7-Day Whale Coast & Garden Route tour
This tour is designed to be a great South African experience for families traveling with children, age 6 and older. We get a taste of the whale coast, the garden route, and a family-friendly safari, spending two nights in each destination to make for memorable experiences in beautiful places. This tour focuses on nature and the outdoors, as this part of the country is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and climate, and we believe it makes such a refreshing experience for adults and children alike.
Tour includes:
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver
- Private transport, as described in itinerary
- 6 nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Visit to the African Penguin colony at Betties Bay
- Many options for adventure, nature, and hiking activities in Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay
- Two-night all-inclusive safari (meals and game drives included)
Itinerary for 7 day Whale Coast & Garden Route Private Tour
Day 1: Cape Town – Hermanus
We depart from Cape Town in the morning for Hermanus. We follow the scenic coastal road, stopping at Betties Bay to view a colony of endangered African penguins. You can spend the afternoon in the seaside resort town of Hermanus, famous for hundreds of Southern Right Whales during the whale season (July to November) and many shops, restaurants, and markets.
Day 1 highlights
Included meals: |
None |
Included activities:
Optional activities: |
Visit to the African Penguin colony at Betties Bay
Add more adventure: Cape Canopy Tour, ziplining in the Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve |
Approximate driving time: |
+/- 2 hours, +/- 140 km |
Overnight: |
Hermanus: Harbour House Hotel |
Day 2: Hermanus – Gansbaai area
Explore the beautiful whale coast today. Highly recommended is a walk in Kogelberg Nature Reserve, part of the Cape Floristic Region and a World Heritage Site. Or enjoy time on the blue-flag Grotto Beach, where the mountains meet the sea. For ocean lovers, we have the option of participating in a “Marine Big 5” boat trip, looking for sharks, penguins, dolphins, seals, and whales; or going shark cage diving. (Yes, kids can go along! Our 6-year-old is still talking about his experience seeing the sharks).
Day 2 highlights
Day 3: Hermanus - Knysna
Today we travel to a seaside town at the heart of the Garden Route – Knysna. This stretch of coast is known for its lovely scenery, including indigenous forest, a large warm-water estuary known as the Knysna Lagoon, and the Outeniqua Mountains.
Day 3 highlights
Day 4: Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna
Today we can enjoy Knysna & Plettenberg Bay. Some of our family’s favourite activities in the area are a beach walk to Gericke’s Point, to explore the rock pools at low tide; hiking in Robberg or Featherbed Nature Reserve; or swimming in the sea on one of Plettenberg Bay’s five blue-flag beaches.
Day 4 highlights
Day 5: Knysna – Wilderness – Private Game Reserve
Today we journey back towards the west, visiting Wilderness, a lush area of forest, mountains, and sea. In the afternoon, we will check into a family-friendly lodge at a private game reserve, and embark on an afternoon game drive.
Day 5 highlights
Day 6: Private Game Reserve
Today is a full day to enjoy on safari. Go on morning and afternoon game drives; or simply relax at the lodge playground, swimming pool, or Fijnebos Spa. Guests also have the option to exchange a game drive for a guided bush trail or horseback safari.
Day 6 highlights
Included meals: |
Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
Included activities: |
Morning & afternoon game drives |
Approximate driving time: |
Game drives on reserve: approximately 2-3 hours each |
Overnight: |
Mossel Bay: Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Village Lodge |
Day 7: Private Game Reserve – Cape Town
In the morning, we have the opportunity for one final game drive, before departing for Cape Town midday. We will arrive back in Cape Town in the late afternoon.
Day 7 highlights
Included meals: |
Breakfast |
Included activities: |
Morning game drive |
Approximate driving time: |
+/- 4.5 hours, 410 km (plus time on game drive) |
Pricing for private 7 Day Whale Coast & Garden Route Private Tour (August 2023 – August 2024):
Number of guests |
2 adults + 2 children (ages 6-11) |
Total tour price |
HIGH SEASON |
R 124500 total (R 31125 per person, 4 guests) |
LOW SEASON |
R 114700 total (R 28675 per person, 4 guests) |
Rates are indicative; final price varies by specific travel dates and room category availability. Please enquire for a fixed quote – our private tour consultants will be happy to advise on options to meet your group size, available dates & budget.
High season: September – April, excluding peak season of 15 December – 15 January; Low season: May – August. |
Pricing for private 7 Day Whale Coast & Garden Route Private Tour (September 2024 – August 2025):
Number of guests |
2 adults + 2 children (ages 6-11) |
Total tour price |
HIGH SEASON |
R 136950 total (R 34238 per person, 4 guests) |
LOW SEASON |
R 129550 total (R 32388 per person, 4 guests) |
Rates are indicative; final price varies by specific travel dates and room category availability. Please enquire for a fixed quote – our private tour consultants will be happy to advise on options to meet your group size, available dates & budget.
High season: September – April, excluding peak season of 15 December – 15 January; Low season: May – August. |
Please read our private Garden Route tours terms and conditions.