South Africa: Cape Town & The Garden Route
A road trip along the Garden Route becomes even more epic with a grand finale in Cape Town. This 11-day adventure takes you westbound from Port Elizabeth to sunny Cape Town, hitting all the must-see spots along the way. Spot wildlife in Addo Elephant National Park, stroll the iconic Knysna Heads, and hike the lush trails of Tsitsikamma National Park with your travel crew. Sip some world-class wine in the stunning Franschhoek Valley before ending in South Africa’s most iconic city, raising a glass to an unforgettable journey along Africa's southern coast.
Highlights
Spot wildlife on Safari drives in Addo National Park, Explore Tsitsikamma National Park with your CEO, Walk in Robberg Nature Reserve on the Gap Circuit, Head overland on a scenic drive between Knysna and Franschhoek with stops at Mossel Bay and Barrydale, Dig into Lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard in Barrydale, Cable Car to Table Mountain.
Accomodation
Start and end hotels on this tour offer comfortable accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, standard facilities, and wifi. Additional amenities vary from location to location. Please see the hotel listings on the Full Itinerary if you would like to learn more about the offerings of your accommodations.
Please remember that hotel/lodge/camp standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel.
Note:
Under certain circumstances, we reserve the right to change accommodation and provide something slightly different to what is described, though it will always be of similar or better standard/level.
Camping in Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites in national parks and outside towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. There are generally small restaurants and/or bars, flush toilets, showers (generally outdoors, some with simple reed enclosures), washing facilities and telephones available. Additionally, warm water is available at most sites, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up by others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may have to walk a short distance.
We sleep in good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors.
We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals.
In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area.
Please note that due to the high demand for accommodation in the parks, sometimes we will arrange alternative accommodation outside of the park.
Group Leader
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 18.
Meals Included
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
Addo National Park Safari drive. CEO-led hike in Tsitsikamma National Park. Big Tree Visit Tsitsikamma. Walk in Robberg Nature Reserve on the Gap Circuit. Driving and walking orientation tour of Knysna. Knysna Heads Visit. Scenic drive between Knysna and Franschhoek with stops at Mossel Bay and Barrydale. Lunch at a vineyard in Barrydale. CEO-led orientation walk of Franschhoek. Signal Hill walk. Free time in Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and Franschhoek. Cable Car ride to Table Mountain. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
10 nights from $1,799 per person
Itinerary
G Adventures: South Africa: Cape Town & The Garden Route
Day 1: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Welcome to South Africa and to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). In the afternoon, your CEO will provide a welcome briefing and a guided orientation around town. Later on, choose to join your new friends and CEO for an optional group dinner.
Day 2: Day Trip to Addo National Park
Experience the wildlife and landscapes of Addo Elephant National Park during a morning safari drive with knowledgeable guides in search of rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards, and of course, elephants. Have a picnic breakfast out in the bush and finish the drive in the afternoon. There will be free time to have lunch in the area before returning to Gqeberha to spend a leisurely evening on your own.
Day 3: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)/Tsitsikamma
After breakfast depart for Tsitsikamma National Park, part of the famed Garden Route on the South Coast of South Africa. The area is valued for its diverse natural and cultural heritage. Enjoy a CEO-led hike along the Mouth Trail and wander along a winding boardwalk through the forest. In the afternoon partake in the Big Tree walk with your CEO, which will take you through indigenous forest to an eight hundred-year-old Yellowwood towering over the rest of the canopy. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
Day 4: Tsitsikamma
Enjoy an entire free day in the Tsitsikamma area. Choose between optional activities like, the Woodcutters’ Journey, a tree canopy tour, a seasonal whale watching excursion, or whitewater tubing. Your opportunity to remain active awaits. Have dinner with the group back at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5: Tsitsikamma/Knysna
In the morning the group will visit the Robberg Nature Reserve featuring stunning coastal scenery and some of the best hiking in the country. Walk along the Gap Circuit and see evidence of the prehistoric break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwanaland some 120 million years ago. Travel onwards to Knysna for an orientation drive along the waterfront, through the town centre, to the hip eateries and shops on Thesen Island, and through the lush landscapes of the Knysna Forest full of indigenous trees. Arrive back in town for a free afternoon to enjoy optional activities or to simply relax in the beauty of your surroundings.
Day 6: Knysna
Breakfast will be had at the hotel before an included visit to The Knysna Heads, which enclose and form the Knysna River Estuary. Visit some of the main attractions on the Eastern Head, walk along a pathway at the foot of the cliffs and learn about the importance of the land to the local population. Spend the remainder of the day as you wish and try some of the optional activities, like an oyster tour which the area is known for.
Day 7: Knysna/Franschhoek
Rise early for a long, but jam-packed day of epic scenery and unforgettable sights as you drive the more scenic way from Knysna to Franschhoek. First stop is the harbour town of Mossel Bay to visit the lighthouse and walk in the area. Drive along Tradouw Pass next, through the lesser-known gem of Gatplaats Nature Reserve for a short walk and enjoy hilly views to reach the town of Barrydale. Have an included outdoor lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy a wine tasting. Arrive to Franschhoek in the evening and have dinner on your own.
Day 8: Franschhoek
Start the morning off with a CEO-led orientation walk along Franschhoek’s main street. The remainder of the day is free for optional activities like a guided bike tour Stellenbosch, a history and art tour, or perhaps a winery visit in a region celebrated for its delicious grape varieties. Dinner this evening will be on your own.
Day 9: Franschhoek/Cape Town
Leave the picturesque winelands of Franschhoek behind this morning and depart for Cape Town. Stop along the way to walk up the city’s iconic Signal Hill and site of the Noon Gun, one of Cape Town’s oldest living traditions. Enjoy the fantastic views from the top and catch a full glimpse of Cape Town's many landmarks. Spend the remainder of the afternoon on your own exploring the city before an optional group dinner.
Day 10: Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast and then depart for Table Mountain. Ride to the top on the cable car and explore the area on hiking trails leading to scenic views before riding back down. Spend the afternoon on your own partaking in one of the many optional activities in the area. Tonight, choose to attend a group dinner to celebrate your beautiful day in this vibrant city.
Day 11: Cape Town
Depart at any time.
Featured Destinations
Cape Town
Cape Town is southern Africa's most beautiful, most romantic and most-visited city. Few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the Cape Peninsula spine, which slides like the mighty tail of the continent into the Atlantic Ocean. By far the most striking - and famous - of its sights is Table Mountain, frequently mantled by clouds, and rearing up from the middle of the city to provide a constantly changing vista to the suburbs below. Table Mountain is the city's solid core which divides the city into distinct zones with public gardens, wilderness, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and desirable residential areas trailing down it's lower slopes.
Excursions
Cape Town City Tour - Half Day
Cape Town City Tour - Half Day
Your guide will discuss the city's abundance of sightseeing possibilities and will tailor make your day's activities according to your individual interests and preferences. This affords you the advantage of total flexibility while still maintaining the expertise of a qualified guide. We first make our way to the to the lower cable car station on the slopes of Table Mountain, where (weather permitting) we make the short and comfortable ascent to the top of the mountain by cable car. The panoramic view of the sea and city from the summit is magnificent. Then begin the tour of historic Cape Town. Whether you are interested in visiting the traditional tourist attractions, indulging in a personal passion, or simply exploring the 'Mother City' as a local, Cape Town has more than enough diversity to cater to your personal preference.
Your half day tour includes two entrance fees as well as the return Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket. After your tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.
Three Hour Cruise
Three Hour Cruise
The Inala Antares proudly awaits you in Cape Town, ready to take you first class on a journey of a lifetime. With its Italian styling, trendy interiors, quality construction techniques and performance it has been specially designed to meet your tastes and requirements.
Your day will start with a luxury transfer from your hotel providing you with a concierge service to help you orchestrate the perfect few hours on board the Inala.
Experience an exquisite Cape Town sunset with Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles as a backdrop as you cruise in pure luxury on board (weather depending on the day) otherwise in Table Bay towards the Bloubergstrand beaches.
The Inala is a 57ft Princess design, luxury motor yacht, moored in front of the Cape Grace Hotel V&A Waterfront. Your three hour cruise includes the famous Clifton beaches, with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles in elegance and luxury. Clifton bay is on the way to Hout Bay and is the ideal place to spend a few hours at on board, enjoying the sun and a swim in the cool water.
Whale Watching Tour - Full Day
Whale Watching Tour - Full Day
Your Whale watching excursion will either be done in Hermanus or Gansbaai, based on the best sightings & weather conditions over your period of travel.
The whale watching trips can also afford you the possibility to see: Great white sharks, Bryde's whales, Humpback whales, Southern giant petrels, Cape gannets and Dolphins, making these whale watching trips not just magical but rewarding too, and are sure to capture everyone's imagination.
Your return to shore will depend on the sightings for the day, which may result in a late lunch. Your guide will discuss the best restaurant options with you based on your preference and logistics. An A la Carte lunch including soft drinks & non-premium brand drinks and house wines is included in your tour.
Time permitting you may have the opportunity to walk along the coastal paths in Herma-nus where during whale season (mid June to mid November) whales may be seen playing close to the shore. You will be dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Cape Point Sidecar Tour - Full Day
Cape Point Sidecar Tour - Full Day
Your guide will discuss your individual interests and preferences and tailor make the day's routing and sightings accordingly. All sidecars are decommissioned military bikes used during World War II, which has been restored and fully refurbished.
You will be supplied with retro leather jackets, helmets, goggles as well as a complimentary bandana. Depending on your interests you will be visiting all the iconic attractions such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Chapmans Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope (including the Cape Point Funicular ticket) and the Boulders Penguin Colony.
Stop for lunch at a popular local restaurant including local wine and refreshments. Top off the day with a scenic coastal drive back to your hotel. After your day's touring, you will be dropped off at your hotel for your evening at leisure.
Franschhoek Valley
Franschhoek is known as the wine and gourmet capital of South Africa. There are a number or wineries, cellars and shops that offer visitors tours and tastings of the local wines. There are also over 100 of the Nations top restaurants and chefs in the area creating world-class cuisine using the fresh produce and wines from the region. Franschhoek also provides excellent shopping including art shops, antiques, book shops, and a chocolate factory. The rolling hills, surrounding mountains and picturesque vineyards and farms make this the perfect getaway destination.
Knysna
Knysna nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the ‘Garden Route’ of South Africa. It is surrounded by a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches, making it a natural wonderland. A moderate climate and a fine selection of accommodation, restaurants and enjoyable activities make Knysna the perfect holiday destination.
Excursions
Knysna Lagoon Oyster Tour
Knysna Lagoon Oyster Tour
The coastal town of Knysna and Oysters go together like
champagne and caviar, sea and sky, summer breezes and cold beers. Enjoy the ultimate oyster experience on the spectacular Knysna Lagoon and learn all there is to know about one of the world's most loved delicacies.
Taste the difference between wild and cultivated oysters, all
whilst cruising the lagoon to the Heads and surrounds with a small group of guests. The cruise includes complimentary local white wine and oysters for tasting. Extra oysters are available on pre-order to enjoy on the boat.
Cruise includes an oyster educational experience, complimentary white wine, and half a dozen fresh oysters per person.
Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)
Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, is situated on Algoa Bay in the Indian Ocean. It is an important seaport and manufacturing centre, as well as a popular resort noted for its fine beaches. Worth visiting are the King George VI Art Gallery, featuring collections of British and South African art; the Port Elizabeth Museum, with natural history exhibits, an oceanarium, and a collection of reptiles; and Fort Frederick, built by the British in 1799. The Addo Elephant National Park is nearby. The community developed around Fort Frederick.
Vacation Details
Valid Date Ranges
04/25/2026 -
05/05/2026
from
$1,799 per person
05/16/2026 -
05/26/2026
from
$1,799 per person
05/30/2026 -
06/09/2026
from
$1,799 per person
06/06/2026 -
06/16/2026
from
$1,874 per person
06/20/2026 -
06/30/2026
from
$1,874 per person
08/01/2026 -
08/11/2026
from
$2,079 per person
08/22/2026 -
09/01/2026
from
$2,079 per person
09/26/2026 -
10/06/2026
from
$2,124 per person
12/05/2026 -
12/15/2026
from
$2,399 per person
01/09/2027 -
01/19/2027
from
$2,499 per person
01/23/2027 -
02/02/2027
from
$2,499 per person
02/06/2027 -
02/16/2027
from
$2,499 per person
02/20/2027 -
03/02/2027
from
$2,499 per person
03/06/2027 -
03/16/2027
from
$2,399 per person
03/20/2027 -
03/30/2027
from
$2,399 per person
04/03/2027 -
04/13/2027
from
$2,399 per person
04/17/2027 -
04/27/2027
from
$2,399 per person
05/01/2027 -
05/11/2027
from
$2,399 per person
05/15/2027 -
05/25/2027
from
$2,399 per person
05/29/2027 -
06/08/2027
from
$2,399 per person
06/12/2027 -
06/22/2027
from
$2,499 per person
06/26/2027 -
07/06/2027
from
$2,499 per person
07/10/2027 -
07/20/2027
from
$2,599 per person
07/24/2027 -
08/03/2027
from
$2,599 per person
08/21/2027 -
08/31/2027
from
$2,599 per person
09/04/2027 -
09/14/2027
from
$2,499 per person
09/18/2027 -
09/28/2027
from
$2,499 per person
10/16/2027 -
10/26/2027
from
$2,499 per person
10/30/2027 -
11/09/2027
from
$2,499 per person
11/13/2027 -
11/23/2027
from
$2,399 per person
11/27/2027 -
12/07/2027
from
$2,399 per person
12/11/2027 -
12/21/2027
from
$2,399 per person
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $1,799 per person
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
OFFER ID
1688279
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