South Africa Round Trip: Animals and tea along the Garden Route

The best time for a round trip from Cape Town along the Garden Route is the South African spring, from September to November, and the fall months between April and May. Rooibos is mainly harvested in spring before it blooms yellow and fragrant.

Rooibos is the national drink of South Africans. It contains no bitter substances and no caffeine has made rooibos more and more popular worldwide in recent decades. An ideal tea for children and also for the evening!

Rooibos grows exclusively in South Africa. Attempts to grow rooibos (Afrikaans for "red bush") elsewhere have failed repeatedly — rooibos only feels at home in the small region around the Cederberg Mountains. In its homeland, rooibos and its extracts are also used outside the cup, e.g., for cooking, baking, or as a natural care product.

The tea assortment offers pure rooibos (No. 1302) and many great blends, such as an African-Indian fusion No. 1305 called African Chai.

Welcome to South Africa! With your rental car, you will start your exciting round trip from the airport towards your first accommodation. In the coming days, you will first explore the highlights of Cape Town. We would especially recommend a city tour or an excursion to Table Mountain. You can overlook the vibrant metropolis and the azure sea from the landmark. Also worth a visit is the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a restored harbor district where you can sample local delicacies in numerous restaurants.

Driving time Cape Town Airport - hotel: approx. 25 minutes / approx. 20 km

3 nights at the Welgelegen Boutique Hotel**** with breakfast in a Luxury Room, Cape Town, South Africa

For a first excursion into the natural world of South Africa, we recommend a day trip to the Cape Peninsula. The drive itself is spectacular. Take the picturesque coastal road to reach the Cape of Good Hope first. Via Chapmans Peak Drive, you will continue to Hout Bay’s small fishing harbor. The boat trip to Duiker Island is a highlight. Animal lovers: you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at one of South Africa's largest fur seal colonies. You will also observe playful penguins at Boulders Beach on the way back.

Driving time Cape Town hotel - Cape of Good Hope: approx. 1.5 hours / approx. 65 km

In Cape Town, one highlight follows the next. On a guided township tour, you will learn exciting facts about the origins of the city's districts and the locals’ everyday life. You can stroll through the town in the afternoon before you round off the day with a culinary experience. We recommend visiting the Gold Restaurant: traditionally colorfully dressed servers will serve you Cape Malay delicacies in the idyllic green courtyard.

The Cederberg plateau north of Cape Town, which is hardly accessible to tourists, lures with its gigantic rock formations. In addition, this desert-like area is home to the only region in the world where South Africa's tasty national drink is grown: rooibos tea. Rooibos is mainly harvested and processed in small cooperatives or by small farmers. The bush processes tea in the spring and goes through various steps during production until the actually green broom-like plant becomes the well-known brownish-red tea. In many cases, rooibos still grows wild today, just as it did hundreds of years ago!

During your visit to the Skimmelberg Rooibos Tea Farm, you'll learn all there is to know about the origins of South African tea on an exciting tour. The two-hour tour takes you to the fields where the tea plants are grown, and you'll also learn about the breeding, processing, tea distillery, and packaging process. Finally, you will enjoy a tea tasting where you can fully absorb the scents and flavors of the teas.

Driving time Cape Town - Clanwilliam: approx. 3 hours / approx. 240 km

2 nights at Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge***** with half board in a Classic Room, Clanwilliam, South Africa

East of Cape Town lies the picturesque Winelands. The area of Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, home to over 200 winemakers, produces the famous local white and red wines. To get an insight into the diversity of South African wines, we recommend an exclusive wine tasting in Stellenbosch, the heart of wine growing and the second-oldest town in the country (optional). The ultimate attraction: visit the Tokara winery in Stellenbusch and experience wine tastings free of charge for all guests. Choose your favorite wine and have it sent directly to your home. A delicious souvenir awaits you after your trip. You may also find what you are looking for at Oom Samie se Winkel - probably the most famous antique store in South Africa, which exudes a unique historical charm.

Driving time Clanwilliam - Stellenbosch: approx. 3 hours / approx. 230 km

2 nights at Majeka Guest House***** with breakfast in a Garden Alternative, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Today you will explore the Klein Karoo Desert and Oudtshoorn. The dreamlike drive takes you along numerous natural spectacles like flourishing valleys and wild rock formations. In Oudtshoorn, the so-called ostrich capital of the world, you can experience the animals up close on many farms. You shouldn’t miss the world-famous Cango Caves, north of Oudtshoorn. It is one of the most impressive cave systems on earth.

Driving time Stellenbosch - Oudtshoorn: approx. 5.5 hours / approx. 400 km

1 night at La Plume Guesthouse**** with breakfast in a Superior Suite, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Your journey continues towards Plettenberg Bay. On the way, you will enjoy magical sea views. You will take the Outenigua Pass, pass the towns of George and Wilderness and finally reach the dreamlike lagoon town of Knysna. With its famous waterfront, this pearl of the Garden Route offers the perfect opportunity for a lunch break.

Fortified by your meal, you will continue the short drive to Plettenberg Bay, where dream beaches await you. The popular vacation resort of South Africans is characterized by a mild climate thanks to the Indian Ocean, which allows the vegetation to flourish lushly. Enjoy a delicious fish dish in the evening and take a long walk along the sea. With some luck, you will spot whales off the coasts during your trip between September and November. Keep your eyes and ears wide open: a t night, you can even hear the nocturnal songs of the animals who call this place home.

Driving time Oudtshoorn - Plettenberg Bay: approx. 2 hours / approx. 170 km

3 nights at Periwinkle Guest Lodge**** with breakfast in Superior with balcony, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Discover the varied surroundings of Plettenberg Bay today. The Tsitsikamma National Park is without a doubt home to the most wonderful hiking trails in the country. Translated, the name of the park means “bubbling water.” Take this as an opportunity for an adventurous boat trip on the Storms River Mouth. Travelers who are not looking for an adrenaline rush will also find what they are looking for: For example, visit the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where numerous monkey species roam freely.

Driving time Plettenberg Bay - Tsitsikamma National Park: approx. 1 hour / approx. 65 km

You can experience pure relaxation and nature by the sea during an excursion to one of the almost endless dream beaches. Let yourself be enchanted by the magical atmosphere. Alternatively, we recommend a hike on the Robberg Peninsula, whose breathtaking rocky outcrops can be seen from all over Plettenberg Bay.

Optionally, you can join an excursion to the Ericaville Tea Garden. The plantation is 10 km away from Plettenberg Bay. The farm is the only place where Honeybush tea is grown organically. During the tour, you will get a short introduction to the history of this tea. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to pick and cut it yourself. You will also experience the tea being dried in the oven and enriched with flavor. But we don't want to reveal too much — let us surprise you.

Driving time Plettenberg Bay - Wilderness: approx. 1 hour / approx. 80 km

Adventure Safari: In the remaining days of your trip, you will experience two game drives or river cruises daily in the Kariega Game Reserve. Located in South Africa's Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, this private game reserve offers the perfect conditions for one of the richest biotopes in Southern Africa with over 10,000 hectares of unspoiled nature. The malaria-free area at the end of the Garden Route will delight you with spectacular wildlife and nature viewing. In the afternoon on the first game drive, you will have the opportunity to meet the Big Five — lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos. You might also get to see antelopes, wildebeest, and zebras. In the evening, enjoy an exclusive dinner and campfire romance under a fairytale starry sky at the River Lodge, which blends perfectly into the surrounding nature with its cozy wooden chalets.

Driving time Plettenberg Bay - Kariega Game Reserve: approx. 3,5 hours / approx. 348 km

2 nights at River Lodge**** with full board, selected drinks, and activities in a Luxury Suite, Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa

Your experienced ranger will take you out into nature again today. Passing valleys, grassy plains, and the African bush, you can once again observe wild animals up close. Absorb the impact of the day’s memorable experiences with an afternoon tea in your wooden chalet while you marvel at the fascinating surroundings.

Two weeks full of unforgettable experiences are now behind you. Take part in a final morning game drive to consolidate the impressions of this foreign world before you start your journey home. After a hearty breakfast, make your way to the airport, where you will drop off your rental car and board the plane with countless memories.

Driving time Kariega Game Reserve - Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport: approx. 1.5 hours / approx. 120 km

Four Rosmead Boutique Guest House****, Cape Town, South Africa (3 nights)

The four-star boutique hotel is in a historic building from 1903 and has ten luxurious rooms. It’s in quiet Oranjezicht, a short walk from Green Market Square and a 10-minute drive from Cliften and Camps Bay beaches. Four Rosmead Boutique Hotel boasts 360-degree views of Table Mountain. Enjoy the fantastic scenery while having breakfast on the veranda. The stylish rooms have a terrace or balcony with a garden view. The small pool and the cozy outdoor area offer space to relax after a day of exploring. The international airport is a 45-minute drive away.

Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge*****, Clanwilliam, South Africa (2 nights)

Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge is set amidst the majestic Cederberg Mountains, which glow brilliant purples in the late afternoon light. The property's nine luxurious rooms offer spectacular views of the picturesque garden and impressive rock formations. All rooms feature a fire pit, outdoor shower, a private bathroom with a bathtub, shower, and a double vanity. Relax in the large pool or treat yourself to a spa treatment in your room. The lodge's unique location is a perfect base for hiking, sports activities, and excursions.

Majeka House*****, Stellenbosch, South Africa (2 nights)

In Stellenbosch, the exclusive five-star Majeka House awaits you in a private garden setting. The stylish rooms feature WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a DVD player, an espresso machine, a hairdryer, complimentary toiletries, and a minibar. At the hotel's Makaron Restaurant, you'll be treated to local delicacies from the on-site organic garden. The Sanctuary Spa invites you to enjoy aromatherapy massages and relaxation in the hot tub or on a crystal Himalayan salt bed. The hotel is a short drive from numerous cafes and stores.

La Plume Guesthouse****, Oudtshoorn, South Africa (1 night)

The quaint La Plume Guesthouse is in the middle of an ostrich farm and is surrounded by a vast vineyard. It is about 14 km from the center of the town of Oudtshoorn. You have a beautiful view of pure nature from the terrace: the Olifants River valley and the Swartberg mountain range. In addition to a TV, the comfortable rooms are also equipped with a minibar and tea and coffee facilities. You can also expect a full breakfast, exquisite cuisine, and a selection of South African wines. Relax by the on-site swimming pool on hot summer days.

Periwinkle Lodge****, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa (3 nights)

Overlooking the Robberg Peninsula and with direct beach access, the charming Periwinkle Lodge invites you to take strolls along the waterfront. The seven bright rooms are stylishly decorated and reflect the surrounding sea and mountains with their radiant colors. They're also equipped with private bathrooms, TVs, a heated towel rail, tea/coffee-making facilities, and private balconies. You can spot whales and dolphins (seasonal) in the waves from the terrace while enjoying a hearty breakfast. For dinner, visit various restaurants nearby.

River Lodge****, Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa (2 nights)

River Lodge is in a gorgeous location on the banks of the Bushmans River in an approximately 10,000-acre malaria-free area. The ten spacious suites blend perfectly into their surroundings thanks to their thatched roofs. All units are air-conditioned and feature a ceiling fan, en suite bathroom, king-size bed, safe, and coffee and tea facilities. From your private terrace, you can marvel at the biodiverse wildlife. In this setting, you can experience five very different ecosystems home to many other species of plants, nature, and birds. A restaurant offers a selection of tasty, traditional South African dishes. In good weather, these are served in the boma (a seating area set around a fire pit). A bar and swimming pool complete the facilities.

Including

• 13 nights accommodation in the mentioned accommodation including meals as per program (accommodation in Amakhala Game Reserve / Kariega Main Lodge incl. full board as well as max. six safaris (either game drive, guided tour, river cruise)
• 14 rental days of vehicle category M (Ford Ecosport), including all additional drivers, premium accident insurance (CDW), local supplement, premium theft insurance (TLW), Tourism Levy, unlimited mileage, personal accident insurance (PAI), general public liability insurance, administration fee in case of accident/theft, VAT 14%, third party insurance, tire, roof, clutch, sand and underbody damage. Pick up at Cape Town Airport & drop off at Port Elizabeth.
• Detailed travel documents, including travel directions and maps
• Welcome at the airport

Not included

• International flights
• Meals and drinks not included in the program
• Sightseeing, entrance fees, excursions (the listed program is a suggestion)
• Visa fees
• Personal expenses, such as minibar and tips
• Additional costs for a rental car (will be charged directly to the credit card): 3700 R gasoline deposit, 90 R contract fee, 1800 R one way fee, 390 R navigation system