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Garden Route Tours

Our most recommended Garden Route Tours

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.

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

2. Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

Board your vessel for the day and receive a safety briefing before starting your whale watching adventure. In good weather conditions travellers will be allowed on the top-deck before departure for great unobstructed views, otherwise they will be allowed on top only after the whales have been found. Travel out onto the ocean taking in great views as you go.  Once the whales have been spotted, the vessel is allowed to move closer to the whales where it stops and the engines disengage is to prevent the whales from being injured by the propellers. Experience for yourself the astonishment of being so close to these majestic creatures.  As the whales are curious creatures, they might move up to the vessel for some 'people watching'. See a variety of other marine wildife such as dolphins and seals as you coast along the water. As you travel through the day and spot these beautiful creatures learn more about them from your crew, before they take you back to land after a once in a lifetime experience. 

Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

3. Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

Take a 3-hour guided game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, and experience close encounters with rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and more. Situated in spectacular mountains near Mossel Bay, the reserve boasts a great diversity of habitats and 26 different species of wildlife.  The 4,200 hectare reserve is a paradise for bird watchers, with more than 200 species to be seen. In an open game viewing vehicle, your guide will take you to the best locations to spot lions, zebras, elephants, and other animals. After the game drive, spend some time enjoying the facilities, including a restaurant and an open-air swimming pool.

From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

4. From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

Get the chance to see lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and more on a 2-day safari tour from Cape Town. Enjoy 2 game drives and an overnight stay with included dinner and breakfast. On the first day, depart Cape Town and drive along the scenic coastal road to Cape Agulhas via Hermanus, the whale watching capital of the world. Make a stop at the southernmost tip of Africa to admire the beautiful lighthouse. Continue on to Garden Route Game Lodge. Here, embark on a sunset safari in an open-air vehicle. Observe a variety of native animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and more. After the safari, settle in for a three-course dinner. Spend the night in one of the beautiful 4-star wooden chalets and admire the clear skies over the lodge. In the morning, head out for another game drive to see some of the animals you might have missed the evening before. After your drive, tuck into breakfast. Make your way back to Cape Town in the evening.

Plettenberg Bay: Swim with Seals

5. Plettenberg Bay: Swim with Seals

Go swimming with seals in Plettenberg Bay, a fun and playful experience for all involved. Meet at the local office to take care of the paperwork and pick up all your equipment. Your group will depart by boat from Central Beach aboard the Robberg Express for an exciting beach launch. Head towards Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area, home to approximately 8000 Cape fur seals.   Accompanied by a qualified divemaster, hop into the water and enjoy 30 minutes of amazing animal interaction among bundles of playful, inquisitive fur seals. Have the ultimate wild animal encounter in their natural environment and without altering their natural behaviours.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive

6. Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive

Arrive at the Safari Center at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve and embark on a magical 2-hour safari game drive through the reserve. Travel with a knowledgeable game ranger who will enthrall you with interesting facts about the wildlife and reserve. During the safari, try to spot 4 of Africa's 'Big 5', and other wildlife including elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards, different species of antelopes, birds, and more. At the end of the tour, return to the Safari Center where your tour will end.

From Cape Town: South African Wildlife Safari 2-Day Tour

7. From Cape Town: South African Wildlife Safari 2-Day Tour

Day 1: Botlierskop, Oudtshoorn (Travel about 450km excluding safari drives) Leave Cape Town or Stellenbosch early in the morning and trade the silhouette of Table Mountain for the lush green scenery of the start of the Garden Route region. The first game reserve visited is about 6 hours driving away (subject to weather or traffic), but the route is scenic with a few photos and rest stops along the way. The 3500ha Botlierskop private game reserve is located in a malaria-free area and home to an abundance of wildlife including four of the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, well over 26 different species of animals, and more than 200 bird species. Spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open-top 4x4 vehicle and particularly keep your eyes open for lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino sightings. Leopards are nocturnal hunters, evasive and not contained by fences so it's unlikely to see them during these game drives.  After this approx. 2-hour game drive it's time for an up-close and personal encounter with nature on a short tranquil bush walking safari. Hop off the safari vehicle, following your game ranger as you look for wildlife through the coastal Renosterveldt and Cape Fynbos.  A short 1-hour drive to the next stop to end your day in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. Either head to town to enjoy a restaurant meal or taste local delights, such as an ostrich kebab during an optional 'braai' (similar to BBQ) dinner under the Klein Karoo's twinkling starry skies. Overnight in Oudtshoorn as per your stay package selected: Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Saver package) or Yamkela / 88 Baron van Reede guesthouse (3* Comfort) or Buffelsdrift lodge (4* Deluxe package) . Day 2: Oudtshoorn, Route 62 (Travel about 420km excluding safari drives) After breakfast, jump straight into the thick of the Klein Karoo bush this morning as you set out on an open-topped 2-hour 4x4 bush drive to seek out more of Africa’s smaller wildlife at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Your expert guide and ranger will help spot wildlife and share some of nature’s secrets while teaching you about the region’s fauna and flora. This bush drive focuses more on looking closer to see details of nature as the reserve is not home to many big game. Join elephant guides on an optional Elephant Observation Nature Walk to follow three rescued elephants in their natural habitat near the waterhole (at extra expense). Learn about these gentle giants, under the watchful eye of the elephant guides. As you observe these lovable creatures you can take photos and ask elephant-related questions. End-off the day with a drive along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world! Capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, and rugged Karoo plains during this about 5 to 6 hour journey ( subject to including extra rest stops) before arriving in Cape Town or Stellenbosch by later evening (about 8 to 9pm).

Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

8. Plettenberg Bay: Whale Watching Boat Cruise

Start your 2-hour adventure with an adrenaline beach launch into the sea on a 400 horsepower speedboat. The purpose-built cat style boat has been designed to conquer the ocean without compromising on safety or comfort. Knowledgeable guides and skippers will treat you to close encounters with some of the whales that visit the shores during the months of June to November. You could be graced with sightings of the Southern Right Whale in the Bay or Humpback Whales travelling along the coastline. You may experience the joy of seeing them breach or even view a mother and calf as they enjoy the safety the bay offers. Take a closer look at a vast seal colony and the many pelagic and coastal birds. Other possible sightings include sharks, big fish, penguins, and octopus in their natural habitat.

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

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

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. Join locals for an optional outdoor braai (similar to bbq) including South African favourites, such as ostrich kebabs and pot brood. Overnight at Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Saver 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 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 or those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground will visit the nearby forest area near Tsitsikamma. 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. Overnight at PiliPili Beach Backpackers (Dorm or Saver package). Day 3: Garden Route (Travel about 400 km excluding safari drive) Start the day in the heart of the African bush. On your first stop of the day, 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; including antelope species, 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.

Oudtshoorn: 2-Hour Open Game Drive with Refreshments

10. Oudtshoorn: 2-Hour Open Game Drive with Refreshments

Make the most of your trip to Oudtshoorn with a visit to Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, located just 6 km outside of the city. With an experienced game ranger, enjoy a 2-hour bush safari around the private reserve to learn about and admire native African animals in their natural habitat. On the drive, see an array of African vegetation, flora, and fauna, and learn about the ecosystem of the reserve. The highlight of the ride is the chance to admire hippos, giraffes, elands, zebras, buffalo, springboks, and many more, up close. Your dedicated guide will ensure you see as many animals as possible, and tell you everything you need to know about these amazing creatures. Midway through the drive, enjoy a refreshment stop at one of the reserve's scenic lookout points. As you relax, admire incredible 360 degree views of the area as well as the breathtaking Swartberg Mountains.

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What people are saying about Garden Route

Overall rating

3.9 / 5

based on 20 reviews

Wonderful experience!! Everything on this trip went smoothly and our guide Christopher was the Highlight of our trip. He picked us up on time, made many stops for us to use the bathroom or walk around for a bit and gave us a lot of information of cape town and south africa. He could answer every little question we had, showed as amazing food spots were we could try traditional foods and drinks and made the long car ride super comfortable. The safari in generally was a super nice experience although the weather was super cloudy, windy and sometimes rainy. Luckily, they didn't cancelled the 2 safari tours. They gave us big rain jackets, that kept us warm doing the game drive. We saw every single animal and were super happy. The rooms were super cozy and the food was amazing! One thing I would change is the time between arrival and the first safari. Unfortunately, there is little time left to spent time at the pool/spa. However, since there was bad weather anyway, we didn't mind.

This trip was so cool! Our guide Dylan was the best; from the moment of pick-up till the very last drop-off his positive energy was contagious. He also has lots of nice stories and details to share. We stopped at various viewing points, scenic locations and had plenty of stops for toilet breaks and shop for light refreshments. The Game Lodge was luxurious, a great location with amazing food and very friendly staff. The game drives are also really cool, good chance to see many indigenous animals from upclose. Don’t forget to bring some binoculars. Would definitely recommend this trip and hope to meet Dylan again!

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.

Best activity from our two weeks stay at the Garden Route Region. I got seasick during the snorkeling, but even then it was the best and most amazing activity we did here.

Excellent 2 hour drive, very knowledgeable drive/guide. Informative and friendly