7 Days Garden Route Private Tour - Durban To Cape Town

Day 1 · Depart from Durban at 8am heading to Howick Falls, Mandela Capture Site and Drakensberg Mountains

1. 1

   Howick Falls

   one hour Admission included

   Visit Howick Falls. Visiting Howick Falls in KwaZulu-Natal offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural significance, and local charm. Known as KwaNogqaza—“Place of the Tall One” in Zulu—the waterfall plunges approximately 95 meters (310 feet) into a deep pool along the Umgeni River, making it one of South Africa’s tallest and most iconic cascades .

2. 2

   Nelson Mandela Capture Site

   2 hours Admission included

   Visit Mandela Capture Site. Visiting the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, offers a profound journey into South Africa's history and the legacy of one of its most iconic leaders. This landmark commemorates the spot where Nelson Mandela was arrested on August 5, 1962, marking the beginning of his 27-year imprisonment.

3. 3

   Drakensberg Region

   2 hours

   Visit Drakensberg Mountains area. Visiting the Drakensberg Mountains offers an unparalleled experience of South Africa's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure opportunities. Stretching over 1,000 kilometers along the eastern edge of the country, this UNESCO World Heritage Site—known as uKhahlamba or “Barrier of Spears” in Zulu—boasts dramatic peaks, verdant valleys, and ancient rock art.

Overnight accommodation at Kokstad or nearby town is included

Day 2 · On day 2 to Mthatha and Mvezo and East London

1. 1

   Mthatha

   2 hours

   Visit Mthatha Museum. Visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha offers a profound insight into the life and legacy of South Africa's iconic leader.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   one hour

   Visit Mvezo area, Mandela's birthplace and see monuments erected in honor of Nelson Mandela.

3. 3

   East London

   15 hours

   Travel to East London and visit local beaches in East London. East London, located in South Africa's Eastern Cape, boasts a variety of beautiful beaches that cater to different preferences, from surfing and swimming to tranquil relaxation. Spend night in East London.

Overnight accommodation at Premier hotel East London or similar is included

Day 3 · East London to Port Elizabeth via Port Alfread and Addo National Park

1. 1

   Port Alfred

   one hour

   From East London, we stop over for lunch in Port Alfred.

   Port Alfred, with its stretches of sandy beach that extend for miles, lies on the banks of the Kowie River. Port Alfred was established by a group of English settlers in the early 1800s and, although now an active commercial and residential town, it has retained most of its English fishing village feel.

2. 2

   Addo Elephant National Park

   3 hours Admission included

   Visit Addo Elephant National Park to see a lot of animals including the big 5. A visit to Addo Elephant National Park offers an unforgettable wildlife experience in one of South Africa’s top game reserves. Located near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, Addo is home to an impressive variety of animals, including the legendary Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino.

   In addition to these iconic species, the park is known for its large elephant herds, abundant birdlife, and unique marine protection area where visitors might spot southern right whales and great white sharks—making it one of the few parks in the world to conserve the Big Seven. Addo offers thrilling opportunities to view wildlife in their natural habitat, and the park’s diverse landscapes range from dense bushveld to open plains.

Overnight accommodation at Kenway hotel in Port Elizabeth or similar is included

Day 4 · Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay via Tsitsikama National Park

1. 1

   Storms River Bridge (Paul Sauer Bridge)

   one hour Admission not included

   On day 4 we depart from Port Elizabeth at 9am and travel to Storms River Bridge. At Storms River Bridge we stop over to watch some bunggy jumping. Bloukrans Bridge Bungy is one of the world's highest commercial bungy jumping sites at 216 metres above the Bloukrans River. Here, you have an opportunity to do the bunggy jump (optional extra).

2. 2

   Plettenberg Bay

   2 hours

   From Storms River Bridge we then travel to Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks.

3. 3

   Robberg Nature Reserve

   2 hours Admission included

   We visit Robberg Nature Reserve for hiking. Exploring Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay offers a captivating hiking experience, blending dramatic coastal landscapes, rich biodiversity, and archaeological intrigue. The reserve features three circular trails of varying lengths and difficulties, all beginning and ending at the same point, allowing hikers to choose a route that best suits their preferences and fitness levels.

Overnight accommodation at Knysna Paaradise Guesthouse or similar

Day 5 · Visit Knysna heads and Knysna Lagoon

1. 1

   Knysna Heads

   2 hours

   On the edge of the Knysna Lagoon with its entrance to the sea are two promontories known as the ‘Heads’. The area also falls within a National Park proclaimed to conserve the extraordinary natural beauty of the Lakeland and adjacent indigenous forests. Knysna also offers shopping opportunities of unusual locally made art and craft, etc.

2. 2

   The Waterfront Knysna Quays

   3 hours

   Waterfront is a chilled out extension of Knysna. A scenic view of the harbor with quite a number of yachts make it a scenery. Good number of restaurants from chic cafes to great restaurants, one can easily spend 2-3 hours here.

3. 3

   Knysna Lagoon

   2 hours Admission not included

   Sunset boat cruise in Knysna Lagoon. Otional activity at own cost

Overnight accommodation at Knysna Paradise Guest House in Knysna is included

Day 6 · Knysna to Hermanus

1. 1

   Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate

   one hour Admission included

   Visit the beach in Knysna after breakfast on day 6. Then depart from Knysna at 10am and head off to Hermanus. Stop over at Benguela Cove Wine Estate for wine tasting.

2. 2

   Hermanus

   4 hours

   Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It's known as a whale-watching destination. Beaches include Voëlklip Beach and the broad Grotto Beach, overlooking Walker Bay. The Old Harbour Museum is a site encompassing the old harbour, a fishermen’s village and the Whale House Museum. The latter has informative displays and a suspended skeleton of a whale. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Hermanus visit your desired areas of interest.

3. 3

   Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate

   2 hours Admission included

   Wine tasting in Benguela Cove Wine Estate.

Overnight accommodation at a hotel or lodge in Hermanus is included

Day 7 · Hermanus to Cape Town

1. 1

   Hermanus

   4 hours

   On day 7, visit the beach after breakfast in Hermanus. Depart from Hermanus at 10am and head off to Cape Town on the most scenic route along the coast arriving in Cape Town at around 3 pm to end the tour.