5 Day Garden Route Road Trip from Cape Town Addo Safari Caves

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cape Town → Route 62 → Oudtshoorn
4 stops
1
Cape Town Central
Cape Town or Stellenbosch Pickup Early pickup between 6:00–7:00 AM. Meet your guide and fellow travelers.
Admission ticket free
2
Route 62 Scenic Drive: Travel along South Africa’s longest wine route through semi-desert landscapes and mountain passes. Enjoy spectacular views of vineyards, cliffs, and open plains.
Admission ticket free
3
Wine Tasting Stop Stop at a local wine estate to taste South African wines (non-alcoholic drinks available for non-drinkers). Learn about local winemaking and enjoy a relaxing break.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Oudtshoorn
Arrival in Oudtshoorn: Ostrich Country By afternoon, we arrive in Oudtshoorn, a charming town in the semi arid Klein Karoo, best known as the ostrich capital of the world. Surrounded by dusty plains and towering red cliffs, Oudtshoorn offers a warm country welcome. You’ll have the evening free to relax at your accommodation or ask your guide to help book a local dinner spot. You also have the option to join a traditional South African braai (BBQ) with dishes like ostrich kebabs (sosaties) and potbrood (bread cooked over fire), shared around a fire under the Karoo stars. Overnight Stay in Oudtshoorn. Your accommodation for the night will be in either a 3-star guesthouse or a 4-star lodge, depending on your selected package and availability: Comfort Option (3-Star): Baron van Reede Guesthouse or similar Luxury Option (4-Star): Hlangana Lodge or similar
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Oudtshoorn – Cango Caves – Local Food Stop – Addo Region
4 stops
5
Cango Ostrich Show Farm
Travel Distance: Approximately 450 km Travel Time: About 5 hours (excluding activities) Morning in Oudtshoorn – The Ostrich Capital Begin your day in Oudtshoorn, a historic town famous for its ostrich farms and grand sandstone houses. These palatial homesteads are reminders of the town’s ostrich feather boom, when feathers were once traded for more than their weight in gold. As you leave town, you’ll notice paddocks full of ostriches and vibrant feather stalls along the roadside.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
6
Cango Caves
Guided Tour of the Cango Caves: Next, travel into the nearby Swartberg foothills to explore the legendary Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most impressive natural landmarks. Join your guide for a tour through towering chambers and ancient limestone formations. Choose the easy-paced Heritage Tour or, if available, the more physical Adventure Tour, which involves crawling through narrow tunnels and rock passages. Learn about how the caves formed and view remnants of Khoikhoi rock art near the entrance. Traditional Food Tasting Stop – Local Karoo Flavours: After leaving the caves, enjoy a taste of South African culinary tradition at a local padstal style restaurant. This small-town stop features a proudly South African tasting menu prepared by locals. The menu may include traditional dishes such as bobotie, roosterkoek, koeksisters, and melktert. It’s a cultural and culinary highlight of the journey.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
Drive into the Greater Addo Region: As the road winds east, the arid plains of the Klein Karoo give way to greener farmland in the Sundays River Valley. Arrive in the Addo region by late afternoon. The fertile valley, framed by the Zuurberg Mountains, is known for its citrus farms and access to one of South Africa’s top safari parks. You’ll overnight just outside Addo Elephant National Park, perfectly placed for an early start the next day.
Admission ticket free
8
Overnight in Addo Stay just outside Addo Elephant Park in peaceful surroundings, close to the park entrance. Your accommodation depends on the package you select Comfort Option 3-Star: Gerald’s Gift Guesthouse or similar Luxury Option 4-Star: Addo Wildlife Lodge or similar Please note: Between 01 December and 15 January, this tour may overnight for two nights in Jeffreys Bay instead of Addo town due to peak-season availability.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Day 3: Morning Safari in Addo – Coastal Drive to Jeffreys Bay
3 stops
9
Addo Elephant National Park
Travel Distance: Approximately 400 km Drive Time: Around 4 hours (excluding safari time) Early Morning Game Drive in Addo Elephant National Park: Wake up early for a rewarding wildlife experience inside Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s top national parks and home to the Big Five. Morning is the best time to explore, as animals are most active in the cooler hours just after sunrise. Your guide will navigate the park’s sandy roads in search of elephants, buffalo, zebra, antelope, and if luck’s on your side lions. You’ll learn about animal behaviour, conservation, and the park’s unique ecosystem as the bush comes alive around you.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Travel from Safari to Surf – Welcome to Jeffreys Bay: After your safari, the tour continues east toward the Eastern Cape coastline. The landscape shifts from bushveld to rolling dunes and ocean views as you arrive in Jeffreys Bay, a town famous for its surf culture, laid-back lifestyle, and warm Indian Ocean waters. Locals call the breaking waves “seahorses,” and whether you surf or not, it’s easy to see why this beachside town has earned its title as South Africa’s surf capital. Free Time or Optional Activities This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may want to: -Rent surfing equipment or book a surf lesson and try your skills on a world-class wave -Go for a peaceful ride along the beach with an optional horseback riding experience -Explore Jeffreys Bay surf factory outlets, filled with major surf brands and discounts -Simply unwind on the sand with a dip in the ocean.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Dinner and Overnight in Jeffreys Bay: As the sun sets, you can enjoy dinner at your accommodation or ask your guide for a recommendation to a local seafood restaurant. Enjoy the ocean breeze and coastal vibe as the day winds down. Overnight in Jeffreys Bay: Rest in this iconic seaside town, known for its friendly atmosphere and beachy charm. Your accommodation options include: Comfort Option 3-Star: Sea Whisper Guesthouse or similar Luxury Option 4-Star: On the Beach Guesthouse or similar
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Day 4: Tsitsikamma National Park – Bloukrans – Knysna Lagoon – Overnight in Sedgefield
5 stops
12
Bloukrans Bridge
Travel Distance: Approx. 150 km Drive Time: About 2.5 hours (excluding activities) Adventure and Nature in the Heart of the Garden Route Today is a celebration of everything the Garden Route is known for lush forests, coastal cliffs, river gorges, and adrenaline fueled fun. Whether you’re chasing thrills or simply want to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Tsitsikamma region, this day offers something for everyone
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
Optional Activity: Bungy Jump at Bloukrans Bridge. Our first stop is at the world-famous Bloukrans Bridge, home to the highest commercial bungy jump in the world at 216 meters. If you’re feeling brave, you can take the plunge and experience a moment of pure free fall before bouncing back with unforgettable views of the gorge below. Even if you don’t jump, the atmosphere, views, and energy of the site are thrilling to witness. Optional Activity: Waterfall Zipline Adventure. For a different kind of thrill, you can choose a zipline tour through the Tsitsikamma forest. Glide through a series of platforms above dramatic ravines and waterfalls. The zipline course includes several slides, with the longest reaching over 200 meters, offering a scenic ride through tree canopies and gorges.
2 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Explore Tsitsikamma National Park: If you prefer something calmer, enjoy time inside the breathtaking Tsitsikamma National Park, part of the Garden Route National Park. Take the forest trail to the Storms River suspension bridge, which sways gently above the river mouth and offers panoramic ocean views. You’ll pass through indigenous forest, with the chance to spot birdlife, small mammals, or even dolphins along the rugged coastline. Waterfalls, a quiet beach, and hidden forest corners make this hike a peaceful but rewarding experience.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
15
Knysna Heads
Scenic Stop at Knysna Heads As we continue west, we stop at the famous Knysna Heads towering sandstone cliffs that frame the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. It’s a perfect photo opportunity and a moment to admire the meeting point of forest, sea, and lagoon. You may even spot seals or birdlife along the water’s edge.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Arrive in Sedgefield – The Slow Town of the Garden Route. Tonight, we arrive in Sedgefield, a peaceful coastal town known for its tranquil beaches and small-town charm. It’s a great place to unwind after a day of adventure. You can take a sunset walk along the beach or enjoy dinner at a rustic local restaurant. Alternatively, if you’re staying in nearby Wilderness, ask your guide for recommendations on where to enjoy a more intimate meal in town. Overnight in Sedgefield. Your stay this evening is in a coastal guesthouse or lodge surrounded by nature and just minutes from the beach. Comfort Option 3-Star: Fairy Knowe Riverside Resort or similar. Luxury Option 4-Star: Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse or similar
Admission ticket free
Day 5
️ Day 5: Wilderness – Mossel Bay – Return to Cape Town or Stellenbosch
3 stops
17
Travel Distance: Approximately 520 km Drive Time: Around 6 hours (plus stops) Scenic Coastal Drive Back to the CapeTown City Center. Your final day begins with a relaxed morning departure from Wilderness or Sedgefield, heading west along the N2 national route. Today’s drive winds through lush forests and seaside towns that showcase the natural beauty of the southern coastline. This is your last chance to soak up the views of mountains, rivers, and the Indian Ocean on one side it’s a route well-loved by road trippers for a reason.
Admission ticket free
18
Botlierskop Tented Lodge
Optional Stop: Safari at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve On the way back, there’s an option to join a 4x4 game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, located just outside the coastal town of Mossel Bay. This reserve offers a classic safari experience in open vehicles, with the chance to spot animals like giraffe, rhino, zebra, antelope, and more. Whether you choose to join the safari or relax at a coastal café in Mossel Bay, the morning gives you a final taste of the wild and beautiful Garden Route region.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Mossel Bay
Drive the Final Stretch to the Cape town city Center. From Mossel Bay, continue inland through rolling farmland and mountain passes as you make your way back toward the Western Cape. It’s a quiet and scenic route — perfect for reflecting on the week’s adventures. Arrive back in Cape Town or Stellenbosch in the evening, typically between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on traffic and your drop-off location. Important: Please avoid booking evening flights or scheduled appointments on this day, as return times can vary due to traffic or weather conditions.
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Approximate drive time per day: 4 to 6 hours, Total distance: 2,000 km,

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