Cango Caves Stalactites and Stalagmites,Boating on the Knysna Lagoon,The Knysna Lourie (Turaco), Tsitsikamma Forest Walk.

On this fully guided private Garden Route holiday, with highly personalised service, you will have the rare privilege of being surrounded by exquisite natural beauty at every turn, and the opportunity to savour every moment of it. You will first be introduced to the Cape Town’s seductive attractions. Then, along the Garden Route, we will take you on a journey of discovery, to reveal the mystique, history, culture, land, mountain and seascapes of one of South Africa’s national treasures. Fed by crystal mountain streams, numerous lakes and their estuaries, this verdant, scenic strip is located between different ranges of the ancient, imposing Cape Fold Mountains and the warm Indian Ocean.

The foothills of one of these ranges, the Little Swartberg, lead to one of the country’s great natural wonders, the vast, subterranean Cango Caves. This extensive network of caverns, adorned with finely, patterned crystalline rock formations – some on a monumental scale and others small and delicate – have been taking shape since the caves were formed, over a 100 million years ago. Here also, the earliest inhabitants of South Africa left their mark in San Rock Art at the entrance to the caves, which they used as shelter. Oudtshoorn, the renowned “ostrich capital” of the world, offers a joyous ride on this prehistoric, flightless bird and visits to ostrich show farms.

Knysna, home to the affluent yachting society, with its pristine tidal lagoon entrance, The Heads, as its picturesque show piece, and surrounded by dense, indigenous forests, will welcome you with it’s all year round vacation atmosphere. The quayside and town buzz with restaurants, cafes, pubs and night life and are a traveller’s delight.  

Itinerary for This Tour

Day 1

Day 2

Today you will be collected at your hotel after breakfast at around 8.30am to experience a guided tour around the scenic Cape Peninsula. This tour, with your tour guide, exposes you to the stunning views of sea and mountains for which the Cape of Good Hope is world renowned. The centre of it is Cape Point itself, the mythical meeting points of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but actually the place where the cold Benguela current converges with the warm Mozambique current at the southern (western) most point of Africa. Here you can catch the funicular car up to the lighthouse where you can see the most inspiring views of these two mighty oceans.

On your way there we will drive over part of Chapmans Peak Drive, one of the world’s must beautiful stretches of coastline, and visit the lively fishing harbour of Hout Bay at its foot. Coming back, you will visit Boulders Beach with its famous African Penguins and the old, colonial Cape Dutch mansion and estate of Groot Constantia. It was here, over 300 years ago, that the very first vines were grown at the Cape.  The now renowned wines of the Cape are produced throughout the entire region. The estate is set on the wooded slope of these mountains and is a wonderful historic and peaceful place to finish the day and taste the excellent wines still produced here. Take a stroll in the grounds, visit the museum, restaurant, or just put your feet up for a moment in the shade of the giant oak trees, before returning to Cape Town for the evening at your leisure.

Overnight as above Breakfast Included

Day 3

A Day to just relax and spend at  your leisure, perhaps exploring the many other attractions of Cape Town -  the Castle of Good Hope, the historical Company Gardens, Slave Lodge, South African National ( Iziko) Museums; all within walking distance.

Overnight as above. Breakfast Included.

Day 4

Depart with your tour guide in the early morning on a scenic drive to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. You will travel over Sir Lowry’s pass via Swellendam and Riversdale, with the striking Cape mountains forming a backdrop to the view as you drive. From just outside Mossel Bay you will drive via Robinson’s Pass to the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm and perhaps also catch a ride on this amazing prehistoric animal’s back (ride for your own account).  This is an extremely entertaining and interesting experience for young and old and you will get to know these amazing giant birds’ many uses and abilities.  Your tour guide will stop along the way with you for lunch and leg stretches. Your expected arrival time back at your accommodation is between 5.00pm & 5.30pm.

Overnight at a 4 Star lodge in Oudtshoorn. Bed and Breakfast

Day 5

 After an early breakfast, you will travel through the small town of Oudtshoorn,  to one of South Africa’s great wonders, the Cango Caves, with your tour guide.  Here, an expert guided tour, deep within the earth you will see the wondrous network of underground caverns and passages adorned with huge, million year old stalactites, stalagmites and helictites.

Thereafter, you will travel to the Cango Wildlife Ranch.  Optional activities here, of which there are several, including croc cage diving and stroking lion cubs, are for your own account. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in same lodge as per previous night. Breakfast included.

Day 6

After a leisurely breakfast, you will proceed to Knysna, via the 800 metre high Outeniqua Pass and the capital of region, George, with your tour guide, reaching there in time for lunch and a tour of Knysna, the jewel in the Garden Route crown.

After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. In the early evening, depart for a dinner cruise in a fully enclosed 4 Star floating restaurant, the only one of its kind in South Africa, which offers 360 degree views of the lagoon. Your destination is Knysna Heads, with its two commanding promontories guarding the lagoon’s entrance to the sea. After disembarking, you may wish to explore the Knysna Waterfront further, before retiring for the night.

Overnight at 4 Star Hotel at the Knysna Waterfront.  Dinner &Breakfast included.

Day 7

After breakfast you will be transferred by your tour guide to catch your flight back to Cape Town from George airport. 

Breakfast included.

Tour Notes

Included in Tour Price

6 nights in 4 Star hotels/lodges in premier destinations

Meals as included in itinerary and underlined

Meet & greet at Cape Town airport and transfer from and to the airports mentioned in itinerary.

Transportation in airconditioned vehicles

Entrances to all places mentioned in itinerary, excluding optional activities

The services of a qualified tour guide as indicated in itinerary

Knysna Lagoon Dinner Cruise

Single flight from George to Cape Town

Important: Please read the itinerary carefully, noting any optional activities, if any, you or some members in your group may want to take part in. You do not have to take part in any of the  optional activities if you do not wish to. It helps us in our planning to know if you are interested and number of participants. These additional optional activities are not costed into this scheduled tour, and if you choose them, you pay the extra amount involved either directly to Mmilo Tours in advance, or on arrival at the venue. You will be informed accordingly by Mmilo Tours, and they are extra to the basic cost of the tour.

All our tours and packages are subject to availability at the time of booking and payment and accommodation is in standard double rooms. 

Costs Excluded:

Accommodation Note: All the hotels and lodges are as reflected in this itinerary, but if for reasons beyond the control of Mmilo Tours this is not possible, they will be replaced with establishments of the same star grading.

Accommodation for this Tour

	La Plume Guest house   Region: Western Cape - Garden Route and The Karoos
The setting of La Plume, Oudtshoorn, is a fourth generation working vine, ostrich and alfafa farm. Its owner’s personal touches and good taste reveal themselves in every nook and cranny of this graceful and sophisticated guest house.
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	The Rex Hotel   Region: Western Cape - Garden Route and The Karoos
One of Knysna’s most elegant and sophisticated accommodation offerings‚ The Rex Hotel promises its guests superior service and exceptional comfort. Located on the World Famous Garden Route, The Rex Hotel is one of most exhilarating getaways in its class
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	Strand Tower Hotel   Region: Western Cape - Greater Cape Town and Peninsula
This brand new 240 bedroom 4 star hotel is in just the right location for exploring Cape Town, with easy access to all of the "Mother City's" main attractions.
Full Hotel Details