Garden of Eden

Travel itinerary

Date

Day 1

Cape Town – Hermanus

Departure in Cape Town and drive via the N2 direction Somerset West and continue via de R44 to Strand and Gordon’s Bay. Whales can be spotted along the coastal road between June and November. Visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden in Betty's Bay. Continue to Kleinmond, another perfect spot to observe whales. Our days ends in Hermanus, which is most probably the best place in the world to observe the huge mammals. Overnight including breakfast in Hermanus.

Day 2

Hermanus – Cape Agulhas

Today a drive to the most Southern point of the African continent – Cape Agulhas. L’Agulhas is geographically the most southern point of the continent and is situated 200 km outside the coast where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet. This important but not very well known geographical point is easy to be recognised on the red/white lighthouse tower, a building which makes one think about the ancient Pharos lighthouse. Overnight including breakfast in Arniston.

Day 3

Cape Agulhas - Knysna

Departure in Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) via the R316 to Bredasdorp and continue via the rural R319 into the direction of Swellendam where we travel further via the N2 to Mossel Bay and Knysna. Overnight including breakfast in Knysna.

Day 4

Knysna

Visit to one of the many tourist attractions in the Knysna region: a walk in the Garden Of Eden (along the N2 direction Plettenberg Bay) – Knysna Elephant Park – Monkey Land - Noetzie Beach – Knysna Forest trail (with own vehicle) – Belvidére or a ride with the Outeniqua Tjoe-Choo steam train. Overnight including breakfast in Knysna.

Day 5

Knysna

After breakfast a boot cruise on the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Overnight including breakfast in Knysna.

Plettenberg Bay

Visit to the Tsitsikamma National Park where we make a walk through the subtropical forest to the suspension bridge over Storms River mouth. A visit to Nature's Valley is also recommended.

Plettenberg – Jeffreysbaai or Port Elizabeth

We leave the Plettenberg Bay region and drive via the N2 toPort Elizabet. Overnight in Port Elizabeth or a guest house along the beach in the picturesque town of Jeffreysbaai.

Jeffreysbaai - Addo

Leaving Jeffreysbaai or Port Elizabeth via the N2 and continue via de R102 to Addo. Visit to the Addo National Park where we join a 4x4 safari drive in the reserve. Overnight including breakfast in Addo.

Addo – Umtata

Early departure for a long drive to Umtata, situated in the formal Homeland Transkei. Overnight in Umtata where you can visit the Nelson Mandela Museum or the town Quinu where Mandela and his family live.                    

Umtata – Durban

Drive to Durban, a city known for its pristine Indian coastline and the biggest population Indian people outside India. Enjoy the influence of the eastern culture, the enormous market, a stroll along the famous Golden Mile or a visit to the Ushaka Marine World. Overnight in Durban.         

Durban – Eshowe

Driving north to Eshowe, the heart of Zululand. Overnight in a traditional Zulu village, including breakfast and dinner + a cultural experience.

Eshowe – St.Lucia

Visit to the St. Lucia Wetland National Park, a World Heritage Site. Observe hippos and crocodiles during a boat cruise on the estuary. Overnight in the St. Lucia region.

St. Lucia

Daytrip to the beautiful Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, according to some the best game observation reserve in South Africa. This is Big-5 territory. Game drive in the reserve with 4x4 open safari vehicles.

St. Lucia – Swaziland

Drive through the small Kingdom of Swaziland. Here we visit a glass and candle factory, two products where for the Swazi people are famous. Overnight near the capital Mbabane.

Swaziland – Kruger Park

Visit to the world famous Kruger National Park. Self-drive or a 4x4 safari trip in the park, searching for the Big 5. Overnight including breakfast and dinner in the region.

Kruger National Park

Searching for game during a game drive in the park or what would you think to join a guided bushwalk in a private concession? Overnight including breakfast and dinner in the Kruger Park region.

Kruger National Park – Panorama Route

Leaving the Hazyview region and drive to the Panorama Route where we visit the picturesque gold mining town of Pelgrim's Rest, God’s Window, Bourcke’s Luck and the worlds thrid largest canyon: Blyde River Canyon. We continue to the Phalaborwa region where we overnight in a private game reserve.

Phalaborwa region

Looking for the Big-5 in a private nature reserve which is part of the Greater Kruger Park Conservation Area. Overnight including all meals and safari experiences.

Phalaborwa - Tzaneen

Driving north to Tzaneen where we visit one of the largest baobab trees in Southern Africa, the Magoebaskloof and many other tourist attractions. Overnight in the Tzaneen region.

Tzaneen - Johannesburg/Pretoria

Via Polokwane (formal Pietersburg) to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Visit to the historical city centre of Pretoria and other major tourist attractions in the region. Overnight including breakfast in Pretoria or Johannesburg.

Pretoria - Sun City

Sun City/Lost City is a very popular holiday destination. The oasis is situated in the Pilanesberg National Park. The resort is world famous for its golf courses, water paradise and casino. Overnight in the resort including breakfast.

Sun City – Drakensberg

A long drive from Sun City via Harrismith to the Northern Drakensberg. Overnight in the Royal Natal National Park region.

Drakensbserg

Visit to the Royal Natal National Park, a walk in the mountains or join one of the activities organised by the hotel. Overnight in the region.

Drakensberg – Bloemfontein

Drive to Bloemfontein, a city famous for its Boer Republic history. Overnight including breakfast in Bloemfontein.

Bloemfontein - Graaff-Reinet

Leaving Bloemfontein for a drive through the Great Karoo, a beautiful semi-desert region. Our destination for today is Graaff-Reinet, a picturesque town which is known as the 'Pearl of the Karoo'. Overnight including breakfast in Graaff-Reinet.

Graaff-Reinet

A visit to the Karoo Nature Reserve is an absolute must. The reserve is famous for its picturesque Valley of Desolation. Overnight including breakfast.

Graaff-Reinet - Oudtshoorn

We continue our journey and continue via the N9 to Uniondale and Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa. Overnight including breakfast in Oudtshoorn.

Oudtshoorn – Paarl

Leaving Oudtshoorn and drive via the R62, the longest wine route in the world, to Worcester where we visit the largest brandy cellar in the world. Continue to Paarl situated in the Cape Winelands. Overnight including breakfast in the Cape Winelands.

Oudtshoorn – Paarl

Exploring the Cape Winelands with visits to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Overnight including breakfast in Cape Town.

Cape Town

Visit to the historical city centre of the Mother City, Table Mountain and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Overnight including breakfast in Cape Town.

Cape Peninsula

Beautiful daytrip on the Cape Peninsula with a visit to Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, the penguin colony on Boulders Beach and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Overnight including breakfast in Cape Town.