Magnificent Garden Route

The Garden Route in South Africa is legendary for its awesome natural beauty. From Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, our tour journeys across spectacular mountain passes and along a pristine coastline, boasting some of South Africa’s top coastal and golfing resorts.

From Knysna’s charming waterfront and nature reserve, to ostriches and massive underground caves, the Garden Route will entertain young and old alike.

Our ‘Magnificent Garden Route Tour’ ends in Port Elizabeth, so why not extend your stay and take in one of the many exciting ‘big five’ game reserves that are available near Port Elizabeth?

The add-on opportunities for game viewing at the end of your Garden Route Tour are endless, extend to the Kruger National Park, or alternatively, experience adrenaline packed game viewing in the Madikwe Game Reserve.

DAY 1 SATURDAY HEATHROW-CAPE TOWN
Fly overnight from Heathrow to Cape Town.

DAY 2 SUNDAY CAPE TOWN
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your Cape Town Hotel, the remainder of the day is free to relax. Overnight: Protea Hotel President, or similar.

DAY 3 MONDAY CAPE TOWN
A free day to relax and to explore Cape Town at your leisure. Overnight: Protea Hotel President, or similar. (b)

DAY 4 TUESDAY CAPE TOWN
Why not take advantage of one of the many day tours available. Overnight: Protea Hotel President, or similar. (b)

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY OUDTSHOORN
Travel via the town of Montagu on ‘Route 62′ (South Africa’s version of America’s famous ‘Route 66′) to the pretty village of Barrydale where a stop is made. Then it’s on to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘feather capital of the world’ thanks to its huge ostrich industry. After a fascinating tour of an ostrich farm, continue to your hotel. Overnight: Oudtshoorn Inn, or similar. (b)

DAY 6 THURSDAY KNYSNA
This morning go underground to marvel at the formations in the Cango Caves, regarded as one of South Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders. Some are immense and others are very tight, dripping with ‘living’ stalagmites and stalactites. Then drive via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to the town of George, after which it’s on to Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route. Spend the rest of the day discovering the joys of the town’s many art galleries, craft shops and coffee bars. Overnight: Knysna Hollow, or similar. (b,d)

DAY 7 FRIDAY KNYSNA
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon, then visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches surrounding it. After lunch spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying this lovely and special town. Overnight: Knysna Hollow, or similar. (b,l)

DAY 8 SATURDAY KNYSNA-PORT ELIZABETH-HEATHROW
Drive through the glorious indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest en route to Port Elizabeth where the tour ends at the airport. You can either return to Heathrow, or take advantage of the many extensions available. (b)

Established in 1968, Somak Holidays is an independant Tour Operator specialising in holidays to East Africa.

Somak Holidays aim to offer inspiring holidays to the most superb locations in Africa. Above all they pride themselves on being a family-owned and run company. That means they are solely focused on the holidays they arrange, and not on appeasing shareholders. Somak Holidays continually inspect hotels and airlines, and test itineraries in order to improve some aspect or another.

Somak Holidays is a multi-award winning operator, winning such accolades as “Best Independant Tour Operator to Africa” in the Travel Weekly Awards 2010.

Our Opinion
“Somak Holidays has been arranging safaris to Kenya for over 40 years and have built an excellent reputation as the number one independant tour operator to East Africa.”