7 Day Whale Coast & Garden Route Private Tour with children

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
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

Included meals:	None
Included activities: Optional activities:	None Add more wildlife: Marine “Big 5” whale watching boat trip Add more wildlife: Shark cage diving Add more nature: Hike in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Approximate driving time:	+/- 1 hour, +/- 90 km
Overnight:	Hermanus: Harbour House Hotel

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:

Included meals:

Breakfast

Included activities:

Optional activities:

Approximate driving time:

None

Add more nature: Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park

+/- 4.5 hours, 420 km

Overnight:

Knysna: Brenton Haven Beachfront Resort

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:

Included meals:	Breakfast
Included activities:	None
Optional activities: Approximate driving time:	Add more wildlife: Whale Watching boat trip (in season, Jul – Nov) Add more nature: Featherbed Eco Experience or Paddle Cruiser Add more nature: Robberg Nature Reserve +/- 1 hour, 65 km
Overnight:	Knysna: Brenton Haven Beachfront Resort

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

Included meals:	Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Included activities:	Afternoon game drive
Approximate driving time:	+/- 1.5 hours, 110 km (plus time on game drive)
Overnight:	Mossel Bay: Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Village Lodge

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: Addo safari + departure from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

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 (September 2024 – August 2025):

Number of guests		2 adults + 2 children (ages 6-11)
Total tour price	HIGH SEASON	R141350 total (R35338 per person, 4 guests)
	LOW SEASON	R122800 total (R30700 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..