hotel at 18h30 for dinner.

Accommodation: Zuurberg Mountain Inn


DAY 7:  ADDONATIONAL PARK

Breakfast at Zuurberg Mountain Inn. Depart on a half hour drive to the Elephants. This is the ultimate elephant experience which includes an appoximate 45 minute elephant ride, a 1 hour guide walking trail following these gentle giants through their natural habitat going past the waterhole where the elephants may be tempted to swim. You will end the experience back at the reception where you will have the oppertunity of feeding the elephant(actually putting your hand filled with pellots in an elephants mouth) Return to the Hotel for a late lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy dinner at Zuurberg Mountain Inn.

Accommodation: Zuurberg Mountain Inn


DAY 8:  RETURN FLIGHT

Depart towards Port Elizabeth airport where you will catch your connecting flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Depending on you flight times, Calabash Tours offers an authentic township tour offering an opportunity for a cultural exchange between overseas visitors and the local Xhosa communities enjoying their hospitality.


Terms and conditions

• The rate includes all accommodation mention in the itinerary
• The final price will take into account the availability of the services indicated on the itinerary.
• The price is based on a per person sharing basis and prices are subject to change without prior notice.
• The price includes accommodation and breakfast as mentionedin the above itinerary.
• The rate excludes car rental, activities, international and domestic flights, medical and travel insurance, certain meals, drinks, gratuities and portage.

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