Experience the best of South Africa's southern coast and Klein Karoo from the fabulous Cape Whale Coast to the lush Garden Route and off-beat Route 62.
This small group Private Garden Route Tour offers plenty of chances to explore nature and enjoy exciting activities in and around Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and Oudtshoorn. Take advantage of convenient start and end points in Cape Town, as well as flexible scheduling options with departures every day of the week.
This morning our Private Garden Route Tour of South Africa departs from Cape Town where you are collected from your pre-tour accommodation.
Leaving the picturesque city of Cape Town, we embark on a scenic, coastal road trip to Hermanus. Along the way, we'll stop at Betties Bay to get an up-close glimpse of an endangered African penguin colony. When we reach Hermanus, you will be free to explore this seaside resort town - especially popular during the whale season from July through November. Shop around, indulge in delicious local cuisine, or soak in the beauty of this coastal gem.
On day two of our Garden Route Tour we travel west into the rural Overberg region. Along the way we pass through quaint rural towns, making our way onto the famous Garden Route of South Africa. Take the afternoon to soak in all that nature has to offer–pristine beaches dotting the coastline, lush forests full of life, and the Wilderness National Park, inviting adventurers for an unforgettable canoe trip. After exploring Wilderness we drive on to Plettenberg Bay – our next pretty seaside stop.
After a few days of sightseeing, why not treat yourself to a morning of complete leisure? The beautiful coastal town of Plettenberg Bay offers something for everyone - relax on one of the stunning beaches, savor a delicious lunch at one of the local restaurants, try some of the area's fine wines at a local winery, or get active on a hike in the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve. Your guide will be there to assist with finding activities and attractions and driving you between Garden Route highlights.
This morning our Private Garden Route Tour travels to the Tsitsikamma National Park, a unique combination of indigenous forest and breathtaking Indian Ocean coastline. The day will be full of adventure, with plenty of fun activities for everyone—from hiking and crossing the park's iconic suspension bridge to swimming in the sea and exploring the forests. In the afternoon, we continue to Knysna, one of the Garden Route's most famous towns.
Knysna is a beloved seaside town at the heart of South Africa's Garden Route, boasting stunning scenery. Along its coast lies an indigenous forest, the Outeniqua Mountains, and most notably, the Knysna Lagoon - a warm-water estuary providing fantastic exploration and relaxation opportunities. After taking in the wonders of this beautiful place, you have the option to enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon.
As we set off on the last day of our Private Garden Route Tour, we travel along the rugged Route 62. We ascend the sweeping paths of the majestic Outeniqua Mountain Pass before reaching Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo region. Oudtshoorn is famously known as 'The Ostrich Capital of The World', allowing us to experience small-town charm on our journey. Then we journey on to Cape Town, admiring the scenery along the way. We arrive back in cosmopolitan Cape Town by late afternoon, where our South Africa tour ends.
You can add a 2-night safari in Sanbona Wildlife Reserve to this Garden Route Tour on the way back to Cape Town (at extra cost). For more details about the Big 5 Sanbona Safari or to add it to your Garden Route Tour, ask one of our safari experts.
This is a sample tour itinerary that can be customized to suit your preferences and budget. To adapt the above itinerary, chat with our African safari experts.
This private South Africa tour starts early in the morning. You are picked up from the Cape Town International Airport, Stellenbosch, or your pre-tour lodging in central Cape Town (CBD, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Observatory, Rondebosch). Pick-up time is usually between 6:00 and 8:00 in Cape Town and around 8:30 in Stellenbosch, in the Cape Winelands.
All vehicles have current operating permits to transport paying passengers.
Each accommodation establishment on this Garden Route Tour was chosen for its cleanliness, unique setting, closeness to nature, and great atmosphere while keeping the need for home comforts in mind.
This Garden Route Tour includes accommodation in either 3, 4, or 5-star hotels and guest houses, which enables you to choose the level of luxury that suits you and your budget. On this tour, you can choose between budget accommodation, mid-range accommodation, or luxury accommodation. For the different pricing options view the Full Pricing Info.
The Garden Route Tour's breakfast meals have been carefully selected and prepared. Breakfast typically consists of healthy continental items such as fruits, cereals, yogurt, toast, and cooked breakfast items.
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when you book your tour. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets are all doable. Dinner and drinks are not included in the tour price.
While we always hope that our original itinerary, accommodations, and transportation will remain unchanged, unforeseen circumstances can occur. As a result, we reserve the right to make reasonable changes as needed. Every effort is made to ensure that comparable alternatives are used if necessary. This will maintain everyone's overall experience. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
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Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
