Theme: The Road Less Travelled Distance: ±450km | Drive time: ±6 hours | Departure: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM Stop 1: Cape Town Hotel Pickup 06:00 – 07:00 | Time at stop: 1 hour Your Garden Route adventure begins at your Cape Town hotel door. Our friendly, expert guide arrives in our luxury air-conditioned vehicle and collects guests from their hotels across Cape Town between 06:00 and 07:00. As we load up and make our introductions, your guide sets the scene for the extraordinary three days ahead — sharing the route, the highlights, and the insider knowledge that makes this tour unlike anything else on the market. The excitement is immediate. Cape Town disappears in the rear-view mirror, Table Mountain glows in the early morning light, and the open road stretches ahead. Your South African adventure has officially begun.

Stop 2: Paarl & Franschhoek Pass — Coffee Stop in the Winelands 08:00 – 08:20 | Time at stop: 20 minutes We head out of Cape Town through the magnificent Cape Winelands, passing through the world-famous wine regions of Stellenbosch and Paarl. The landscape is immediately stunning — rolling vineyards, dramatic mountain ranges, and the iconic Cape Dutch architecture of the Winelands farms. We pass through the Huguenot Tunnel, a 3.9km engineering marvel that cuts through the heart of the Du Toitskloof Mountains, and emerge into the beautiful Franschhoek Valley on the other side. We make our first stop in Paarl for a much-needed coffee and a chance to stretch your legs. Your guide will point out the iconic Paarl Rock, one of the largest granite outcrops in the world, and share the fascinating history of the Huguenot settlers who shaped this region in the 1600s.

Stop 3: Hex River Valley - Gateway to the Karoo 08:50 to 09:05 | Time at stop: 15 minutes We continue the journey eastward and begin the ascent through the breathtaking Hex River Valley, one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the entire Western Cape. The valley is flanked by towering mountain ranges on both sides, and the valley floor is carpeted with South Africa's most productive table grape farms. In autumn, the valley turns a spectacular shade of crimson and gold as the vines change colour, one of the most photographed natural spectacles in South Africa. We make a brief scenic stop to take in the views and capture the moment before continuing the climb over the Hex River Mountains and into the vast, dramatic landscape of the Great Karoo beyond.

Stop 4: Route 62 - The World's Longest Wine Route 09:05 to 11:35 | Time on route: 2.5 hours (driving and rolling stops) We join the legendary Route 62, the world's longest wine route and one of the most celebrated road trip routes on the planet. Stretching over 850 kilometres through the heart of the Klein Karoo, Route 62 is a journey through dramatic mountain passes, ancient rock formations, quirky Karoo towns, world-class wine estates, and some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa. As we wind our way through the Huguenot and Cogmanskloof mountain passes, your guide shares fascinating stories about the history of the Karoo, the indigenous San people who called this land home for thousands of years, and the remarkable geology of the ancient rock formations that line the road. We pass through the charming towns of Montagu, Barrydale, and Calitzdorp, each with its own unique character, history, and charm.

Stop 5: Route 62 Farm Stall - Karoo Snack Stop 11:35 to 11:55 | Time at stop: 20 minutes We pull over at one of the legendary Route 62 farm stalls, a quintessential Karoo experience that no road trip through this region should be without. These iconic roadside stops are treasure troves of local produce, homemade preserves, biltong, dried fruit, artisanal cheeses, and traditional Karoo delicacies that you simply cannot find anywhere else. Stock up on snacks, browse the local crafts, and chat to the friendly Karoo locals who have been running these stalls for generations. This is authentic South Africa at its most genuine, unhurried, warm, and utterly charming.

Stop 6: Lunch - Calitzdorp or Ladismith 11:55 to 12:40 | Time at stop: 45 minutes We stop for lunch in either the charming town of Calitzdorp, the Port Wine Capital of South Africa, or the equally beautiful Ladismith, nestled beneath the dramatic Towerkop Mountain. Both towns offer excellent local restaurants serving traditional Karoo cuisine, such as slow-roasted Karoo lamb, hearty potjiekos, fresh farm bread, and the famous Karoo lamb chops that have made this region legendary among South African food lovers. Your guide will recommend the best local spots and share the fascinating history of these remarkable Karoo towns. Lunch at own account.

Stop 7: Arrival in Oudtshoorn - Ostrich Capital of the World 12:40 to 13:10 | Time at stop: 30 minutes We arrive in the extraordinary town of Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World and the cultural heart of the Klein Karoo. Nestled in a fertile valley between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, Oudtshoorn is a town of remarkable contrasts. Victorian feather palaces built by wealthy ostrich farmers stand alongside traditional Karoo architecture, world-class restaurants, and some of the most spectacular natural attractions in South Africa. Your guide shares the fascinating history of the ostrich feather boom of the late 1800s as we drive through town and prepare for two extraordinary afternoon experiences.

Stop 8: Cango Caves - 3 Million Years of Natural Wonder 13:10 to 14:40 | Time at attraction: 1 hour 30 minutes Descend into one of Africa's greatest natural wonders, the world-famous Cango Caves. Carved over 3 million years beneath the Swartberg Mountains, this underground cathedral of towering stalactites, massive stalagmites, and breathtaking rock formations is unlike anything on earth. Choose the Heritage Tour, a guided journey through the magnificent Van Zyl's Hall, one of the largest cave chambers in the world, or push your limits on the Adventure Tour, crawling through narrow passages to reach chambers few people ever see. The caves hold a constant 18°C year-round, a cool, dramatic escape from the Karoo heat above. Time at attraction: 1 hour 30 minutes | Admission: Included

Stop 10: Check-in and Evening in Oudtshoorn 16:30 to 17:30+ | Time: 1 hour (then free evening) We check in to carefully selected Oudtshoorn accommodation and freshen up after an extraordinary first day. The evening is yours to explore this remarkable Karoo town at your own pace. Your guide will recommend the best local restaurants, from the legendary Jemima's Restaurant, famous for its traditional Karoo cuisine and warm hospitality, to the vibrant local bars and coffee shops that line the main street. Oudtshoorn comes alive in the evening. The Karoo air cools dramatically after sunset, the stars appear in their millions above the dark Karoo sky, and the town takes on a magical, unhurried quality that is uniquely South African. Overnight Oudtshoorn: Saver/Dorm → Uthando Backpackers | Comfort → 88 Baron van Reede Guesthouse | Luxury → Hlangana Lodge