1. Cape Town/Stellenbosch: 5-Day Garden Route Tour & Addo Park
Enjoy a memorable 5 days visiting some of South Africa’s top national parks and admire the scenery of sunsets, beaches, and the lush forests of the famed Garden Route starting from Cape Town or Stellenbosch. Expect a generous dose of the great outdoors, where nature and adventure combine in one perfect playground. Country roads perfectly frame both the rolling farmlands and endless flora and fauna. The landscape dramatically changes — from wine farms to untamed wilderness, Tsitsikamma forest to mountain ranges — as the kilometers pass. Day 1: Cape Town or Stellenbosch to Wilderness Area (travel route is about 450 kilometers) • Start with a morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town or Stellenbosch to reach the Garden Route section by early afternoon. • Paddle through the staggering scenery and abundant bird life of Wilderness. Wilderness features 18 kilometers of beaches cooled by sea spray, 5 lakes, 5 rivers, and 2 estuaries. Canoe in the beautiful Wilderness region and watch the bird life while gliding over the water in a pure encounter with nature. • Overnight in Sedgefield and Knysna - subject to availability of accommodation and your selected rate option, select between budget backpacker or en-suite guest house stay tour package options. Choose between Afrovibe Backpackers, 3-star Greywood Hotel, or 4-star Protea Hotel Knysna Quays. Day 2: Wilderness to Jeffrey's Bay (travel route is about 200 kilometers) • Hike along walkways to soak in the views of Knysna from the imposing sandstone Knysna Heads nestled between forested mountains and the sea, and curving around a big lagoon. • Choose between optional Bloukrans bungy and zipline, waterfall zipline, or explore the surrounding forest. • Face your fear and jump from the world's highest bungee jump (optional activity at an extra fee) or watch the adrenaline junkies as they scream through the air. • Zipline through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the Tsitsikamma forest. Multiple slides, of which the longest is 211 meters, zigzag along cables across the river gorge, as high as 50 meters above the water in some places (optional activity, at an additional fee). • If you don't want to do the zipline or bungee jump, this region is an outdoor playground and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground. A visit to the lush forests of the area provides the requisite photo opportunity. • Spend time in Tsitsikamma National Park — Explore paradise as you trek along boardwalks to the suspension bridges in this marine reserve with its unique combination of dramatic coastal and forest landscapes. • Overnight in Jeffreys Bay — choose between Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-Star Mandyville Guest house, or 4-Star On the Beach Guest house. Day 3: Jeffreys Bay & Addo National Park (travel route is about 250 kilometers) • Addo Elephant National Park — take a 2-hour drive in the tour bus, through the 3rd-largest national park in South Africa. This park conserves a wide diversity of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. The original elephant section of the park was dedicated to providing a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation provides protection and a rich food source, supporting what is now the most densely populated area of wild elephants on the planet. This finely tuned ecosystem is a sanctuary to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, a variety of antelope and zebra, and other species. • Head to the beach or shop in Jeffrey's Bay. Enjoy early morning surfing or just chill out on the beach. You can rent surfboards and wetsuits for an additional fee. • Overnight in Jeffreys Bay. Choose between: Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-Star Mandyville Guesthouse, or 4-Star On the Beach Guesthouse. Day 4: Jeffreys Bay to Oudtshoorn (travel route is about 400 kilometers) • Tour a working ostrich farm to learn more about the largest flightless bird in the world. • Head deep underground to the illuminated wonder world of the Cango Caves. On the tour, you’ll explore the narrow passages and vast halls filled with colorful ancient stalactites. Choose between the easy-going heritage tour or the adventure tour where you'll need to squeeze, twist, and wiggle your way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route. • In the afternoon, return to the wild for an optional 4x4 game drive with a knowledgeable game ranger at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve for a possible sighting of resident rhino and giraffe (this is subject to availability). • Overnight in Oudtshoorn. Choose between Backpackers Paradise, 3+Star Yamkela guest house B&B, or 4-Star Buffelsdrift Lodge Day 5: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town or Stellenbosch(travel route is about 400 kilometers) • Rise early for an Elephant Bush Walk Experience. Fall in love with these giant and lovable creatures. Learn about their background, behavior, and character as you walk along with orphaned African elephants in a natural setting (optional activity at an extra fee). • Route 62 — along South Africa's famous country road, also known as the longest wine route in the world. You'll capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, rugged Karoo plains, vineyards, and orchards. A quick wine tasting stop along the way is the perfect way to end this journey and take in spectacular views. • Return to the Cape Town/Stellenbosch area, arriving by late evening.
