7-Day Garden Route & Addo Adventure

Day 1: Gqeberha – Greater Addo Elephant National Park

Arrive in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and transfer directly into the heart of the Greater Addo region, where the air hums with the earthy scent of spekboom and distant elephant trumpets echo across the vast plains. Following recent boundary expansions, Addo Elephant National Park is now South Africa’s third-largest national park and the only one to boast the “Big Seven” (elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark). This afternoon we embark on an open-vehicle game drive, the warm breeze carrying hints of dust and wild herbs as we search for vast elephant herds thundering through the brush, elusive predators prowling silently, and hundreds of species thriving in Addo’s unique, succulent-rich landscape.

Accommodation: Garden Court Kings Beach Hotel or Africanos Country Estate

Facilities: two per room with en-suite bathroom

Meals: none included

Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Addo Elephant National Park (in tour vehicle)

Day 2: Greater Addo – Tsitsikamma National Park

We depart early for a brief stop in legendary Jeffreys Bay, where the salty ocean spray mingles with the rhythmic crash of world-famous waves and the faint aroma of fresh coffee from beachside cafés. Enjoy a quick visit to the small but fascinating Surf Museum before we continue westward into the ancient forests and dramatic coastline of the Tsitsikamma region, the air thick with the resinous scent of yellowwood trees and the distant roar of the sea. We settle in for two nights in the charming Storms River Village, the gateway to the wonders of the Garden Route.

Accommodation Tsitsikamma Village Inn, or Storms River Guest Lodge, or Storms River Village Lodge

Facilities: two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Greater Addo area → Tsitsikamma / Storms River Village

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Highlight: Visit to Jeffreys Bay and its Surf Museum

Day 3: Tsitsikamma National Park – Coastal Exploration

Tsitsikamma, meaning “place of abundant water” in Khoisan, delivers on its name with the thunderous crash of surf against jagged cliffs, the cool mist of waterfalls, and the earthy perfume of indigenous forest underfoot. This morning we hike the first section of the renowned Otter Trail along the Waterfall Trail (approximately 3–4 hours, moderate to strenuous), feeling the salty breeze on our skin and hearing the calls of knysna loeries overhead. Those preferring a gentler pace can follow the boardwalks to the suspension bridges, swaying gently over the churning Storms River Mouth, and enjoy the same breathtaking views. In the afternoon, optional activities include the enchanting Woodcutters Journey through the forest, where dappled sunlight filters through the canopy and the air is alive with birdsong; treetop canopy sliding with the rush of wind in your ears; or the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at Bloukrans, heart pounding amid the adrenaline-charged drop.

Accommodation: Same as previous night

Meals: Breakfast

Included Highlight: Tsitsikamma National Park entrance & guided hike along the Waterfall Trail

Optional Activities: Woodcutters Journey, Treetop Canopy Tour, Bloukrans Bungee Jump

Day 4: Tsitsikamma – Oudtshoorn (Klein Karoo)

We bid farewell to the ocean, its briny tang lingering in the air, and travel inland, pausing in the lagoon town of Knysna for photographs amid the scent of fresh oysters and the gentle lapping of estuarine waters. Crossing the spectacular Outeniqua Mountains, where pine-scented winds whip through the passes, we descend into the semi-arid Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, the dry earth releasing a warm, dusty aroma. This afternoon we explore the world-famous Cango Caves on a guided Heritage Tour, the cool, humid air enveloping us as we wander through vast halls adorned with glittering limestone formations, the drip of ancient water echoing in the silence millions of years in the making.

Accommodation: De Denne Country Guest House or De Zeekoe Guest Farm

Facilities: Accommodated: two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Tsitsikamma → Oudtshoorn

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included Highlight: Cango Caves Heritage (Basic) Tour

Day 5: Oudtshoorn – Cape Agulhas – Hermanus / Arniston

Leaving the ostriches behind, their faint musky scent fading, we traverse the beautiful Little Karoo with its herbal fynbos aromas and rolling farmlands of the Overberg, where the air carries hints of wildflowers and fresh-mown grass. We reach the dramatic southernmost tip of Africa – Cape Agulhas – where the relentless crash of waves from two oceans blends with the sharp tang of seaweed, the wind whipping across rugged rocks as you stand at the official meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and capture the iconic landmark photograph. We continue along the whale coast to the charming seaside towns of Hermanus or Arniston, the evening free to relax amid the soothing sound of distant breakers or join an optional dinner at a celebrated local restaurant, savoring the flavors of regional cuisine.

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel Hermanus or Arniston Spa Hotel

Facilities: two per room with en-suite bathroom

Route: Oudtshoorn → Cape Agulhas → Hermanus/Arniston

Meals: Breakfast

Included Highlight: Visit to Cape Agulhas – southernmost tip of Africa

Day 6: Whale Coast – Stony Point Penguins – Cape Town

Begin with a leisurely morning walk along Hermanus’s famous Cliff Path, the salty ocean breeze carrying the deep, resonant calls of southern right whales breaching just metres offshore (best June–November), their massive bodies sending sprays of foam into the air. We follow the spectacular coastal road, stopping at Stony Point Nature Reserve – one of only two land-based African penguin colonies on the continent – where the sharp cries of penguins mix with the fishy scent of the colony and the gentle rustle of coastal scrub. If time allows, we may take a scenic detour through a corner of the Cape Winelands for an optional lunch stop amid the vines, the air rich with the earthy aroma of fermenting grapes. The tour concludes upon arrival in Cape Town city centre late afternoon.

Accommodation: Own arrangements post-tour

Route: Hermanus/Arniston → Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

Included Highlights: Cliff Path walk in Hermanus, Stony Point African Penguin Colony

Premium Tour- Max 12 (Avg 10)

3–5 star en-suite lodges with hearty meals, crafted for shorter travel days and longer moments to enjoy each destination.

Toyota Quantum

Toyota Quantum is ideal for 2 to 12 clients and designed with your comfort in mind, offering spacious seating, climate control, and large windows for unobstructed views. Both these semi-lux vehicles can come with or without a trailer. Key features included: Large Windows, Luggage Trailer, Comfortable Individual Seats, Air-Conditioning

Departures Dates 2026