Summary of this Budget Safari
An action-packed budget lodge safari along the scenic coast of South Africa, starting in Durban on the east coast and ending in Cape Town in the Western Cape.
First we explore the remote Wild Coast area with its unspoiled sandy beaches, visiting the rustic seaside town of Coffee Bay and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the rugged Eastern Cape Province. After relaxing and participating in some optional activities, such as surfing and horse-riding, we leave the Wild Coast and head for Addo Elephant Park, where we embark an exciting game drive in search of the abundant elephants and other wildlife found in the park.
Next stop is the Tsitsikamma National Park where there is the option of taking a walk in the indigenous forest along the dramatic coastline, before making our way to the popular town of Knysna. Continuing along the Garden Route we travel to Hermanus, famous for its seasonal whale watching. Lastly it’s to the Cape Wine Route for some wine tasting and on to our final stop, the beautiful city of Cape Town.
An amazing 8 day long trip through some of South Africa’s most picturesque landscapes from the rugged East coast to the austere West coast!
Itinerary for this Tour
Tour Highlights:
- Remote Wild Coast Beaches, Coffee Bay Hole in The Wall
- Nelson Mandela Museum Wild Coast Village Walk
- See herds of elephants and other wildlife in Addo Elephant Park
- Tsitsikamma National Park forest Knysna on the Garden Route
- Oudtshoorn, ostrich farm Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo
- Cape Agulhas, Hermanus, Cape Wine Tour Cape Town
DAY 1: Durban to Coffee Bay Hole in The Wall (Breakfast Dinner)
Leaving Durban early in the morning we travel into the remote Wild Coast area, a sparsely populated region of wild and rugged beauty.
We spend most of the day on the scenic road to Coffee Bay, driving over the incredibly stunning mountain passes of the Drakensberg foothills as we meander to the rugged east coast of South Africa.
Formerly called the Transkei, the Wild Coast area is home mainly to Xhosa people, one of the major ethnic groups of South Africa. Many of the Xhosa we encounter here, still practise tribal traditions and remain deeply rooted in old Xhosa customs and beliefs, making for an interesting cultural experience. Along the way we pass farms and a scattering of rural villages, as well as Mthatha (formerly Umtata) where Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela was born.
We reach Coffee Bay in the early afternoon and set off for the unspoilt beach on foot. We walk to the well-known rock formation called Hole in the Wall, located just off the shore near Coffee Bay. This unusual geographical feature is a large rock stack with a hole eroded through it, the tale of which has been woven into local Xhosa mythology.
Overnight: Holiday resort or similar – Twin share rooms with en-suite facilities
Day 2: Coffee Bay – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
This morning we embark on a guided walk in one of the Xhosa villages of huts, dotting the hills around Coffee Bay. We meet the friendly local people and even a Sangoma (healer), learning a bit about their traditions and way of life.
The small seaside village of Coffee Bay offers an idyllic slice of rustic living in rural Africa, with its vibrant, yet laid-back and peaceful vibe. One of the most picturesque spots on the Wild Coast, this is a fantastic place to enjoy uncrowded beaches and walks in the hills and coastal forests. The name Coffee Bay originates from coffee trees that were said to grow here after a shipwrecked Cargo vessel spilled its beans here.
Then the day is yours to do as you please, with plenty of activities to choose from. Relax on one of the stunning sandy beaches and take a swim in the ocean, or go walking on one of the lovely trails through nature. Other optional activities include surfing, horseback riding on the beach, fishing, mountain biking and canoeing on the river.
Overnight: Holiday resort or similar – Twin share rooms with en-suite facilities
DAY 3: Addo Elephant Park – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
Start your day in a lush valley on this remote coastline, enjoying a light breakfast in the tranquil environment. Then we hit the road for our next game viewing destination, visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum en route. At the museum we gain insight into the life of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. The museum lies in a rural Eastern Cape town called Mthatha, near the small village where this Nobel Prize winner was born and raised.
We also drive through the historic university town of Grahamstown, where the National Arts Festival is held each year.
Our overnight lodge is located just outside of Addo Elephant National Park, home to some 500 elephants. Having expanded considerably over recent years, Addo Park is also sanctuary to around 280 Cape Buffalo, lion, leopard, black rhino, zebra, hyena and a variety of antelope species. The unique flightless dung beetle is found almost exclusively in the Addo region, which covers five of the major vegetation biomes found in South Africa. Tomorrow we embark on a game drive in Addo, where wildlife sightings are generally very good, due to well-located waterholes and the flat landscape.
This evening we put our feet up at the scenic lodge and enjoy some sundowners beside the quiet river.
Overnight: River cabins or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities
DAY 4: Tsitsikamma National Park Knysna – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
Wake up to the sound of birdsong in the lovely natural setting of Sundays River Valley, before venturing into Addo Elephant Park on an exciting game drive. Leaving Addo we continue into the well-loved coastal region of the Garden Route to explore the Tsitsikamma Park section of the larger Garden Route National Park.
In the Tsitsikamma Forest indigenous hardwood trees stretch from the mountains to the dramatic cliffs of the wild coastline. Tsitsikamma is a top hiking destination with scenic mountain and coastal walking trails, as well as offering excellent bird watching and many exhilarating adventure activities.
Go hiking in the lush forests, looking out for small animals and exotic-looking birds or walk along the dramatic rocky coast where you may spot dolphins and otters among others. Walk in the Fynbos covered hills, snorkel over the unspoilt reefs, take a boat trip or canoe on the Storms River.
In the late afternoon we depart from the rich and diverse Tsitsikamma National Park making our way further along the Garden Route to the picturesque town of Knysna. We travel via the Bloukrans Bridge, renowned as the site of the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Take the 216 metre plunge into the gorge for a real adrenalin rush, if you dare.
Then we arrive in the attractive seaside town of Knysna, famous for its annual Oyster Festival. This popular holiday destination is located beside a large estuary, nestled between the south coast and the lofty Outeniqua mountains. We spend the next two nights in Knysna, allowing enough time to appreciate this special place and its stunning surroundings.
Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities
Day 5: Knysna – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
Day five starts with breakfast at the lodge before going to the famous landmark of Knysna Heads. Stand on one of these rocky cliffs and marvel at the spectacular views out over the Knysna lagoon, town and open ocean.
The remainder of today is unstructured, leaving you time to stroll around the leafy town of Knysna, visiting lively cafes and browsing its delightful little boutiques and craft shops. Knysna is far from short on things to do, with a wide array of activities for you to choose from, including hiking, fishing, mountain biking, boat cruises, canoeing and ferry rides on the lagoon, or visiting the Knysna Elephant Park and catching a tan on the beach. This stretch of the scenic Garden Route is a real highlight, not only for its natural beauty but for its abundance of fun activities.
We have an early dinner together and then you’re free to head out into the characterful town and enjoy the nightlife or amble around the bustling waterfront.
Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities
Day 6: Knysna to Oudtshoorn – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
From the charming coastal town of Knysna we drive inland towards the arid Klein Karoo region, passing over breathtaking mountain passes en route.
Our next stop is the historic Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, set between the majestic Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges. Oudtshoorn lies in a unique ecological hotspot zone, where three types of vegetation meet, namely the fynbos, cape thicket and succuent Karoo.
Oudtshoorn claims to be the ostrich capital of the world, which seems likely considering the abundance of these big flightless birds here. Ostriches have been bred in the area since the 1860’s and a huge industry now exists around these birds, selling their eggs, feathers, meat and leather. We head to an ostrich farm to get a closer look and even take a ride on an ostrich!
Then we explore the Cango Caves, a massive network of underground tunnels and large chambers with impressive limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites.
After our unusual day spent with long-legged ostriches and in underground caverns we overnight in quaint Oudtshoorn, known for its warm hospitality.
Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities
Day 7: Oudtshoorn to Hermanus – South Africa (Breakfast Dinner)
Returning to the coast today we travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa, crossing verdant mountains and flowing streams. Our journey takes us via the southernmost tip of Africa, where the cool Atlantic and warm Indian Oceans meet. The rugged Cape Agulhas point is called the ‘Cape of Storms’, notorious for the shipwrecks scattered along this stretch of coast. It is said that waves reach up to 30 metres along this Cape during the savage winter storms. At Cape Agulhas we pause for lunch in the towering lighthouse with its little museum.
The seaside town of Hermanus is our final destination for today. Hermanus is world-famous for its exceptional whale watching and dolphin spotting record. Our afternoon is free for you to walk around the laid-back town or participate in some outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include canoeing trips, diving, surfing, sailing on a yacht and whale watching boat trips (in season).
This evening you can hit the town for some fun in the local hang-outs or sit back and let the ocean breeze blow through your hair.
Overnight: Travellers lodge or similar – Twin share rooms with shared facilities
Day 8: Hermanus to Cape Town – South Africa (Breakfast)
Our final morning is set aside for you to explore seaside Hermanus on foot, browsing its charming shops and cafes. You can take a walk on the boardwalk along the ocean looking out for whales or stop in at the outdoor Old Harbour Museum, a Western Cape heritage site tracing the history of this famous fishing village. Hermanus is famous for its exceptional whale sightings (in season) and is considered one of the best places for land-based whale watching in the world. Choose from whale watching tours by boat or from the shores, a not-to-be-missed activity in Hermanus.
Departing before lunchtime we travel via rugged fishing villages set along the spectacular Atlantic coastline towards Cape Town. As we near our final destination we stop to visit a wine farm in this famous wine growing region. Taste some of the fine local wines and tour the winery before we continue to one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Cape Town.
Arriving in Cape Town late afternoon, our Durban to Cape Town Lodge Safari comes to an end at the foot of world-famous Table Mountain.
Tour Accommodation:
On this small group tour accommodation is mostly in shared rooms with twin beds in chalets, bungalows or cabins with shared facilities. Some nights are spent in twin rooms with en suite bathrooms. Many of the places that we stay at are located in picturesque settings with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. Some of the accommodation is a little more basic but still comfortable, clean and secure.
Tour Transport:
Transport on this tour will be in a comfortable mini-bus or microbus. Maximum group size: 12 passengers.
Participation on this Tour:
This is an active participation tour; which means everybody helps out with the daily chores. The chores are usually shared on a roster basis and include tasks like shopping and cooking.
The active participation on this tour provides good opportunities to meet local people and get to know your fellow travellers. Your contribution helps to make sure that your trip is successful and enjoyable for everyone. Sharing the responsibilities means that nobody has to work too hard! On past tours most people have found that the more they get involved, the more they enjoy themselves. With a sense of adventure and a flexible attitude you will be sure to have a wonderful trip.
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