THE GARDEN ROUTE CLASSIC TOURING

We drive towards the lagoon-side town of Knysna and to the Knysna Heads with vistas over jutting rocks, spectacular seas and the lagoon. Nestled at the bottom of the ‘Heads’, is the lush and secluded Coney Beach which boasts its own terrific views. Proceed to Thesen Island and take part in a hands-on oyster demonstration to learn about this famous delicacy, have a go at “shucking” (or opening an oyster) and taste the difference between wild and cultivated varieties. Take a 1 km walk through the beautiful Wet Highforest at Garden of Eden, with its thick canopy of tall trees, giant moss, lichen, streams and filtered sunlight. Spend the afternoon in the wine region near Plettenberg Bay, possibly enjoying lunch and wine tastings. Finally, glide up the deep ravine of Keurbooms River for 4.5 kms and after mooring at a sandy cove, walk through indigenous forest, swim in the gentle waters and relax in natural splendour.

Depart for Oudtshoorn, the feather capital of the world, stopping at a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Learn about the ostrich lifecycle stages from incubation to adulthood, then feed and meet some of these fascinating birds, at a breeding camp. On a tractor tour learn about the Kenyan Red, Zimbabwe Blue and local South African ostriches. Next, we head to town to be welcomed at the CP Nel Museum with typical Oudtshoorn hospitality. This museum focusses on the ostrich industry and the feather boom period, the main reason for the surge in Oudtshoorn’s prosperity. After lunch (own account) continue to the magnificent Cango Caves – a series of dripstone caverns that open into vast halls of towering stalagmite formations with names like ‘the bridal couple’, ‘glass flower fantasy’, ‘weird cango candle’ and ‘the hanging shawl’.

Often considered just a quick overnight stop en-route to the Garden Route, Oudtshoorn and the surrounding Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains offer an incredible natural beauty and it’s worth staying for 2 nights to explore this spectacular area. Your local guide will meet you at your guesthouse this morning to chat through the day’s itinerary before you head north towards the majestic Swartberg Mountains. Then it’s on to the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, a UNESCO Word Heritage Site, where you ascend nearly 900 metres up the pass.

The Swartberg Pass is a National monument, has a gravel surface and was constructed by renowned road engineer, Thomas Bain over a 4year period and opened in January 1888.

Explore spectacular sandstone formations, which date back more than 300 million years and view the indigenous fynbos, including protea species, cone bush and pin cushions. Look out for Verreaux Eagles, Jackal Buzzards and small antelope such as the Klipspringer. At the summit, soak up panoramic views over the Great Karoo to the north, and to the south, the Klein-Karoo before enjoying an optional leisure walk in one of the surrounding hiking trails.

Time permitting, you’ll descend the Swartberg Pass en-route to the charming, traditional Karoo town of Prince Albert where you will be treated to a light lunch followed by a visit to the Meiringspoort Waterfall or alternatively enjoy lunch in Prince Albert before returning to your guesthouse, again via the Swartberg Pass.

Begin the day with a short walk through the lush Tsitsikamma Forest to visit the 1000-year-old Big Tree, a giant Outeniqua Yellowwood towering at 36.6 metres. Continue to the scenic Tsitsikamma National Park and walk along the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth gorge with its incredible views. Head into Stormsriver town for lunch (own account), before we peruse a display of local art at the Bitou Art Gallery. There is ample opportunity to include a thrilling activity to your day. Perhaps zipline through the forest canopy, take a Segway tour or explore the historical Witteklip bridge or the local township. You could try bungy jumping or bridge walking at Bloukrans, or kayak and lilo up the Storms River Gorge. Alternatively, explore the forest further on the Woodcutter’s Journey, view one of the areas animal sanctuaries or wander through the arts and crafts studios and galleries. Costs of the optional adventures are excluded.

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