The Garden Route is ideal for a self-drive holiday! Take your time soaking up the sun on one of the many beaches, ride an ostrich, take a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon - the choice is yours.

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Day 1            Depart Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

You will be met by an iKapa International Travel Management Company Representative and handed your Welcome Pack, including maps for your self-drive tour down the magical garden route.  Collect Group B, Toyota Yaris Sedan/similar vehicle from Budget Rent-a-Car Office.

Suggested Itinerary (not included in cost):

Depart Cape Town in the morning and travel to Swellendam.   After Cape Town and Stellenbosch, Swellendam is the third oldest settlement in South Africa. Laying at the foot of the beautiful Langeberg Mountains this place is not only famous for its youngberries, but as well as for its architecture and its history. The town is situated halfway between Cape Town and George on the N2. Swellendam was founded by the Dutch East India Company in the year 1745. 

Continue to Oudtshoorn.

Oudtshoorn is the ostrich and arts centre of the Little Karoo. The town spreads itself along both banks of the Grobbelaars River, a tributary of the Oliphants River, and the Swartberg Mountains to the north and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south encompassing its fertile valleys. Warm, dry summers and sunny winter days make it the ideal breeding ground for the most majestic of flightless birds that is synonymous with the town - the ostrich.

Continue to a fully operational Ostrich Ranch, where you are taken on a guided tour, which includes an opportunity to ride an ostrich! These flightless birds are rapid runners and can reach speeds of approximately 65 km/hr (40 mph).  Lunch is included at the Ostrich Ranch.  This tour is included in the cost. 

In the afternoon visit the Cango Caves (entrance fee excluded).  One of the world’s great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. It is situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland.

Overnight:        Mooiplaas Guest House                Bed

Day 2            Oudtshoorn to Knysna

Suggested Itinerary (not included in cost):

Continue to Knysna – the Jewel of the Garden Route – where you will spend the next 2 nights.  "People. beauty and mystery" is what comes to mind when describing Knysna. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. The 21 ha estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth".

Join a tour to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a unique 150 ha private Nature Reserve.  It is a pristine piece of paradise situated on the Western Head of Knysna and is accessible by ferry only. This spectacular four-hour eco-experience includes a return ferry trip, nature drive and guided walk, ending with a sumptuous buffet lunch at the Food Forest Restaurant. 

Featherbed Nature Reserve is a prime example of eco-tourism and in order to protect the splendour of the natural beauty, access to the Reserve is controlled. Numbers are limited and visits are only permitted in the company of the Reserve's specialist guides.  The Featherbed eco-experience starts with a 25-minute ferry cruise. Your local guide on board will share fascinating tales about the Lagoon, the early shipping industry and oyster cultivation.  On arrival at the Reserve, visitors can enjoy a drive to the top of the Western Head in a 4 x 4 unimog vehicle with trailers, stopping at a magnificent viewpoint en route. Here unsurpassed views of the Lagoon, mountains and Knysna can be enjoyed, whilst our knowledgeable guides explain the history and ecology of the Reserve. After the drive, your specialist guide will take you on an optional 2.2 kilometre downhill walk. 

Overnight:        Bradach Manor                    Bed & Breakfast

Day 3            Botlierskop Private Game Reserve & Knysna

Suggested Itinerary (not included in cost):

Today you will have a special experience as we have picnic with the Elephants at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve.  The reserve is situated on a 3000ha game farm and comprises of over 26 different species of animals and a wide variety of birds. Wildlife at the reserve includes the rare black Impala, Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Giraffe, Mountain Zebra and Eland.

The two elephants that joined the Botlierskop team, Sam and Tsotsie, were orphans surviving a culling program in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. The male, Sam is 24 years old and the female, Tsotsie, is 21 years old. Tsotsi means naughty or mischievous for she was quite a troublemaker as a youngster.

Enjoy a picnic in tranquil settings and relax amongst these extraordinary Elephants.

Return to Knysna in the afternoon for a unique cruise and dining experience - with a modern, hip and trendy twist - This is the only paddle-driven vessel in South Africa and is a unique dining venue in Knysna. Turn your evening meal into a special occasion - depart at sunset, cruise to the famous Knysna Heads at twilight and return under the stars and twinkling lights of the town.

Overnight:        Bradach Manor                    Bed & Breakfast

Day 4            A fond farewell…

Today we wish you a fond farewell as you make your way to Port Elizabeth Airport for your onward flight. 

Suggested Itinerary (not included in cost):

Travel to Port Elizabeth via the Tsitsikamma National Park.  Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan (early inhabitants of the area) word meaning, “place of much water.”  The park is internationally recognized for its forests, which harbour and conserve the giant Outeniqua Yellowwood - one of the few true monarchs of the world's forests. Here join a guided tour by tractor drawn wagon or Land Rover through the breathtaking and tranquil forests of the Garden Route. Continue through to Port Elizabeth, set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay and better known as the Friendly City!

Continue to the airport and return the vehicle to the Budget Rent-a-Car Office.

01 - 31 Jul 2011
R2535 per person sharing twin / double
R715 single supplement

01 - 31 Aug 2011
R2555 per person sharing twin / double
R715 single supplement

01 - 30 Sep 2011
R2880 per person sharing twin / double
R875 single supplement

01 - 31 Oct 2011
R2960 per person sharing twin / double
R915 single supplement

01 Nov 2011 - 31 Mar 2012
R2865 per person sharing twin / double
R915 single supplement

01 - 30 Apr 2012
R2585 per person sharing twin / double
R780 single supplement

01 May - 31 Aug 2012
R2480 per person sharing twin / double
R740 single supplement

01 - 30 Sep 2012
R2830 per person sharing twin / double
R915 single supplement

01 - 31 Oct 2012
R2945 per person sharing twin / double
R970 single supplement

01 Nov - 15 Dec 2012
R2975 per person sharing twin / double
R970 single supplement

Includes

Accommodation as stated, subject to availability.

Meet & Assist on day of collection of vehicle.

Car Hire: Group B, Toyota Yaris Sedan /similar.  Vehicle to be collected and returned at the same time to avoid being charged for an additional day.

Breakfast on days 2 - 4.

Welcome Pack: (e.g. itinerary, welcome letter, general information, maps, flags, brochures)

Excludes

All airfares & airport taxes.

All other meals other than stated in above itinerary.

All entrances and excursions than stated in above itinerary.

Items of personal nature such tips, beverages, laundry etc.

Porterage.

All other extras for car hire: One Way National Fee, Contract Fee, Rental Deposit, Additional Driver Fee, Baby Seat, Fine Handling Fee, Young Driver Surcharge, Delivery/Collection Fee, Towing Charges, Claim Administration Fee, No Show Charges, Tyre, Rim & Hubcaps and Windscreen Damage.

Winelands Getaway