5-Day Garden Route and Little Karoo Tour with Prince Albert

5 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Embark on this 5-day journey to experience the beauty and open spaces of the Little Karoo, framed by incredible mountain scenery and coastal landscapes along th...

Duration: 5 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Cities: George, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, Wilderness National Park · Languages: Afrikaans, English

Know before you go: Wilderness is a charming holiday village. With its long golden beaches, extensive waterways, and lush indigenous forest, it is a nature lover's paradise. Wilderness lies 15 km east of George, nestled between the Outeniqua Mountains and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and is an ideal base from which to explore the world-famous Garden Route. As far back as the late 1800s, the reputation of Wilderness was established as an ideal destination for seaside holidays. A seaside boarding house was started in an old homestead - and so began the tradition of hospitality that has made this small resort town world famous.; The winter climate is splendid, with sunny days and temperatures that rarely drop below 8°C. The annual rainfall averages around 700 mm, spread throughout the year, meaning that winters are as warm and sunny as summertime. The balmy weather creates an outdoor style of living that draws locals and visitors alike to the long stretches of sandy white beaches throughout the year.; Should you wish to venture off the beach, there is a wide variety of eateries, craft stalls, shops, and art galleries to explore. Wander through the quiet forest where giant Yellowwood trees rise towards the skyline, follow Bushbuck and Duiker along quiet forest paths, or watch for the brilliant flash of crimson as a Knysna Lourie is startled from its resting place.; Originally known as Albertsburg, when it obtained municipal status in 1845 it was renamed Prince Albert in honour of Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Prince Albert was historically part of the Cape Colony. During the latter part of the century, a nugget of gold was discovered on a farm in the area. Because a similar occurrence had led to the Gold Rush in the Witwatersrand, this new discovery precipitated a similar population boom. However, the prosperity up north was not to be shared in Prince Albert, and the gold mined turned out to be minimal. Due to its location, Prince Albert became a British garrison during the Second Boer War in 1899. The town became the site of several clashes between the English and the Boers during this period.; Oudtshoorn, the 'ostrich capital of the world', is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Two ostrich-feather booms, during 1865-1870 and 1900-1914, truly established the settlement. With approximately 60,000 inhabitants, it is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. The town's economy is primarily reliant on the ostrich farming and tourism industries. Oudtshoorn is home to the world's largest ostrich population, with a number of specialized ostrich breeding farms, such as the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.

About George

South Africa

George

A perfect pit stop for anyone making their way down the Garden Route, George enjoys a fine location between the Outeniqua and Herolds Bay. Get a local guide to discover the best ecotourism, surfing and hiking.

Explore George South Africa All destinations

What's Included

All accommodation
All transport
All entrances
English-speaking tour guide

Not Included

Drinks
Items of a personal nature
Certain meals
Gratuity

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in George and Explore Wilderness

After being collected from the airport in George, transfer to your accommodation overlooking the lakes on the Garden Route. The Garden Route is a mix of modern golf courses, ancient forests, secluded artists' communities, retirement estates, modern malls, craft centres, mountain hideaways, and beach holidays. A large number of interesting and creative people are drawn to this magnificent stretch of coastline, and many of them now call it home. The main highway through the Garden Route, a highlight on most visitors' itineraries, is the N2 stretch running from Heidelberg in the Southern Cape to Storms River Village on the Eastern Cape border. While the scenery is enough to make you stop and stare, it is the hidden gems found along the roadside that are the real allure of the Garden Route. Visit the special village of Wilderness, its lakes, and the thick tropical forest on the Indian Ocean. If wind conditions permit, you may perhaps go tandem paragliding. You can also canoe the river or do a short hike to the waterfall. Choose from a variety of exceptional restaurants serving brilliant cuisine in the area, all within walking distance of one another in the village. Overnight in Wilderness.
2

Day 02

Garden Route and Wilderness National Park

The day begins with exploring the Garden Route and discovering why it is called the Garden Route. The Garden Route National Park, which connects the ancient forests and wild coastline of Tsitsikamma National Park with Wilderness National Park via a chain of lakes and preserved sections of fynbos, is a fascinating and enchanting mix of ecosystems. This park is also famous for its secluded little bays and its year-round holiday atmosphere, and it is conveniently accessible from Cape Town. While exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Garden Route, do not forget to cast an eye out to sea, where you may see Southern Right and Humpback whales, Bottlenose and common dolphins, and even Killer Whales known to frolic close to the shore, especially near Plettenberg Bay. Whatever your pleasure, you will find what you are looking for on the Garden Route, even if it is simply to lose yourself in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa, if not the world. Experience the lakes, forests, and beaches of the area. Overnight in Wilderness.
3

Day 03

Travel to Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert

Travel to Oudtshoorn. Visit an ostrich farm, enjoy lunch, and then continue through the Meiringspoort Pass to Prince Albert, where you will spend the next 2 nights. Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, also forms part of the Garden Route, and for those interested in history, both early inhabitants and elephants have crossed the Outeniqua Mountains from Oudtshoorn to the coast for many centuries. In 1845, Queen Victoria agreed that a tiny village in the Karoo should be named after her consort, His Royal Highness Prince Albert. The lovely Karoo village of Prince Albert has a history dating back to 1762. It is no wonder, then, that ghosts are believed to haunt its old buildings, streets, and pavements. When you join the Prince Albert Ghost Walk, expect an encounter of the spooky kind. Overnight at Dennehof.
4

Day 04

Prince Albert, Little Karoo Flavours and Stargazing

Explore Prince Albert and the surroundings of the Little Karoo. Prince Albert is ringed by vineyards and fruit and olive farms. Local history exhibits in the Fransie Pienaar Museum include fossils and a working moonshine distillery. The nearby 19th-century Swartberg Pass runs through Swartberg Nature Reserve and offers dramatic mountain views. The reserve is dotted with caves featuring San rock art. Visit the local dairy where cheese is made, and enjoy an olive oil tasting for a change. On Saturday mornings, the market is on. Explore the Karoo Looms Weavery. Catch a movie or watch a show at the Showroom Theatre. Wine tastings are on offer at the local cellars. Stargaze at night with a powerful telescope, while an expert joins you to point out the stars and planets. Overnight in Prince Albert.
5

Day 05

Swartberg Pass Return to George

Depart Prince Albert and travel back to George Airport via the Swartberg Pass. Thomas Bain worked on the Swartberg Pass with 200 convicts and large amounts of gunpowder. He eventually finished ahead of time and under budget. His real accomplishment, however, lies in the fact that even today, more than a century after it was built, the Swartberg Pass has stood the test of time. The imposing Swartberg Mountains have always formed the natural divide between the plains of the Great Karoo and the lush valleys of the Little Karoo. There was a time when these crags were impossible to breach, and people had to take circuitous routes to reach their destinations.