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Summary
The Garden Route is described as one of South Africa’s travel jewels and is regarded as one of the most sought-after travel destinations in South Africa. On this tour we focus on getting the best activities available from the most popular destination stops.
Activities
- Bird Photography
- Boat Cruise
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cooking
- Fishing
- General Photography
- Hiking
- Landscape photography
- Party
- Scenic Drive
- Seascape Photography
- Shark cage diving
- Whale watching
- Wilderness Trail
- Wildlife Photography
- Game drive
- Bird Watching
- Photo-safari
Places
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Table Mountain, South Africa
- Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
- Knysna, South Africa
- Western Cape, South Africa
- Garden Route, South Africa
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
- Eastern Cape, South Africa
Physical Condition
- Normal Physical Condition
Connectivity
- No WiFi but good phone coverage
Day-by-day Description
Day 1Port Alfred Kowie River Canoe Trail (150km)
Activities Included
Animal Tracking Bird Photography Boat Cruise Camping Canoeing Cooking Dance Fishing General Photography Party Scenic Drive Seascape Photography Sports Wilderness Trail Wildlife Photography Game drive Bird Watching Photo-safari Kayaking08:00 Pickup in Port Elizabeth and head East to Port Alfred to kick off our 8 night/9 day Garden Route Tour. We’ll do an 18km canoe trail up the Kowie River to our first stop over at the cabin along the river bank. The Kowie River is tidal all the way up - don’t fight the tide! The ideal time to leave Port Alfred is 30 minutes after low tide. The rising tide will then help you up the river. Please note that this is a 3 hour Canoe trail but is relatively easy going. Dry bags are essential for this canoe leg of your journey as you are going to need dry clothes at camp. A boat is available to take personal belongings to camp if you don’t want to load them on your canoe. This is an extra charge at R500 per trip. There’s no better way to kick off a South African holiday than by having an evening bonfire and braai (BBQ).
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Travel Time: 2 hrs
Day 2Addo Elephant National Park (150km)
Activities Included
Animal Tracking Bird Photography Boat Cruise Camping Canoeing Cooking Dance Fishing General Photography Party Scenic Drive Seascape Photography Sports Wilderness Trail Wildlife Photography Game drive Bird Watching Photo-safari KayakingDepart Port Alfred and make your way to South Africa’s 3rd largest National Park and home to the highest population of African Elephants per square kilometre on the planet. Once settled into your accommodation, you have the opportunity in joining the transfer to visit the beach at Sunday’s River mouth. The Alexandria sand dunes in this area are the highest wind made sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere (Sandboarding is inevitable). There is also the option of joining a sundowner cruise along the Sunday’s River that meanders along the National Park. After the day’s activities you will settle into some relaxation time at your accommodation.
Day 3Addo Elephant National Park
Activities Included
Scenic Drive Wildlife Photography Game drive Photo-safariAs early as possible we will enter into Addo Elephant National Park, where we try to locate the “Big 5” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Black Rhino and Buffalo). This is one of the many highlights along the way and is by far the most popular game reserve along the Garden Route. For lunch you will stop over at the famous “Jacks Picnic Spot” (do some googling) where we will work together to rustle up some grub using the braai facility. Late afternoon will see you back at your camp.
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Addo Elephant National Park, Addo, South Africa
Travel Time: 10 hrs
Day 4Tsitsikamma / The Crags (250km)
Activities Included
Animal Tracking Bird Photography Boat Cruise Camping Canoeing Cooking Dance Fishing General Photography Party Scenic Drive Seascape Photography Sports Wilderness Trail Wildlife Photography Game drive Bird Watching Photo-safari KayakingThis is the Jewel of the Garden Route and by far the busiest stretch along the way. Due to the high volume of optional extras in this area, you will be spending two nights in luxury tents. Before entering The Crags, your soul will be revitalised by spending some time in the TsItsikamma National Park, which boasts some lovely forest surroundings, swing bridge over the Indian Ocean and a scrumptious restaurant situated alongside the waves. We cross over the ‘Bloukrans Bridge’ which boasts the highest bridge bungee jump in the world at 216m. To jump or not to jump…that is the question?
Location
Tsitsikamma National Park, South, Paarl, South Africa
Travel Time: 10 hrs
Day 5Tsitsikamma / The Crags.
Activities Included
Bird Photography Camping Cooking General Photography Scenic Drive Wildlife Photography Bird Watching Photo-safariThe Crags gives you Birds of Eden, the world’s largest single span free flight aviary. Monkeyland, the world first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary and Jukani, a home to rescued predators such as lion, tigers, jaguars, wild dog and honey badger etc. For those who are still up for further excitement for the day, there is the option of attending the Crags Elephant Sanctuary, where you have the chance to learn about these amazing gentle giants and possibly feed and touch them.
Day 6Cango Caves, Oudshoorn (203km)
Activities Included
Hiking Landscape photography Scenic Drive CultureDepart The Crags and make your way to the foot hills of the Swartberg mountain range where you will find the Cango Caves nestled in the Klein Karoo. After settling into your accommodation you will make your way to the Cave site where you have the option of a heritage tour or adventure tour of the cave. This is the only show case cave in Africa with these options. The rest of the afternoon is for your leisure.
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Cango Caves
Travel Time: 3 hrs
Day 7Hermanus (391km)
Activities Included
Boat Cruise General Photography Hiking Seascape Photography Shark cage diving Surfing Whale watchingEarly morning departure from Oudshoorn and check into your accommodation at the Whale watching capital of South Africa. Here is where you have the time to relax and take in the beauty of the South African coastline. This is your leisure time to explore the town and a popular foot path that runs along the cliffs of the Indian Ocean. During the late afternoon you will be treated to a ‘wine on the lagoon’ wine tasting cruise.
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Hermanus
Travel Time: 4 hrs
Day 8Hermanus
Activities Included
Boat Cruise Fishing Shark cage diving Surfing Whale watchingYou will have the option in the morning to either get involved with some whale watching or shark cage diving activities. If those options are not your scene, there is always the option of doing a bit of deep sea fishing or visiting the town for some shopping. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Hermanus
Travel Time: 1 hrs
Day 9Cape Town, via Simons Town & V&A Waterfront – Drop off zones (130km)
Activities Included
Scenic DriveDepart Hermanus for a scenic drive into Cape Town via Simons Town, and then we will travel along the famous Chapmans Peak and drive on route to the V&A Waterfront. Estimated time of arrival for the V&A Waterfront will be around 15:00.
Other Benefits (On Arrival)
- Transfer
Location
Chapmans peak, Simons Town, Cape Town, V&A Waterfront
Travel Time: 3 hrs
Offical Visa Regulations and Health Requirements
For personalized details on health and visa requirements please check the IATA travel centre here
https://www.iatatravelcentre.comHealth Please note that we need to be informed of any pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or asthma or any other condition that requires prescription medicine. Please note that Beckmann’s or any of its travel partners will not be held liable or responsible for damage or loss to such medication and the safe-keeping of such medication must be looked after by its respective user. Diet Requirements For Beckmann’s and its travel partners to properly cater whilst on tour, it is important to inform us at the point of booking should there be any special dietary requirement. Visas As visa requirements vary considerably from country to country and nationality to nationality, please contact the various embassies or a visa service agent in your home country to re-check your visa requirements at least 4 weeks prior to travelling. Please note that visas are the responsibility of the traveller and that Beckmann’s or its partners will not be held responsible for guests being denied entry should they not be in the possession of the relevant visas.
