The Garden Route of South Africa

Awaken your senses on South Africa’s Western Cape, where ocean light meets wild landscapes alive with springtime colour – from the rich expanse of wine country to nature reserves carpeted with rare blooms. Walk the trails of Table Mountain, follow garden paths through Kirstenbosch’s floral kingdom, and gaze out from Cape Point’s rugged headland. Discover valley roads lined with vines and journey onward to Citrusdal and Skimmelberg, where wildflowers brighten South Africa’s sweeping hills.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Flight from London to South Africa
Depart London Heathrow for Cape Town.

Day 2: Table Mountain
Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to Table Mountain which we will ascend by cable car for panoramic views and a guided walk with insights into local flora. Table Mountain is an icon in Cape Town and has been named as one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a group dinner.

Day 3: Kirstenbosch and Cape Town
Spend the morning exploring the diverse beauty at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is set up against Table Mountain looking out onto the city. It was the first botanical garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage site, and the paths here are
thoughtfully set out throughout the garden allowing visitors to easily wander past the beautiful natural displays. Enjoy lunch at leisure at the V&A Waterfront, and free time to relax or explore Cape Town independently. Evening at leisure.

Day 4: Cape of Good Hope to Stellenbosch 
Travel along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, a World Heritage site, set at the end of Cape Town’s south peninsula. Take a trip via funicular to the lighthouse at 286 metres above sea level (which warns ships they are approaching the feared “Cape of Storms”), stroll along the cliff paths or venture down the steep slopes to the stunning white-sand beaches below. The reserve is home to a  variety of small wildlife and rich plant biodiversity and inspiring landscapes. Continue to the sheltered Simon’s Town beach of Boulders Beach, home of an endangered land-based colony of African penguins, as well as a favourite swimming and beach destination. Explore the three pristine and sheltered beaches on boardwalks, which also link to the penguin-viewing area offering fantastic sightings of these unique and endearing animals in their natural habitat. We then continue to Stellenbosch for a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.

Day 5: Babylonstoren and Old Nectar Garden
Our first stop of the day is Babylonstoren. Set within 3.5 hectares of cultivated fruit and vegetables, the big garden at Babylonstoren is at the heart of the farm. It was inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, which supplied sailing ships of the Dutch East India Company with fresh vegetables and fruit during the days when the Cape was a halfway station between Europe and Asia. They also link back to the mythological hanging gardens of Babylon. In the afternoon, visit the beautifully landscaped Old Nectar Garden.

Day 6: Vergelegen and Harold Porter Botanical Garden
Morning tour of Vergelegen Estate, including its heritage gardens and a wine tasting with lunch. In 1987, a team was commissioned to restore the Vergelegen gardens and grounds in the historic core of the estate. The layered historicism approach implemented in restoring the buildings and furnishings, reflecting the best from all the historic periods of the past 300 years, was also adopted in the gardens and a theme of generous and intimate garden areas developed, contrasting the simple with the bold and the formal with the informal. No matter what time of the year you visit Vergelegen, there’s always something interesting to see and visitors will have the opportunity to meander through 18 unique gardens. We then proceed to Betty’s Bay for the visit to Harold Porter National Botanic Gardens. This beautiful, secluded garden is set between mountain and sea, in the heart of the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos. The Garden Estate is the natural part of the garden with several kilometres of nature trails providing scenic views of forests, mountains and coastline. The main fynbos families (proteas, ericas and restios) are present as well as other important families such as irises, daisies and orchids. The garden boasts red disa (Disa uniflora) in its natural habitat as well as South Africa’s national flower, the king protea (Protea cynaroides).

Day 7: Little Karoo Desert National Park and Botlierskop Game Reserve
Explore the Little Karoo Desert National Park and its botanical gardens. The 154-hectare Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden is a truly unique garden. It cultivates and displays a wide variety of arid and semi-arid plants. It lies at the foot of the Hex River Mountain range, with only 11 hectares cultivated and the remaining 143 hectares comprised of natural vegetation. The best time to visit the Garden is during spring (July to September) when the annuals and vygies (mesembs) are in flower. Transfer to Botlierskop Game Reserve, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. Dinner is included at the hotel, an eco-luxury safari retreat.

Day 8: Featherbed Nature Reserve and Knysna
Begin with a morning game drive. Then take the ferry to the famous Featherbed Nature Reserve with its abundance of plant, bird and small wildlife, including the rare Blue duiker, and a variety of marine life from dolphins to seals. Enjoy a scenic tour then a sumptuous buffet lunch. Continue on to Kynsna where we stay for the next 2 nights.

Day 9: Tsitkamma National Park and Knysna Elephant Park
Enjoy a forest walk in Tsitsikamma National Park, with trails tailored to your fitness level. Continue to the Knysna Elephant Park is where you can get up close and personal with Africa’s gentle giants. The resident “ellies” at the park are all orphans rescued from culling operations in the Kruger National Park except for one that was born here, Thandi. The elephants have free range of this 60 hectare camp where there is plenty to eat and where there are two large dams for bathing and drinking. The vegetation is varied and includes indigenous Cape Fynbos, indigenous forest and grasslands and is surrounded by pine and gum plantations. 

Day 10: Knysna to Montagu
Drive to Montagu, through the historical town of Riversdale. We stop at Diesel and the Crème Diner for their world famous milkshake (own expense).

Day 11: Drive to Citrusdal
Drive to the charming town of Citrusdal, via Robertson, Worcester and Tulbagh and have a wine tasting enroute. This gentle meander along the winding curves of Piekenierskloof Pass will bring you to the welcoming sight of Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort. Perched at the top of the pass, overlooking Citrusdal, Piekenierskloof delivers uninterrupted views of the spectacular Cederberg and genuine country hospitality.

Day 12: Skimmelberg Nature Reserve
Spend a full day at Skimmelberg Nature Reserve with a tea tasting and farm tour. After the tour, spend time discovering the magnificent wildflowers that abound - bird watching is also available on the farm. We also visit the Ramskop Wildflower Garden.

Day 13: Arderne Gardens and departure
Morning visit to Arderne Gardens then enjoy a group lunch before transferring to the airport.

Day 14: Arrive at London Heathrow.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 20 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour is graded as moderate due to the amount of time of foot exploring each area. Some trails may be uneven, and muddy or slippery underfoot. Please visit the mobility page of our website for further information, or call our team prior to booking.

INCLUDED

• Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town
• Eleven nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room in the following hotels:
• Southern Sun Cullinan, Cape Town– 2 nights, Protea Hotel Dorpshuis– 3 nights, Botlierskop Game Reserve– 1 night, Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (or similar)– 2 nights, Monta Vista Boutique (or similar)– 1 night, Piekenierskloof Mountain Lodge– 2 nights, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Five dinners and four lunches included as detailed in the itinerary
• All tours and entrance fees as detailed
• Airport transfers and full coach touring itinerary
• Accompanied by tour expert David Hurrion

NOT INCLUDED

• Double room for sole use supplement - £884
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

Hotel Southern Sun Cullinan, Cape Town (2 nights)
Southern Sun The Cullinan is a luxurious four-star hotel near Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, offering elegant rooms, a pool, spa, and stunning views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic.

Hotel Website

Protea Hotel Dorpshuis (3 nights) 
Protea Hotel Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch is a charming four-star boutique hotel in the heart of the Cape Winelands, blending antique Victorian elegance with modern comforts. It features individually decorated rooms, an outdoor heated pool, and the on-site Dorpshuis Spa and Oak Leaf Restaurant, all just steps from Dorp Street’s shops, museums, and vineyards.

Hotel Website

Hotel Botlierskop Game Reserve (1 night)
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve is an eco‑luxury safari retreat on South Africa’s Garden Route, offering private tented suites and villas overlooking riverbanks and mountains. 

Hotel Website

Hotel Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (2 nights)
Protea Hotel Knysna Quays sits right on Knysna Lagoon’s waterfront, offering spacious, well‑appointed rooms with lagoon or ocean views, and a heated outdoor pool.

Hotel Website

Hotel Monta Vista Boutique (1 night)
Monte Vista Boutique Hotel in Montagu offers stylish "Afri-chic" rooms, lush gardens, two pools, and a tranquil setting near Route 62, perfect for exploring the town's art, hot springs, and natural beauty.

Hotel Website

Hotel Piekenierskloof Mountain Lodge (2 nights)
Perched atop the Piekenierskloof Pass near Citrusdal, Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort is a modern yet cozy four‑star retreat boasting spectacular Cederberg vistas, two pools (indoor heated and outdoor), self‑catering chalets, a spa, and the on‑site Kloof Restaurant.

Hotel Website