Cape Town to Garden Route Tour - South Africa Safari

Day 1: Cape Town to Hermanus & Cape Agulhas - South Africa

Our affordable South Africa Safari to the Garden Route starts in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Early on Monday morning, we set off from Cape Town travelling via Stellenbosch on the Cape Wine Route, to the coastal town of Hermanus. Following the scenic Cape Whale Coast route along the Atlantic Ocean, we stop at Betties Bay to see the Colony of endangered African penguins living there.

Spend the afternoon exploring the seaside resort town of Hermanus, famous for the hundreds of Southern Right Whales visiting the area during the whale season (July to November). Admire the pretty coast of Hermanus and visit the quaint shops, beaches, restaurants, and markets. Later in the afternoon, we will drive to the rocky Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent.

We will visit View Point at the tip of Africa, considered the true place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. You will have time to enjoy the views and walk down to the longest white sand beach in the Southern Hemisphere. We overnight at a backpackers lodge in the coastal village of Struisbaai, in the Overberg Region of South Africa.

Please note: If you choose to go shark cage diving (optional extra) the diving operator will collect you very early in the morning, and you will miss the tour activities of the morning.

• Included Meals: Dinner
• Included Activities: Penguins at Betties Bay
• Optional Activities: Shark Cage Diving / Whale Watching Boat Trip (in season)

Private Garden Route Tour Option

This Cape Town to Garden Route Tour can be booked as a private tour departing on any day of the year with at least one person. For details about the Private Garden Route Tour option contact African Budget Safaris.

Day 2: Cape Agulhas to Oudtshoorn - South Africa

Next, our South Africa Tour journeys along the charming Route 62 of the Little (Klein) Karoo. This is the longest wine route meandering through South Africa. We make our way through the semi-arid Little Karoo region, where wide skies and open landscapes abound. Today we visit a winery to taste some fine wines with our tasty lunch.

Our next stop is Oudtshoorn, home to so many ostriches it is known as the Ostrich Capital of the World. The surrounding farms and historic town of Oudtshoorn form the centre of the ostrich goods industry - providing feathers, meat, leather, eggs, and rides on the world's largest bird.

We stop near Oudtshoorn at the famous Cango Caves to explore the vast underground halls and passageways of this extensive cave system. Impressive stalactites and stalagmites decorate the echoing limestone chambers we visit on our underground adventure tour.

Tonight we will stay at a private lodge on a working game farm near Oudtshoorn, surrounded by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. At this owner-run game lodge, we experience the rural lifestyle and landscapes of the sparsely-populated Little Karoo.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Included Activities: Cango Caves Adventure Tour / Wine tasting

Day 3: Oudtshoorn to Wilderness, Knysna & Sedgefield - South Africa

After breakfast, we head over the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain Pass to the coast of the Garden Route. Here we will explore Wilderness National Park in canoes. Take an easy paddle up the Touw River through the indigenous forest, enjoying the abundance of birdlife.

After about 40 minutes, we stop for a 2 km hike along a boardwalk to a lovely waterfall and rock pools. After our waterfall walk, we canoe back to Wilderness and travel on to the famous town of Knysna, via the spectacular Lake District of the Garden Route. This up-market little town is filled with curios, restaurants, and a waterfront, where you will be able to have lunch and do some shopping.

Then we head to the Knysna Heads' viewpoint for sweeping views over the Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. Later in the afternoon, you can explore Sedgefield, our next stop, enjoying the mountain views and pretty beaches.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Included Activities: Canoeing and Hiking in Wilderness National Park

Day 4: Sedgefield to Tsitsikamma & Addo Elephant Park - South Africa

On day four of our Garden Route Tour, we visit Tsitsikamma National Park after breakfast, stopping at Bloukrans Bridge along the way. At Bloukrans we have time to view the world’s highest commercial bungee jump bridge (216 meters) and the adventure seekers among you can even test your courage by taking the plunge.

We spend the afternoon in the Tsitsikamma National Park with its unique combination of indigenous forests, mountains, and the rugged Indian Ocean coastline. The area offers a wide choice of activities for all, including long and short hikes, treetop canopy tours, crossing the suspension bridge, and swimming. In the late afternoon, we leave the charming Garden Route for the Big Five Addo Park and our overnight stay in the area.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Included Activities: Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
• Optional Activities: Bloukrans bungee jump / Treetop canopy tour

Day 5: Addo Park & Wilderness Village - South Africa

Today we spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Our two-to-three-hour Addo game drive takes us in search of the Big Five and other wildlife found in this 28,000-hectare national reserve. Addo Park is home to about 600 elephants, as well as Cape buffalo, lion, Black Rhino, Warthog, Zebra, Eland, Kudus, Hartbeest, and many more wild animals.

After our exciting Addo Park Safari drive, we travel back to the heart of the Garden Route. Arriving at our overnight backpackers we sit back and sip on sundowners, enjoying the lovely views over Wilderness Beach (or Mossel Bay coast).

• Meals: None
• Included Activities: Entrance and game drive in tour vehicle through Addo Elephant Park
• Optional Activities: Two-hour open vehicle Game Drive with Addo Field Guide

Day 6: Wilderness & Mossel Bay to Cape Town / Stellenbosch - South Africa

After breakfast at the popular George Farmers’ Market on the Garden Route, we stop in Mossel Bay to spend some time on the spectacular beaches, hike the Cape St. Blaize trail along the seaside cliffs, and visit the famous Diaz Museum complex, commemorating the first known European exploration around the tip of Africa. The more adventurous can try a 10,000-foot tandem skydive or go sandboarding on the longest dune in South Africa.

In the early evening, we arrive back in the charming town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Then we drive on to picturesque Cape Town, bringing this scenic Cape Town to Garden Route Tour of South Africa to a close.

• Included Meals: Breakfast
• Optional Activities: Tandem skydive / Sandboarding

Garden Route Tour Note

This action-packed Garden Route Tour is designed for active people with good fitness levels. The tour is ideal for small groups, solo travellers, and couples looking for a budget-friendly exploration of the Garden Route.

We recommend this tour to adventurous travellers who can comfortably canoe and walk for 1.5 hours, pause to rest and continue walking and canoeing for another 1.5 hours.

This Garden Route Tour is not suitable for older travellers or those with mobility issues. The upper age limit on this adventure tour is thus 65 years. Exceptions can be made for fit and active guests over 65, upon request. Alternatively, senior travellers can book this Garden Route package as a private tour and have it customized.

South Africa Safari Tour Vehicles

The vehicles used on this Cape Town to Garden Route Tour of South Africa are air-conditioned and can comfortably seat 8 adults including the driver/guide or 14 adults including the driver/guide. The tour vehicles also have CD and MP3 players for listening to music on your road trip through South Africa.

All vehicles have valid Operating Licenses to transport paying customers.

Garden Route Tour Accommodation

Each accommodation establishment on this Garden Route Tour has been selected over many years of experience for its cleanliness, unique setting, closeness to nature, and great atmosphere whilst remembering the need for home comforts.

Accommodation on the Cape Town to Garden Route Tour is at backpacker lodges in dormitory rooms with shared bathroom facilities, or at guesthouses in en suite rooms. Upgrades to single and double backpacker rooms with shared bathroom facilities and upgrades to backpacker rooms with en-suite bathrooms are available. Guesthouse upgrades to single, double, or twin en-suite rooms are also available at an additional cost. All bedding and towels will be provided on the Garden Route Tour.

Garden Route Tour Meals

Breakfasts and dinners are included on this South Africa Safari, except for on day five of the tour. Lunches and drinks are not included in the tour price.

All meals on the Garden Route Tour have been well selected and prepared, including traditional South African meals. Breakfast is normally a combination of healthy continental breakfasts with fruits, cereals, yoghurt, and toast, or cooked breakfasts. Traditional dishes of South Africa have been included on the dinner menu, from potjies (stews) to braais (barbecues).

Please inform us of any special dietary requirements when booking your tour. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets can be accommodated.

Alternative Cape Town to Garden Route Tour Itinerary

The order of this itinerary can change, whereby you visit the same destinations, but in a different order. The alternative tour is the same as above, except that Cape Agulhas and Hermanus are visited at the end, instead of the beginning of the road trip.

The variation includes all the same destinations, highlights, and activities shown in the itinerary above and stays at the same accommodation establishments. This alternative itinerary is run to ensure that guests enjoy a more personal and intimate journey. Based on practical considerations, guests are assigned to one of the travel groups the weekend before departure.

Should you prefer to take one of the routes in particular, please request your preferred route variation when you book your safari.

5-Day Cape Town to Garden Route Tour Option

This 6-day Garden Route Tour (starting and ending in Cape Town) is also available as a shorter 5-day Garden Route Tour, ending in Port Elizabeth instead of Cape Town. See the Full Tour Pricing for rates.

Private Garden Route Tour Option

This Cape Town to Garden Route Tour can be booked as a private tour departing on any day of the year. For details about the Private Garden Route Tour option contact African Budget Safaris.