Safari
Price Per Person
Thank you for choosing us to host your adventure in beautiful South Africa! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope you have an amazing tour!
Join us for the ultimate road trip! Since 2006, Earthstompers Adventures has been running Garden Route & Addo tours, offering a safe and affordable way to explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, Addo Elephant National Park, and Route 62. This adventure tour offers a great mix of nature, culture, and adventure, allowing you to experience the very best the Garden Route has to offer. The tour starts and ends in Cape Town, departing every Monday.
Prices:
| Accommodation | Aug 2024 – July 2025 rates |
|---|---|
| Backpacker dorm | R 11 750 per person |
| Backpacker twin/double en suite | R 13 600 per person |
| Backpacker single en suite | R 14 850 per person |
| Guest house twin/double | R 16 350 per person |
| Guest house single | R 19 450 per person |
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 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 |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ± 249km (±3 hours) |
| Overnight: | Cape Agulhas/ Struisbaai |
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 2 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Included meals: | Breakfast and dinner |
| Included activities: | Local wine tasting Klein Karoo ostrich farm tour |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ± 330km (±4 hours) |
| Overnight: | Oudtshoorn |
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 3 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Included meals: | Breakfast and dinner |
| Included activities: | Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ±95km (±1.5 hours) |
| Overnight: | Sedgefield |
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 4 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Included meals: | Breakfast and dinner |
| Included activities: | Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park |
| Optional activities: | 216 M Bloukrans bungee jump, R1690 |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ± 350km (±5 hours) |
| Overnight: | Addo Area |
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 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 |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ± 415 km (± 5 hours) |
| Overnight: | Wilderness |
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.
| Day 6 Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Included meals: | Breakfast |
| Optional activities: | 10,000 foot tandem skydive, R3450 (extra R1050 for video) Sandboarding the longest dune in South Africa, R500 Ocean Zipline, R800 |
| Travel route, distance & time: | ±450km (±4.5 hours) |
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:
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:
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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Questions?
Many people don’t see the point in driving through a bushveld looking for animals, but there’s so much more to it. wild animals are seen as a nuisance in most inhabited areas, but if you’ve never seen the magic of animals in their natural habitat, untouched by humans, you’ve been missing out! looking at zoo animals in their enclosures might be considered nice, because you’re almost 100% guaranteed that you’ll see them, but that’s not how they behave in the wild. nothing beats the thrill of finding a pride of lions laying in the shade, or walking across the road right in front of you, and once you’ve felt the reverberations of an elephant’s trumpet through your bones, you’ll be hooked! our clients often come back for more, because you never know what you’re going to see next…
Every single one of our guides have a passion for the kruger park. we love waking up every morning and meeting new people, never mind sharing our love for the bushveld with them. we are highly experienced and have heaps of knowledge about the fauna and flora in the knp at our clients’ disposal. one of our best characteristics must be that we focus on small groups to give each safari trip the best chance of seeing the best sights that the knp has to offer. our safaris depart any day of the week to suit our clients’ busy schedules and will accommodate all your needs as best we can. visit our website for more information on our company…
We operate from hazyview and will collect you from any of the lovely holiday resorts, lodges or nearby locations. our vehicles depart at different times in different seasons… for full day or morning safaris, we leave at 5am in october to march and at 5h30am in april to september. for afternoon safaris, we leave at 13h00 pm in the afternoons. most of the wildlife in the park prefers hiding in the shade during the hot afternoons, so we highly recommend joining us for the earlier safaris to get the most out of your trip.
Anything to do with the word “game” whilst on a safari—like game drives or looking for game—all refers to wild animals in safari context. you might also encounter “game” on the menus of some traditional restaurants, which basically means that you’re ordering wild buck meat, or even warthog.
Even though the knp falls in a malaria area, most foreigners are pleasantly surprised at how few mosquitoes are actually encountered whilst on a safari. these mosquitoes breed in water, and even in the middle of our rainy season in december, we don’t consider them to be a relentless menace. despite what you might have been told, mosquitoes are not a plague in the knp and although we are always cautious about malaria, the locals in and around the knp do not run around with repellents all the time.
If you’re really worried and consider yourself or anyone joining you on the safari to be particularly susceptible to this rare disease, be sure to consult your gp. there are many places in the park where you can buy mosquito repellent containing deet—this is the most vital ingredient in insect repellents as it has been proven to repel the malaria-carrying mosquitoes effectively.
Even though the kruger park is basically a giant protected bushveld and sparsely populated, there are many little “towns” and camps where you can find anything from grocery stores, souvenir stores, petrol stations and much more.
As mentioned before, there are many places in the knp where we can stop over for lunch where you can buy take-away food or choose to have a meal at the various restaurants. we usually have lunch at skukuza, but this is not set in stone.
Two words: comfortable and practical. seeing as you’re going to be driving around for the majority of the time on your safari experience, it is advisable that you wear clothes that are not too tight and not too hot. winters can be cold, so check the forecast beforehand, but summers are the opposite—just take a jacket with you in case it gets chilly, and stay away from high heels, ladies! we might stop on top of rocky mountains to give you an in-person taste of the spectacular views in the knp. trust me, it’s spine-chilling raw beauty.
You’ll be surprised at the true meaning of this term—it actually refers to the five most feared animals in the bush. they are extremely dangerous to hunt on foot and also rather rare. the big 5 consists of african lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. it really is a tourist attraction and many safari companies utilise this term as a major marketing strategy.
We cannot guarantee that there will be sightings of all five animals in the big 5, but we can guarantee that we will do our best to find them. elephants are massive, this is true, but in the lush untouched bushveld of the kruger, if they don’t want to be seen, they can easily disappear behind the trees mere meters away from you. they tend not to be too shy, unlike leopards. rhinos are extremely scarce, but our guides know where their usual grazing spots are, and a pride of lions would attract so much attention that our radios would notify us if there’s a sighting nearby. nevertheless, you are guaranteed to see a very diverse variety of animals in the kruger national park.
Children under 8 are more than welcome on privately hired open vehicles, yes. this is purely out of consideration for our other clients who do not have children and might not have the patience for their unique outlook and excitement about each wild animal we encounter. all children under 12 have discounted safari rates, as well as half-price conservation fees to enter the kruger national park.
You can visit our website to view the current prices for our safaris, make a booking online to receive an invoice, and then make an online payment before the safari takes place, or contact kurt safari for any enquiries you might have regarding other payment options.
I cannot even begin to list the most amazing experiences we’ve had whilst on safaris in the knp! there are too many to count, each encounter very different but equally remarkable. if you consider the size of the knp and how many animals call it their home, you can only begin to imagine the things we’ve seen—from a ride of lionesses to the birth of a brand-new baby giraffe. each time our jaws drop at the splendour of mother nature. you will have to come and see it for yourself.
Placing yourself in the middle of a nature reserve where there are numerous predators and dangerous animals could sound pretty intimidating, but rest assured, kurt safari guides all have in-depth knowledge about the behaviour of these animals and would never put your life in danger. elephants can be aggressive if they have young ones to protect and even lone elephant bulls have charged at cars that don’t know when to back away, but obtaining injuries from wild animals whilst on a safari is very rare and you need not be worried—just enjoy the ride.
