Travel to the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa for a one-of-a-kind safari experience surrounded by stunning landscapes. This Private Garden Route Tour kicks off with a Big 5 safari in the exclusive Gondwana Game Reserve. Embark on game drives to watch zebras, elephants, and other animals in their natural habitat, go on hikes overlooking the Indian Ocean, and experience plenty of other exciting adventures.
With this South Africa Safari starting and ending in picturesque Cape Town, you’ll be able to explore the Mother City before and after your Garden Route trip. Tour departures are flexible and can be scheduled for any day of the week, so you can choose exactly when to head off on your Garden Route Tour & Gondwana Safari in South Africa.
Departing from Cape Town early in the morning, you'll be whisked away to explore the stunning Garden Route region. Arriving at Gondwana Game Reserve we have lunch, before taking the first 4x4 game drive of our Garden Route Tour. Keep your binoculars handy for birdwatching and spot iconic African wildlife including giraffes, zebras, rhinos, or even hippos amongst the unique coastal fynbos vegetation. We end the evening on a high note with a delicious dinner at the private Gondwana Game Reserve.
Our full-day Big 5 safari adventure starts with a morning game drive in Gondwana Game Reserve. Spend time in nature and learn more about the breathtaking flora and fauna of this wilderness area. At around midday, we return to the lodge for lunch and free time to nap or unwind at the comfortable lodge.
Then you have the option of relaxing at the lodge, enjoying a spa treatment, or heading out for another dose of the great outdoors. You can go mountain biking on one of the nature trails or join a guided fynbos walk (at extra cost). Later in the afternoon, we embark on a scenic sunset game drive in search of Gondwana's diverse animals and birds. End the day with dinner and drinks at the game reserve's restaurant.
As the sun rises, we set off on a game drive in search of early birds and diurnal animals beginning to stir. Keep an eye out for nocturnal animals, like lions, returning from the hunt, too. After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, it's time to check out of the game reserve and travel further east along the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay. This part of South Africa's coast is blessed with stunning scenery - from indigenous forests to a large warm-water estuary and the Outeniqua Mountains nearby.
Today our Garden Route Tour explores the Tsitsikamma National Park. Set on the beautiful coastline of the Eastern Cape Province, this South African park offers visitors a perfect escape. The wide range of activities available to suit all travel styles makes this location ideal for nature lovers. Whether it’s a hike along tree-lined paths, crossing the iconic suspension bridge towering over the river, or simply relaxing on soft sand shores while taking in the dramatic sea views, every visitor can find inspiration in this paradise.
This morning is free for you to explore this beautiful coastal area on your own or hit the beach. Your Garden Route Tour guide can take you to the small coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, where you can soak up some sun on one of its beautiful beaches. Or perhaps take a hike in the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve. And with lunchtime approaching, why not sample some local wines at one of the town's wineries, or enjoy a meal at one of its great restaurants? In the afternoon, we travel onward to Knysna, another famous spot on South Africa’s Garden Route.
The Knysna area of the Garden Route is truly a sight to behold. With its lush indigenous forest and the Outeniqua Mountains in view, visitors will be awestruck by the beauty of this incredible coastline. To deepen your experience, you have the option (at extra cost) to take a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon - a pretty warm-water estuary. It is the perfect afternoon excursion for those who want to experience all that this coastal gem has to offer.
On the last day of our Private South Africa Safari, we travel back to Cape Town via Route 62. We travel over the Outeniqua Mountain Pass and into the Klein Karoo. Here we visit Oudtshoorn, a treasure of the Klein Karoo with the title of the Ostrich Capital of the World. In Oudtshoorn, we can experience firsthand its small-town charm and its wide array of ostrich by-products that make this region so special. You can also opt to visit Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn to experience its impressive underground chambers.
After a long scenic drive, we arrive back in Cape Town City in the early evening, bringing our Garden Route Tour & Gondwana Safari to a close.
Gondwana Game Reserve is an 11,000-hectare (27,000-acre) private game reserve located on the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. Established in 2006, Gondwana is surrounded by the Outeniqua and Langeberg Mountains, providing a stunning natural backdrop. The game reserve is close to Mossel Bay and 45 minutes drive from George Airport in the Southern Cape.
It is home to a diverse range of wildlife including the Big Five - lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceros. In addition to game drives, guests can join guided bush walks, birding excursions, and stargazing activities. Accommodations at Gondwana include luxury lodges and villas, all offering breathtaking views of the fynbos landscapes. The reserve is committed to sustainable tourism and conservation efforts, making Gondwana Game Reserve the ideal destination for eco-conscious travelers seeking a unique and authentic South African wildlife experience. This malaria-free game reserve is only a 4-hour drive from Cape Town making it an excellent family safari destination.
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 South Africa Tour begins in the early morning. You will be picked up at the Cape Town International Airport, Stellenbosch, or your pre-tour accommodation in central Cape Town (CBD, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Observatory, Rondebosch). Pick-up time in Cape Town is usually between 6:00 and 8:00 and around 8:30 in Stellenbosch, in the Cape Winelands.
All vehicles are licensed to transport paying passengers.
Each accommodation establishment on this Garden Route Tour has been chosen for its cleanliness, unique setting, proximity to nature, and great atmosphere, all while keeping home comforts in mind. This Garden Route Tour includes lodging in various 3, 4, or 5-star hotels and lodges, as well as a two-night stay in the stunning Gondwana Game Reserve.
This means you can choose the level of luxury that suits you and your budget. On this tour, you can choose between budget accommodation, mid-range accommodation, or 5-star accommodation. For the different pricing options view the Full Pricing Info.
While staying at the Gondwana Private Game Reserve, travelers will enjoy delicious South African meals served in the reserve’s restaurant. For the remainder of the tour, breakfasts are included. The breakfasts on this Garden Route Tour have been carefully selected and prepared. Breakfast is typically made up of healthy continental items like fruits, cereals, yogurt, and toast, as well as cooked breakfast items.
When you book your tour, please let us know if you have any special dietary needs. Diets such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-free can all be catered to. The tour price does not include dinner or drinks.
This South Africa Tour can be customized to meet your specific needs, upon request.
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.
We believe that this will not compromise anyone'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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