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5-Day Garden Route including Addo National Park Small Group Tour from Cape Town
5 days
Small Group
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town - Wilderness - Sedgefield / Knysna
Stop At: Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park, Knysna South Africa
Start with a morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town to reach the Garden Route section by early afternoon.
Paddle through the staggering scenery and abundant bird life of the Wilderness region. Wilderness features 18 kilometres of beaches cooled by sea spray, 5 lakes, 5 rivers, and 2 estuaries. Canoe in the beautiful Wilderness region (either at Kaaimans or Touws river) and watch the bird life while gliding over the water in a pure encounter with nature.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Sedgefield Lagoon Mouth, 69 Kingfisher Drive Myoli Beach, Sedgefield, Knysna 6573 South Africa
For those that savour a great night’s sleep, tonight’s end destination – the coastal town of Sedgefield or Knysna – promises just that. Sedgefield is a tranquil village and boasts the title of Africa’s slowest town. Here, life in the slow lane is the way of life. Feel the white sand between your toes. Venture into town for a more intimate dinner if your accommodation is near Wilderness or Knysna.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sedgefield and Knysna at Afrovibe Backpackers or 3-star Graywood or 4-star Knysna Quays Hotel or similar.
Day 2: Knysna - Tsitsikamma - Jeffreys Bay
Stop At: Knysna Heads, Coney Glen Road, Knysna 6571 South Africa
Pristine wild and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day. From a morning spent admiring the views from the imposing Knysna Heads to ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump and ziplining over a gushing river gorge in the Tsitsikamma forest before you get 'me-time' to traverse more lush forests via suspension bridges and hiking trails in Tsitsikamma National Park. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing; your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be absolutely jam-packed.
Walk along walkways to soak in the views of Knysna from the imposing sandstone Knysna Heads nestled between forested mountains and the sea, and curving around a big lagoon.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa
Choose to either bungy jump, zipline over waterfalls or explore the surrounding forests for your fix of adrenaline.
The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. The thrills don’t start when you jump, they begin as you zip line your way out to the jumping platform underneath the colossal bridge. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go?
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Zipline Tour - Tsitsikamma, N2 Tsitsikamma, Tsitsikamma, 6308, South Africa
Zipline through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the Tsitsikamma forest. Multiple slides, of which the longest is 211 meters, zigzag along cables across the river gorge, as high as 50 meters above the water in some places (optional activity at own expense).
This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma area provides the requisite photo opportunity (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Tsitsikamma National Park, N2, South Africa
As you head to the coastal belt, paradise-like towns such as Plettenberg Bay show why it and the Tsitsikamma National Park are favourites with holidaying locals aplenty. The short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone and you’ll likely get a thrill as fellow explorers test its swing factor.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeffreys Bay at Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-star Mandyville or 4-star On the Beach Guesthouse.
Day 3: Addo Elephant National Park - Jeffreys Bay
Stop At: Parque Nacional dos Elefantes Addo, Addo Elephant National Park South Africa
A pre-dawn wake-up call might seem hard to take at first, but trust me, it’s worth getting an early start for your Addo game drive to see even more wildlife as the bush awakes. Your guide will use their experience to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of the Big Five. You'll experience an included ±3 hour game drive in the tour bus. The original elephant section of the park was dedicated to providing a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation provides protection and a rich food source, supporting what is now the most densely populated area of wild elephants on the planet. This finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra and other species.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jeffreys Bay Tourism, 17 Da Gama Road, Jeffreys Bay 6330 South Africa
The early morning start means free time in the afternoon and J’Bay’s surf shop village – with its discount outlets – is perfect for shopaholics. But, if you’ve always fancied learning to surf (optional activity at own expense), then this town or the sand slopes beyond it are the places to try surfing or sandboarding (optional activity at own expense) or just chill out on the beach. You can rent surfboards and wetsuits for an additional fee.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeffreys Bay at Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-star Mandyville or 4-star On the Beach Guesthouse.
Day 4: Oudtshoorn
Stop At: Cango Ostrich Show Farm, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
South Africa delivers on its contrasts with landscape and lifestyle as you leave the Indian Ocean shoreline behind and wind your way through the Langkloof Mountains to the arid lands of the Klein Karoo. Here, the ostrich reigns supreme. Bird-filled paddocks line the highway with colourful feather stalls and show farms around every corner as you head into Oudtshoorn. The palatial sandstone homesteads stand tall, harking back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold.
A visit to the Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Cango Caves, 328 Approximately 30km (19 miles) from town on the R, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa
Now it's time to delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves' limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights into the formation and dripstone evolution. Or, by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
Subject to availability, return to the wild for an optional 4x4 game drive with a knowledgeable game ranger at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve for a possible sighting of resident rhino and giraffe (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Oudtshoorn, 6620, Western Cape, South Africa, Oudtshoorn, 6625, South Africa
Oudtshoorn hospitality is second-to-none, and the serving sizes are generous. Ostrich steak or kebabs complete the experience for those with an adventurous appetite. If you have the chance to try the Karoo lamb or local ostrich, don’t be shy – they are delicious.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Oudtshoorn at Backpackers Paradise, 3+star Yamkela Guesthouse or 4-star Buffelsdrift Lodge/Surval Boutique.
Day 5: Oudtshoorn - Route 62 - Cape Town
Stop At: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
As dawn breaks in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s sunniest town, join an optional stroll with rescued elephants along the waterhole dam wall at the Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Gentle giants, Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo made this their home after their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. This experience will have you following in their massive footsteps - a unique way to observe the world’s biggest land mammal as you leisurely stroll with the gentle giants (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Boplaas Garden Route Tasting Room, Klipheuwel Farm, Klein Brak River, Garden Route Drive on the N2 – between Mosselbay & George, Klein Brak River South Africa
After your morning adventure, it’s time to head back to Cape Town along the famous Route 62, modelled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour. Route 62 is more than just burgers and beers, farm stalls or small country towns, the highway is also the longest wine route in the Western Cape. Oenophiles will be in their element with a wine pit stop to sample Port-style wines en route to Cape Town.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Cape Town - Wilderness - Sedgefield / Knysna
Stop At: Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park, Knysna South Africa
Start with a morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town to reach the Garden Route section by early afternoon.
Paddle through the staggering scenery and abundant bird life of the Wilderness region. Wilderness features 18 kilometres of beaches cooled by sea spray, 5 lakes, 5 rivers, and 2 estuaries. Canoe in the beautiful Wilderness region (either at Kaaimans or Touws river) and watch the bird life while gliding over the water in a pure encounter with nature.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Sedgefield Lagoon Mouth, 69 Kingfisher Drive Myoli Beach, Sedgefield, Knysna 6573 South Africa
For those that savour a great night’s sleep, tonight’s end destination – the coastal town of Sedgefield or Knysna – promises just that. Sedgefield is a tranquil village and boasts the title of Africa’s slowest town. Here, life in the slow lane is the way of life. Feel the white sand between your toes. Venture into town for a more intimate dinner if your accommodation is near Wilderness or Knysna.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Sedgefield and Knysna at Afrovibe Backpackers or 3-star Graywood or 4-star Knysna Quays Hotel or similar.
Day 2: Knysna - Tsitsikamma - Jeffreys Bay
Stop At: Knysna Heads, Coney Glen Road, Knysna 6571 South Africa
Pristine wild and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day. From a morning spent admiring the views from the imposing Knysna Heads to ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump and ziplining over a gushing river gorge in the Tsitsikamma forest before you get 'me-time' to traverse more lush forests via suspension bridges and hiking trails in Tsitsikamma National Park. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing; your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be absolutely jam-packed.
Walk along walkways to soak in the views of Knysna from the imposing sandstone Knysna Heads nestled between forested mountains and the sea, and curving around a big lagoon.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa
Choose to either bungy jump, zipline over waterfalls or explore the surrounding forests for your fix of adrenaline.
The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. The thrills don’t start when you jump, they begin as you zip line your way out to the jumping platform underneath the colossal bridge. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go?
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Zipline Tour - Tsitsikamma, N2 Tsitsikamma, Tsitsikamma, 6308, South Africa
Zipline through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the Tsitsikamma forest. Multiple slides, of which the longest is 211 meters, zigzag along cables across the river gorge, as high as 50 meters above the water in some places (optional activity at own expense).
This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma area provides the requisite photo opportunity (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Tsitsikamma National Park, N2, South Africa
As you head to the coastal belt, paradise-like towns such as Plettenberg Bay show why it and the Tsitsikamma National Park are favourites with holidaying locals aplenty. The short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone and you’ll likely get a thrill as fellow explorers test its swing factor.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeffreys Bay at Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-star Mandyville or 4-star On the Beach Guesthouse.
Day 3: Addo Elephant National Park - Jeffreys Bay
Stop At: Parque Nacional dos Elefantes Addo, Addo Elephant National Park South Africa
A pre-dawn wake-up call might seem hard to take at first, but trust me, it’s worth getting an early start for your Addo game drive to see even more wildlife as the bush awakes. Your guide will use their experience to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of the Big Five. You'll experience an included ±3 hour game drive in the tour bus. The original elephant section of the park was dedicated to providing a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation provides protection and a rich food source, supporting what is now the most densely populated area of wild elephants on the planet. This finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra and other species.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jeffreys Bay Tourism, 17 Da Gama Road, Jeffreys Bay 6330 South Africa
The early morning start means free time in the afternoon and J’Bay’s surf shop village – with its discount outlets – is perfect for shopaholics. But, if you’ve always fancied learning to surf (optional activity at own expense), then this town or the sand slopes beyond it are the places to try surfing or sandboarding (optional activity at own expense) or just chill out on the beach. You can rent surfboards and wetsuits for an additional fee.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Jeffreys Bay at Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-star Mandyville or 4-star On the Beach Guesthouse.
Day 4: Oudtshoorn
Stop At: Cango Ostrich Show Farm, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
South Africa delivers on its contrasts with landscape and lifestyle as you leave the Indian Ocean shoreline behind and wind your way through the Langkloof Mountains to the arid lands of the Klein Karoo. Here, the ostrich reigns supreme. Bird-filled paddocks line the highway with colourful feather stalls and show farms around every corner as you head into Oudtshoorn. The palatial sandstone homesteads stand tall, harking back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold.
A visit to the Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Cango Caves, 328 Approximately 30km (19 miles) from town on the R, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa
Now it's time to delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves' limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights into the formation and dripstone evolution. Or, by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
Subject to availability, return to the wild for an optional 4x4 game drive with a knowledgeable game ranger at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve for a possible sighting of resident rhino and giraffe (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Oudtshoorn, 6620, Western Cape, South Africa, Oudtshoorn, 6625, South Africa
Oudtshoorn hospitality is second-to-none, and the serving sizes are generous. Ostrich steak or kebabs complete the experience for those with an adventurous appetite. If you have the chance to try the Karoo lamb or local ostrich, don’t be shy – they are delicious.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Oudtshoorn at Backpackers Paradise, 3+star Yamkela Guesthouse or 4-star Buffelsdrift Lodge/Surval Boutique.
Day 5: Oudtshoorn - Route 62 - Cape Town
Stop At: Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities, Cango Caves Road, Oudtshoorn 6620 South Africa
As dawn breaks in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s sunniest town, join an optional stroll with rescued elephants along the waterhole dam wall at the Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Gentle giants, Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo made this their home after their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. This experience will have you following in their massive footsteps - a unique way to observe the world’s biggest land mammal as you leisurely stroll with the gentle giants (optional activity at own expense).
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Boplaas Garden Route Tasting Room, Klipheuwel Farm, Klein Brak River, Garden Route Drive on the N2 – between Mosselbay & George, Klein Brak River South Africa
After your morning adventure, it’s time to head back to Cape Town along the famous Route 62, modelled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour. Route 62 is more than just burgers and beers, farm stalls or small country towns, the highway is also the longest wine route in the Western Cape. Oenophiles will be in their element with a wine pit stop to sample Port-style wines en route to Cape Town.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 4x Breakfast
- Accommodation included: 4 nights
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver/guide
- Transport by minibus
- Game drive tour of Addo Elephant National Park in tour van
- Entry/Admission - Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park
- Entry/Admission - Tsitsikamma National Park
- Entry/Admission - Parque Nacional dos Elefantes Addo
- Entry/Admission - Cango Ostrich Show Farm
- Entry/Admission - The Cango Caves
- Entry/Admission - Boplaas Garden Route Tasting Room
Not included
- Lunch, dinner and drinks
- Optional 4x4 Addo game drive (about R385 per person)
- Optional Elephant Bush Walk (about R395 per person)
- Optional Waterfall Zipline (about R430 per person)
- Optional Bungy jump & Zipline (about R1350 per person)
- Optional 4x4 Buffelsdrift bush safari (about R350 per person)
- Entry/Admission - Bloukrans Bridge
- Entry/Admission - Zipline Tour - Tsitsikamma
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 6 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Minimum age is 12 years
- Children between 12 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult
- Some optional activities on this tour require a moderate level of fitness
- According to availability at time of booking, accommodation will be in the mentioned hotel or in one of a similar standard and star rating in a similar area. Sedgefield accommodation will occasionally be sold out and then your accommodation will be in nearby town of Wilderness or Knysna.
- It is recommended that you bring: comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, jacket for cooler evenings, beach towel and swimming costume
- The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasions, run in reverse order
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
65%
Aquatic
35%
Reviews
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Nev (SIYABOLELA) was an excellent tour guide. Very informative and organized. He never get tired talking and telling stories even when most in the group are already asleep! We're not bored but only exhausted on the days activities. Hahaha! This tour will showcase scenic spots of Cape Town aside from 4x4 gaming drives where you will see wild boars, buffalo, elephants, spring bucks, kudus, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras and more. There are a lot of activities that you can participate. You will learn about Ostrich too and many more. I could have given this tour 5 stars but Island Vibe Backpackers accommodation fails to please us. Their double decks are worst - anyone sleeping below will bump his head even when sitting. Their showers and faucet bulbs were also grounded!!! Yes, Jeffreys Bay is nice but I think they need to change their accommodation here. For Backpackers Paradise - it's thumbs up! Superb! Afrovibe Backpackers is also good!
With a multiple day tour, the guide made the tour. Our guide, Uriel, from HotSpot2C, certainly made the tour! He was courteous, considerate, and went over and above to make our experience a pleasant and memorable one. All the optional activities were excellent and we thoroughly enjoy our time! Thank you Uriel!
This trip was first rate in every respect. The tour included plenty of activity, as well as spectacular viewing of animals and terrain. Most especially, our guide was as good as any I have ever had. He was knowledgeable, humorous, patient, and very concerned for all members of the party, their comfort, and enjoyment. Across the board I cannot imagine any aspect of this trip that I would have changed. Thank you for a wonderful South Africa experience!
Long drive, but good tour. We stopped at the most delicious bakery Ou Mel on the way splurge here. Drove through beautiful S. African country and farms. Canoeing was nice. Overnight stays were well organized. At the Tsitsikamma National park the hike was really good, the food at the restaurant was awful. They served us stale,smelly, thawed that's what they said seafood at the beach!,when we returned our plates, and asked for a substitute instead, they gave us one partial plate of calamari!!!! Word to the wise, don't order seafood here or anywhere on this tour. People are really good at their pastries and cheeses, but cannot cook good food, especially fish. Eat at George's taverna in town. Nice place, great food. Skip the expensive Kitchen windows. Saw a lot of Elephants, but no cats. Congo caves was nice.
The 5 day Garden Tour was wonderful. Our multi-national, multi-age tour group meshed well, was relaxed and fun all the way through. The accommodations were excellent with lovely rooms and terrific food. Our phenomenal tour guide, Maudi, was organized, knowledgeable, patient and fun. I feel very fortunate to have had his expertise in the whole process. I can't imagine how the tour could have been managed in a more professional manner. Each experience from observing the animals, viewing such beautiful landscapes and making new friends was terrific. Overall, the trip to South Africa was spectacular.
The first and last days and accommodations where outstanding, I would love to spend two nights on both instead of driving to Jeffreys Bay. Unless you are a surfer there's not as beautiful as Wilderness or the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. Even Addo National Park was not a good experience since you do it in the van instead of a 4x4 open car. In addition to that the knowledge of the driver is nos as good as the people that works in the park. It is so big that we saw just few animals and they where far away. I will skip the Big Tree stop as well, nothing impactful about it. In other words I'll redesign the tour lol. Special point to the Hotel at Wilderness Beach Villas and Buffelsdrift, both where amazing. Gigi our driver was great as well.