10-Day Scenic Circular Garden Route Tour

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Welcome to the spectacular Garden Route

You will arrive at George Airport on the beautiful Southern Coast with low-lying sandy shores and golden sands with the Outeniqua Mountains backdrop. After collecting your luggage, collect your pre-booked rental car and be prepared for the trip of your life.

Your stay will be at the world-famous Fancourt Hotel, South Africa’s award-winning golf resort. It is situated in the heart of the spectacular Garden Route, 7km from George Airport. Trained staff and management will meet you and take you to your Oaklands Suite. For the rest of the day, enjoy a massage in the spa, relax by the pool, or have that complimentary round of golf.

Main Destination:

George (City)

Accommodation:

Fancourt Golf Estate

• Luxury hotel located in George (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Enjoy a day with 'Man who Carry Honey'

Good morning! Today, you will explore this region known as "Man Who Carries Honey” - the Koi meaning for the Outeniqua.

Redberry Farm is an ideal destination for berry lovers, fun-seeking families and outdoor enthusiasts. This idyllic farmstead is a commercial strawberry grower and popular family entertainment venue that appeals to visitors of all ages. Test your direction in the largest permanent hedge maze in the southern hemisphere and enjoy lunch.

Experience a day down memory lane; visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum, where you can see many different old steam trains. Inside the museum are 13 steam locomotives, including a narrow gauge, the Emil Kessler (Johannesburg’s first steam locomotive), the impressive GL Garrett, and carriages from a bygone era. See the big Slave Tree in the centre of George, and make sure you visit the George Hops Brewery – our local brewery. Enjoy a local beer in the hops and be part of the mountains around you.

Main Destination:

George (City)

Accommodation:

Fancourt Golf Estate

• Luxury hotel located in George (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Indian Ocean's awesome coastline

After a great breakfast and a good night's rest, today will be your oceanic day.

Some little hideaway turnoffs will take you to beaches like Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay, where famous golf players like Ernie Els’s house is. Go to the most beautiful beach and coastline in South Africa – Wilderness. Through the Kaaimans Pass and over the river, you will be amazed at the mountains with historical hotels and lookout points on the way. Stop for great photos. Enjoy lunch at one of the seaside restaurants on the beach, take a walk on the white sandy shores and feel the South African sun on your skin.

Tonight is the last night at Fancourt, so enjoy the canapés, complimentary dinner and some tasty sundowners by the pool deck.

Main Destination:

George (City)

Accommodation:

Fancourt Golf Estate

• Luxury hotel located in George (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Honey people to the Karoo

Your drive over the Outeniqua Pass offers magnificent views across a huge green valley with viewpoints to stop, enjoy a snack and make lasting photo memories. Spot the Outeniqua Nature Reserve hiking trail and note the fynbos and some tiny trickling waterfalls.

You will arrive in Oudtshoorn – the capital of the ostrich world - at your accommodation, La Plume Boutique Hotel. After checking in, you can enjoy a picnic basket for lunch in the spacious lush gardens and have a view over the majestic Swartberg Mountains. Enjoy a farm-style cuisine dinner by candlelight before tucking in tonight.

Main Destination:

Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)

Accommodation:

La Plume

• Luxury guest house located in Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Ostriches, camels and caves

Hopefully, you had a good night's rest for all the adventures today!

Passing through town, you will reach the Cango Ostrich Show Farm in the lush Cango Valley, Schoemanshoek, 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the main route towards the world-famous Cango Caves. It is easy to find and makes your trip more time-efficient.

Experience this largest non-flying bird and test your weight by standing on an ostrich egg (220kg vertical and 120kg horizontal) before it breaks. This animal’s eye is also larger than his brain.

From here, the next stop can be the camel farm, Wilgewandel. There, you can go on camel rides in nature and enjoy great wine and food pairings.

Challenge the Cango Caves, where you must fit through the Post Box without getting stuck. The natural formations are breathtaking.

Back to town for museums, coffee shops, great shopping malls, and gift shops. It is the best place to taste ostrich meat and buy the best ostrich leather products for yourself and as excellent gifts.

Main Destination:

Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)

Accommodation:

La Plume

• Luxury guest house located in Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Route 62 awaits for exploring

Today, you leave the Karoo behind and take on Route 62. You will pass through Calitzdorp and stop at Boplaas, the capital of South African Port. Do a tasting and purchase some Port. The 13,4km-long Huis River Pass lies on the R62 between 2 valleys in the Little Karoo, between the towns of Ladismith in the west and Calitzdorp in the east. It has 39 bends, corners, and curves packed into that distance, which requires vigilant driving. Not only is this a fairly long pass, but it has many sharp corners, steep gradients, and exceptionally attractive scenery. Many lovely rest areas have been provided for photos and resting periods.

The artistic Montagu, Tradouws Pass, and missionary village, Suurbraak, will take you to Swellendam, the third-oldest town in South Africa. Check in at your accommodation and enjoy some local restaurants.

Main Destination:

Swellendam (Town)

Accommodation:

Schoone Oordt Country House

• Luxury hotel located in Swellendam (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Superior stay set in paradise

Today, you will experience the historical, romantic and great village of Arniston. Leave the historical Swellendam behind, pass through Bredarsdorp and enjoy an easy, open road to your next destination.

Arniston Spa Hotel won 2 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards; Best Country Hotel in South Africa and Best Beach Hotel in South Africa. This little village is sandwiched between 2 nature reserves, and historical and ancient shipwrecks.

The luxurious 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel welcomes you with friendly service. Our exquisite setting offers panoramic views of the ocean and the pristine coastline. The unspoiled, tourist-friendly beaches are safe and perfect for swimming and surfing. The hotel is beside the 120-year-old picturesque fishing village of Kassiesbaai, a Grade One Heritage Site. It is blessed with abundant sealife and offers fresh oysters and delicious seafood from the local fishing boats.

Enjoy some great sun, walks and seafood for the rest of the day.

Main Destination:

Arniston (Town)

Accommodation:

Arniston Spa Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Arniston (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exquisite seafood platters with views

Today, you can walk to most places. Optional activities include horse riding on the beach, sandboarding, fishing, whale watching in season, snorkeling, and visiting the cave at Waenhuiskrans.

Arniston is one of the original fishing villages; the original houses are still there and open to visitors. The famous Waenhuiskrans Cave – on low tide – is a great picture experience. Enjoy fresh seafood like oysters and crayfish and visit shops for traditional Malay spices.

Main Destination:

Arniston (Town)

Accommodation:

Arniston Spa Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Arniston (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Safari experience

Following the national public road, you are on your way to a great safari experience and the chance to meet the Big 5. Passing through Riversdale, stop at the Ukrainian Museum. In 2010, the Hessequa Municipality Riversdale Ukrainian Museum was opened. There, you can see traditional clothing, cultural artifacts, a mural from Crimea and the history of Ukrainian -South African cooperation between Hessequa and Voznesensk Municipalities. Enjoy a light lunch at The Jail and learn about the history of the gallows that are still there to view.

After this, the Big 5 waits at the Garden Route Game Lodge. The staff will check you in, greet you with fresh cold water or juice, and take you to your suite. Enjoy the safari experience at sunset and some refreshments before a splendid evening meal by open fires.

Main Destination:

Garden Route Private Game Reserve (Garden Route)

Accommodation:

Garden Route Game Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Garden Route GR (Garden Route)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Safari to ocean

Get up early for that 05h00 coffee or hot chocolate, and get on the open transport to view these great animals having their morning routine.

After breakfast, you can buy some curios and learn more about South Africa’s predators before returning to George. After returning the rental, getting your baggage and waiting for the flight, you may still be wondering if you can’t just phone us to extend this trip.

Main Destination:

George Airport

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.