Description

It's like a strange otherworld inside, quite captivating, and you can choose to just step over the threshold, or venture further inside. Knysna is well known for many things, apart from its natural beauty, arts and crafts community, cosmopolitan waterfront.and its own oysters! We'll spend some time here with our shopping bags before going on to The Featherbed Nature Reserve with its forests, marshes and pristine beaches, accessed by ferry. From there, the views across to the imposing sandstone Kynsna Heads and beyond are alone worth the ride. On our return to Cape Town, we slow down considerably at Hermanus and Swellendam, renowned for their land-based whale watching. Feathers, oysters, whales and art - sounds like something out of a movie? Join us on the set.

Itinerary

Day 1: (Mon) Cape Town / Oudtshoorn
We fetch you from your hotel by 07h30 and 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 we stop for tea (own account). Then 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, we continue to our Oudtshoorn hotel for check in and overnight.

Accommodation: Oudtshoorn Inn or similar

Day 2: (Tue) Oudtshoorn & Knysna (B)
This morning go underground to marvel at the icy formations in the Cango Caves, regarded, for good reason, as one of South Africa's most spectacular natural wonders. We then drive via the spectacular Outeniqua Pass to the town of George, from where we start our meandering journey to Knysna via the alternative secondary back road, which traverses seven passes (weather and road conditions permitting). This less explored road will take us up and down several plateau's and indigenous forests, past a ghost town, through quite farming communities to discover the 'old Garden Route'.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar

Meals: Break Fast

Day 3: (Wed) Knysna (BL)
Enjoy a cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone 'Heads' which guard the sea's entrance to Knysna's huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches surrounding it. After lunch the remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy this lovely and special town.

Accommodation:Knysna Hollow Hotel or similar

Meals: Break Fast & Lunch

Day 4: (Thu) Cape Town (B)
After breakfast we head back to the 'Mother City', via Swellendam and Hermanus, which has earned international fame as a place from which to spot the magnificent southern right whale during its breeding season (July to November only). We arrive in Cape Town in the late afternoon, and say our goodbyes either at the airport or a central Cape Town hotel.

Meals: Break Fast

Inclusions

• Returns AirFares From Heathrow.
• Tour in air-conditioned micro-buses or 18-seater mini-buses.
  
• Discover the Garden Route with our professional Tour Guides.
• Rooms with private facilities, on a twin share basis.
• All accommodation is of a 3 star standard.
• 3 Breakfasts.
• 2 Lunches.
• Hotel porterage included.