Garden Route Beauty
Enjoy a six day self drive tour of the Garden Route, offering you a true wildlife experience at one of the largest privately owned Game Reserves in South Africa. Travelling onto Oudtshoorn and along the Garden Route to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay you will be exposed to the beauty of this region, staying in accommodation which compliments the magic of these areas.
Collect your hired car and drive towards Worcester. This will take you onto Robertson, along The Route 62 to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. The journey will take approximately three hours. 'Sanbona' at 54 000 hectares is one of the largest privately owned Game reserves in South Africa. Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo Wine Route, it is home to the Big 5 and has the only free self-sustaining White Lions in the World. The reserve has vast open plains and rugged mountains offering the perfect setting for experiencing Game Drives, Nature Walks, Birdwatching, StarGazing, Rock Art, Fauna and Flora.
There are four lodges to choose from. Tilney Manor ensures exclusivity, personal service and world-class cuisine in an atmosphere of privacy and tranquility.
Enjoy an afternoon Game drive as you traverse the landscape of Sanbona with a qualified ranger in comfortable open Landcruisers. During the drive you will see various species of plants, animals, big Game and birds.
Enjoy Sundowners as you witness spectacular displays of light as the evening sun sets over the Little Karoo.
Return to the lodge for an evening of culinary delight and perhaps some stargazing. With the absence of artificial light, the stargazing at Sanbona Wildlife reserve is phenomenal and amongst the best in South Africa. Interpretations about the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere are given by knowledgeable guides.
Each suite has a private veranda, romantic freestanding baths and carefully sheltered outdoor showers. This is the perfect environment for rediscovering creativity and regenerating energy.
Enjoy an early morning Game Drive, where you can spot big Game. After a scrumptious breakfast enjoy a walk with the guidance of your ranger and see the many treasures on the Reserve, including the Beauty of the San Rock art where you can learn about the Legacy of the Bushman. After a morning of adventure set off on your journey along the R62, taking in the beauty of this route as you travel to Oudsthoorn. This journey will take approximately three hours. Make your way to De Opstal Country Lodge. This is a family owned and managed Four Star graded Lodge in the picturesque valley of Schoemanshoek, near the world famous Cango Caves. The Lodge consists of typical little Karoo buildings. The beautiful farm house, stables and milking parlour date back to 1830. In this relaxed atmosphere you will be exposed to wholesome country hospitality and food, reminiscent of the bygone era of the 1800's.
Enjoy an authentic Klein Karoo dinner at the Lodge.
All the buildings in the complex have been creatively converted into modern, quaint en suite bedrooms with the retention of an atmosphere of rustic charm. The terracotta floors, heavy wooden doors and shutters and wide timber ceilings bear the scars, buck
Set off for the magnificent Cango Caves - one of the World's great natural Wonders, sculptured by nature, through the ages. Situated in a limestone ridge parallel to the well known Swartberg Mountains, you will find the finest dripstone caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations. Enjoy a guided tour of the Caves, before you set off to one of the many famous show Ostrich Farms in the area. A tour of an Ostrich farm will explain every aspect of ostrich farming to you, from breeding to rearing. During the breeding season one gets to witness ostrich eggs hatching in the incubator rooms. You can also sit on an ostrich and perhaps if you are brave enough, you could try your hand at riding one. Set off for the Coastline of the Garden Route through the Outeniqua Pass. Journey through the Wild Beauty of the Wilderness region as you make your way to Sedgefield. This journey will take approximately Ninety minutes. Make your way to Lake Pleasant Living Hotel in Sedgefield. You will enjoy all-suite Accommodation in a beautifully natural environment. The hotel is situated on the edge of a freshwater Lake and adjacent to the Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve. All accommodation is luxurious and exclusive, with up-market furnishings and finishes with original artwork.
Enjoy a delicious meal in the Bistro Restraurant.
All suites have their own separate lounge with dining area, a balcony or patio that opens on to the lush gardens or lake.
After a leisurely breakfast travel towards Knysna. The town is situated on the Northern Side of the Knysna Lagoon. It is in the heart of the Garden Route, offering various activities and shopping opportunities in a fun and colourful environment. Enjoy a visit to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine piece of paradise, situated on the Western Head of Knysna which is accessible by Ferry only. Enjoy a Four hour eco-experience or a unique dining experience on the only paddle-driven vessel in South Africa. Alternatively enjoy an Oyster lunch on the edge of the lagoon. Make your way to Plettenberg Bay , one of South Africas top holiday resorts. On the way stop off at Noetzie Beachside resort, where you will see Castles on the Beachfront.
Accommodation is at the The Plettenberg Hotel.
A 5 Star Relais and Chateaux Hotel built on a rocky headland, with breathtaking vistas of the sea, mountains and miles of golden sand. Enjoy dinner at the Sand at The Plettenberg Restaurant, where the mood is relaxed, the décor stylish contemporary and the food modern South African.
All suites are splendidly and individually decorated with magnificent sea views, ensuring an idyllic and relaxed time. There are two swimming pools, each of which visually flow into the Ocean below.
Enjoy an early morning stroll on the Beach, a day at the pool or embark on an adventure filled day. Visit the Elephant Park for an Interactive experience with the Elephants; Monkeyland, a living forest experience that will capture your heart; The Birds of Eden and perhaps a Dolphin and Whale watching Safari.
Enjoy a leisurely start to your day before you set off towards the Tsitsikamma Forest and over the Storms River. You travel through Natures Valley, enjoying spectacular Mountain scenery as you journey on to Port Elizabeth.
Drop off your hired Car and fly onwards, or embark on another exciting journey from Port Elizabeth, to the Game Reserves of the Eastern Cape.
