Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme eastern reach of the Western Cape. It includes towns such as Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley.

It has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the nicest all-year-round rainfall areas in South Africa, most rain falling in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast. The Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forest and offer hiking trails and eco-tourism activities.

Nearly 300 species of birdlife are to be found in a variety of habitats ranging from fynbos to forest to wetlands. Ten nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area as well as unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Various bays along the Garden Route are nurseries to the endangered Southern Right Whale which come there to calve in the winter and spring (July to December).  Although the most popular exploration of the Garden Route is by car, it is also the site of Africa's last remaining passenger steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe.

Itinerary Summary
Discover the beautiful Garden Route, along South Africa's exquisite eastern coastline. Enjoy the famous Garden Route while staying in comfortable 3 star Guest Houses and taking in some spectacular sights along the way. The Scenic Garden Route Safari starts in Cape Town, where you might have sp
Day 1 : Cape Town to Swellendam
This Garden Route Tour starts from Cape Town and we head through the Wine lands to Swellendam. Nestling at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam has much to offer visitors who have an interest in history, nature and outdoor activities. Situated on the N2, approximately 240km from Cape Town and George, Swellendam is the perfect choice for a halfway stopover or as a base from which to explore the area. On our way we visit the Bontebok National Park, which is home to a variety of antelope.
The Park is proud to promote its achievements in biodiversity conservation, from the endangered fynbos veld type, coastal Renosterveld to the namesake bontebok! Once these colorful antelope numbered a mere 17, and through effective management we are proud to affirm that the present world population amounts to around 3000. The Park offers much more for nature lovers, from a diversity of indigenous animal life to over 200 remarkable bird species. [D]

Day 2 : Oudtshoorn
Today we travel to Oudtshoorn. Oudtshoorn is situated in the Klein Karoo 55 kilometres from the large coastal town of George. First class hotels, lodges, Inns, and guesthouses await the visitor. Enjoy the relaxed, friendly, hospitable atmosphere offered in town or or at the various surrounding farms. Experience the joy of life in the country! This town with its wide open spaces and broad streets is the capital of the Klein Karoo.
The town is spread along both banks of the Grobbelaars River, a tributary of the Oliphant's River, and its fertile valleys are encompassed by the Swartberg Mountains to the north and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south. Warm, dry summers and sunny winter days make it the ideal breeding ground for the most majestic of flightless birds - synonymous with Oudtshoorn - the ostrich. We then head to visit the breathtaking Cango Caves after a stop at the Aloe Factory in Albertinia. [BD]

Day 3-4 : Knysna
We make our way to Knysna, where we spend the next two days. Several optional activities like the Geatherbed Nature Reserve, sunset lagoon cruise, canoeing, or the well-known Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Train are awaiting you in this beautiful coastal town as well as a visit to Monkeyland and whale watching in season. [BD BD]

Day 5: Tsitsikamma National Park
Our next highlight is the Tsitsikamma National Park, where we take our time and explore the lush scenery while hiking. Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores, where temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines.
This, "the place of much water", is the Tsitsikamma National Park. The heartland of the park stretches some 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. Dolphins frolic in the breakers, surfing and playing for the sheer joy of life, and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed. [BD]

Day 6: Addo Elephant Park
we head towards Addo Elephant Park with a lunch stop at the world famous surf spot Jeffrey's Bay. We enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park. Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn. Safe from relentless persecution in the past, the grey leviathans of the bush now roam in peace.
The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area - today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 420 elephants, 450 Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. [BD]

Day 7: Port Elizabeth
After a morning game drive in the Addo Elephant Park, your guide will take you to Port Elisabeth, where our tour ends. [B]
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