5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park

Travel Route about 450km (6hrs drive)

Early morning pick up from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch (usually between  6 to 8am, subject to traffic and your drop-off address.) You can receive your pickup time a day before. Please do not make any scheduled arrangements (especially flights) for the first or last day of this group tour, do book an overnight stay in Cape Town before and after your tour instead.

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Start this epic road trip journeying along the ever-changing scenery on your first day’s drive from Cape Town to the Southern Cape.  Wind your way through mountain passes where lazy baboons line the roadside;  rolling farmlands and fertile microclimates with rows and rows of grapevines. 

Get ready for the famous Route 62, modeled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour and the longest wine route in the world. The Route 62 is more than just a leisurely drive – showcasing local culture, food, larger-than-life local characters and world-class wines. Wine lovers will be in their element with a Wine Tasting pit stop to sample some of the local produce about midway to your overnight stop. Few things are more beautiful to behold than the innate majestic beauty of this Valley of Wine with a glass of wine in hand. 

Complete the day with a journey through the landscape of rugged plains and towering cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, situated in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. 

You’ll spend the evening here at leisure in this countryside town of Oudtshoorn. Either ask your guide to help you book a restaurant or taste local delights, such as ostrich "sosaties" (kebabs) and "pot brood" (bread cooked on open flames) at an optional 'braai' (bbq) experience and spend the evening around a crackling fire under the vast twinkling starry country sky.

Overnight in Oudtshoorn  - Subject to availability and your selected rate option, choose between: Dorm/Saver Uthando Backpackers or 3star Comfort Baron Van Reede guesthouse or 4 star Luxe Hlangana lodge

Travel Route about 450km (5hrs drive)

Wake up in Oudsthoorn, where the ostrich reigns supreme. If you haven’t picked it up from the bird-filled paddocks and farms lining the highway or the colourful feather stalls on the way to town centre, you will from the many show farm signs and the palatial sandstone homesteads that hark back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold. 

Head to the mountains to delve deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights your guide provides into the formation and dripstone evolution. By contrast, the Adventure Tour (if available) allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.  

Along the way to your next stop, you’ll venture through Karoo country and along the back roads to a small-town gem to experience a real taste of tradition, served with heart and heritage. Visit a charming “padstal”-inspired restaurant-deli to tuck into a proudly South African treats tasting menu, handmade with love by locals… featuring  traditional dishes like “bobotie", “roosterbrood", “koeksisters", and “melktert". 

As you journey to the world-renowned Greater Addo Region the dusty plains of the Klein  Karoo morphs into a greener horizon. This small citrus farming community lies in the Sundays River Valley surrounded by the Zuurberg Mountains that offer some spectacular hiking and game viewing in a malaria free area. Tonight you'll stay overnight close to Addo National Park, making it east to be ready to go on safari first thing in the morning.

Overnight in Addo - Subject to availability and your selected rate option, choose between: Dorm/Saver Avoca backpackers or 3star Comfort Gerald's Gift guesthouse or 4star Luxe Addo Wildlife lodge ( *Important notice for end of year peak season tours: For travel from 10 Dec to 10 Jan this tour will overnight 2 nights at Jeffreys bay and not in Addo town. )

Travel Route about 400km (4hrs drive -excluding safaris)

An early wake-up call might seem hard to take at first, but trust us, it’s worth getting to Addo Elephant National Park at dawn to see even more wildlife as the bush awakes.  Your guide will use local knowledge to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of some of the Big Five animals.

From safari to surf; after the morning of safari adventures the journey continues towards the coast. The large white caps (or seahorses as the locals call the surf break) of Jeffreys Bay herald your arrival into South Africa’s quintessential ‘Surf City’. Hang ten with the locals and slip into a relaxed frame of mind at the beach while enjoying the warmer Indian ocean waters. Shopaholics can visit the JBay’s surf wear shoppers village or if you’ve always fancied surfing at this world famous surf spot ; then put your goofy foot forward and go for it. Opt to fill your afternoon with a choice of the following optionals: book Surfing equipment (or surf lessons if time permits), Beach Horseback Riding as an alternative way to adventure along the sandy coastline.

End the day with dinner at your accommodation or a night out to a local seafood delicacy restaurant, as the gentle waves lap against the shore.

Overnight in Jeffrey's Bay - Subject to availability and your selected rate option, choose between: Dorm/Saver Island Vibe backpacker cabins or 3star Comfort Sea Whisper's guesthouse or 4star Luxe On The Beach guesthouse

Travel Route about 250km (3hrs driving)

Lush green landscapes and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day... from ziplining over gushing river gorges, breathtakingly-beautiful ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge and exploring dense forests along suspension bridges and footpaths in Tsitsikamma National Park - today is all about the "garden" of the Garden Route!

Calling all adrenalin junkies: get ready for the highest Bungy Bridge Jump in the world. The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go? 

For a more relaxed thrill, Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. You’ll complete about five individual slides (the longest is 211 meters in length), zip over three waterfalls and slide down one impressive gorge. 

This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park is sure to provide your essential forest fix. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing; your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be absolutely jam-packed.  A short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone, but the abundant reptile and bird wildlife, secret waterfall and sandy beach is waiting to amaze and delight you along the forest footpaths. 

As you head along the coastal belt, the paradise-like coastal towns show off and display why this region is a favourite with holiday goers and locals alike. Stop for the obligatory photo op at Knysna Heads, a pair of rocky sandstone cliffs on the edge of the lagoon, to drink in the exquisitely scenic lagoon views surrounded by ancient forests.

Spend the evening soaking in the slow town way of life in Sedgefield, Wilderness. Take a walk along the uninterrupted sandy beach shores at sunset, this place oozes serenity, the ideal way to reset your inner calm. After your recharged stroll check out the rustic beach restaurant if you are in Sedgefield or venture into town for a more intimate dinner if you overnight in the Wilderness area. 

Overnight in Sedgefield - Subject to availability and your selected rate option, choose between: Dorm/Saver Pili-pilli Backpackers or 3star Comfort Fairy Knowe Riverside Resort or 4star Luxe Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse

Travel Route about 500km (6hrs driving)

Today start off strong with another beautiful and exciting trip passing oasis-like coastal towns along the ocean-lined route hugged by forested national parks.

Venture along the N2 national road as you return to the Cape and stop at a seaside village called Mossel Bay.  Choose to do another optional Botlierskop 4x4 Safari drive at this nearby private game reserve.

After all the excitement of the week; ticking off the region's bucket list items and exploring the best spots of the Garden Route and beyond, you'll say your goodbyes as you reach Cape Town or Stellenbosch. End with an evening drop-off at your Cape Town or Stellenbosch accommodation in evening about 8pm to 10pm, subject to traffic and your drop-off address.

> Please do not make any scheduled arrangements (especially flights) for the first or last day of the tour, as traffic and weather can delay the approximate pick-up and drop-off times on group tours.