Cape Town & Garden Route: 8-Day Tour Review (Accommodation Included)

Thinking of checking out South Africa? A tour combining Cape Town and the Garden Route could just be what you need. A recent trip covering exactly that gave quite a lot to think about, so too many memories were made. What I am saying is that if you like views, adventure, and maybe a bit of relaxation, then a carefully planned eight-day stint might surprise you with the things you find. This review gets down to the specifics, touching on what worked, what could’ve been better, and whether or not it might just be money well spent.

First Impressions and Cape Town Exploration

Touching down in Cape Town already is something that gives a sense of expectation. Seeing Table Mountain dominate the horizon, is that almost too good to be real? The first couple of days here are often a mix of hitting some of the main places. For instance, a trip to the top of Table Mountain is pretty essential, depending, of course, on what the weather is doing. That said, just imagine those 360-degree scenes, you know?

You will very likely explore the V&A Waterfront as well. That’s kind of tourist central, yet there are cool shops and restaurants to try out. Plus, seeing the harbor activity makes for some pretty great photo moments. The tour I tagged along on had a guided city trip option, that allowed me to pack in some history without much effort. So there was also District Six Museum. It really gives pause when considering the apartheid past, is that right? After that there was a visit to the Company’s Garden, which made for a chill detour amidst the city vibe.

Regarding accommodation in Cape Town, on my trip, it was a mid-range hotel, nothing too bad. Breakfast was okay, the rooms decent. The location was fairly central. What this meant was that it was reasonably easy getting around. So too many mornings of mine started by strolling the streets to find the cool cafes.

Cape Peninsula and its Coastal Charms

The trip down the Cape Peninsula, apparently, is one for the photo books. Chapman’s Peak Drive, a winding road hugging the mountains, seemingly always turns heads. Is that all there is? Yet it does. Each turn unveils another fantastic scene. Spots like Hout Bay offer boat trips to see seals at Duiker Island. Pretty touristy, and yet fun to watch all of them.

Boulders Beach, in particular, is another very famous stop because it’s home to a colony of African penguins. Walking around watching them waddle about really is a hoot, or rather it will always be something to remember. Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope show some dramatic scenery. The sense of standing at the meeting point of two oceans is just inescapable. That whole day was long but filled with those wow moments South Africa is pretty famous for.

Embarking on the Garden Route: Scenic Drives

Leaving Cape Town behind signals the start of the Garden Route segment. This is very famous because there is a stretch along the coast going eastward. What this is all about is endless views. What’s more? Plenty of nature stops that just don’t stop surprising, is that right?

The drive to Oudtshoorn passes via Route 62, giving you the opportunity to just explore those semi-arid inland bits. Now Oudtshoorn, itself, is called the “ostrich capital” because it has tons of ostrich farms. A tour around one is kind of a silly yet fun break from all that serious seeing of nature. This leg of the tour involves, well, more time on the road. This, though, does deliver in scenic payoffs that seem worth every second. Accommodation at Oudtshoorn, as I can tell, had a definite rustic feel, so too many rooms felt more lodge-like than hotel. This, on its own, offered another level to the trip, I would argue.

Adventures in the Heart of the Garden Route

The Cango Caves, located near Oudtshoorn, present a pretty unmissable opportunity to see some underground amazement. Now the guided tour shows off rooms of stalactites and stalagmites. What’s that then? These formations are millions of years old, or at least they look that way, anyway.

The next stop is often Knysna. It has this scenic lagoon, so, too, a lot of boat trips head to the Heads – a pair of cliffs guarding the lagoon entrance. The town itself is really nice to stroll around, just right for taking a slow afternoon off. Some people rate the Featherbed Nature Reserve highly for experiencing that area, very naturally. It really is a popular excursion. The accommodation in Knysna really had that seaside vibe going. Views, by the way, of the water can transform a standard stay into some special moments.

Wildlife Encounters and Thrilling Activities

Heading farther east along the Garden Route brings people to Tsitsikamma National Park, something that is often called an adventure playground. Apparently you can get involved in all sorts. From bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, which, is that considered the highest in Africa, right? Even just strolling along some suspension bridges provides some pretty rewarding scenes.

Places like Plettenberg Bay give other wildlife-watching choices, which include Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. Very worth it. Not always do tourists travel all the way to South Africa to hang with monkeys. So that they have, which really does broaden things. Accommodation in this leg varied widely on the group’s travels. In some cases it has everything from boutique hotels to smaller guest houses. Every accommodation seemed carefully hand-picked, you know?

Reflections on the 8-Day Experience

After eight days traveling via Cape Town and the Garden Route, looking back really brings quite a bit to ponder. Is that the experience that many rave about, yes, possibly it is? From the bustle found in Cape Town to quiet scenery along the coast, there are lots of memories. What these tour packages offer involves a structured experience that gives you lots. Maybe one thing would be to factor in time to just stop at certain spots, that you see from your window, or after reading reviews.

Would you suggest doing it again? I do, maybe you also have seen or read about some great stories about the area, what this review would be saying is that with all types of travel do plan everything very thoroughly before you make your bookings. Or indeed if booking everything on your own is a great task, use travel agent, especially, one which comes highly recommended, which always eases your planning!