| THE GARDEN ROUTE - 10 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
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Day 1 ~ Welcome to the Garden Route
On arrival at George Airport you will be met by one of our representatives who will direct you to your hire car. Drive the short distance to the Protea King George Hotel where you will check in. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Overnight - Protea King George Hotel, George
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Day 2 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Oudtshoorn
After breakfast head over the Outeniqua Mountains via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass, to Oudtshoorn, ostrich capital of the world. Start the day with a visit to the well known Cango Caves and a local ostrich farm to find out more about these prehistoric creatures as well as attempting to ride one if the mood dictates! In the afternoon, take a conducted tour of the Cango Crocodile Ranch, where you are able to view the feeding of these great reptiles as well as visiting their cheetah enclosure with the opportunity to pet the amazing cats.
Overnight - Protea King George Hotel, George
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Day 3 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Bays & Beaches
Check out of the Hotel and depart George, en-route to Knysna. A visit to, what is undoubtedly the Garden Route's most charming and beautiful bay, Victoria Bay is a must. From Victoria Bay spend some time working your way back through the natural bounty of rivers and lakes of the Wilderness area. The scenery is breathtaking and one will find oneself stopping many times for photo opportunities along the way. Similarly head for Swartflei Beach, where the rivers, forestry, sand and sea converge in the most stunning setting and travel to Buffels Bay to view the beach panorama towards Brenton on Sea. Arrive late afternoon in the quaint lagoon side town of Knysna and check in to the Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, located on the trendy Waterfront area. In the evening, possibly take the opportunity for a relaxed sundowner lagoon cruise aboard the John Benn.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 4 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Plettenberg Bay
In the morning travel the short distance to the upmarket resort of Plettenberg Bay, starting the day by taking a casual cruise up the tranquil Keurbooms River in the company of a knowledgeable river guide. Spend the afternoon exploring the town and golden sandy beaches of this popular holiday centre. Visit the Robberg Nature Reserve with a walk around the small peninsula which offers spectacular views across the coastline. There is also an opportunity to enjoy a boat ride out into the ocean for a chance to see the many dolphins and whales that visit this part of the coast.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 5 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: 'Featherbed Experience' & Noetzie
After breakfast take a casual cruise across the lagoon, to the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve, where a tractor trailer ride to the top of the Western Head will provide magnificent views over the coastline, and the lagoon itself. Taking an optional walk back through forests, caves, and a lagoon side path, lunch is served under the milkwood trees before returning to the mainland. It is worthwhile reserving an hour to visit the forest hideaway area of Noetzie. It is a relatively short distance to reach this extraordinary beach, with its secluded lagoon and beach and the unique Noetzie Castles.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 6 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Outeniqua Choo Tjoe
After breakfast board the famous Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, the only regular steam train service still in operation in Southern Africa. Carriages of this train are genuine circa 1930's, and one enters the era of a bygone age on the 3 hour trip to George, via forests, and the coastal and lakes scenery of the natural Wilderness area. As the train negotiates arguably the most photographed railway bridge in the world over the Kaaimans River Mouth, there is only the run around the "hidden" Victoria Bay to be experienced before the arrival in George, where you will be collected by one of our representatives and driven back to Knysna.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 7 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: The Old 7 Passes Road
Head for the hills and explore the forestry areas along the "Old 7 Passes Road" between George and Knysna, detouring to the tranquil Jubilee Creek, before continuing on to the remains of the original Millwood Gold Fields area and a refreshment stop at the original mining house, now a tea room and local forestry museum.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 8 ~ Day at leisure
Day at leisure to relax, browse around the quaint town, explore the local area and generally recharge the batteries.
Overnight - Protea Knysna Quays Hotel, Knysna
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Day 9 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Nature's Valley & Monkeyland
After a casual check out from the Hotel, we recommend starting the day with the drive eastwards beyond Plettenberg Bay to Nature's Valley, where you will find the most exquisite beach along the Garden Route. Next head to Monkeyland, a sanctuary which homes rescued monkeys, Marmoset, Tamarin, Vervet and the Cape Baboon to name but a few. The monkeys are rehabilitated before being set free into the wild, making happy endings to sad stories. In the late afternoon, check in to the Tsitsikamma Lodge, located in the heart of the Tsitsikamma National Forest.
Overnight - Tsitsikamma Lodge, Tsitsikamma National Park
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Day 10 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Storms River Mouth
Spend the day in the vicinity of the beautifully rugged coastline at Storms River Mouth, and enjoy a casual walk through the natural forest to the suspension bridge at the mouth itself. This region offers a variety of outdoor activities to participate in, e.g. golfing, fishing, swimming, bird watching, boat cruises and many more.
Overnight - Tsitsikamma Lodge, Tsitsikamma National Park
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Day 11 ~ Checking Out
After breakfast and a casual check out from the Hotel, drive the relatively short distance to Port Elizabeth Airport to return your hire car and board the flight back to Johannesburg or Cape Town, for the connecting flight to Heathrow.
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PRICE PER PERSON = from £ 658.00
NOTES ON THE PRICE:
INCLUDED:
~ Hire car based on two people sharing (CDW insurance and unlimited mileage)
~ 10 nights double/twin share accommodation in South Africa
~ Daily breakfast
~ Representative on-call throughout your stay
~ VAT @ 17.5%
EXCLUDED:
~ International and domestic flights (quotations are available on request)
~ The cost of entrance fees to the sightseeing attractions
~ Lunches and dinners
~ Gratuities
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