Cape Town to Southern Cape Drive

Depart at 6:45am from the tour Meeting Point in Cape Town after meeting the guide and a small group of fewer than 12 people, or arrange hotel pickup within 5km of the city if booked early. The day’s travel covers about 450km over 6 hours, driving through mountain passes and along Route 62, known as the world’s longest wine route and inspired by America’s Route 66. This route features local culture, cuisine, notable characters, and wines. There will be a brief wine tasting break approximately halfway to the overnight stop.

40 min

Drive to Oudtshoorn

Continue through a landscape of rugged plains and high cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, located in the semi-desert Klein Karoo and known as the world’s ostrich capital.

Evening in Oudtshoorn

Spend the evening at leisure in Oudtshoorn. The guide can assist with restaurant bookings or joining the backpackers’ group for an optional braai barbecue at extra cost, featuring local dishes like ostrich sosaties and pot brood cooked over open flames. Accommodation options vary by package: Saver own room/dorm at Uthando Backpackers, 3-star Comfort at 88 Baron van Reede, or 4-star Luxe at Hlangana Lodge.

Morning in Oudtshoorn

The day begins in Oudtshoorn, where ostriches dominate the landscape. Along the highway, bird paddocks and farms are visible, as well as colorful feather stalls near the town centre. Numerous show farm signs and grand sandstone homesteads recall a time when ostrich feathers were valued higher than gold. Today’s travel covers about 400 km, taking approximately 5 hours.

45 min

Cango Caves and Local Cuisine

Visit the Cango Caves, currently closed due to storm damage with an alternative arranged. These limestone caves contain dripstone formations and Khoikhoi paintings. Guests may choose the Heritage Tour to learn about cave formations and acoustics, or if available, the Adventure Tour, which involves navigating narrow limestone passages. On the way to the next stop, pass through Karoo country and visit a padstal-style restaurant offering a sampler menu of traditional South African dishes such as bobotie, roosterbrood, koeksisters, and melktert.

60 min

Stay in Addo Region

As the journey continues toward the Greater Addo area, the arid plains of the Klein Karoo transition into greener surroundings. The area features a small citrus farming community located in the Sundays River Valley, encircled by the Zuurberg Mountains, which offer opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing in a malaria-free environment. Overnight lodging near Addo National Park is included, with options based on the chosen package: Saver own room or dormitory at Avoca Backpacker House, 3-star Comfort at Gerald's Gift Guesthouse, or 4-star Luxe at Addo Wildlife Lodge. Note that guesthouse accommodations can be 15 to 30 minutes’ drive away from the backpacker lodgings.

Addo Elephant Park Game Drive

The day’s travel is about 300 km, taking around 5 hours. Early morning offers a chance to observe some of Africa’s Big Five within Addo Elephant National Park. Using local expertise, the guide locates large game animals while navigating the park’s dusty roads. Included is a 2-hour game drive aboard the tour bus. The park’s original elephant section was created to protect the few wild elephants that survived government culling in the early 1900s. The area’s dense vegetation supports the planet’s highest concentration of wild elephants, numbering over 550, along with lions, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, various antelope species, and zebra.

120 min

Jeffreys Bay Leisure

After an early morning, enjoy free time in the afternoon at Jeffreys Bay’s surf shop village, known for discount outlets. Optional activities at own expense include learning to surf or horseback riding on the beach. Surfboards and wetsuits can be rented for an additional fee. The day ends with dinner at the backpackers accommodation or at a local seafood restaurant near the shore. Accommodation options include Saver own room/dorm at Island Vibe Backpackers, 3-star Comfort at Sea Whisper Guesthouse or similar, and 4-star Luxe at On The Beach Guesthouse.

180 min

Garden Route Adventure

After breakfast, head to the coastal forest area of the Garden Route, traveling about 300 km over 5 hours. This day includes activities such as ziplining over river gorges, viewing ocean and river landscapes from Bloukrans Bridge, and exploring forests via suspension bridges and footpaths in Tsitsikamma National Park. For those interested, the option exists to attempt the world’s highest bungy jump at 216 meters.

Tsitsikamma Ziplining

For a less intense experience, opt for the Waterfall Ziplining through Tsitsikamma forest. This includes approximately five individual zip lines, crossing over three waterfalls and sliding down one large gorge.

Tsitsikamma Forest Walks

For those preferring to stay on the ground, Tsitsikamma National Park offers forest walks featuring birdwatching, game spotting, and waterfall visits. A short but steep walk leads to the suspension bridge with scenic views. The forest paths also provide opportunities to see reptiles, birds, a hidden waterfall, and a sandy beach.

120 min

Knysna Heads Stop

Travel along the coast and stop at Knysna Heads, two sandstone cliffs at the lagoon’s edge. This is a photo opportunity to view the lagoon surrounded by ancient forests, illustrating why the area is popular with visitors and locals.

30 min

Sedgefield-Wilderness evening

Spend the evening experiencing the slow pace of life in Sedgefield, Wilderness. Walk along the uninterrupted sandy beach at sunset to relax and restore calm. After the walk, visit the rustic beach restaurant if staying in Sedgefield or go into town for a quieter dinner if overnighting in Wilderness. Note that guesthouse accommodation is often located 15 to 30 minutes’ drive from the busier backpacker areas. Overnight accommodation is included according to the booked package: Saver own room/Dorm at Pili Pili Backpackers, 3-star Comfort at Fairy Knowe or similar, 4-star Luxe at Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse or similar.

Garden Route coastal drive

Travel about 500 km over approximately 6 hours today. The route passes through coastal towns resembling oases, bordered by ocean and forested national parks.

Mossel Bay stop and return

Travel along the N2 national road back to the Cape, stopping near the seaside village of Mossel Bay. Optionally, take a Botlierskop 4x4 Safari drive at a nearby private game reserve if the Addo National Park safari did not provide many animal sightings, offering another chance to see most of the Big 5. After completing the Garden Route highlights, return to Cape Town or Stellenbosch with an evening drop-off between about 7pm and 9pm, depending on traffic and drop-off location.

120 min