South Africa’s Garden Route Family Safari

A great fun-filled Safari especially designed for families with children. This Safari starts in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and ends in Cape Town, South Africa's mother city.

Embark on adventurous game drives in the Addo Elephant Reserve before exploring the indigenous forests of Knysna and the beautiful beaches of Plettenberg Bay. Visit the Cango Wildlife ranch and one of Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms. 

Go to the best sites of Cape Town, including the fantastic aquarium, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Table Mountain.

Day 1: Port Elizabeth to Addo National Park

On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport you will be met by your guide and we make our way to Addo Elephant Park.  Later today, we check into our accommodation.

Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolins call heralds each new dawn. This finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhino, a variety of antelope species, as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo (Entrance fees included).

• Distance: 60 km
• Accommodation: Addo Rest Camp (Chalets with private bathroom) or similar

Day 2: Addo National Park B

This day is yours to spend at leisure. You can visit the nearby Kenton on Sea Beach, visit a private game reserve, go on a game drive in the Addo National Park, enjoy some bird watching or just relax. (Excursions for own expense).

• Distance: +/- 50 km
• Accommodation: Addo Rest Camp (Chalets with private bathroom) or similar

Day 3: Addo National Park to Plettenberg Bay B

Driving via Port Elizabeth along the scenic Garden Route, we make our way to Plettenberg Bay.

The Garden Route is world renowned and stretches along the southern Cape coast from Slang River near Heidelberg, eastwards to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. It is an area of outstanding scenic beauty with indigenous forests, lakes and meandering rivers. Along the coast are charming towns and villages, each with a distinct character of their own.

• Distance: 285 km
• Accommodation: Piesang Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)

Day 4: Plettenberg Bay B

After breakfast, we visit the Knysna Elephant Park. Daily tours leave on the half hour every day from 8.30 to 16.30. Guests are transported to the elephants on a tractor & trailer where they will have the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph the gentle giants. Elephants love eating, so don’t forget your bucket of elephant feed. There are no barriers or fences to spoil the close encounter. Guests are then transported back to unique elephant curios shop and Askaris restaurant. 

This afternoon a visit to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is planned. Expect to see many species of monkeys as well as a large variety of forest dwelling birds. After soaking up the splendor of a living forest, you can relax on the sunny deck of the restaurant while enjoying a light meal or a sundowner. 

• Distance: +/- 60 km
• Accommodation: Piesang Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)

Day 5: Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn B

Today we head to the ostrich capital of South Africa - Oudtshoorn, travelling along the scenic Outeniqua Pass. We check into our Guesthouse, a Victorian homestead on a working ostrich, alfalfa and vine farm. Set in the tranquil Olifantsrivier Valley it offers spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains. The rolling lawns and the sparkling pool are ready for you and your family’s enjoyment. 

• Distance: 155 km
• Accommodation: De Zeekoe Guest Farm (rooms with en-suite bathrooms) or similar

DAY 6: Oudtshoorn B

Today we visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch and an Ostrich farm. The Wildlife Ranch is an endangered species breeding facility extraordinaire. This oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with our hand reared cheetahs. 

The whole family will enjoy exploring the facts and fiction surrounding crocodiles, view elegant cheetahs and Bengal tiger cubs. For the adventurous, there will be an opportunity to touch a cheetah, enjoy the closeness of a tiger cub, wrap oneself in a python and even dive with Niles crocodiles in the Natural Encounters program. 

• Distance: +/- 30 km
• Accommodation: De Zeekoe Guest Farm (rooms with en-suite bathrooms) or similar

Day 7: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town B

Today we make our way to South Africa’s Mother City – Cape Town. Once we arrive in this beautiful city, we check into our hotel. Situated on the fringe of Cape Town's CBD it has easy access to the hub of the daily city life.

The Lodge is ideally positioned, making tourist attractions like V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Winelands, Kirstenbosch Gardens and Cape Point easily accessible. 

• Distance: 425 km
• Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms) or similar

Day 8: Cape Point Tour B

Today, we explore Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Gardens on a full day tour.  

After breakfast, we head off to Cape Point – the most South Westerly point of Africa. Breathe the freshest air in the world – straight from the Atlantic. This is where the cold Benguela current on the West coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East coast merge. As one of the highest sea cliffs in the world (249 meters above sea level), it is a sight to behold.  Afterwards we visit the African penguins at Boulder’s Beach.  

• Distance: 100 km
• Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms) or similar

Day 9: Cape Town - Day at leisure B

You can spend the day at your leisure and do exactly the things that you and your family want to do.
We however do have a few suggestions for you:

You have the opportunity to take a cable car up Table Mountain (weather-permitting). There are more than 100 scenic ways to climb the mountain, which stands at 1086 metres above sea level, but most people take the revolving cable car, which whisks you to the top in just a few minutes. The views from the top are magnificent.

Afterwards, visit the Two Oceans’ Aquarium – a window on the oceans of South Africa. Ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town. The kids are sure to love it.

• Distance: 50 km
• Accommodation: Lady Hamilton (Family Rooms with en suite bathrooms) or similar

Day 10: Cape Town - End of tour B

After breakfast and depending on your departure time, we will take you to Cape Town Airport for your onward journey, bringing South Africa's Garden Route Family Safari to a close.

Self-drive Safari Option:

Please note that this Garden Route Safari is also available as a self-drive tour at a cheaper price. See full pricing for details or contact African Budget Safaris.

Looking for other tours to Garden Route? View all Garden Route Budget Safaris