South African Garden Route Camping Safari

Travel along the scenic Garden Route of South Africa on this great budget camping safari you can comfortably afford!

Highlights on this South African Garden Route Camping Safari include:

• Stellenbosch & Gansbaai, Western Cape
• De Hoop Nature Reserve, Garden Route
• Knysna & Tsitsikamma National Park
• Addo Elephant National Park
• Oudtshoorn & Cango Caves
• Starts & ends in Cape Town, South Africa

This spectacular and totally affordable Garden Route Safari through sunny South Africa will get you wanting to come back and visit, time and again!

DAY 1:  Cape Town to Stellenbosch – South Africa (L / D)

Departing from Cape Town, this South African Garden Route Camping Safari travels into the well-known Cape Winelands region.

Our first stop is the historic university town of Stellenbosch, home to its second oldest University in South Africa.

As one of South Africa's oldest towns Stellenbosch has numerous fine Cape Dutch buildings built in the unique old architectural styles of the Cape Dutch settlers.

We visit one of the Cape Wineland's best known wine estates – Spier, where we have the chance to taste some of their award winning wines.

At Spier you can also get up close to the wildlife and endangered birds on the wine farm. Setting off into Stellenbosch town, we have the afternoon free to walk around the charming town.

DAY 2:  Stellenbosch to Gansbaai (B / L / D)

Leaving the scenic Cape Wine Region we drive over Sir Lowry’s Pass admiring the spectacular views over False Bay as we make our way to coastal Gansbaai.

The seaside town of Gansbaai serves as the base for both shark cage dives and seasonal whale watching. This little seaside village is home to a large fishing community and also has an Abalone Farm. 

Explore the coast or get your adrenalin pumping on a thrilling shark cage dive this afternoon.

DAY 3:  Gansbaai to De Hoop Nature Reserve (B / L / D)

Next it's off to the De Hoop Nature Reserve a top South African destination for hikers, cyclists, bird watchers and whale watchers, in early summer.

The 340km² De Hoop Reserve borders Africa's largest protected marine area and is home to a vast and interesting variety of marine life.

Around 86 species of mammal inhabit the reserve, including the rare Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra – both exclusively found in the Cape Floral Kingdom's Fynbos areas. 

The only remaining breeding site of the highly endangered Cape Vultures is found within the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The reserve is also home to 260 other species of birds.

With various walking and hiking trails throughout the Nature Reserve; you can spend your afternoon exploring at your own pace.

DAY 4:  De Hoop Nature Reserve to Knysna (B / L / D)

On day four we wake up early to the tranquil sounds of nature. We pack up camp and drive into the famous Garden Route area, starting at Mossel Bay.

Our South African Garden Route Camping Safari then travels on to the well known Garden Route town of Knysna.

The landmark Knysna Heads, rocky outcrops perched on the shoreline, are flanked by the Knysna Lagoon, a fresh water estuary. Knysna is known for its annual Oyster Festival, as the Knysna Lagoon is a breeding ground for tasty Oysters.

The lagoon is also a popular place for sunset boat cruises and visits to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. You are free to explore quaint Knysna and enjoy a few hours of sightseeing from the water.  

DAY 5:  Knysna to Tsitsikamma National Park (B / L / D)

The Tsitsikamma National Park covers a dense stretch of indigenous forest, from the coastline up to the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range on the Garden Route. In this national park visitors can see some of South Africa’s most colourful birdlife and plants.

The Tsitsikamma Park encompasses the stretch of natural forest along the coastline as well as a part of the ocean beside it. Explore this beautiful area on various walks and hikes this afternoon and then set up camp on the cliffs beside the ocean.  

DAY 6:  Tsitsikamma National Park (B / L / D)

Today is spent in the Tsitsikamma National Park exploring andparticipating in some of the many optional activities on offer in this much-loved part of South Africa.

Get your adrenalin pumping by bungee jumping off the famous Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Experience black water tubing on the turbulent Storms River, or explore the forest on a tree top canopy zip-line tour for a birds eye view. Or you can explore the forest on one of the lovely hikes in this rich wilderness park.

DAYS 7 & 8: Tsitsikamma National Park to Addo Elephant National Park (B/ L / D)

Wake up to the sound of crashing waves in the Tsitsikamma National Park and have breakfast before we break up camp and continue our Garden Route Tour.

We drive further up the southern coast veering inland to Addo Elephant National Park.

In the afternoon we begin exploring Addo Park, the 3^rd largest National Park in South Africa on a game drive before sunset.

On the morning of day 8, we set off early on another game grive. We explore the Addo Park in search of the large elephant herds the park is most well known for,  as well as lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra species. We also keep an eye out for the unique flightless Addo dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo Park.

DAY 9: Addo Elephant National Park to Oudtshoorn (B / L / D)

Early this morning we leave Addo Park on our South African Garden Route Safari. We travel back towards the Western Cape of South Africa making our way to the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn.

Oudtshoorn town is tucked away between the Outeniqua & Swartberg Mountain Ranges and was a trade hub for the ostrich feather industry in times gone by.

DAY 10: Oudtshoorn – South Africa (B / L / D)

Today we visit the two main highlights Oudtshoorn is famous for – the Cango Caves and a working Ostrich Farm.

As the largest open cave system in South Africa, the Cango Caves offer visitors the opportunity to explore inside the vast caverns and see the amazing limestone formations.

First we take a guided tour of Cango Caves to marvel at the formations and learn how these rock shapes have formed over hundreds of years. Then we go to Oudtshoorn’s famous Ostrich Farm and learn more about these giant flightless birds - even riding an ostrich!

DAY 11:  Oudtshoorn to Cape Town – South Africa (B / L)

An early departure sees us on the road back to Cape Town, where this South African Garden Route Camping Safari started.

We reach our final safari destination - the “Mother City” of Cape Town in the late afternoon. 

Cape Town has many exciting attractions such as the famous Table Mountain, Robben Island, the beautiful Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, The Cape Peninsula and much more. 

Our South African Garden Route Camping Safari ends on arrival and we part ways having just experienced a South African Trip of a lifetime!

Please Note:

This South African Garden Route Camping Safari begins in Cape Town, South Africa and travels through South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route before ending in back in Cape Town.

This trip departs from Cape Town early on Sunday morning.  Should you wish to explore Cape Town, an earlier arrival, or later departure is recommended. Accommodation can be booked through African Budget Safaris.

You can also book airport transfers through African Budget Safaris. Please inform us when booking if you would like to use these services.

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change.

Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a safari truck and crew change during the trip.