Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park: 5-Day Safari
15 Reviews
WHEN
Monday 5 August to Thu Nov 7th 2024
ADDRESS
, The Heads
COMPANY
Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park: 5-Day Safari
Highlights
- Look for the 'Big 5' of Africa at Addo Elephant National Park
- Canoe up the Touw River through indigenous forest
- Discover Tsitsikamma National Park's unique landscape
- See some of South Africa's most scenic locations
- Go canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Description
Experience the best of South Africa's Western Cape and look for wildlife in spectacular national parks, such as Addo Elephant National Park. Take part in a host of available optional activities, including a bungee jump off the world's highest bungee bridge and a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet. Choose from a range of accommodation options and sleeping arrangements, including shared dormitories to save you money!
Day 1: Cape Town – Hermanus – Cape Agulhas (D)
Depart Cape Town early on Monday morning and head for Hermanus. Please note that shark cage diving clients will be picked up very early in the morning by the diving operator and will miss the first half of this day’s itinerary. Follow the scenic coastal road, stopping at Betties Bay to view a colony of endangered African penguins. Spend the afternoon in the seaside resort town of Hermanus, famous for the hundreds of Southern right whales during whale season (July to November) as well as its many shops, restaurants and markets. Drive to Cape Agulhas in the afternoon to discover the southernmost tip of Africa. Visit a viewpoint known as the “real” place, and see where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Stay the night in Cape Agulhas/Struisbaai.
• Included activities: Penguins at Betties Bay
• Optional activities: Shark cage dive; whale-watching boat trip (in season, July – November).
Day 2: Cape Agulhas – Oudtshoorn (B, D)
Travel along scenic Route 62 on route to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, known as the “Ostrich Capital of the World,” and experience South Africa’s longest wine route. Take a break for lunch and a wine tasting at a local winery, before checking into your accommodation, which is on a working game farm in the Little Karoo. As the sun goes down, enjoy a tour of the ostrich farm, taking in the views of the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges in the background.
• Included activities: Local wine tasting; Klein Karoo ostrich farm tour
Day 3: Oudtshoorn – Knysna – Sedgefield (B, D)
After breakfast, head over to the marvelous Outeniqua Mountain Pass and explore Wilderness National Park with some canoes. Enjoy a paddle up the Touw River through the indigenous forest, enjoying the abundance of bird life. After about 40 minutes, the canoes will be left for a 2 km hike along a boardwalk, which leads to a lovely waterfall and rock pools. Spend the late afternoon exploring Sedgefield, with its expansive views and beaches.
• Included activities: Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Day 4: Sedgefield – Tsitsikamma – Addo (B, D)
Head to the famous town of Knysna via the Lake District of the Garden Route. Visit the Knysna Heads viewpoint and marvel at magnificent views over the Knysna River estuary and the Indian Ocean. After Knysna, stop at Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters). Enjoy plenty of time for the adventure seekers to test their courage. Midday will be spent in Tsitsikamma National Park with its unique combination of indigenous forest and beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. The Park has a wide choice of activities for all, including hiking, crossing a suspension bridge, and swimming. In the afternoon, leave the Garden Route behind and head for Big 5 country, Addo.
• Included activities: Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
• Optional activities: 216-meter bungee jump at Bloukrans
Day 5: Addo Elephant National Park – Port Elizabeth
Spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park for up to 2-3 hours. Look for indigenous animals in the 28,000-hectare national reserve, including approximately 600 elephants along with Cape buffalo, lions, black rhinos, warthogs, zebras, eland, kudu, hartebeest, and many more. After an exciting morning of game viewing, drive to Port Elizabeth for a drop-off at the location of your choice between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
• Included activities: Entrance and 2-3 hour drive through Addo Elephant National Park by tour vehicle
• Optional activities: 2-hour open vehicle game drive with an Addo Elephant National Park field guide
Includes
Guide
Pickup in Cape Town and surrounding areas
Drop-off in Port Elizabeth only
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
4 nights accommodation (backpacker or guesthouse options)
Dinners and breakfasts (excluding Day 5)
Local wine tasting
Klein Karoo ostrich farm tour
Canoeing and hiking activities in the Wilderness National Park
Game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park
Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park
Important Information
- Pickup is available from locations in Cape Town
- This tour is conducted in a malaria-free area
- Group sizes range from 4 to 12 persons
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover any unforeseen circumstances
- No under 14's allowed on this tour. Inquiries can be made for a Private Tour.
- Tour departs every Monday, all year round
- This is an active tour. It is best suited towards those who like to be on the move, and can comfortably walk, carry luggage, and get in and out of the vehicle frequently
- The group is a mix between backpackers and guest house clients. We can accept guests as old as 65, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to enjoy the tour. Our average age is 33.
- Tour fee varies by accommodation type
- Those who select the shark cage diving option will be picked up very early in the morning on day 1 by the diving operator, and will miss the first half of day 1
- Please note that the itinerary given is sometimes done in a different order
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
