Cape Town - Oudtshoorn ( Join a 5-day Garden Route group tour )

Garden Route - This 7-day tour combines a 5-day Garden Route tour with 2 additional day tours near the Cape Town area. Depending on availability, your combo package may begin with either the 5-day tour or a day tour.

If you start with the 5-day tour, your morning pickup service will be between 6am and 8am (depending on your exact location) from your accommodation in Cape Town, aiming to reach the Garden Route area by the afternoon.

Ashton Winery - Early morning pickup from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch (usually between 6am and 8am, depending on traffic and your drop-off location). You will receive your pickup time the day before.

Begin this epic road trip by traveling through ever-changing scenery on your first day’s drive from Cape Town to the Southern Cape. Navigate mountain passes and get ready for Route 62, modeled after America’s famous Route 66 but with a local twist, known as the longest wine route in the world. Route 62 is more than just a scenic drive – it showcases local culture, food, larger-than-life characters, and world-class wines. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy a Wine Tasting stop to sample local produce about midway to your overnight destination.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - Activities - End the day by traveling through rugged plains and towering cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, located in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. Nature enthusiasts can join rangers on an optional Elephant Observation Nature Walk at the Buffelsdrift private game reserve. Follow elephant guides as you observe three rescued elephants – Jabari, Malaika, and Bulelo – in their natural habitat near a waterhole. These elephants were orphaned when their parents were poached in northern South Africa. To keep the family together, they were relocated to Buffelsdrift, bringing their lively personalities with them. You can take pictures from a distance and ask the guides questions as you observe these gentle giants.

Oudtshoorn - Spend the evening at leisure in the countryside town of Oudtshoorn. Your guide can help you book a restaurant or join the backpacker’s group to taste local delights, such as ostrich “sosaties” (kebabs) and “pot brood” (bread cooked on open flames) at an optional ‘braai’ barbecue experience at an extra cost. Enjoy a peaceful evening relaxing at your accommodation around a crackling fire or under the vast, starry night sky.

Oudtshoorn - Addo

Cango Ostrich Show Farm - Wake up in Oudtshoorn, where ostriches are the stars. If you haven’t noticed from the bird-filled paddocks and farms along the highway or the colorful feather stalls on the way to town, you will from the many show farm signs and the grand sandstone homesteads that recall an era when ostrich feathers were more valuable than gold. The Cango Ostrich Show Farm offers a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s largest bird up close and test the toughness of their shells.

The Cango Caves - Head to the mountains to explore the magical limestone chambers of the Cango Caves, 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 from your guide about the formation and evolution of the dripstones. Alternatively, the Adventure Tour (if available) allows thrill-seekers to squeeze, twist, and wiggle through limestone chimneys on a more adventurous underground route.

Addo Elephant National Park - Jeffreys Bay

Addo Elephant National Park - Rise early to visit Addo Elephant National Park and see wildlife as the bush awakens. Your guide will use local knowledge to locate the park’s big game animals while navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of some of the Big Five animals.

You’ll experience an included ±2-hour game drive in the tour bus. The original elephant section of the park was created to provide a safe haven for the few wild elephants that survived government-sponsored culling in the early 20th century. The lush vegetation offers 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 home to over 550 elephants, lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, various antelope, zebra, and other species.

Jeffreys Bay - The early morning start allows for free time in the afternoon, and J’Bay’s surf shop village – with its discount outlets – is perfect for shopping enthusiasts. If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf (optional activity at your own expense), this town or the nearby sand slopes are ideal for trying surfing or horseback riding on the beach (optional activity at your own expense) or simply relaxing on the beach. You can rent surfboards and wetsuits for an additional fee.

End the day with dinner at the backpackers’ accommodation or a night out at a local seafood restaurant, listening to the waves lap against the shore.

Tsitsikamma - Knysna - Wilderness

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

Calling all adrenaline junkies: get ready for the highest Bungy Bridge Jump in the world. Here, seemingly ordinary people plunge face-first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. If you’re feeling daring, why not face your fears and give it a try?

For a more relaxed thrill, try the optional Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. You’ll complete about five individual slides, zip over three waterfalls, and slide down one impressive gorge.

Tsitsikamma National Park - For a more relaxed thrill, try the optional Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. You’ll complete about five individual slides, zip over three waterfalls, and slide down one impressive gorge.

Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park - This region is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. For those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, a visit to the lush forests of Tsitsikamma National Park is sure to provide your essential forest fix. From bird watching to game spotting and waterfall chasing, your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be 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 will amaze and delight you along the forest footpaths.

Knysna Heads - As you travel along the coastal belt, the paradise-like coastal towns showcase why this region is a favorite with holidaymakers 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 take in the stunning lagoon views surrounded by ancient forests.

Botlierskop or Mossel Bay - N2 - Cape Town

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve - Travel along the N2 national road as you return to the Cape and stop near the seaside village of Mossel Bay. Choose to do another optional Botlierskop 4x4 Safari drive (if you haven’t seen many animals in Addo National Park, this offers another chance to spot most of the Big 5 animals on safari) at this nearby private game reserve.

After checking off the region’s must-do bucket list items and exploring the best spots of the Garden Route, journey back to the Cape and end with an evening drop-off at your Cape Town or Stellenbosch accommodation between 8pm and 10pm (depending on traffic and your drop-off location).

Cape Winelands ( Join a guided group tour )

Stellenbosch - Join an outsourced Cape Winelands small group day tour to visit at least 3 wine estates, including a selection of Dieu Donné, Simonsig, Mitre’s Edge, Middle Vlei, Vergenoegd, and more – depending on your specific departure day.

Your guide will collect you from selected hotels in the Cape Town city area (around 8am-9am).

On Mondays and Tuesdays, explore two wine estates in the stunning Franschhoek region, stroll through this charming town (led by your local wine guide), and after a delicious lunch in this self-proclaimed culinary capital of South Africa, you’ll be taken to a third wine estate in the Stellenbosch region. Here, you’ll enjoy a cheese and chocolate wine pairing in the cozy home of a local winemaker, followed by an informal cellar tour.

Mitre’s Edge Wine Estate - From Wednesdays to Sundays, you’ll explore two amazing estates in the historic Stellenbosch region, renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture and pivotal role in South Africa’s wine scene. Indulge in vineyard tours, an informal cellar tour, and, when available during harvest times, barrel tastings. For lunch, enjoy a delightful traditional South African meal paired with exceptional wines. Then you’ll visit a third wine estate for a cheese and chocolate wine pairing in the cozy home of a local winemaker, followed by an informal cellar tour.

After up to 15+ wine tastings and visiting 3 different wine estates, your winelands exploration day will come to an end, heading back to the Cape Town area by late afternoon (around 5:30 to 6:30pm, depending on traffic and the group itinerary).

*Subject to availability, a similar trip with a different supplier may be booked.

Cape Point ( Join a guided group tour )

Chapman’s Peak Drive - Join a Cape Point small group day tour (outsourced tour).

Start with a pick-up from your Cape Town accommodation. Hout Bay, an unassuming fishing village on the northern side of Chapman’s Peak, is the first stop of the day and offers the chance to visit the seal colony of Duiker Island, just a short cruise from shore. For those without sea legs, explore the local harbor market and snap Instagram-worthy pics of colorful fishing boats.

Hout Bay - As you leave Hout Bay behind, you’ll navigate 114 stunning bends stretching over nine breathtaking kilometers. Chapman’s Peak road, or Chappies to the locals, is considered one of the world’s most scenic drives – and with good reason. Rugged mountains face off with the Atlantic, and the roadway, an incredible feat of engineering, cuts through and provides unparalleled views of the ocean below.

Cape of Good Hope - Chappies sets the stage for the afternoon’s adventures as you head to the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwesterly point of Africa. Here, water and wilderness collide, creating a picturesque jagged shoreline adorned with green fringes of fynbos. This is a place to pay tribute to ancient seafarers like Bartolomeu Dias (who discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1488) and pioneers like Vasco da Gama, who navigated these treacherous waters from Portugal to India.

Indigenous fauna lines narrow winding pathways en route to the Cape’s whitewashed lighthouse, with views well worth the climb. Local wildlife – ostriches, baboons, and various antelope species, including bontebok – keep the journey interesting and provide plenty of postcard moments for photographers. On the hillside, an optional funicular eases the journey for those who want to reach the top of the lighthouse.

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony - As the day progresses, travel to Simon’s Town, perched on the shores of False Bay and home to the South African Navy. Just a few minutes to the south lies Boulders Beach, a charming stretch of sand dotted with granite boulders. This hotspot is home to a large colony of African penguins who strut their stuff in their black and white feathered finery, delighting the crowds that gather to watch. Boardwalks separate humans from birds and provide the perfect vantage point to see these adorable creatures.

You’ll return to Cape Town by late afternoon to early evening, around 5pm (but it can be later due to traffic or delays). Please do not book any flights or make specific arrangements for the first or last day of this group tour.

• Adventure tour of Cango Cave and Ostrich Farm tour
• Accommodation for 6 nights
• Cape of Good Hope entrance fee
• Hotel pickup within 10km area of Cape Town central or Stellenbosch centre
• Breakfast
• Route 62 wine tasting
• 1 day Cape Winelands Tasting tour
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Local English-speaking professional tour guide
• Game Drive in van at Addo Park
• Drop-off after tour to your original pickup address

• Some meals and drinks as listed on itinerary. Time is available daily to buy and enjoy meals on tour
• Optional Elephant Observation in Nature (about R650)
• Optional Bungee Jump (about R1700) and Waterfall Zipline (about R600)
• Optional Duiker Island Cruise (about R200)
• Optional Boulders Beach Penguin Reserve Entry (about R180)
• *Optional upgrade to Buffelsdrift Glamping in Oudshoorn (about R2000 pps)