6 Day Garden Route and Addo Tour

Day 1: Cape Town – Hermanus – Cape Agulhas

We start bright and early on Monday, departing from Cape Town and heading towards Hermanus. Along the scenic coastal road, we’ll make a stop at Betty’s Bay to visit the colony of endangered African penguins. In Hermanus, a popular seaside town, you’ll have time to explore its shops, restaurants, and markets, or even spot Southern Right Whales during the whale season (July to November). In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, where you can take in the views at the point 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 penguin colony and Hermanus.

Day 2: Cape Agulhas – Oudtshoorn

Today, we head to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, famously known as the Ostrich Capital of the World. We’ll travel along the scenic Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route, stopping 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, where you’ll enjoy a tour of the ostrich farm with stunning views of the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges as the sun sets.

Day 3: Oudtshoorn – Wilderness – Sedgefield

After breakfast, we’ll cross the beautiful Outeniqua Mountain Pass to reach Wilderness National Park, where we’ll embark on a canoe adventure along the Touw River. As you paddle through the indigenous forest, you’ll enjoy the sight of an abundance of birdlife. After about 40 minutes of paddling, we’ll start a 2 km hike along a boardwalk, leading to a picturesque waterfall and rock pools. In the late afternoon, you’ll have time to explore the quiet beauty of Sedgefield, with its stunning beaches and sweeping views.

Day 4: Sedgefield – Knysna – Tsitsikamma – Addo

We continue our journey to Knysna, a well-known town in the heart of the Garden Route. We’ll visit the Knysna Heads viewpoint, offering breathtaking views over the Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. Afterward, we’ll head to Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters), where thrill-seekers can test their nerves. Midday will be spent exploring Tsitsikamma National Park, which combines lush indigenous forests with a dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The park offers plenty of activities, from hiking and crossing a suspension bridge to swimming. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to Big 5 territory—Addo.

Day 5: Addo – Wilderness

We’ll spend the morning on a game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, home to around 600 elephants, as well as Cape buffalo, lions, black rhinos, zebras, and many other animals. We’ll spend 2-3 hours exploring this vast 28,000-hectare reserve, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. After an exciting morning of game viewing, we’ll return to the Garden Route for an overnight stay in Wilderness.

Day 6: Wilderness – Mossel Bay – Cape Town

After breakfast, we’ll stop in Mossel Bay, where you can relax on the beautiful beaches or hike the Cape St. Blaize trail along the cliffs, which offer incredible views of the Indian Ocean. You’ll also have the chance to visit the Diaz Museum Complex, which commemorates the first European explorers to round the tip of Africa. For the adventurous, there’s an option to try a 10,000-foot tandem skydive, sandboard on South Africa’s longest dune, or take a ride on the world’s longest over-the-ocean zipline. We’ll return to Cape  Town in the early evening, marking the end of an unforgettable road trip.

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.