Wilderness National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

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.

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

2. 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

3. 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: 6-Day Safari

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

Explore Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Sedgefield, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Addo, and Mossel Bay on an adventurous 6-day trip from Cape Town with accommodation, transportation, and most meals included. Discover wildlife and indigenous forests, taste local wine, canoe, hike, and visit the beaches of Mossel Bay. Day 1: Cape Town - Hermanus - Cape Agulhas Start your trip by departing from Cape Town to Hermanus. Follow the scenic coastal road to Betty's Bay to see a colony of endangered African penguins. Spend the afternoon in the seaside resort town of Hermanus, famous for being the home to hundreds of southern right whales from July to November. Later, drive on to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Day 2: Cape Agulhas - Oudtshoorn Travel to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, known as the Ostrich Capital of the World, via Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at a local winery before checking into your accommodation, a working game farm in the Little Karoo. As the sun goes down, join a tour of the ostrich farm. Take in the views of the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges in the background before calling it a night. Day 3: Oudtshoorn - Sedgefield After breakfast, head to Outeniqua Mountain Pass and explore the Wilderness National Park by canoe. Paddle up the Touw River through the indigenous forest with an abundance of bird life. After about 40 minutes, leave the canoes for a 2 km hike along a boardwalk to a waterfall with rock pools. In the late afternoon, spend time exploring Sedgefield with its expansive views and beaches. Day 4: Sedgefield - Knysna - Tsitsikamma - Addo Head to the famous town of Knysna via the lavish Lake District of the Garden Route. Visit the Knysna Heads Viewpoint for sweeping views over the Knysna River and the Indian Ocean. Next, stop at Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest bungee jump bridge. Midday will be spent in Tsitsikamma National Park, with its unique combination of indigenous forest and Indian Ocean coastline. The park has a wide choice of activities including hiking, crossing a suspension bridge, and swimming. In the afternoon, leave the Garden Route for the Big Five country, Addo. Day 5: Addo - Wilderness - Sedgefield Spend the morning exploring Addo Elephant National Park. Get up to 2-3 hours to roam the 28,000-hectare national reserve, home to approximately 600 elephants and other animals including buffalo, lions, rhinos, warthogs, and more. After a morning on safari, drive back to the Garden Route where you'll stay overnight in the Wilderness or Sedgefield area. Day 6: Wilderness - Sedgefield - Mossel Bay - Cape Town After breakfast, stop in Mossel Bay to spend some time on the beach. Hike the Cape St. Blaize trail along the seaside cliffs and visit the famous Diaz Museum complex, which commemorates the first known European exploration around the tip of Africa. The more adventurous can try a 10,000-foot tandem skydive or sandboarding on the longest dune in South Africa. Later, arrive back at Cape Town in the early evening for drop-off.

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

5. 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

6. 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.

Garden Route: Cape Town To Addo Elephant NP

7. Garden Route: Cape Town To Addo Elephant NP

Day 1: Whale Route, Cape Agulhas Today our adventure begins early, as we take a beautiful drive along the scenic R44 mountain pass looking out over False bay and the quaint seaside town of Hermanus. We stop over at a local Brewery to try some interesting fine beers and then make our way to the southernmost tips of Africa, Cape Agulhas national Park. Meals: None Included: Land Based Whale Watching in Hermanus/ Beer/wine tasting at Birkenhead Brewery Day 2: Cape Agulhas to Sedgefield This morning we enjoy some breakfast and travel further into the garden route. We stop over at an Aloe Factory and later stop to enjoy either a canopy tour, or cross over rope bridges, wobbly crossings and thrilling zip wires in the trees. We can also experience some Quad biking. At the end of the day we have some leisurely beach time at Myoli Beach Meals: Breakfast Day 3: Oudtshoorn day trip: Little Karoo, Cango caves, Ostrich Farm, Wildlife Endangered Ranch This morning we start with a scenic drive over the Outeniqua mountain range into the Klein Karoo, a semi desert region and also Oudtshoorn. Firstly we stop over at the majestic Cango Caves. The caves are millions of years old, is a world heritage site and considered as one of the great wonders of the world. Later we have a chance to ride on an ostrich on a working Ostrich farm or we can choose to visit the Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch where we can see cheetah, cage dive with crocodiles and see many other endangered animals. Meals: Breakfast Included: Standard guided tour of Cango Caves Day 4: Sedgefield – Jeffrey’s Bay: Monkey OR Elephant Sanctuary, Bloukrans Bungee & Tsitsikamma National Park This morning we take a picturesque drive through Knysna and make our way to crags where we can either visit an elephant sanctuary or a monkey sanctuary. Next stop is the world’s highest Bungee Jump or you can choose to take a stunning walk through Tsitsikamma national Park to the storms river swing bridges. After that we travel to Jeffreys bay, known for it’s amazing surf spots and we stay overnight right on the beach. Meals: Breakfast Included Highlights: Tsitsikamma Forest Day 5: Jeffrey’s bay – Addo National Park – Sedgefield: This morning we rise early and make our way to Addo National Park and enjoy a morning game drive where we can see a huge variety of different wildlife such as the Big 5. If there is time we will visit Knysna Heads . Meals: Breakfast Included Highlights: Jeffrey’s Bay/Addo Entrance & Game Drive with guide & Knysna Heads Day 6: Return to Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass This morning we have some breakfast and enjoy a stunning canoe trip down one of the most serene rivers in the area and we take a walk to a beautiful waterfall. We also visit an Aloe factory and take a picturesque drive via Swellendam and Sir Lowry's Pass. We reach Cape town late Thursday afternoon/early evening. Meals: Breakfast Included Highlights: Aloe Factory/ Hike

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What people are saying about Wilderness National Park

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 322 reviews

Tour excellently arranged, guests get a good insight of important highlights along the Garden Route within a few days. I am fully satisfied with the accommodations and meals.

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.

Good quality equipment Full safety briefing Friendly and helpful staff Excellent fun experience Thoroughly recommend

The experience was awesome and so much fun. Being in nature was a true highlight.

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