7-Day Garden Route and Addo Safari from Cape Town

7 Days Round trip from Cape Town Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Scenic Garden Route drive from Cape Town through coastal and Overberg landscapes
  • 02 Explore Mossel Bay, including Cape St Blaize Lighthouse and ocean viewpoints
  • 03 Discover Knysna Lagoon, the Knysna Waterfront, and the famous Knysna Heads
  • 04 Walk the coastal trails of Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay
  • 05 Experience Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth suspension bridges
  • 06 Spend two safari days in Addo Elephant National Park searching for elephants and other wildlife

Discover South Africa's legendary Garden Route on a 7-day journey from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape and back. Travel along dramatic coastlines and through lush forests, visiting Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Tsitsikamma National Park, with time for beaches, lagoons, viewpoints, and nature walks. The adventure continues with dedicated safari time in Addo Elephant National Park, where you can search for elephants and other wildlife. Return to Cape Town via scenic inland landscapes, with the option to travel through Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Mosselbay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, Wilderness National Park, Karoo
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Cape Town to Mossel Bay via the Scenic N2

Depart Cape Town in the morning and travel along the scenic N2 towards the Garden Route.

Enjoy stops along the way before arriving in Mossel Bay, a historic coastal town overlooking the Indian Ocean. Visit the famous Cape St Blaize Lighthouse and explore the coastline.

Highlights:

  • Scenic drive from Cape Town
  • Overberg and coastal landscapes
  • Mossel Bay
  • Cape St Blaize
  • Coastal viewpoints
  • Free time to explore Mossel Bay

Overnight: Mossel Bay

2
Day 02

Mossel Bay to Wilderness and Knysna

After breakfast, continue towards Wilderness, famous for its beaches, lakes, wetlands, and forests. Enjoy a scenic stop before continuing to Knysna.

Explore the beautiful Knysna waterfront and enjoy views of the famous Knysna Heads, where the lagoon meets the ocean.

Highlights:

  • Wilderness
  • Wilderness National Park area
  • Scenic coastal drive
  • Knysna Lagoon
  • Knysna Waterfront
  • Knysna Heads

Overnight: Knysna

3
Day 03

Plettenberg Bay and Robberg Nature Reserve

Spend the day exploring the beautiful Plettenberg Bay area and surrounding attractions.

Visit Robberg Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and, depending on the selected trail, views of beaches, cliffs, and marine life.

You can also explore the town of Plettenberg Bay and enjoy some leisure time along the beach.

Highlights:

  • Plettenberg Bay
  • Robberg Nature Reserve
  • Coastal viewpoints
  • Beach experience
  • Indigenous coastal vegetation
  • Leisure time in Plettenberg Bay

Overnight: Plettenberg Bay

4
Day 04

Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River

Today is dedicated to one of the Garden Route's most spectacular natural areas: Tsitsikamma National Park.

Explore the dramatic coastline, indigenous forests, and famous suspension bridges at the Storms River Mouth. Depending on your interests and availability, optional activities such as kayaking, boat trips, or canopy tours can be arranged.

Highlights:

  • Tsitsikamma National Park
  • Storms River Mouth
  • Suspension bridges
  • Indigenous forest
  • Coastal scenery
  • Optional adventure activities

Overnight: Storms River / Port Elizabeth area

5
Day 05

Eastern Cape Safari in Addo Elephant Park

Travel towards the Eastern Cape and spend the day exploring Addo Elephant National Park.

Enjoy a guided or self-drive safari through the park in search of elephants, buffalo, lions, antelope, and other wildlife. Addo is particularly famous for its large elephant population.

Spend the evening relaxing at your accommodation near the park.

Highlights:

  • Addo Elephant National Park
  • Game drive
  • African elephants
  • Buffalo
  • Lions and other wildlife
  • African bush landscapes

Overnight: Addo / Eastern Cape

6
Day 06

Full-Day Addo Elephant National Park Safari

Enjoy another full day dedicated to wildlife and nature.

Set out early for a safari when animals are often active. Explore different areas of the park and look for elephants, zebras, kudu, warthogs, buffalo, and other wildlife.

A second game-drive experience provides additional opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Highlights:

  • Full-day safari experience
  • Morning and afternoon game viewing
  • Elephant sightings
  • Wildlife photography
  • Birdwatching
  • African bush experience

Overnight: Addo / Eastern Cape

7
Day 07

Addo to Cape Town via Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo

After breakfast, begin your return journey towards Cape Town.

Depending on the preferred route and travel time, you can travel through the scenic interior towards Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo, with opportunities for scenic stops along the way.

Continue to Cape Town and arrive in the evening, marking the end of your Garden Route and Addo adventure.

Highlights:

  • Scenic return journey
  • Little Karoo landscapes
  • Oudtshoorn - optional stop
  • Mountain scenery
  • Return to Cape Town

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Cape Town 10 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 6 nights' accommodation in selected hotels, lodges, or guesthouses
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private transportation throughout the tour
  • Professional registered tourist guide
  • Cape Town pick-up and return transfer
  • Fuel and standard vehicle-related costs
  • Garden Route sightseeing and scheduled excursions
  • Mossel Bay and Cape St Blaize visit
  • Wilderness and Knysna sightseeing
  • Knysna Heads visit
  • Plettenberg Bay visit
  • Robberg Nature Reserve visit
  • Tsitsikamma National Park visit
  • Storms River Mouth and suspension bridge experience
  • Addo Elephant National Park visits
  • Scheduled Addo safari/game drives
  • Bottled drinking water during touring days
  • Parking and applicable standard road tolls

What's Not Included

  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Visa fees, if applicable
  • Lunches and dinners unless specifically stated
  • Drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Optional activities such as kayaking, canopy tours, or boat cruises
  • Additional or private game drives not included in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Accommodation upgrades
  • Laundry and other hotel services

What to bring

  • Valid passport and any required visa
  • Travel insurance details
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Layered clothing for varying weather conditions
  • Warm clothing for early-morning and evening game drives
  • Camera or phone with sufficient storage space
  • Personal valuables kept secure

Know before you go

  • A valid passport and any required visa are the responsibility of each traveller.
  • Travel insurance covering medical expenses, cancellations, and personal belongings is strongly recommended.
  • The tour involves several hours of driving between destinations, so be prepared for long scenic journeys.
  • The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, road conditions, attraction closures, or operational requirements.
  • Addo Elephant National Park is a wildlife environment. Animal sightings are not guaranteed and must always be enjoyed from a safe distance.
  • Game drives operate according to park and operator schedules and may be affected by weather or other conditions.
  • Early-morning and evening game drives can be cool, even during warmer months.
  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for nature reserves and sightseeing activities.
  • The Garden Route has varying weather conditions, so it is advisable to pack layers.
  • Some optional activities, such as kayaking, canopy tours, and boat cruises, require advance booking and may have additional costs.
  • Accommodation is subject to availability. Similar accommodation of the same standard may be substituted when necessary.
  • Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
  • Please keep valuables secure during the tour and avoid leaving belongings unattended in the vehicle.
  • Bring sufficient storage space on your camera or phone-you will have many opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.
  • The tour follows a responsible and sustainable tourism approach, and guests are encouraged to respect wildlife, local communities, and the natural environment.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Airport or hotel lobby in Cape Town
Tour start
Cape Town
End of the journey

Your 7 days run from Cape Town to Cape Town.

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Starting from

ZAR 70,100 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room ZAR 78,800.00 — ZAR 80,700.00
Double Sharing ZAR 70,100.00 — ZAR 90,000.00
Triple Sharing ZAR 102,000.00 — ZAR 109,000.00

When

Travellers

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