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Garden RouteExtreme sports & adrenaline

Our most recommended Garden Route Extreme sports & adrenaline

Garden Route National Park: Tsitsikamma Zipline Canopy Tour

1. Garden Route National Park: Tsitsikamma Zipline Canopy Tour

This unique eco-wilderness adventure takes place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest. Most of the platforms are located in giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life are spectacular and professional guides provide interesting facts about the forest ecology throughout the tour. The concept of guiding people through the upper canopy of a rainforest originated in Costa Rica, where adventurous biologists devised new methods for accessing the forest canopy in order to conduct research on the undiscovered canopy ecosystem. The idea soon developed into a breathtaking form of eco-tourism which allowed people to enter and experience a previously inaccessible natural environment. The tour begins with a detailed safety briefing followed by a kitting-up session where full body harnesses, pulleys, and climbing equipment are issued and checked. A short drive into the Tsitsikamma forest and it is time to monkey around. From the start on the launch platform, a new world unfolds as one gently glides on a steel cable to the first tree platform. All groups are escorted through the forest canopy by a lead guide and a follow guide to ensure your safety as you slide from tree to tree. The platforms are built high up in the giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods and provide an unbelievable view of this enchanting new world, any fear of heights is soon lost as you gather in your new surroundings.

Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

2. Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

Take a 3-hour guided game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, and experience close encounters with rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and more. Situated in spectacular mountains near Mossel Bay, the reserve boasts a great diversity of habitats and 26 different species of wildlife.  The 4,200 hectare reserve is a paradise for bird watchers, with more than 200 species to be seen. In an open game viewing vehicle, your guide will take you to the best locations to spot lions, zebras, elephants, and other animals. After the game drive, spend some time enjoying the facilities, including a restaurant and an open-air swimming pool.

Plettenberg Bay: Canyoning Trip

3. Plettenberg Bay: Canyoning Trip

Check in at the base camp to pick up your wetsuits, harnesses, life jackets and helmets. Once the group is ready, leave base camp for a short drive to the start of your canyon adventure. First, start your ropes course with a gentle 25-meter abseil into the canyon. Then, kick off with your first jump into the river followed by a short swim. Next, if you choose, try your hand at some cliff jumping. For this part of the activity, the highest jump is around of about 7 meters, and lowest 1 meter above the water level, so there are many options if your nerves are getting the better of you. Continue swimming and hiking down the river to The Rush, a waterfall abseil, and seasonally a controlled zip-line over the waterfall. Carry on swimming and hiking down the river until your next adventure, a 55-meter zip-line over a waterfall and into the river below. On completion of the trip, you will be collected from the pick-up point and transported back to the base camp for a nice hot shower, and to collect your pictures of the canyon trip.

From Cape Town: 3-Day Garden Route Highlights Tour & Safari

4. From Cape Town: 3-Day Garden Route Highlights Tour & Safari

Day 1: Oudtshoorn(Travel about 400 km) Start with morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town or Stellenbosch. Set off along the famous Route 62, where you'll capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, vast Karoo plains, vineyards and orchards. Pop in at one of the many farm stalls along the way, stocked with locally crafted delights before arriving in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. 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 guided Heritage Tour or by contrast, the Adventure Tour allows you to wiggle your way through limestone on a daring underground route. You’ll spend the evening in Oudtshoorn at leisure. As per package selected; overnight at Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Saver package) or Buffelsdrift Lodge Horizon View Tents (Comfort package). Day 2: Wilderness(Travel about 450 km) As the dawn breaks in the dusty Klein Karoo, opt for a close encounter with Mother Nature and join elephant guides on an (optional with extra cost) Elephant Observation Nature Walk. Gentle giants (Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo) made Buffelsdrift their home after being relocated from Kruger when their parents were poached. Follow and take photos of these 3 rescued African elephants as they roam freely in this natural bush veld habitat. Then, take to the water for a leisurely afternoon paddle along the reed-lined banks in Wilderness National Park region. It’s not until you stop paddling and let the gentle current guide you, that the abundance of bird life becomes apparent.  The adventure continues as you reach Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump. Opt in to hurtle face-first down the 134 (216 m) drop if you dare (optional with extra cost) or those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground can visit the nearby forest area. Spend the evening soaking in the slow town way of life in Sedgefield or Wilderness, subject to your accommodation location. Feel the white sand between your toes as you sip on cocktails and enjoy dinner. As per selected package; choose to stay at PiliPili Beach Backpackers (Dorm or Saver package) or PiliPili ensuite rooms (Comfort package). Day 3: Garden Route (Travel about 400 km excluding safari drive) Start the day in the heart of the African bush. Spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open 4x4 vehicle in the malaria-free Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Search for giraffe, white rhino, kudu, lion, elephant, zebra, and wildebeest, just to name a few. The game drive is led by an experienced game ranger, sharing his knowledge of the local wildlife, birdlife, and insects. End the day with a journey through the landscape of rolling farmlands as you say farewell to the Garden Route on your way back to Cape Town or Stellenbosch by late evening.

From Cape Town: 5-Day Best of Garden Route and Addo Safari

5. From Cape Town: 5-Day Best of Garden Route and Addo Safari

Day 1: Route 62 (travel about 400 km) Start with a morning pickup from Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Travel along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, with a wine-tasting stop (non-alcoholic tasting available too) before reaching Oudtshoorn by late afternoon. For a close encounter with Mother Nature, opt in to join elephant guides on an Elephant Observation Nature Walk (at extra cost) and follow 3 lovable rescued elephants in their natural Cango Valley bush veld habitat. Overnight at Uthando Backpackers (dorm or saver package) or 88 van Rheede Guesthouse (3* comfort package) or Buffelsdrift Lodge (4* deluxe package). Day 2: Oudtshoorn (travel about 400 km excluding safari drives) Visit a working ostrich farm and see the largest flightless birds in the world. Next, head to the mountains to go deep underground in the illuminated wonder world of the Cango Caves, exploring vast halls filled with ancient stalactites before traveling onward to the Addo region. Overnight at Avaco Cabins (dorm or saver package) or Gerald's Gift (comfort package) or Addo Wildlife lodge (deluxe package). Day 3: Addo, Jeffreys Bay (travel about 200 km) An early morning start allows the best option to spot wildlife as the bush awakes in Addo Elephant National Park, the 3rd largest national park in South Africa. Join the park's optional 4x4 game drive or simply take the included 2-hour safari bus drive. Along with. your guide, search for some of the big five, which includes elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, and rhinos. Spend your afternoon relaxing with free time at Jeffreys Bay's Beach. Choose between surfing, beach horseback riding, or sand boarding (all optional at an extra cost). Overnight at Island Vibe (dorm or saver package) or Sea Whisper (3* comfort package) or On The Beach Lodge (4* deluxe package). Day 4: Tsitsikamma, Sedgefield (travel about 250 km) Experience the highest bungy jump bridge in the world, Waterfall Zipline over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest for even more optional adventure (at extra cost) or spend more time in Tsitsikamma National Park. Take a short walk to the suspension bridges before a photo stop at Knysna's lagoon en route to Sedgefield. Overnight at Pili Pili Beach Cabanas (dorm or saver) Fairy Knowe (3* comfort) or Dolphin Dunes (4* deluxe). Day 5: Wilderness (travel about 450 km excluding safari drives) Take to the water for a leisurely canoeing session to a secret waterfall along the rivers of the wilderness region. On the journey back to Cape Town, spot wildlife on a 4x4 Botlierskop game drive (at extra cost) or relax at Mossel Bay's Diaz Beach after walking to the Cape St Blaize lighthouse. Your adventure ends with an evening drop-off at your Cape Town or Stellenbosch accommodation.

Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park: 5-Day Safari

6. Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park: 5-Day Safari

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

From Cape Town: 7 Day Garden Route, Addo and Winelands Combo

7. From Cape Town: 7 Day Garden Route, Addo and Winelands Combo

Join the ultimate Garden Route experience: explore the winding roads from Cape Town to Addo National Park with a combo tour package including a 2-day Western Cape tour and a 5-day Garden Route tour. Enjoy accommodation, tastings, bushwalks, and more. Day 1-2: Cape Winelands and Cape Point Sample wine paired with cheese at the Fairview wine estate and enjoy chocolate at the Muratie Wine Estate in the scenic Cape Winelands. Join a 15-minute wine tram journey to Rickety Bridge in the historic town of Franschhoek for a Taste & Tram tour along the Cape Winelands (or similar). Continue to spend time in Franschhoek for lunch before you return to Cape Town for your overnight stay as per your selected package: Never@home Backpackers (Saver), 3-star Sea Point Protea or Sky hotel (Comfort), or 4-star Garden Court Hotel Victoria Junction or similar (Deluxe). The next day, travel via Chapman's Peak towards Cape Point. After a short hike to the top of the lighthouse and a stroll down to the Cape of Good Hope, journey along Boulder's Beach to visit the penguins. Drive past colorful beach huts at Muizenberg Beach before another overnight stay in Cape Town. Day 3: Oudtshoorn Capture the beauty of the high mountains and rugged Karoo Plains on a drive along the legendary Route 62 to reach and explore the Cango Caves. Stay the night in Oudtshoorn: Uthando Backpackers (Saver), 3-star Yamkela Guesthouse (Comfort), or 4-star Buffelsdrift Lodge or similar (Deluxe). Day 4: Addo Fall in love with giant orphaned elephants on an optional bush walk. Visit an ostrich farm before spending the night in the town of Addo: Avoca Cabins (Saver), 3-star Gerlads Gift Guesthouse (Comfort), 4-star Addo Wildlife Lodge or similar (Deluxe). Day 5: Addo and J’bay Look for wildlife on a game drive by tour bus at Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of wild elephants on the planet. Chill at J’bay Beach: swim, surf, or join in optional activities like beach horse riding or sand boarding. Stay overnight at Jeffrey's Bay: Island Vibe Backpackers (Saver), 3-star Sea Whisper (Comfort), or 4-star On The Beach Guesthouse (Deluxe). Day 6: Wilderness Face your fear during an optional jump from the world's highest bungee bridge at the Bloukrans, zip-line over waterfalls, or have more time to explore the Tsitsikamma National Park. Visit The Heads Viewpoint at Knysna, then stay overnight in the Wilderness National Park area: PiliPili Backpackers (Saver), 3-star Fairy Knowe (Comfort), or 4-star Dolphin Dune (Deluxe). Day 7: Wilderness National Park Canoe peacefully in nature in the Wilderness region and watch abundant birdlife while rowing to a waterfall. Choose to visit Mossel Bay Beach or partake in an optional 4x4 Botlierskop Game Reserve Safari before arriving back in the Cape in the evening.

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What people are saying about Garden Route

The guides were amazing. I loved the abseiling and jumping into the pools. The scenery is lovely. You do need to be relatively fit, as you are swimming down the river and then there is a steep climb out of the canyon at the end

The game drive was truly amazing. Our field guide, Simba made it even more memorable with his exceptional knowledge by making his stories funny and interesting.

Was for my granddaughter who has not stopped talking about it. The group she was with found the staff so friendly and so at ease.

Bring dry clothes to change into afterwards; go-pro advised. Magical.

Great fun, well run and very professional. A must do!