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This 5 day tour winds its way along South Africa’s Eden-like Garden Route, a lush paradise where around every turn there’s something extraordinary. From sipping world-class wines and gliding across tranquil waters by canoe to scenic hikes and the most exciting wildlife safaris, you’ll dive deep into the wild beauty of Tsitsikamma, wander the quiet coastlines, and visit the lesser-explored Eastern Cape.
South Africa – Cape Town – Garden Route
All of the accommodation on this tour is selected for cleanliness, atmosphere, and location. Guests may choose between backpackers’ lodges (social, shared dorms or private en suite rooms) or guest houses (private en suite rooms with a quieter, more comfortable feel). Bedding and towels are provided, accommodation does not typically include heating or air conditioning, and backpackers and guest house guests travel together throughout the tour, including shared overnight stops on working farms on select nights.
Breakfasts are included daily, except on Day 5, and typically consist of fruit, muesli, eggs, toast, yoghurt, and cereals, while dinners are included daily, except on Day 5, and feature traditional South African meals such as potjie (stew) and braai (barbeque). While vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for, with advanced notice, we are unable to accommodate strict gluten-free, lactose-free, or halal diets. Lunches and drinks are for guests’ own account, and dinners usually take place at the backpackers, even for guests staying in 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 leave Cape Town early on Monday morning and head out along one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the country. The scenery changes constantly, and you’ll enjoy sights of ocean views, rocky cliffs, and little seaside towns along the way.
Our first stop is Betty’s Bay, where we’ll visit a small colony of endangered African penguins. Watching them waddle along the shore and dive into the water is always such a treat, and it’s a lovely way to stretch our legs after the long drive from Cape Town.
We then continue to Hermanus, a relaxed seaside town with a great atmosphere.
You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the town at your own pace, wandering through the numerous interesting shops, visiting the pop-up markets, or enjoying lunch at one of the many restaurants that look out over the sea.
During whale season (July to November), Southern Right Whales are often spotted close to the shore, making this a special place to simply sit and watch the ocean for a while.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Cape Agulhas, a spot at the southernmost tip of Africa.
We’ll spend some time at the viewpoint where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are said to meet. It’s a wild, windswept place that really makes you feel how far you’ve travelled.
Main Destination: Cape Town, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas
Best Time to Visit: March- May or September to November
Included meals: Dinner
Included activities:
Penguin visit at Betty’s Bay
Optional activities:
Shark cage diving: R4305pp*
Shark cage diving clients will be collected at dawn by the specialist operator for an early start from Cape Town. You’ll rejoin the main group after lunch on Day 1 and will miss the morning activities, including the visit to the African penguin colony at Betty’s Bay and time in Hermanus.
Whale watching boat trip (in season, July – November): R1580pp
Approximate travel distance & time: 249 km; 3 hours
Overnight: Cape Agulhas/Struisbaai
We visit the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, in the arid but immeasurably beautiful Little Karoo. We’ll drive the iconic Route 62 to get to Oudsthoorn, a stretch of road that is South Africa’s longest wine route.
We’ll stop at a local winery, indulging in a spot of wine tasting and a delicious lunch, before we check into our accommodation on a local game farm in the Little Karoo.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll go on a tour of the ostrich farm, learning about the birds while taking in the sights and sounds of the nearby Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains.
Main Destination: Cape Agulhas and 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
The day starts with a slow breakfast before we wind our way up and over the picturesque Outeniqua Pass. The view from the top is nothing short of wondrous, with the mountains, valleys, and distant glimpses of the ocean making it a postcard-perfect road trip.
Once we reach Wilderness National Park, our first stop, we’ll hop into canoes for a peaceful paddle along the serene Touw River, gliding through an ancient indigenous forest that is alive with the calls of countless birds.
After about 40 minutes on the water, we’ll beach the canoes and set off on an easy 2 km stroll that leads us right to a beautiful hidden waterfall that cascades down into a series of inviting rock pools, just the place for a refreshing dip or to soak in the tranquillity of this beautiful place.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the town of Sedgefield, a place known for its wide-open beaches, stunning ocean horizons, and relaxed vibe, before we settle in for the evening.
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
The day starts with a drive through the Lake District of the Garden Route, as we travel to one of the Garden Route’s most famous small towns, Knysna.
This lagoon town is a hotspot for tourists and is often named one of the best places to live in South Africa. We’ll visit the Knysna Heads viewpoint, where we’ll take in the sights of the Knysna River Estuary and the ocean beyond it.
From Knysna, we’ll head to Bloukrans Bridge to see the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (those who take the leap here drop a stomach-churning 216 meters!). If you are one of the brave, there’ll be time enough to put your courage to the test.
The rest of the day will be spent in the Tsitsikamma National Park, a true Garden Route treasure, where you can explore the indigenous forests and take a walk along untouched beaches. There’s plenty you can do while in the park, aside from hiking. There’s a suspension bridge to take a stroll along, and there are various places where you can go for a swim.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll be leaving the Garden Route and travelling to Addo Elephant Park for a safari.
Main Destination: Knysna and Tsitsikamma
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
On this final morning, we’ll set out on an exhilarating game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, where we’ll spend 2–3 hours cruising through the best parts of this 28 000-hectare wilderness, which is home to over 600 elephants along with lions, buffalo, black rhinos, zebras, warthogs, and a dazzling array of antelope.
The sightings are often heart-stoppingly close; you can expect to see herds of trumpeting elephants at waterholes and predators on the prowl.
After this Big 5 game drive, we’ll hit the road for the last scenic stretch to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), arriving around 13:00 – 14:00 pm so you can catch flights or simply bask in the glow of an incredible week spent exploring the ins and outs of the Garden Route.
**Safari extension: If you’d like to add a safari to your trip, you can include a visit to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, just about an hour from where this 5 Day Garden Route tour ends. Ask us about available options and rates.
Main Destination: Addo Elephant National Park
Best Time to Visit: March- May or September to November
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: 40 km; 30 minutes
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 ActivitiesDay 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
Please note that we have done our best to provide accurate pricing, but these prices are subject to change!
End of tour
We will drop you off in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) at the end of the tour on Friday, at approximately 13:00–14:00. Please contact us before booking any onward flights from Gqeberha on Friday to ensure that the flight timing works with the tour schedule.
| Room type | Aug 25–July 26 | Aug 26 – July 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker dorm | R 12100 | R 12950 |
| Backpacker twin/double en suite | R 13600 | R 14550 |
| Backpacker single en suite | R 15000 | R 16050 |
| Guest house twin/double | R 16100 | R 17250 |
| Guest house single | R 18800 | R 20100 |
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.
Kurt Safari provides this tour in partnership with a local operator. The itinerary is carefully planned to take guests through some of the most beautiful areas of South Africa’s Western Cape, in the company of a South African guide. With all logistics taken care of, you can relax, soak in the beautiful landscapes, and experience the culture and heritage that make the Cape a must-visit destination.
A 5 day Garden Route tour typically includes visits to popular attractions like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, and Oudtshoorn. Most packages cover accommodation, some meals, guided tours, and transportation. Adventure activities like zip-lining, hiking, and wildlife encounters may also be included, depending on the operator.
A 5 day Garden Route tour from Cape Town usually begins with a road trip along the scenic N2 highway. Tour operators often provide a detailed itinerary including overnight stays in key towns, guided excursions, and optional adventure activities. It’s ideal for travellers who want a hassle-free experience without planning every detail.
The best Garden Route tour packages combine comfort, sightseeing, and flexibility. Look for packages that include small group tours, experienced guides, and accommodation in prime locations. Popular options often include a mix of nature reserves, adventure activities, and cultural experiences. Comparing reviews and inclusions can help you find the right package for your budget and interests.
A typical Garden Route tour itinerary covers 5 days of scenic drives, stops at beaches, forests, and national parks, plus visits to towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Oudtshoorn. Many itineraries include activities like bungee jumping, hiking trails, wildlife safaris, and wine tastings. The itinerary is usually balanced to allow both relaxation and adventure.
Yes, many tour operators allow customisation of a 5 day Garden Route tour. Travellers can choose preferred accommodation, activities, or even the pace of the tour. Customisable itineraries are perfect for families, honeymooners, or adventurers who want to focus on specific experiences.
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