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5 Day Garden Route and Addo Tour

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FromR11,150
Price
FromR11,150
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7205
Cape Town
Info
Itinerary
Tour Notes / T's & C's
Tour Description

5 Day Garden Route and Addo Tour

What to expect

Join us for the road trip of a lifetime! Earthstompers Adventures has been offering tours of the Garden Route and Addo since 2006. Our group adventure tour is a fun, safe, and affordable way to explore some of South Africa’s most beautiful regions, including the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, Addo Elephant National Park, and Route 62. This tour is the perfect blend of nature, culture, and adventure, giving you the best experiences the Garden Route has to offer. The tour begins every Monday in Cape Town and finishes every Friday in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

Prices:

 

Accommodation

Backpacker dorm

Backpacker twin/double en suite

Backpacker single en suite room

Guest house twin/double

Guest house single

AUG 2024 – July 2025 rates

R 11 150 per person

R 12 650 per person

R 13 250 per person

R 14 650 per person

R 17 000 per person

 


Tour Includes

Services of a professional tour guide
Pick-up and drop-off
Air-conditioned transport
Dinners and breakfasts (except on Day 5)
Local wine tasting
Tour of a Klein Karoo ostrich farm
Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park
Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park
Entrance to the African penguin colony at Betty’s Bay
Visit to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa
4 nights’ accommodation (options for backpackers or guest houses)

Thank you for choosing us to host you on this adventure through South Africa. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope you enjoy your tour!

Day 1: Cape Town – Hermanus – Cape Agulhas

We kick off the tour on Monday morning, departing early from Cape Town and heading towards Hermanus. We’ll travel along the scenic coastal road, stopping at Betty’s Bay to see a colony of endangered African penguins. In Hermanus, a charming seaside town, you’ll have free time to explore its shops, restaurants, and markets, or spot Southern Right Whales if you’re visiting during whale season (July to November). In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

Note: Shark cage diving clients will be picked up early by the diving operator and will miss the first half of Day 1, including the visit to the African Penguin Colony and Hermanus.

Day 1 Highlights  
Included meals: Dinner
Included activities: Penguins at Betties Bay
Optional activities:

Shark cage diving, R3600

Whale watching boat trip (in season, July – November), R1320

Cycle (or e-bike) to the Southern Tip of Africa, R300

Approximate Travel Distance & Time: ± 249km (±3 hours)
Overnight: Cape Agulhas/ Struisbaai

 

Day 2: Cape Agulhas – Oudtshoorn

Today, we head to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, known as the Ostrich Capital of the World. We’ll travel via Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route, where we’ll stop for a delicious lunch and wine tasting at a local winery. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at our accommodation on a working game farm in the Little Karoo. As the sun sets, you’ll have the chance to tour the ostrich farm, with beautiful views of the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountains in the distance.

Day 2 Highlights  
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Included activities:

Local wine tasting

Cango Caves tour

Approximate Travel Distance & Time: ±330 km; ±4 hours
Overnight: Oudtshoorn area

 

Day 3: Oudtshoorn – Wilderness – Sedgefield

After breakfast, we’ll journey over the stunning Outeniqua Mountain Pass to Wilderness National Park. Here, we’ll enjoy a peaceful canoe trip along the Touw River, surrounded by indigenous forest and abundant birdlife. After about 40 minutes of paddling, we’ll set off on a 2 km hike along a boardwalk that leads to a beautiful waterfall and rock pools. In the late afternoon, you can explore Sedgefield, known for its expansive views and pristine beaches.

Day 3 Highlights  
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Included activities: Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Approximate Travel Distance & Time: ±91 km; ±1.5 hours
Overnight: Sedgefield

Day 4: Sedgefield – Knysna – Tsitsikamma – Addo

Our adventure continues as we head to Knysna, one of the Garden Route’s most famous towns. We’ll stop at the Knysna Heads viewpoint for breathtaking views of the Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. Afterward, we’ll visit Bloukrans Bridge, home to the world’s highest bungee jump (216 meters), for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Later, we’ll spend time in Tsitsikamma National Park, where the indigenous forest meets the rugged coastline of the Indian Ocean. The park offers activities for everyone, from hiking and crossing the suspension bridge to swimming. In the afternoon, we’ll leave the Garden Route and head toward Big 5 territory, Addo.

Day 4 Highlights  
Included meals: Breakfast  Dinner
Included activities: Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
Optional activities:

216 M Bloukrans bungee jump, R1690

Approximate Travel Distance & Time: ±350 km; ±5 hours
Overnight: Addo area

 

Day 5: Addo – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

We’ll start the day with a safari in Addo Elephant National Park, home to approximately 600 elephants, along with Cape buffalo, lions, black rhinos, zebras, warthogs, and more. We’ll spend 2-3 hours game viewing, exploring the 28,000-hectare park. After an exciting morning of wildlife sightings, we’ll drive to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where the tour will wrap up around 1:00-2:00 pm.

Optional Safari Extension: If you’d like to extend your safari experience, we offer an additional safari at a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, located about an hour from where our tour ends. Please inquire for rates and options.

Day 5 Highlights  
Included meals: None
Included activities: Entrance and 2-3 hour drive with tour vehicle through Addo Elephant National Park
Optional activities: 2-hour open vehicle game drive with Addo field guide, R480
Approximate Travel Distance & Time: ±40 km; ±30 minutes

Private Tour Notes, Terms & Conditions

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
We’ll pick you up on Monday morning from your chosen location in Cape Town’s central areas (CBD, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Observatory, or Rondebosch), or at Cape Town International Airport. Please make sure to provide us with your pick-up address.

If you’re staying outside of our pick-up range, we ask that you meet the tour bus at one of the following locations:

  • Bootlegger Coffee Company, 185 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre: Best for those staying in Bloubergstrand or Milnerton
  • Vida e Café, 41 Main Rd, Rondebosch: Convenient for those staying in Hout Bay, Muizenberg, or Constantia
  • Woolworths Waterstone Village, Somerset West: Best meeting point for Stellenbosch guests

Pick-up time is generally between 6:00-7:30 am in Cape Town and around 8:00 am in Somerset West. We’ll confirm your specific pick-up time and location, along with your guide’s details, the weekend before the tour. Please allow a 15-minute grace period before or after your scheduled time, as Cape Town traffic can be unpredictable!

If you miss your pick-up, contact us right away, and we’ll help you meet up with the group (additional charges may apply). Unfortunately, we can’t be responsible for delays in your travel. Your guide will wait up to 15 minutes after your pick-up time, but the tour will depart out of fairness to the rest of the group if you’re late.

At the end of the tour, we’ll drop you off in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) between 1:00-2:00 pm on Friday. If you’re booking an outbound flight from Gqeberha, please get in touch to ensure your flight schedule works with the tour’s end time.

TOUR STYLE
This is an active tour, ideal for those who enjoy staying on the move and are comfortable with walking, carrying their luggage, and frequently getting in and out of the vehicle. Our groups are a mix of backpackers and guest house guests, ranging in age from 18 to 65, though we welcome travelers as young as 14 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The average age of our guests is 33. Group sizes range from 4 to 12 people, with most travelers coming from Europe, America, Canada, and Australia. This tour is great for solo travelers, small groups of friends, or couples who want to meet a diverse group of people from around the world.

MEALS
We love good food, and it’s a big part of our tour experience! Breakfast is included every day except on Day 5, and usually consists of fruit, muesli, eggs, toast, yogurt, and cereals. Dinners, also included daily except on Day 5, feature traditional South African dishes such as potjie (stew) and braai (barbecue). Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements. We can cater to vegetarian and vegan diets but unfortunately cannot accommodate strict gluten-free, lactose-free, or halal diets. Lunches and drinks are at your own expense. Dinners typically take place at the backpackers, even for those staying in guest houses.

ACCOMMODATION
We’ve carefully selected accommodation along the way for its cleanliness, unique settings, and atmosphere. Guests can choose between staying at backpackers’ lodges (with mixed-gender dorms and private en suite rooms available) or guest houses (all rooms are private en suites). Single, double, and twin rooms are available in both types of accommodation, and all bedding and towels are provided. Please note that air conditioning and heating are not standard, as they’re usually not necessary in South Africa. If you need extra blankets or a fan, just ask!

Backpackers are ideal for those looking for a more social atmosphere, and often have a bar or bonfire area. Even though they’re budget-friendly, the standard of backpackers in South Africa is generally very high. Guest houses, on the other hand, offer a more private, quiet, and luxurious experience. About 80% of our guests stay in backpackers, while 20% opt for guest houses. Both backpackers and guest house guests travel together in the same tour vehicle.

On Day 2 and Day 4, both groups will stay at the same locations—a working game farm near Oudtshoorn (Day 2) and a citrus farm near Addo (Day 4). Backpackers will have basic accommodations, while guest house clients will have more luxurious rooms.

While we typically stay at the same accommodations each week, this can change depending on availability and group size.

LUGGAGE
Each guest is allowed one suitcase and one small carry-on (like a laptop bag or backpack). Suitcases should not exceed 67 cm (26 in) by 45 cm (18 in), and carry-ons should be no larger than 48 cm (19 in) by 32 cm (13 in). You should be able to carry your own luggage, as there are generally no porters available. If you have more or larger luggage, please contact us in advance to make arrangements.

MALARIA
Our tours take place in malaria-free areas, so there’s no need to worry about anti-malaria precautions. However, we recommend bringing insect repellent during the summer months.

VEHICLES
We tour in air-conditioned vehicles that can comfortably seat 14 people, including the driver/guide. The seats are comparable to airplane seats—if you’d prefer a different set-up, please inquire about private tours. All vehicles are fully licensed for transporting paying customers.

INTERNET ACCESS
Wi-Fi is generally available at most accommodations, but only in common areas. If you need reliable data or phone service, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card from providers like Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C, which offer affordable data packages.

LOADSHEDDING
South Africa experiences frequent power cuts known as “loadshedding.” We suggest bringing a small power bank to charge your phone during these outages. A flashlight or headlamp is also handy. Please be patient, as loadshedding can cause inconveniences for both businesses and residents.

GENERAL ETIQUETTE
Our tours are conducted in English, and we kindly ask that you speak English while in the group so everyone can be part of the conversation. A positive attitude goes a long way—please bring a friendly, easy-going spirit to help ensure a great experience for everyone.

We run on a tight schedule, so do your best to be on time at all stops.

GUIDES
Our guides are all experienced, professionally trained, and South African born. They are registered with CATHSSETA and hold professional driver’s licenses. We only work with the best guides to ensure your trip is fun, informative, and safe.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Many of our guests capture amazing photos during the tour and often share them with the group. We love using real tour photos on our social media and in promotional materials. If you’d prefer not to have your photo used, please let us know in advance.

ATTIRE
Dress comfortably! You’ll be doing a fair amount of walking, so comfortable shoes are essential (though hiking boots aren’t necessary). A small backpack is helpful for hikes, and it’s a good idea to bring a rain jacket and a sweater for the cool evenings. A hat is also important to protect against the strong African sun. If you’re joining the early morning Addo game drive, don’t forget a hat and gloves—winter mornings in an open game-viewing vehicle can be chilly!

WEATHER
The Garden Route has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with rain throughout the year (mostly at night). Winter temperatures range from 6-21°C, while summer temperatures can reach 17-30°C. The tour also travels into the Eastern Cape and the Little Karoo, where temperatures can hit 40°C in summer.

ITINERARY
We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport as needed. Outdoor activities are weather-dependent, and we’ll do our best to adjust plans according to the conditions.

INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical emergencies, cancellations, or theft. While we carry comprehensive passenger and public liability insurance, this does not cover personal belongings or COVID-19-related expenses.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY
A 20% deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days before departure. If you need to change your tour date, you can do so once at no charge as long as you notify us more than 7 days before the tour starts.

Cancellation Fees:

  • Up to 7 days before departure: 5% of the total tour price
  • 6-3 days before departure: 50% of the total tour price
  • 2 days or less before departure, or no-show: 100% of the total tour price

All tours are priced in South African Rand (ZAR). Refunds will be issued in ZAR and converted to your local currency by your bank, which may result in differences due to exchange rates.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY
Earthstompers and its employees are not liable for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience to any person or property during the tour. You’ll be asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the tour.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
We take your privacy seriously and comply with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). We collect and share only the necessary information to provide services, such as your name and contact details, with accommodation suppliers and activity providers. Our full privacy policy is available on our website.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Optional activities are not included in the tour because they may not appeal to everyone, but they’re a great way to add more adventure! Whether or not you participate in optional activities, there’s always plenty to see and do on the tour. Activities can be paid directly to the operators in cash or by card.

Shark Cage Diving & Whale Watching: These activities take place on the first day of the tour and must be booked in advance. Shark diving clients will be picked up early on Monday morning and will only join the group after lunch, missing the first half of Day 1.

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