Wild Garden Route

Hotel Features

Day 1: Cape Town

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport be met by our English-speaking representative for your transfer to One&Only Cape Town. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure discovering some of the delights of Cape Town, and of your hotel.    

Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa. This vibrant multicultural city is a healthy mix of city and suburban living, outdoor recreational activities and relaxation. Ride the revolving cable car to the sky on Table Mountain. Shop at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa’s premier shopping destinations. Stand on the edge of the world at Cape Point or delve into South Africa’s past at Robben Island, the prison that once held anti-apartheid activist and former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. 

Stay for one night at One&Only Cape Town in a Marina Table Mountain room on a bed and breakfast basis. The One&Only Cape Town is a luxurious urban chic resort and destination hotel located in the cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront, one of the most beloved attractions of the city, and enjoys picture-perfect postcard views of Table Mountain. The hotel has a range of facilities designed to delight and inspire. Nobu, is run by internationally acclaimed chef, Nobuyuki Matsushisa and Ochre features traditional South African recipes enhanced with a contemporary twist. The Vintage Bar & Lounge has breathtaking views and offers vintage champagnes and cocktails. It’s a hotel which celebrates wine, art, design, and food. 

Day 2: Cape Town to Hermanus

Take delivery of your hire car before embarking on the 120km (1hr 40min) drive to Hermanus.  The best route is via the N2 highway. En route, travellers will enjoy scenic mountain and ocean views at Sir Lowry's Pass after leaving Cape Town. Houw Hoek Padstal is a good place to stop for coffee, lunch, or fresh farm produce. At the small town called Bot River, take the R43 to Hermanus.

Stay two nights on a fully inclusive basis in a Superior Room at Birkenhead House. Birkenhead House is considered to be the ultimate beach house. It’s perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean at the whale watching paradise that is Walker Bay.  Southern Right and Humpback Whales breach metres from the shore here, particularly from June to December.  The hotel has a contemporary feel and incorporates an arty mix of beach elements. It has its own spa with massage, aromatherapy and reflexology treatments. Dining is superb for seafood lovers: from crayfish to prawns and mussels picked from the rocks below the hotel. Birkenhead House is pure indulgent luxury. 

Day 4: Hermanus to Gansbaii 

After breakfast enjoy the short drive (approximately 40km, 30 mins) from Hermanus to Gansbaii. Skirt the Klein River Lagoon and enjoy the scenic backdrop of the Stanford Hills en route. 

The Garden Route is one of the most popular travel routes in South Africa. This coastal corridor stretches along both Western and Eastern Capes and boasts numerous glorious beaches, stunning coastal towns, vast grasslands, rolling hills and impressive mountains. This culturally rich part of South Africa has its own unique flavour and wonderfully mesmeric landscapes. 

Stay three nights on a full board basis at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in a Forest Lodge Luxury Suite on a Full Board basis. One word aptly describes Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, breathtaking. The exquisite Forest Lodge – there is also a  Garden Lodge – is located within rare Milkwood and Fynbos forests on a scenic mountain slope, with striking views of Walker Bay.  What sets this area apart is that it is home to distinct and unique animal, bird and plant species. With all the trimmings of five-star indulgences, you will savour the finest cuisine and lodgings and experience tours on foot, horseback or by 4X4 vehicles.   

Days 5 & 6: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaii

Activities during your stay can include guided forest walking tours, Progressive Tourism  Tours,  cliff and cave walking combined with seasonal land-based whale watching,  bird watching, horse riding, and mountain biking.  Children’s activities include forest treasure hunts, pony rides, arts & crafts And beach picnics.  

Day 7: Gansbaii to Mossel Bay

Take to the wheel of your hire car for a relaxed drive (310km, 3hr 10min) from Gansbaii to Mossel Bay.   

Stay for two nights on a full board basis in a Kwena Double Suite at Gondwana Kwena Lodge. Guest rooms are a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional Khoi-San dwelling. Just fourteen open plan suites are nestled into the spectacular surrounds with 180-degree views, fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms.  The surrounding vast private, and malaria-free, game reserve features the Big Five. Enjoy exhilarating game drives in a dramatic mountain and Fynbos forest landscape spotting elephant, buffalo, eland, lion and hippo among may other species.  

Day 8: Mossel Bay 

After breakfast set out on your drive (225km, 2hr 30min) from Mossel Bay to Montagu, heading back in the direction of Cape Town. 

Stay for two nights on a fully inclusive basis in a suite at Sanbona Tilney Manor. Tilney Manor is located within the malaria-free Sanbona Game Reserve, home to the Big Five, and stretching over thousands of hectares of plains, mountains, indigenous flora and fauna, rock formations and rock art. The manor offers incredible views of this beautiful landscape. There’s an infinity pool, a Relaxation Retreat as well as authentic Karoo cuisine. 

Day 10: Montagu

Enjoy guided wilderness walks and two nature drives per day. 

Day 11: Montagu to Cape Town

Set off on your drive (185km, 2hr 20min) to Cape Town. Stay for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis in a Marina Table Mountain Room at One&Only Cape Town. Your hire car will be collected from the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.  

Day 12:  Cape Peninsula including Kirstenbosch 

On  a full day guided tour head for Cape Point at the south western tip of the Cape Peninsula, which is home to some of  the most spectacular views in the world. The drive there is just as inspiring, passing steep mountains, secluded coves and sweeping beaches, as well as traditional villages and fishing communities.

The scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passes through the cosmopolitan suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. Take in Hout Bay, a charming fishing community and one of Cape Town's best-kept secrets, with an  optional visit to view Cape Fur Seals on Duiker Island.  At Cape Point Nature Reserve see baboons, reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world's largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.

Follow the coastline to see the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, before returning to Cape Town  via the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and Fish Hoek fishing village. Stop also for afternoon tea  and a visit to Rhodes Memorial, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain offering spectacular views across the city.

Day 12: Cape Town to airport

After breakfast transfer from One&Only Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport for your connecting, or return, flight, or for onward travel to your next destination.