Private TISD 11: Drakensberg and Garden Route Highlights 2025

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN | TISD 11
(Please note: Accommodation specified in itinerary is subject to availability and we reserve the right to use alternative accommodation if required. Agents will be advised in advance)

Day 1 | Saturday
HLUHLUWE to HILTON via ST LUCIA (±400km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Optional morning open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (own expense)
Optional Boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (own expense)
Grab snacks for the road in St Lucia (own expense)
Late lunch en route at the beachfront Salt Rock Hotel (own expense)
TISD 04 guests drop-off and TISD 11 guests pick-up from Salt Rock Hotel at 14h00-15h00
Travel through sugarcane fields, and the small town of Wartburg
Arrive in the quaint village of Hilton, late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel (own expense)
ANEW Hotel Hilton or similar – Breakfast (4-star)


Day 2 | Sunday
HILTON to DRAKENSBERG via HOWICK (±170km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Visit the Mandela Capture Site (included)
Visit Howick Falls (free and a quick stop)
Scenic drive to the Drakensberg
Arrive at the resort around midday -- stunning Drakensberg scenery with hiking trails and other activities available
Lunch at the hotel (own expense)
Optional 3-hour excursion to Sani Pass (own expense and visa to Lesotho may be required)
Dinner at the hotel (included)
Premier Resort Sani Pass or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)

Day 3 | Monday
DRAKENSBERG to MTHATHA (±315km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Morning at leisure
Lunch en route (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel (own expense)
Garden Court Mthatha or similar – Breakfast

Day 4 | Tuesday
MTHATHA to PORT ALFRED via QUNU (±365km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Mandela Museum (free)
View Qunu – Mandela’s Route
Lunch en route (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel (included)
The Royal St Andrews Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)

Day 5 | Wednesday
PORT ALFRED to KNYSNA via EASTERN GARDEN ROUTE (±410km)
Early breakfast at the hotel (included)
Morning river cruise / sunset cruise on Day 8 (included – weather dependent)
TISD 20 guests pick-up in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
Lunch in Tsitsikamma (own expense)
Short walk in Tsitsikamma across the Storms River Suspension Bridge (included)
Arrive in Knysna, afternoon at leisure
Dinner at the hotel (own account)
Premier Hotel The Moorings Knysna or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

NOTE: The vehicle may be required to collect guests at the Kelway Hotel or Southern Sun the Marine ±11h30

Day 6 | Thursday
KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via CANGO CAVES (±180km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Scenic drive through Knysna and stop at lookout point – views of Knysna Lagoon and Knysna Heads
Outeniqua Mountain Pass
Optional Ostrich Farm tractor tour (Available with TIRB-Optional excursion package – not sold separately)
Lunch at the Ostrich Farm (own expense)
Optional Cango Caves heritage tour (Available with TIRB-Optional excursion package – not sold separately)
Arrive at the hotel, at leisure
Dinner at the hotel or in town (own expense)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Riempie Estate or similar – Breakfast (3-star)

Day 7 | Friday
OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via WINELANDS (±450km)
Breakfast at hotel (included)
Drive via Route 62 through small towns or villages
Lunch en route (own expense)
Optional Cheese and wine pairing, cellar tour (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel in the afternoon
Dinner at hotel or in town (own expense)
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (3-star)

Day 8 | Saturday
FULL DAY AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Full day at leisure
Optional Cape Point full day scheduled guided tour (Available with TIRB-Optional excursion package – not sold separately)
Dinner in town/V&A Waterfront (own expense)
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (3-star)

Day 9 | Sunday
MORNING AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Time at leisure
Optional Table Mountain and City morning scheduled guided tour (own expense)
Airport transfer (own arrangements and at own expense)

Day 1: HLUHLUWE to HILTON via ST LUCIA (±400km)
There is an opportunity to go on a morning open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (time permitting and at own expense). After breakfast, we visit the coastal town of St Lucia, at the heart of South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Go on an optional boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (at your own expense). The Estuary, with its island-like setting, is one of the largest estuaries in Africa and a recognised natural wonder. This rich wetland is home to a mind-boggling 2,180 plant species, over 1000 Nile crocodiles, more than 800 hippos and many prehistoric-looking monitor lizards. With over 400 species of birds, it is a watery paradise. Gliding over the water will be a very different experience from the Kruger safari but equally exciting. Load up with snacks before we leave St Lucia, as there will be a late lunch (at your own expense) at Salt Rock Hotel. Take a short stroll on the beach before we journey inland through miles of golden sugarcane fields and the small, previously predominantly German town of Wartburg. We arrive in the quaint village of Hilton in the late afternoon. Enjoy your evening in this historic hotel. Overnight at ANEW Hotel Hilton or similar – Breakfast
Day 2: HILTON to DRAKENSBERG via HOWICK (±170km)
After breakfast, you will visit the place that changed the course of South Africa’s history. The Mandela Capture site marks where the apartheid police apprehended Mandela in 1962. We continue to the small town of Howick for a stop at the beautiful Howick Falls. It is the second-highest waterfall in South Africa, with a drop of 95m into a large pool. We head for the majestic Drakensberg (Dragon’s) Mountains via the country villages of Underberg and Himeville. The mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a high point of 3,482m. You will arrive at the hotel by midday with plenty of time to enjoy lunch (at your own expense). Spend the afternoon taking in the mountain scenery, stretch your legs on one of the hiking trails, or enjoy the many resort activities. If you want an exhilarating mountain experience, take the 3-hour excursion up the Sani Pass (at your own expense; a multiple entry visa may be required for Lesotho). The Pass is a rugged dirt road only accessible in 4x4 vehicles. Ascend through breathtaking landscapes, winding roads, and dramatic cliffs. Experience the thrill of crossing into Lesotho, immersing in its rich culture. Dine at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Premier Resort Sani Pass or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Day 3: DRAKENSBERG to MTHATHA (±315km)
Enjoy breakfast and take time to drink in the champagne air. Enjoy the majestic peaks as you spend the morning at your leisure or take a walk and look out for black eagles or Cape vultures. On the mountain slopes, you will find proteas, South Africa’s national flower, growing amongst the fynbos. Be ready to leave later in the morning as the coach takes us back down the mountain roads, over rivers and through valleys. There will be a stop en route to Mthatha for lunch (at your own expense). With a late afternoon arrival in Mthatha, we visit the Nelson Mandela Museum in town (time permitting). After checking in, there will be time to relax before dinner (at your own expense) at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Garden Court Mthatha or similar – Breakfast
Day 4: MTHATHA to PORT ALFRED via QUNU (±365km)
After breakfast, we continue to the coast. The road winds through the green hills of Nelson Mandela’s heartland, to the cluster of tiny villages that make up Qunu, and the village of Mvezo, where Nelson Mandela was born and buried. This is a rural area, where goats roam the streets and many of the inhabitants are subsistence farmers. Mandela first built a small home on his family plot and then a larger home where he stayed on his visits to Qunu. He never forgot his humble roots and his childhood shaped by the tradition, customs, and power of this close-knit community, was a deep part of the man who walked out of a narrow, grassy valley to become a legend. After a morning spent soaking in history, we will be back on the road, reaching the beautiful marina town of Port Alfred in the late afternoon. End the day with a sunset cruise along the tranquil Kowie River. Keep an eye out for kingfishers, water monitors and crocodiles. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight at The Royal St Andrews Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Day 5: PORT ALFRED to KNYSNA via EASTERN GARDEN ROUTE (±410km)
After an early breakfast, we depart for Knysna along the N2 highway via Gqeberha, a route famous for its outstanding natural beauty. One of the many gems of the Garden Route is the Tsitsikamma Forest, were we will enjoy lunch (at own expense). As we enter the Storms River section of the Garden Route National Park, watch for when the road suddenly tops a rise, offering a breathtaking view of the ocean and a deep, emerald-green gorge. Cross the famous Storms River suspension bridge and experience the thrill of standing high above the vast rocky chasm below you. There are a series of 3 bridges with stable wooden paths and stairs. This hour-long walk offers spectacular views of the gorge and ocean. The afternoon continues with a scenic drive through Plettenberg Bay to Knysna. The beauty of Knysna is found in its inland waterways and the Heads rock formations, towering over each side of a vast lagoon. Spend your afternoon at leisure, relaxing or exploring the many craft shops and art galleries, or Gin Distillery before heading back to your hotel for dinner. Overnight at Premier Hotel The Moorings Knysna or similar – Breakfast NOTE: The vehicle may be required to collect guests at the Kelway Hotel or Southern Sun the Marine in Gqeberha ±11h30
Day 6: KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via CANGO CAVES (±180km)
After a hearty breakfast, there will be a photo opportunity from a panoramic lookout point with sweeping views of the Knysna Heads and Lagoon before leaving for Oudtshoorn. The drive to Oudtshoorn runs through pretty seaside towns, past lakes, and mountains. From the town of George, the road turns inland and up the 13km Outeniqua Pass, with waterfalls and views of the ocean. The Pass exits into the semi-desert of the Klein Karoo where we find the town of Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. See an ostrich farm the traditional way by taking a fun and interactive tractor tour of the farm. You will be served a farm lunch (at your own expense) and be sure to try ostrich biltong (dried meat). You will have travelled through game parks, up mountain passes and across estuaries, but the Cango Caves Heritage Tour will take you into an astounding subterranean world. The Caves, approximately 20 million years old, are an underground wonder. Don’t worry about claustrophobia; the Van Zyl’s Hall cave is 107m long and 54m in width. With leisure time in the evening, you can have dinner at the hotel (at your own expense). Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Riempie Estate or similar – Breakfast
Day 7: OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via WINELANDS (±450km)
Enjoy breakfast as you prepare to head to one of South Africa’s premier destinations, the magnificent city of Cape Town. The road twists along Route 62, the longest and most mountainous wine route in the world. Your touring vehicle window will feel like a series of picture postcards as you pass through the changing landscape. There will be time for lunch in one of the charming towns along the way (at your own expense). After lunch, indulge in a cheese and wine pairing and cellar tour of one of the many fine vineyards on the route (at your own expense). South Africa is justifiably famous for its wine industry, which dates back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest in the world. There are 148 wine farms along our route but we will not have time for all of them. Table Mountain awaits and you will soon be in the most beautiful city in South Africa. With an afternoon arrival in Cape Town, enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel or adventure out to a restaurant in the city where you will be spoilt for choice. There is so much on offer so make the most of your time in the Mother City. Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
Day 8: FULL DAY AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and prepare for a full day at leisure, or pre-book a full day guided tour of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town is built on a mountainous peninsula. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard with its white beaches and rugged mountains to Hout Bay. If time permits, there is the option of taking a half hour boat trip to Duiker Island to see a Cape Fur Seal colony (at your own expense). If open, continue on Chapman’s Peak Drive, noted as one of the most stunning roadways in the world. Visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve and the tip of the Cape Peninsula, which has captivated travellers for centuries. The return journey to Cape Town takes us along the False Bay coast with the option of visiting the colony of rare African Penguins at Boulders Beach (entrance fee at your expense). We will pass through the naval village of Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. Visit the Rhodes Memorial viewpoint and learn about the significance of this historical site before returning to the hotel. After a full day, enjoy dinner in town or choose a restaurant at the fabulous and cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront. Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
Day 9: MORNING AT LEISURE in CAPE TOWN
After breakfast at the hotel, spend the morning at leisure or take the option of a Table Mountain and City guided tour (at your own expense). The tour will squeeze the last precious drops out of your African adventure. Cape Town’s origins as a city can be traced back to 1652 when the Dutch East India Company set up a refreshment station for its ships. The city is a colourful mix of old and new with history embedded in its streets. Travel through the Malay Quarter, city centre, Company Gardens, diamond merchants and if time permits, the Castle of Good Hope. End the tour with a visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world and take in the exceptional beauty of Table Mountain (weather permitting; cableway ticket is at your own expense). Cape Town has a deep and complex history but there is no doubt that is one of the most beautiful cities that you will ever visit. As you prepare to leave, know that you take with you the traveller’s treasure – experiences made in a moment that will last a lifetime.