Summary of this Budget Safari
This adventure filled 7 Day Cape Town, Garden Route Addo Park Safari is a unique scenic journey packed with forest, bush and beach marvels.
The Cape to Addo Safari explores the famous Garden Route area of South Africa, as well as taking you game viewing in the malaria free Addo Elephant National Park in the rugged Eastern Cape.
This memorable journey takes in natural wonders and cultural highlights, such as the Cango Caves and an abundance of spectacular scenery along this dramatic stretch of coast and in the wild mountains.
Highlights on this safe and affordable tour of South Africa, include the Whale Route, Route 62, the Little Karoo, the Garden Route, Jeffrey’s BayAddo Park. The tour price includes a professional guide and driver, as well as several fun activities such as canoeing, caving, soaking in hot springs and game viewing.
The Cape to Garden Route Addo Tour also offers plenty of opportunities to try out exciting optional activities, ranging from ski-boat cruises, zip line rides and bungy jumping, to horse rides, surfing, and elephant back riding.
Itinerary for this Tour
Highlights of this Cape to Garden Route Addo Safari
- Whale Route – Gordons Bay, Hermanus Cape Agulhas National Park
- Route 62 – Barrydale Warmwaterberg Spa
- The Little Karoo – Oudtshoorn Cango Caves
- Garden Route – Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park Bloukrans Bridge
- Sundays River Valley Addo Elephant National Park
- Jeffrey’s Bay, The Crags Elephant Sanctuary Sedgefield
- Swellendam, Sir Lowry’s Pass Cape Town
Day 1: Whale Route – Hermanus, Birkenhead Brewery and Cape Agulhas
This Cape, Garden Route Addo Park Safari departs from Cape Town at 8:30 am and from Stellenbosch at 9:30 am on day one. The first day on this tour of South Africa follows a relaxed pace, allowing you to get used to being on the road in our comfortable vehicle and get to know your fellow travellers a bit.
From Cape Town and Stellenbosch we travel to the world-famous whale route, starting with Gordons Bay. Our scenic journey takes us along the beautiful Route 44 via seaside mountain passes offering panoramic views over False Bay. We drive to the lively town of Hermanus, renowned as a top whale watching destination. In coastal Hemanus we stop for a picnic lunch beside the sea, enjoying the views and taking seascape photographs.
Next, our journey takes us to Birkenhead Brewery to sample some of the great beers produced here. Then we continue to Cape Agulhas National Park, where the southernmost tip of Africa is located. We go to the lookout viewpoint at Cape Agulhas for the lovely views and take some photographs, driving on to the harbour from there.
From the hardbour there is the option of taking a thrilling cruise on a ski-boat, in search of dolphins and whales in season (June to November). We then embark on a walk that takes us back to our overnight accommodation, walking along the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere, called “Die Plaat”.
- Included Meals: Dinner
- Accommodation: Struisbaai
- Included Activities: Beer tasting at Birkenhead Brewery
- Optional Activities: Shark cage diving, Ski-boat cruise (whale viewing June to Nov)
Day 2: Tradouws Pass, Route 62, the Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn
Today we veer inland driving north to the Langeberg Mountains through undulating wheat fields, and on to the untamed semi-desert area of the Little Karoo. We pass the quaint town of Barrydale on the scenic Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route. The Route 62 is one of the longest wine routes in the world, starting in Montagu and ending in Humansdorp to the east.
Then we stop at Warmwaterberg Spa, not far from Barrydale, for lunch and to de-stress in the natural hot springs with 43-degree waters.
In the afternoon we head to Oudtshoorn, driving via Ladismith and Carlitzdorp. The town of Oudtshoorn is the capital of the Little Karoo, set within a picturesque valley nestled between the beautiful Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains of the southern Cape. With Oudtshoorn being the ostrich capital of the world you have the option of visiting these prehistoric-looking giant birds on a working farm, and even taking a ride on the back of one. Ostriches are flightless birds with powerful legs making for an exciting yet safe ride.
Alternatively you can embark on a guided tour of the Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch, where you can see various rare and endangered animal species. Here you can get up close to wild animals, including hand raised cheetah that are tame enough to pet! At the ranch you can also go cage diving with crocodiles!
- Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Oudtshoorn
- Included Activities: Entrance to Warmwaterberg Hot Springs
- Optional Activities: Cango Ostrich Farm, Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch, Pet a cheetah, Cage diving with crocodiles
Day 3: Cango Caves, Knysna, Bloukrans Bungy Jump Tsitsikamma
Our day starts with a 20km drive to the nearby Cango Caves, a a world heritage site and one of the natural wonders of the world.
Reaching Cango Caves we set off on a hour-long guided tour of the underground cave system, a labyrinth of tunnels and interconnected halls of limestone formations. Choose between a standard or adventure tour in this massive subterranean Cango Cave system, filled with ancient stalactites and stalagmites. South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction these extensive caves are millions of years old.
After exploring the magical caves, we make our way out of the Karoo, heading 60km south through the breathtaking Outeniqua Pass to the southern coast. At the town of George we enter the famous Garden Route of South Africa, and drive along the coast at a leisurely pace to our next stop, Knysna. The charming town of Knysna is counted among South Africa’s most beautiful towns and is known for its annual oyster festival.
Once we reach Knysna we take a walk to the natural lagoon, visiting the famous Knysna Heads and lovely surrounds. Later in the afternoon we visit the Bloukrans Bridge, where you get the chance to experience the highest commercial bungee jump in the world! Either admire the views from the highest road bridge in Africa or take the adrenaline pumping leap into the 216m high gorge.
- Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Storms River Village
- Included Activities: Standard or adventure guided tour of Cango Caves
- Optional Activities: Bloukrans bungy jump (216m), Bloukrans bridge walking tour
Day 4: Tsitsikamma National Park, Black Water Tubing, Waterfall Zipline Sundays River Valley
On day four you have the chance to explore Tsitsikamma National Park, on an optional hike or blackwater tubing excursion.
Either hike through the forests, crossing the Storms River Mouth suspension bridge or tube down the narrow ravine. Tubing is a unique, four hour fun adventure, filled with splashing, swimming, rock jumping, kloofing and hiking (seasonal).
Tsitsikamma Park, declared a national park in 1964, covers 80km’s along the coast of the Garden Route, incorporating marine and terrestrial ecosystems.This wilderness area is incredibly beautiful, with its rugged mountains and dramatic coastline. A variety of animals can be spotted in the park, from dolphins offshore to monkeys and small buck, along with the numerous birds found in its indigenous forests and endemic Fynbos vegetation. Unique Fynbos makes up about 30% of the national park’s vegetation, hosting an array of stunning flowers, including the national flower of South Africa, the protea.
From Tsitsikamma Park we travel to the Kruis River where you have the opportunity to slide along a zipline over the ravine and waterfalls below. There are eight cable rides over the river at this exciting “foefie-slide” site.
Leaving the Garden Route we travel eastwards and then inland to our next stop, Addo Elephant National Park.
Our overnight accommodation is located in a beautiful, wild setting within Sundays River Valley on the banks of the river. A canoe trip on the Sundays River is included in the tour price and there is also time to unwind and enjoy the sunshine here. At the end of an adventure-filled day we relax around the campfire taking in the tranquility of this bush setting under starry African skies.
- Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Sundays River Valley
- Included Activities: Canoeing on Sundays River
- Optional Activities: Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park, Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing, Tsitsikamma Falls Zipline
Day 5: Addo Elephant Park Game Drive, Port Elizabeth Jeffrey’s Bay
This morning we rise and shine early for our game drive in Addo Park, home to one of the densest elephant populations in the world. Malaria free Addo is the third largest national park in South Africa, covering 145 000 hectares of wilderness, stretching to the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Mornings are an excellent time for game viewing in the bush as this is one of the most active times of the day for wild animals. We explore Addo in search of the variety of wildlife found in this game park, including the Big Seven (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark). Along the way we stop regularly to take photographs and learn more about the animals we spot in the bush.
On our game drive we stop at the main lookout point where we get out of our vehicle to admire the fantastic view over the untamed wilderness. The game drive is followed by lunch at the restaurant inside Addo, before we exit the park driving down to the coast at an easy pace.
Our next port of call is the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, a major port city that is popular with tourists too. Located along the scenic Algoa Bay in the rugged Eastern Cape Province, Port Elizabeth is known as the Friendly City.
We then visit the unspoilt beaches of Jeffrey’s Bay, a world-class surfing destination. In J’Bay we stop to check out the impressive waves at a top surfing spot, called “supertubes”. From the beaches we head into the town to explore and browse the popular factory shops stocking surfing wear by Billabong, Rip Curl, Roxy, Quicksilver and others. There is enough free time in Jeffreys for you to rent a surf board and try out the waves or take a surfing lesson.
- Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Jeffrey’s Bay
- Included Activities: Entrance fee and 3 hour game drive in Addo National Park
- Optional Activities: 2 Hour game drive with 4×4 vehicle in Addo National Park, Surfboard wetsuit rental, Surfing lessons, Beach horse ride
Day 6: The Crags Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland Sedgefield
Today we continue our journey west, making our way back to Cape Town.
We stop at the Crags Orphaned Elephant Sanctuary for remarkable close-up elephant encounters. At the Elephant Sanctuary you get the chance to walk with the elephants, feed them and even ride on an African elephant under the instruction of a knowledgeable guide.
From the sanctuary we drive along the scenic Garden Route, pausing to take photographs and admire the views of nature.
Our overnight accommodation is set right on Myoli Beach in Sedgefield and offers spectacular views over the ocean. The Swartvlei Lagoon lies nearby, placing a variety of water sports and adventure activities within easy reach. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, exploring Sedgefield or participating in optional activities, before tucking into a delicious dinner.
- Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Sedgefield
- Optional Activities: Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, Paragliding, Kite/Wakeboarding lessons, board rentals at Myoli Beach
Day 7: Return to Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass
Enjoy breakfast while looking out over the Indian Ocean in Sedgefield, before we hit the road again. Today we travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa, on our way back to Cape Town where our Garden Route Tour started.
En route we pass through Albertinia, visiting an Aloe factory, before continuing our scenic drive westwards. We drive via the pretty town of Swellendam and on to the Sir Lowry’s Pass offering panoramic views over Cape Town and the wide ocean.
Early on Saturday afternoon we arrive back in Cape Town, bringing this memorable Cape to Garden Route Addo Safari to a close.
- Included Meals: Breakfast
Tour Accommodation:
Stay in backpacker dorm accommodation or upgrade to a private room with or without an en suite bathroom. For more details see the full tour pricing.
Green Seats:
You can off set your carbon footprint on the tour by purchasing a “green seat” for only R55!
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