Escorted Tours
The Garden Route Of South Africa
We travel through the Western Cape and the Garden Route of South Africa with gardens, landscapes and wildlife at the centre of the experience. The route includes Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Babylonstoren, Vergelegen, Harold Porter, Botlierskop, Knysna and Tsitsikamma.
South Africa’s Western Cape brings together ocean light, mountain landscapes, wine country and nature reserves rich with seasonal colour. We walk on Table Mountain, follow garden paths through Kirstenbosch and take in the rugged headland of Cape Point.
The journey continues through valleys lined with vines and into wilder landscapes around Citrusdal and Skimmelberg, where flowers brighten the sweeping hills. Across the route, gardens, coast and wildlife combine to give a varied picture of this remarkable region.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
David Hurrion
David is an accomplished plantsman, gardener, writer and broadcaster who has been growing plants for more than forty years. His extensive practical experience is underpinned by botanical and scientific training, together with a deep understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climate.
David has worked in gardens and nurseries, taught horticulture and spent more than twenty years writing and editing gardening publications, including BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. A genial and highly knowledgeable host, he has travelled widely in search of plants and gardens and brings both practical insight and infectious enthusiasm to every visit.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
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 & 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 & 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 & 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: Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden & 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 & Knysna
Begin with a morning game drive. Then take the ferry to the famous Featherbed Nature Reserve with its abundance of plants, birds, 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: Tsitsikamma National Park & Knysna Elephant Park
Enjoy a forest walk in Tsitsikamma National Park, with trails tailored to your fitness level.
Continue to the Knysna Elephant Park 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 Matjiesfontein
Depart Knysna and drive to Matjiesfontein for a one-night stay. We will pass through Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World.
Day 11: Drive to Citrusdal
Drive to the charming town of Citrusdal, via 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 back at London Heathrow
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
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 Lord Milner, Matjiesfontein – 1 night
Located on the edge of the Great Karoo, the town of Matjiesfontein was founded in 1884 by legendary railway man James Douglas Logan the hotel has been in the town since 1889. This historic hotel offers old world charm and elegant decor with a restaurant, pub (next door to hotel) and gardens. Bedrooms are classically furnished with ensuite bathrooms and tea/coffee making facilities.
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
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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