Garden Route & Cape Winelands Small Group Classic Tour

The journey

Route 62 out, the coast back

This round trip leaves Cape Town for the Little Karoo along Route 62 — tea and scones at Montagu's Art Deco hotel, a visit to a rural farm school near Barrydale, port-style wines in Calitzdorp — and on to Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves and a working ostrich farm. Two nights in Knysna give you the Tsitsikamma forests, Storms River Mouth and Plettenberg Bay.

The return runs along the coast: a walk to Cape St Blaize Cave in Mossel Bay, roosterkoek cooked over the fire, and two nights in Hermanus, the heart of the whale coast (whales from August to November). The last day takes in Stellenbosch, the Victor Verster prison gate where Mandela walked free, and lunch in the Winelands before the tour ends in Cape Town.

Scheduled small-group departure (minimum 2, maximum 10 guests). Accommodation is as named or a similar standard; the exact hotel is confirmed at booking. Two guests travel in a sedan; three to ten guests travel in a 13-seater vehicle.

Cape Town – Oudtshoorn (Thursday)

Met at your hotel, you travel to the Little Karoo via Montagu, with tea and scones at the country's only original Art Deco hotel. In Barrydale, a visit to a rural farm school — time in the classroom with the children and teachers (when the school is open; it closes for the school holidays). Port-style wines in Calitzdorp, then Oudtshoorn, the ostrich-feather capital, and dinner at an ostrich farm. — Meals: dinner · Accommodation: La Plume Boutique Hotel (4-star) or similar · About 418 km
Oudtshoorn – Knysna (Friday)

A guided tour of the Cango Caves, then an interactive tractor tour and light lunch at an ostrich farm. Over the Outeniqua Pass to George and the Outeniqua Transport Museum, the 'Map of Africa' viewpoint in Wilderness, and on to Knysna on its lagoon. — Meals: breakfast, lunch · Accommodation: Knysna Hollow (4-star) or similar · About 204 km
Knysna – Plettenberg Bay – Knysna (Saturday)

Through the Tsitsikamma forests to Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). Back via Plettenberg Bay and Mungo, a family textile mill weaving on antique looms. Optional, at your own cost and subject to availability: Monkeyland primate sanctuary and Birds of Eden, the world's largest single free-flight aviary. Lunch en route. — Meals: breakfast, lunch · Accommodation: Knysna Hollow or similar · About 200 km
Knysna – Hermanus (Sunday)

Via George to Mossel Bay for a coastal walk and Cape St Blaize Cave, one of South Africa's oldest archaeological sites. Towards Swellendam and the Langeberg, with a stop for roosterkoek cooked over an open fire, then to Hermanus. — Meals: breakfast, light lunch · Accommodation: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel (4-star) or similar · About 420 km
Hermanus (Monday)

A day at leisure. In whale season (August–November) an optional boat-based whale-watching trip at your own cost; or join your guide to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, and its historic lighthouse. — Meals: breakfast · Accommodation: Misty Waves Boutique Hotel or similar · About 270 km
Hermanus – Cape Town (Tuesday)

To Stellenbosch and its Cape Dutch streets, then the Victor Verster prison from which Nelson Mandela walked to freedom, with your guide's account of his last fourteen months in custody. A two-course lunch in the Winelands, and on to Cape Town, where the tour ends on arrival. — Meals: breakfast, lunch · About 200 km

What’s included

10 meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner (drinks excluded)
5 nights' accommodation, including porterage
Air-conditioned touring vehicle, including toll fees
Professional English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
Bottled water

What’s not included

Meals and drinks not listed
Optional excursions
Items of a personal nature and gratuities beyond those listed
Travel insurance

Departs: Thursday (scheduled 2027 departures — ask us for the dates)
Group size: Minimum 2, maximum 10 guests
Start / end: Cape Town hotel to Cape Town
Accommodation: La Plume Boutique Hotel, Oudtshoorn (1 night) · Knysna Hollow (2 nights) · Misty Waves Boutique Hotel, Hermanus (2 nights) — or similar
Children: Ages 8–11 sharing a room with two full-paying adults may qualify for a reduced rate, subject to family-room availability and season
Farm school: The Barrydale school visit depends on the school being open (it closes 1–12 January, 20 March–5 April, 26 June–19 July, 23 September–4 October and 9–31 December 2027)
Optional: Monkeyland and Birds of Eden (day 3), boat-based whale watching (day 5) — at your own cost, subject to availability