Price
This tour will take you through South Africa’s iconic Garden Route, as you explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, Route 62, and the renowned Addo Elephant National Park. From wildlife encounters and the most scenic drives, nature experiences and laid-back coastal towns, every day is designed to be unique. Starting and ending in Cape Town, and departing every Monday, this tour delivers a well-rounded, one-of-a-kind Garden Route adventure you’ll be talking about long after the tour winds down.
South Africa – Cape Town – Garden Route
Accommodation on this tour is carefully chosen for its comfort, character, and convenient location. Travellers can opt for sociable backpackers’ lodges, which include shared dorms or private en suite rooms, or they can stay in guest houses, which provide private en suite rooms and a more peaceful, relaxed setting. All bedding and towels are supplied, and while heating and air conditioning are not standard, they are generally unnecessary for the climate. Guests staying in backpackers and guest houses travel together for the duration of the tour and, on certain nights, share overnight stops at unique working farm locations.
Most breakfasts are included and usually feature a wholesome spread of fruit, muesli, eggs, toast, yoghurt, and cereals. Dinner is also included on most evenings and includes local cuisine such as potjie (slow-cooked stew) and braai (barbecue). Vegetarian and vegan options can be arranged in advance, although we are unable to cater for strict gluten-free, lactose-free, or halal diets. Lunches and drinks are at guests’ own expense, and evening meals are typically enjoyed at the backpackers, even for those staying at nearby guest houses.
This itinerary serves as a guide. We reserve the right to change the itinerary, transport and accommodation on the tour, should circumstances arise that make it necessary. The outdoor activities depend on the weather. If conditions are bad, changes to the itinerary are likely to be made. Your guide will do their very best to organise activities according to the weather conditions.
We kick off bright and early from Cape Town on a Monday morning and make our way along the always beautiful southern Cape coastline, with the Atlantic glistening right beside us, as we drive to the whale watching town of Hermanus.
Boulders Beach, at Betty’s Bay, is our first stop. We’ll wander down to see those adorable, slightly cheeky African penguins waddling around and chatting in their little braying voices. This is one of the cutest wildlife moments you’ll have all week.
From there, we’ll spend the afternoon in Hermanus, where you can visit one of the numerous cafés, quirky boutiques, or pop-up markets.
If you are planning your tour between July and November, you might see one of the hundreds of Southern Right Whales that breach just offshore during what is known as the Whale Season in South Africa.
After soaking up as much of Hermanus as we can, we continue along that dreamy coastal drive to Cape Agulhas, the true southernmost tip of the African continent.
Standing at the viewpoint with one foot pointing toward the Atlantic and the other toward the Indian Ocean is one of those pinch-me-I’m-really-here moments that stays with you long after the trip ends.
Main Destination: Hermanus and Cape Agulhas
Best Time to Visit: March- May or September to November
Included meals: Dinner
Included activities:
Penguins at Betty’s Bay
Optional activities:
Shark cage diving: R R4305pp*
*Guests booked for shark cage diving will be collected by the dive operator very early in the morning. As a result, they will not be able to take part in the first portion of Day 1, including the visit to the African Penguin Colony and the stop in Hermanus
Whale watching boat trip (in season, July – November): R1580 pp
Approximate travel distance & time: 249 km; 3 hours
Overnight: Cape Agulhas/Struisbaai
We take the picturesque Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route, as we make our way to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, famously known as the Ostrich Capital of the World.
Along the way, we stop to enjoy a relaxed lunch and wine tasting at a local winery before settling into our accommodation on a working game farm in the quiet and beautiful Little Karoo, an arid part of South Africa that is surrounded by the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges and home to fertile farmlands and the most stunning valleys.
As evening approaches, we head out for a guided ostrich farm experience.
Main Destination: Oudtshoorn
Best Time to Visit: March – May or September to November
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities:
Local wine tasting
Klein Karoo ostrich farm tour
Approximate travel distance & time: 330 km; 4 hours
Overnight: Oudtshoorn area
After a delicious, slow breakfast, we travel over the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain Pass before arriving at Wilderness National Park, where we’ll be spending some of our morning canoeing.
We paddle gently along the Touw River, winding our way through indigenous forest and keeping an eye out for the rich birdlife that inhabits the area.
After around 40 minutes on the water, we leave the canoes behind on the shore and continue on foot, walking the scenic 2 km boardwalk that leads to a beautiful waterfall and natural rock pools.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to Sedgefield, the Garden Route’s “Slow Town”, which is known for its wide-open landscapes and pristine beaches.
Main Destination: Little Karoo
Best Time to Visit: March – May or September to November
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities:
Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Approximate travel distance & time: 95 km; 1.5 hours
Overnight: Sedgefield
Today, we’ll be travelling through the lake region of the Garden Route as we make our way to the well-known town of Knysna.
We stop at the Knysna Heads viewpoint to take in the amazing views over the river estuary as it meets the Indian Ocean.
From here, we continue to Bloukrans Bridge, which is famously home to the world’s highest bungee jump at 216 metres, and where the brave travellers in the group have the opportunity to enjoy the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Around midday, we’ll be heading to the Tsitsikamma National Park, an ancient place that is home to stunning indigenous forests and a wide variety of wildlife. While in the park, there’s the option of going on a scenic hike, taking a walk over the iconic suspension bridge crossing, or swimming.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll leave the Garden Route behind and travel inland toward Big 5 country, Addo Elephant National Park.
Main Destination: Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Addo
Best Time to Visit: March – May or September to November
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Included activities:
Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
Optional activities:
Bloukrans bungee jump: R 1690
Approximate travel distance & time: 350 km; 5 hours
Overnight: Addo area
The morning is spent enjoying the sights and sounds of Addo Elephant National Park.
For 2 or 3 hours, we’ll explore the network of roads that criss-cross this 28 000 hectare reserve, spotting some of the park’s 600 elephants as well as lion, black rhino, Cape buffalo, kudu, warthog, zebra, eland, and so many more park inhabitants. The park is also home to all sorts of colourful birds and a variety of interesting plantlife.
After our morning safari, we’ll drive back through the Garden Route, arriving in Wilderness, where we’ll be spending the night.
Main Destination: Addo Elephant National Park
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: R 540
Approximate travel distance & time: 415 km; 5 hours
Overnight: Wilderness
Today, after a fuelling breakfast, we’ll be travelling to the bustling sea side town of Mossel Bay where we’ll be enjoying the beaches, hiking the Cape St. Blaize trail that follows cliffs and looks out over the waves of the Indian Ocean, and visiting the visit the Diaz Museum complex, a monument that celebrates the first known safe European voyage around the tip of Africa.
For those craving adventure, optional experiences include a tandem skydive from 10 000 feet, sandboarding on South Africa’s longest dune, or soaring across the ocean on the world’s longest over-water zipline.
We return to Cape Town in the early evening.
Main Destination: Mossel Bay and Cape Town
Included meals: Breakfast
Optional activities:
10 000-foot tandem sky-dive: R 3950 (extra R1050 for video)
Sandboarding the longest dune in South Africa: R 500
Ocean zipline: R 800
Approximate travel distance & time: 450 km; 4.5 hours
Included Tour Activities
Local wine tasting
Klein Karoo ostrich farm tour
Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park
Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park
Visit to the Southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas
Optional Activities
Day 1:
Shark cage diving: R4305pp
Whale watching boat trip (in-season, July – November): R1580pp
Day 4:
Bungee jumping (216 m): R 1690
Video and Photos: R 450
Day 5:
2-hour additional Addo game drive (open vehicle, early morning): R 540
Day 6:
Tandem sky diving (10,000 feet): R 3950 (R1050 extra for photos & video)
Sandboarding: R 500
Ocean ziplining: R 800
Please note that while we have done our best to provide the most accurate pricing, these prices are out of our control and subject to change!
Payment for these optional activities is made directly to the adventure operators and can be settled using either cash or a credit card. Please note that shark cage diving and whale watching need to be reserved in the week prior to departure, as both experiences are scheduled for the first day of the tour.
End of tour
The tour ends with a drop off at the same locations as the pick up. The tour usually returns between 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Saturday evening. To be sure that you are on time for a Saturday evening flight, please contact us before you make your flight booking.
We require a 20% deposit to confirm a tour. The balance of the payment is due 30 days before the tour departure.
We will pick you up on Monday morning from your chosen location in central Cape Town (CBD, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Green Point, Observatory, or Rondebosch), or from Cape Town International Airport. Please let us know your pickup address in advance.
If you are staying outside of our standard pickup area, we ask that you meet the tour bus on Monday morning at one of the following locations:
Pickup times are generally between 6:00–7:30 am in Cape Town and around 8:00 am in Somerset West. We will confirm your exact pickup time, location, and your guide’s details over the weekend before your tour departs. Please allow a 15-minute grace period before or after your scheduled pickup time, as Monday morning traffic in Cape Town can be unpredictable.
If you miss your pickup, please contact us, and we will arrange for you to meet the group at an additional cost. Unfortunately, we cannot be held liable for travel delays. Your guide will wait up to 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup time, after which the tour will depart to remain fair to all guests.
This tour is proudly presented by Kurt Safari in collaboration with a reliable local partner. Every detail has been meticulously planned and professionally managed. The tour includes knowledgeable guides, safe and comfortable transport, and itineraries that are peacefully paced and designed to show travellers the area’s most famous landmarks. With all arrangements handled for you, the journey is relaxed, and without a worry, you can simply sit back and enjoy this spectacular trip.
The Garden Route is a scenic stretch of coastline in South Africa that runs roughly between Mossel Bay and Storms River. It is known for its dramatic ocean views, lush forests, wildlife experiences, charming coastal towns, and outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and bungee jumping.
Most Garden Route tours include visits to highlights such as Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, and Addo Elephant National Park. Tours often combine scenic drives, nature activities, wildlife encounters, and time to explore local towns, beaches, and national parks.
A 6 day Garden Route tour usually will give you a well-paced itinerary covering the region’s major attractions. This often includes Route 62 wine country, ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn, canoeing in Wilderness National Park, stops in Knysna and Tsitsikamma, and a Big 5 safari experience in Addo Elephant National Park.
Guided Garden Route tours are ideal for travellers who want a stress-free experience with expert local knowledge, organised activities, and comfortable transport. Self-drive trips will give you more flexibility, but guided tours often provide better access to hidden gems, wildlife experiences, and seamless logistics.
The best Garden Route tour itinerary depends on your travel time, interests, and activity level. Shorter itineraries focus on key highlights, while longer options like a 6 day Garden Route tour allow more time for wildlife safaris, adventure activities, and relaxed exploration of coastal towns and national parks.
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