7 Day Cape to Addo Garden Route Safari

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Type: Overland Tour – 7 Days.

Location: Cape Town, Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn, Garden Route, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Sundays River Valley, Addo National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Sedgefield.

Pick Up Point: Cape Town, Various locations.

Duration: 7 Days.

Price: from £550.

Start Dates: All year round, guaranteed departures on a Sunday.

Accommodation: Backpacked accommodation with upgrade options, see accommodation tab for full details.

Meals: Three meals a day included in tour price.

Age Range: N/A.

FURTHER INFO

Day 1 ǀ Overberg, Whale Route, Cape Agulhus

Departing Cape Town at 8:30 am and Stellenbosch at 9:30 am, our exciting journey begins today as we join the world famous whale route in Gordons Bay for a stunning drive along the picturesque R44 mountain pass overlooking False Bay to the vibrant coastal town of Hermanus. After an opportunity to take some photographs and a picnic lunch on the seafront, we continue to Birkenhead Brewery to sample some fine beers before moving on to the southernmost tip of Africa in Cape Agulhas National Park.

After a visit to the lookout point we make our way to the harbour where there is an option to embark on an exciting ski‐boat cruise to search for dolphin and whales (June to November). After our cruise we take a walk back to our accommodation along “Die Plaat”, the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere. This day is designed to be a relaxing one for you to get to know your fellow travellers, to get used to travelling in our vehicle and to settle into the comfortable routine of life on tour.

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Cape Agulhas Backpackers: www.capeaulhasbackpackers.com.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, bar, internet, swimming pool.
Route – Cape Town to Struisbaai ±260 km.
Travel time – ±4 hrs.
Included Highlight – Beer/wine tasting at Birkenhead Brewery.
Optional Activities – Shark cage diving, Ski‐boat cruise (possible whale viewing June – Nov).

Day 2 ǀ Little Karoo, Route 62, Oudtshoorn

Driving inland this morning our journey takes us north through rolling wheat fields to the Langeberg Mountains and on to the pristine semi‐desert environment of the Little Karoo. Shortly after Barrydale on Route 62, we stop at Warmwaterberg Spa for lunch and a relaxing swim in 43‐degree natural hot springs.

In the afternoon we drive through Ladismith and Carlitzdorp to the capital of the Little Karoo, Oudtshoorn. Known asthe ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn is situated in a beautiful valley between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains. Here there is an option to view and ride one of these prehistoric birds on a working farm or go on a guided tour of the Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch for an opportunity to pet cheetah, cage dive with crocodiles and view many rare and endangered animal species.

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Paradise Backpackers: www.backpackersparadise.net.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, bar, internet, swimming pool.
Route – Struisbaai to Oudtshoorn ±340 km.
Travel time – ±5 hrs.
Included Highlight – Entrance to Warmwaterberg Hot Springs.
Optional Activities – Cango Ostrich Farm, Cango Endangered Wildlife Ranch, Pet a hand raised cheetah, Cage diving with crocodiles.

Day 3 ǀ Garden Route, Knysna, Tsitsikamma

We begin the day with a short 20km drive to the magnificent Cango Caves. Here we’ll embark on a 1‐hour guided tour of the cave system to view its massive caverns and a wonderland of stalactite and stalagmite formations, millions of years old. Cango Caves is a world heritage site and one of the great wonders of the natural world.

After our visit to the caves, we leave the Karoo and travel 60km to the coast through the magnificent Outeniqua Pass. Entering the Garden Route for the first time in George and take a leisurely drive up the coast to Knysna, rated South Africa’s most beautiful town. Here we’ll take a walk to the entrance of the lagoon to explore the captivating scenery surrounding the famous Knysna Heads.

In the afternoon we drive to the highest road bridge in Africa at Bloukrans Bridge. At a height of 216m this is also the site of the highest bungy jump in the world! For those wishing to take the leap, this is your opportunity!

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Tube n Axe: www.tubenaxe.co.za.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, bar,free wi‐fi.
Route – Oudtshoorn to Storms River Village ±220 km.
Travel Time – ±3 hrs.
Included Highlight – Standard or adventure guided tour of Cango Caves.
Optional Activities – Bloukrans bungy jump (216m), Bloukrans bridge walking tour.

Day 4 ǀ Tsitsikamma, Sundays River Valley

This morning you have the opportunity to explore the Tsitsikamma National Park, either via a hike across the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth or by means backwater tubing. Tubing is a unique, four hour fun adventure, filled with splashing, swimming, rock jumping, kloofing and hiking (seasonal). The National Park, declared in 1964, encompasses a marine reserve made up of 80km of coastline and offers magnificent scenery.

Approximately 30% of the park is covered in fynbos, scattered amongst the forest vegetation, boasting a wide variety of beautiful flowers, including proteas and heath. Many species of forest, fynbos and sea birds are present.

We stop off at the fun waterfall zipline at Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures. This “foefie‐slide” tour takes you on 8 cable rides over the Kruis River and down a ravine over three waterfalls.

Afterwards we make our way inland towards Addo and our accommodation for the night, in the Sundays River Valley. Set in a wild and scenic location on the banks of the Sundays River, we take the time to relax under the African sun as well as explore the river by canoe. Around the campfire tonight, this is what you’ve come to experience … Wild Africa at her enigmatic best!

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Avoca River Cabins: http://www.gardenroute.co.za/addo/avoca/.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, swimming, canoeing.
Route – Storms River Village to Sundays River Valley ±220 km.
Travel Time – ±3 hrs.
Included Highlight – Canoeing on Sundays River.
Optional Activities – Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park, Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing, Tsitsikamma Falls Zipline.

Day 5 ǀ Addo National Park, Jeffrey’s Bay

Up early this morning, we begin our Addo Park Safari along a network of winding roads stopping regularly for photographs and information on the animals we encounter along the way. On our game drive we’ll also disembark from our vehicle at the main lookout point for a spectacular view over the evergreen wilderness that is Addo. After our game drive we’ll take lunch at the park restaurant before a leisurely drive down to the coast and Port Elizabeth.

Proclaimed a National Park in 1931, this malaria free, 145 000 ha. Park, extends all the way down to the Indian Ocean and is home to the densest African Elephant population on earth, totalling over 500 elephant.

After lunch in the park we head to Port Elizabeth if anyone needs to be dropped off here. A major sea port and tourist destination, Port Elizabeth is set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay and is fondly referred to as the Friendly City. We then head for the pristine beaches of Jeffrey’s Bay! Renowned the world over as one of the best surfing waves on the planet, we’ll take time out to view the waves at “supertubes” before exploring the town and visiting the ever‐popular surf wear factory shops i.e.: Billabong, Rip Curl, Roxy, Quicksilver and more. You have to chance to rent a board to experience the waves for yourself or do a surf lesson.

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Island Vibe J‐Bay: www.islandvibe.co.za.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, bar, restaurant, internet.
Route – Sundays River Valley to Jeffrey’s Bay ±200 km.
Travel Time – ±3 hrs.
Included Highlight – Entrance fee and 3 hour game drive in Addo National Park.
Optional Activities – 2 Hour game drive with 4×4 vehicle in Addo National Park, Surfboard & wetsuit rental, Surfing lessons, Beach horse ride.

Day 6 ǀ The Crags Elephant Sanctuary & Monkeyland, Sedgefield

This morning we begin our relaxing journey back to Cape Town with our first stop for the day at the Crags Orphaned Elephant Sanctuary for a truly wonderful close encounter experience. Here you have an opportunity to walk, feed and ride an African elephant while receiving instruction from a knowledgeable African guide.

After the Sanctuary we continue down the Garden Route, stopping occasionally to take in anything we may have missed on our way up. We arrive at our accommodation overlooking the sea at Myoli Beach in Sedgefield. Situated right on the beach and close to the Swartvlei Lagoon, here are loads of water sports and other activities to partake in for the remainder of the afternoon before a delicious dinner.

Meals – Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation – Backpacker dorm: Afrovibe Backpackers: www.afrovibes.co.za.
Facilities – Shared ablutions, bar, restaurant, free wi‐fi.
Route – Jeffrey’s Bay to Sedgefield: ±220 km.
Travel Time – ±2 hrs.
Optional Activities – Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, Paragliding, Kite/Wakeboarding lessons, Various board rentals at Myoli Beach.

Day 7 ǀ Return to Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass

After breakfast overlooking the ocean in Sedgefield, we start our journey back to Cape Town. We visit an Aloe factory in Albertinia and enjoy a wonderful scenic drive via Swellendam and Sir Lowry’s Pass. We arrive in Cape Town early Saturday afternoon.

Meals – Breakfast.
Route – Sedgefield to Cape Town: ±470 km.
Travel Time – ±5-6 hrs.

Tour Ends

We will drop you off back at your original pick up point in the Cape Town city centre unless otherwise requested. Drop offs at Cape Town International Airport can be arranged. We generally arrive back in Cape Town between 14:00 and 15:00 in the afternoon, although this cannot be guaranteed. Please inform us if you have to be back at a certain time on the last day upon making your booking.