Cape Town to Johannesburg via Garden Route 10 Day Adventure

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart from Cape Town at 8am and travel on the R62, the world's longest wine route to Oudtshoorn
2 stops
1
R 62 nel Klein Karoo
Traveling along the R62 Wine Route from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn is a scenic journey through the heart of South Africa’s countryside, known for its rugged beauty, charming small towns, and award-winning wines. As you leave Cape Town behind, the route winds through the fertile vineyards of the Breede River Valley and into the arid landscapes of the Klein Karoo. Towns like Robertson, Montagu, Calitzdorp, and Barrydale each offer their own unique charm, with boutique wine estates, art galleries, farm stalls, and warm hospitality.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Cango Caves
Visiting the Cango Caves, nestled 30 km north of Oudtshoorn in the verdant foothills of the Swartberg, is stepping into a 20‑million‑year‑old limestone marvel—Africa’s largest show‑cave and one of Southern Africa’s Seven Wonders.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Game safari in Botlierskop Game Reserve. Tour of Knysna Heads.
2 stops
3
Botlierskop Tented Lodge
Go for a game safari at Botlierskop Game Reserve. A game safari at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve offers an enchanting blend of wilderness adventure and luxury along the Garden Route. Set on 4,200‑6,000 ha of malaria‑free land, this family‑run reserve is home to over 26 species—including four of the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino), cheetah, giraffe, hippo, and even the rare black impala and mountain zebra
3 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Knysna Heads
Visiting Knysna Heads is an unforgettable Garden Route experience where dramatic sandstone cliffs stand as sentinels guarding the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon from the Indian Ocean.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve. Beach at Plettenberg Bay. Travel to Port Elizabeth
3 stops
5
Robberg Nature Reserve
Hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve, just south of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route, is a breathtaking coastal adventure offering panoramic ocean views, abundant wildlife, and dramatic landscapes. Managed by CapeNature, this UNESCO‑recognized reserve features three circular hiking trails of varying difficulty and length.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Plettenberg Bay
Relax and enjoy at Plettenberg Bay Central Beach. Plettenberg Bay’s Main Beach—also known as Central Beach—is the heart of beach life along the Garden Route. With its wide sweep of golden sand, calm, clear waters, and Blue‑Flag status, it’s the perfect spot for families, sunbathing, and swimming.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Port Elizabeth
Traveling from Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth (now called Gqeberha) is a picturesque and enjoyable drive of roughly 230 km, typically taking 2.5 hours along the N2 coastal highway exploring the Garden Route.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Game safari in Addo National Park. Visit Port Alfred. Travel to East London
3 stops
8
Port Alfred
Port Alfred—known locally as the “heart of the Sunshine Coast”—is a charming Eastern Cape town nestled at the mouth of the Kowie River where it meets the warm Indian Ocean. Its golden, Blue‑Flag beaches—Kelly’s, East, and West—are perfect for swimming, surfing, family outings, and long coastal walks.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
9
East London
Visiting East London is a delightful way to unwind by the beach on South Africa’s Sunshine Coast. Just east of the Buffalo River mouth lies Orient Beach, a family‑friendly Blue‑Flag spot complete with tidal pools, children’s splash facilities, shaded lawns, cafés, and lifeguards-at-peak times. Overnight in East London.
15 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Addo Elephant National Park
Experience a thrilling game safari in Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. Explore vast landscapes of rolling hills, dense bush, and open plains in search of elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, and black rhinos, along with a rich variety of antelope and bird species. Whether on a guided 4x4 drive or a self-drive adventure, the park offers unforgettable encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature and safari enthusiasts alike.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Travel to Kokstad. Stop at Mvezo. Stop in Mthatha Museum
2 stops
11
Mvezo
A meaningful stop in Mvezo, the remote birthplace of Nelson Mandela on the banks of the Mbashe River, offers more than just a photo opportunity—it’s a journey into South Africa’s soul.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
Nelson Mandela Museum
Visiting the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, offers a profound journey into the life of South Africa’s iconic leader. Housed in the historic Bhunga Building—a former seat of the Transkei Parliament—the museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing Mandela’s legacy. The Bhunga Building, with its white-pillared façade, now serves as a vibrant space showcasing exhibitions that trace Mandela’s life, from his early years to his presidency and beyond. Inside, visitors can explore various displays, including photographs, documents, and artifacts, providing insights into his journey and the values he upheld.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Visit Drakensberg Mountains, Mandela Capture Site and Howick Falls. Travel to Durban.
3 stops
13
Drakensberg Mountains
Visiting the Drakensberg Mountains—also known by their Zulu name uKhahlamba or “Barrier of Spears”—is a soul-stirring exploration of some of southern Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Nelson Mandela Capture Site
A visit to the Mandela Capture Site near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal is a powerful and emotional experience, marking the exact location where Nelson Mandela was arrested by apartheid police on 5 August 1962. This pivotal moment in South Africa’s history is commemorated by a striking and world-renowned sculpture titled Release, made up of 50 steel columns that, when viewed from the right angle, form a hauntingly lifelike image of Mandela’s face. As visitors walk the symbolic pathway leading to the sculpture—representing the Long Walk to Freedom—they are drawn into the story of struggle, sacrifice, and resilience that defined Mandela’s journey. The on-site museum and visitor centre provide deep insights into his life, arrest, and enduring legacy, with well-curated exhibitions, multimedia displays, and personal memorabilia. Surrounded by serene countryside, the Mandela Capture Site offers both a contemplative space and a stirring reminder of the courage it took to change a nation.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
15
Howick Falls
Visiting Howick Falls—known in Zulu as KwaNogqaza (“Place of the Tall One”)—is a dramatic and culturally rich experience in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Tucked near the town of Howick on the Umgeni River, this single-drop waterfall plunges approximately 95 m (some sources list as high as 111 m), creating a powerful cascade into a lush, forested gorge.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Travel to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in St Lucia Estuary.
3 stops
16
Durban
Brief tour of the sunshine city of Durban
1 hour • Admission ticket free
17
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Traveling from Durban to iSimangaliso Wetland Park is an enchanting drive of about 280 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours) along the well-maintained N2 highway—ideal for soaking in coastal scenery and stopping at charming towns like Umhlanga and Richards Bay. As you leave Durban’s bustling Shoreline behind, the route leads north through the subtropical KwaZulu‑Natal coastline, winding past sugar plantations before turning inland along the R618 toward the serene town of St Lucia, the park’s gateway .
3 hours • Admission ticket free
18
Saint Lucia Estuary
A hippo-and-crocodile boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary in iSimangaliso is a must-do wildlife encounter. The two-hour cruise takes you deep into Africa’s largest estuarine system—home to around 800 hippos and 1,200 Nile crocodiles.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Travel through Mpumalanga to Kruger National Park
1 stop
19
Mpumalanga
Traveling through Mpumalanga to reach Kruger National Park is a journey that unveils some of South Africa’s most captivating natural beauty. As you wind your way along scenic routes like the Panorama Route, you pass through misty mountains, lush forests, and vast highveld grasslands, all rich in color and life. Along the way, highlights such as God's Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels offer breathtaking views over deep valleys and ancient rock formations. The region’s rolling hills give way to warmer, low-lying bushveld as you approach Kruger, one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. This transition marks not only a shift in landscape but also in the rhythm of your journey—from scenic wonder to thrilling wildlife adventure. Whether you’re self-driving or part of a guided tour, traveling through Mpumalanga to Kruger is an immersive experience that blends spectacular scenery with the anticipation of encountering Africa’s Big Five.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Full day game safari in Kruger National Park
1 stop
20
Kruger National Park
A full-day safari in Kruger National Park is an unforgettable adventure that immerses you in the heart of the African wilderness from sunrise to sunset. Setting out in an open game drive vehicle with an experienced ranger, you’ll explore vast stretches of savannah, riverbeds, woodlands, and watering holes—each teeming with wildlife. As the day unfolds, you may encounter the famed Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino—along with giraffes gracefully browsing treetops, herds of zebras and impalas grazing, and crocodiles sunning along riverbanks. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s rich avian diversity, from colorful lilac-breasted rollers to soaring eagles. Throughout the day, your guide shares fascinating insights into animal behavior, plant life, and the park’s conservation efforts. A full-day safari in Kruger is more than a sightseeing trip—it’s a deeply rewarding journey through one of the world’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries.
9 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Travel from Kruger National Park, through Mpumalanga, see mountains, rivers, valleys. Reach Johannesburg in afternoon
1 stop
21
Mpumalanga
Traveling from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg takes you on a scenic and enriching journey through the diverse landscapes of Mpumalanga. As you leave the bushveld behind, the road ascends into the Drakensberg escarpment, unveiling a dramatic panorama of mountains, deep valleys, winding rivers, and lush forested hills. This route offers sweeping views and occasional stops to admire natural wonders like Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world. You may also pass charming highland towns, waterfalls, and stretches of farmland that give a glimpse into rural South African life. The contrast between the untamed wild of Kruger and the cultivated beauty of Mpumalanga creates a memorable travel experience. As you descend onto the Highveld and continue westward, the scenery flattens out, leading you into the urban heart of Johannesburg by afternoon—bringing an end to a journey rich in both natural splendor and cultural insight.
5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• no health restrictions

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