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the famous
Garden Route - with a difference

3 or 5  Day Tour

A mixture of rough sea coast, lush green forests, endless white beaches and impressive mountain ranges - our Garden Route "with a difference" will thrill you!

Join our 3 day excursion into nature's paradise, travelling from Cape Town to Knysna and back - or 5 days from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (or vice-versa).
Instead of sleeping in anonymous hotels, we overnight in bungalows of the National Park's, and get much closer to nature.
After visiting the "musts", we leave the beaten track and explore some more hidden, wonderful places in the Western Cape. Swimming in the Breede River, game viewing in the Bontebok National Park, bird-watching in the Wilderness National Park or walking on endless unspoilt beaches, are all part of our activities. A ride with the "Outeniqua Choo-Choo" steam train, a visit to an ostrich farm and an excursion into the famous Cango Caves will make this tour an unforgettable experience!

The Route:
Day 1: We leave Cape Town early morning. After visiting the Karoo Botanical Garden in Worcester, we continue our journey through Robertson to Swellendam, where we visit the interesting museum. After lunch we drive to the Bontebok National Park, only a short distance away. Having settled in our original "chalavans", we take a short hike through the aloe forest, or cool down and swim in the tranquil Breede River. By the end of afternoon we go for a game drive and look out for zebra, bontebok, steenbok, red hartebeest, the secretary bird or our very special "pet bird" - the fish eagle. For supper we introduce you to a traditional South African "braai" (barbecue).

Day 2: We leave the bonteboks, and drive to Oudtshoorn via the Tradouwpass. On an ostrich farm we learn more about this strange flightless bird. For lunch, we might taste some ostrich steak or scrambled ostrich egg. Later we explore the fascinating limestone formations of the Cango Caves. Then we head south via the scenic Outeniqua Pass towards the sea, to the peaceful birdwatcher's paradise of the Wilderness National Park. After a "potjie" for supper (another South African speciality), we sleep in the park's chalets.

Day 3: Leaving camp before sunrise, we go for a walk along the lagoon, on the beach, or into the dense forest where we might catch a glimpse of the malachite kingfisher, the Knysna Lourie, or one of the other 264 birds recorded here... it is so peaceful!
You then take the Outeniqua Choo Choo steam train at Wilderness station, which carries you through lush forests and along lovely lagoons to Knysna. You will love this pretty little town! We visit its talented wood craftsmen, some superb curio-shops, and can also taste its celebrated oysters. A short drive brings us to the top of the Knysna Heads, where we enjoy magnificent views over the Indian Ocean, the Knysna lagoon and the lovely town. We then head back towards the Cape via Mossel Bay and Sir Lowry's Pass. We arrive in Cape Town between 8 and 9 p.m.

The Route, 5 day's option   (days 1 & 2 as above):
Day 3: As in the previous program, but we stay in Knysna for the day:
After arrival with the Outeniqua Choo Choo, we embark on a boat-cruise on the Knysna Lagoon. While we sail to the Knysna Heads, the opening to the Indian Ocean, we have lunch on board.
Back on "terra firma", we have some free time to visit the town's shops and museums. We sleep in a lovely guesthouse in the center of town.

Day 4: Today we continue our journey eastwards; passing over narrow mountain passes, deep valleys, along cliffs and unspoiled beaches until we arrive at Storm's River Mouth. Here in the Tsitsikamma National Park, the sea meets the forest in a breathtaking display of  natural beauty. We will have time to explore some of the fine hiking trails in the area, maybe to the suspension bridge, or to the waterfall on the first leg of the well-known "Otter Trail". We sleep in the park's cottages, facing the thunderous breakers of the ocean.0

Day 5: We leave the park. A short walk brings us to the "Big Tree", a 800 year old yellowwood giant. We then continue and cross the Paul Sauer's Bridge and arrive shortly afterwards in Port Elizabeth. After a City-Tour, we bring you to the airport for your connecting flight.

TIP: Combine this tour with your visit of Cape Town and environs, or with our West Coast Tour or Kalahari Safari! ----> Check our "striking" West Coast ----> the "breathtaking" Kalahari Safari & Augrabies Falls ----> We also offer Day tours around Cape Town: The great Peninsula Tour --- the"intoxicating" Wine route --- historical City tour --- Sailing in Table Bay !

See some of our other Safari and Tour destinations:

The breathtaking Kalahari & Augrabies Falls  (7 days)
The striking West Coast, the most original destination in the Cape! (3 days)
The Cape, Karoo and Kalahari, a  tour of the Western South Africa (14 days)
Ship Ahoy! Sail the Cape of Good Hope!  (2 hours to 3 days)
Tailor-made safaris & tours throughout South Africa!

Day Tours around Cape Town:

The "intoxicating" Wine Route - Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and some winetasting
Our great Peninsula Tour - Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch...
The popular Scenic Tour - Kirstenbosch, City Centre, Signal Hill and Table Mountain
Our History and Cultures tour, SA Museum, Malay Quarter, District Six, Townships

For more information please contact:
FISH EAGLE SAFARIS
35 Pagasvlei Road
Constantia 7806
CAPE TOWN
South Africa

This page was last updated on 14 June 2002

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