Explore South Africa’s beautiful 'Garden Route' from Durban to Cape Town via Lesotho. Mountains decorate an exciting trail filled with national parks and indigenous forests. A route that runs parallel with a shoreline dotted with bays, beaches and rich colorful flowers.

Travel inland from the beautiful beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal to the Royal Natal National Park, part of the massive Drakensberg escarpment. Enjoy some horse riding and a short guided hike to view Bushmen rock art.

Cross the Lesotho border after a beautiful scenic drive. Take a popular optional pony trek along remote trails with spectacular views and enjoy a relaxing visit to the village school and craft market.

Explore the picturesque Hogsback valley as you leave Lesotho enjoying hikes and horse riding through the surrounding forest.

Experience the Addo Elephant National Park and witness the magnificent creatures, a superb photographic opportunity. Drive along the sunshine coast reaching Bloukrans, one of the worlds most famous and highest spots for an optional bungee jump or an exciting treetop canopy tour.

After reaching Knysna, relax by the lagoon or explore the interesting town. Travel to the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn and visit the world famous Cango Caves. Later take the option to visit an ostrich farm and watch the amazing creatures race.

Take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch and tour a wine farm to sample some of South Africa's finest wines followed by a visit to the Cheetah Breeding Project.

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1/2: Drakensberg (L, D)
Day 3/4: Lesotho, Malealea (B, L, D)
Day 5/6: Hogsback (B, L, D)
Day 7: Addo Elephant National Park (B, L, D)
Day 8/9: Bloukrans, Tsitsikamma National Park (B, L, D)
Day 10: Knysna (B, L)
Day 11: Oudtshoorn (B, L, D)
Day 12: Stellenbosch (B, L)
Day 13: Cape Town. Trip ends. (B)


Detailed Itinerary:

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Day 1 - 2
Drakensberg (L, D)

We leave the beautiful beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal, and travel inland to the Royal Natal National Park, part of the massive Drakensberg escarpment.

The Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa or Ukhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears) is a 200km long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. The largest proportion of the South African component of this area falls in the kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated high in the Drakensberg range, the park is famous for the Amphitheatre, a crescent shaped rock wall; Mont-aux-Sources (3282m), which forms the continental divide and the Tugela Falls (850m). Baboons, black wildebeest, dassies, black eagles and bearded vultures, amongst others are common. Bushmen are believed to have survived here until 1878 and their paintings can be viewed at four sites.

Optional activities:
Horse Riding, Hiking.

Day 3 - 4
Lesotho, Malealea (B, L, D)

After a long but scenic drive we cross the Lesotho border. The popular optional pony trekking excursion requires an early morning start for those who are participating. Lesotho natives will guide you along remote trails and the scenery is spectacular. For those who prefer to remain at the lodge there are more relaxing activities available such as a visit to the village school or craft market.

Lesotho (pronounced le-soo-too) is a mountainous kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa. It is roughly circular in shape and about the same size as Belgium. Lesotho’s forbidding terrain and the defensive walls of the Drakensberg and Maluti ranges have given both sanctuary and strategic advantage to the Basotho (the people of Lesotho).

All of Lesotho exceeds 1000m (3280ft) above sea level with peaks reaching to well over 3000m (9840ft). The tourist slogan, 'Kingdom in the Sky', is not far wrong, as Lesotho has the highest lowest point of any country in the world. To the west, the land descends through foothills to a lowland belt along the border where two thirds of the population lives. Two large rivers, the Caledon and the Tugela, rise in the mountains.

Optional activities:
Pony Trekking Excursion, Hiking.

Day 5 - 6
Hogsback (B, L, D)

We leave Lesotho and drive south to the picturesque Hogsback valley. In addition to a gentle hike into the surrounding forest your guides will also provide information on the other available activities in this area.

The town of Hogsback nestles on the slopes of the Amatola Mountains and is particularly renowned for its indigenous forests and its fairytale landscape. The Amatola Mountains rise from the dry grasslands and hot valleys, their green flanks an oasis of jeweled colors and coolness. Paths lead through the indigenous rainforest that crowds the slopes, to waterfalls sparkling down the cliffs. The Hogsback Mountain, 1,937 meters high, overlooks a handsome forest where azaleas, rhododendrons, daffodils and many other species of European plants and fruits grow as well as a profusion of berries.

Paths have been laid out through the forest and breathtaking views greet the climber after an easy hike to the top of the peaks. The Xhosa call it Qabimbola (red clay on the face) because the clay dug from the pits is red and is used for facial decoration and skin protection. Rumor has it that J.R.R Tolkien was inspired in part by the Hogsback when he created his classic Lord of the Rings trilogy. This wonderland caters for many outdoor activities from angling to rock climbing. The magnificent Amatola Mountains and the Hogsback have the ability to lead you astray and lose track of time as you are lulled by the awe-inspiring beauty and the whispering cool breezes.

Optional activities:
Horse riding, Mountain biking.

Day 7
Addo Elephant National Park (B, L, D)

As the name suggests, the Addo Elephant National Park is full of elephants. These magnificent creatures are always a highlight and you will be sure to enjoy some amazing photo opportunities.

Although the Addo Elephant belongs to the same species as the African Elephant, it is smaller, with more rounded ears and the females generally have no tusks. The park was named after the Khoi Khoi name Kadouw. The bush here is a combination of Acacia, Spekboom, Gwarrie and Boerboom. The English name for the Spekboom is 'Elephants Food'.

In 1931 the area was proclaimed as a national park. The Elephants, however, struggled to share the land with humans so finally, a fence made up of tram rails and lift cables was erected around the park. This finally kept the Elephants secure and out of the surrounding farming area. Black rhino was re-introduced in 1961, the first in the Cape for a hundred years.

Day 8 - 9
Bloukrans, Tsitsikamma National Park (B, L, D)

After an early morning game drive we bid farewell to the elephants and drive along the sunshine coast to Bloukrans (famous for bungee jumping) and the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning clear or sparkling water. In the forest there are several massive trees. The tallest of these is 36m. Some of these trees are more than 1000 years old. The forest has more than 30 species of indigenous trees. Tsitsikamma National Park is situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist region known as the Garden Route, found in the Western Cape of South Africa. The Park incorporates 80km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. The Tsitsikamma's spectacular scenery includes the Indian Ocean breakers, pounding rocky shores beneath 180m high cliffs, evergreen forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through rocky ravines.

Tsitsikamma National Park is the third most frequently visited park out of the twenty national parks in South Africa. The Park conserves a considerable portion of the natural biota (all living organisms) of the Garden Route. The mean annual rainfall is 1200mm. Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This is one of the largest single unit Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the world, conserving 11 percent of South Africa's Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline and provides a 'laboratory' for fisheries baseline research on endangered linefish species. In 1964 it became the first Marine National Park to be proclaimed in Africa.

Optional activities:
Treetop canopy Tour, Hiking.

Day 10
Knysna (B, L)

This morning we drive through Plettenberg Bay, it is only then a short distance to Knysna, where you can relax by the lagoon or take a walk through this interesting town.

One of the Garden Route's most popular places is the Knysna Lagoon, an excellent venue for water sports. The lagoon is guarded by two sandstone cliffs known as 'The Heads'. There are spectacular views from the Eastern Head. The town is renowned for its beer and oysters. Visitors are welcome at Mitchell's Brewery, and you can sample oysters at the Knysna Oyster Company. Millwood House Museum covers the region's history. The Angling Museum is housed in the Old Jail complex in Queen Street. Local craft centers and art galleries are well worth a visit. Noetzie, the Buffalo Valley Game Farm and the Featherbed Nature Reserve are additional attractions. We will finally head to our accommodation near the Keurbooms River.

Optional activities:
Knysna Lagoon Cruise, Keurbooms River Cruise.

Day 11
Oudtshoorn (B, L, D)

Today we travel through the Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn. The visit to the world famous Cango Caves is included. Later in the day you have the option of visiting an Ostrich Farm.

Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich feather capital of the world. It was named after Baron Pieter von Rheede von Oudtshoorn, who died in 1773 on his way to the Cape to become Governor. The town was founded in 1847. It is 300m above sea level, with the Swartberg mountain range to the north and Outeniqua range to the south. Arbeidsgenot, the home of Cornelius Jacob Langenhoven was built here. Langenhoven was the author of the old South African National anthem, “Die Stem” which still forms part of the new National Anthem.

In the Cango cave system, there is a great collection of speleothems (dripstone formations). The caves were discovered by man in prehistoric times. The entrance was used as a home by the 'San' and the walls were painted by them. In 1780, a herdsman stumbled into the entrance while following a wounded buck, which led to a local land owner named Van Zyl leading the first expedition into the caves. The first chamber was named after Van Zyl.

Optional activities:
Ostrich Farm visit and Ostrich Riding.

Day 12
Stellenbosch (B, L)

We take a scenic drive to Stellenbosch. As this is the last night on tour there will be an optional activity to go out to a local restaurant for dinner.

Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape Province of South Africa after Cape Town, and is situated about 50km away along the banks of the Eerste River. The town became known as the 'City of Oaks' or Eikestad in Afrikaan due to the large number of Oak trees that were planted by the founder to grace the streets and homesteads. The town is home to the University of Stellenbosch. The town was founded in 1679 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself — Stellenbosch means 'Stel’s forest'. The town grew so quickly that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a magistrate with jurisdiction over 25,000 square kilometers in 1685. Soon after the first settlers arrived, especially the French Huguenots, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry.

Optional activities:
Group meal out.

Day 13
Cape Town (B)

After a leisurely breakfast, we go to a wine farm to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. Additionally we also visit the Cheetah Breeding Project and finally the tour ends in the afternoon.

Cape Town’s name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and the Castle that was built in 1666 to protect the new settlement at the Cape.

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