The Garden Route tour - 8 days
The Garden Route tour - 8 days
The Garden Route tour - 8 days
8 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Gqeberha, South Africa
Visiting: Cape Town, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
60
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
14-95
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests.
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure along South Africa's stunning Garden Route. This small group tour is perfect for singles and adventure seekers, offering a blend of natural beauty and thrilling experiences. Begin your journey in vibrant Cape Town, with free days to explore its iconic landmarks. Travel along the scenic Cape coastline, stopping at Hermanus and the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Enjoy wine tasting on Route 62 and visit an ostrich farm. Paddle through Wilderness National Park, hike in Tsitsikamma, and experience the thrill of the Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump. Conclude with a safari in Addo Elephant Park, home to diverse wildlife. With comfortable accommodations and expert guides, this tour promises an exhilarating South African adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Cape Town Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Your tour starts with your arrival at Cape Town International Airport, from where you are transferred to your accommodation. This will be in the form of either a comfortable, high-quality backpacker lodge, or a more luxurious deluxe guesthouse or boutique hotel, depending on your choice. You will be free to spend the rest of the day, as well as the next day, exploring Cape Town on your own. Included activities: Airport transfer Approximate driving time: /- 30 minutes, 25 km
Day 2 : Free Day In Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Cape Town Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
This is your chance to experience the sights and sounds of Cape Town with 2 free days in the famous Mother City. Home to many important historical landmarks, as well some gorgeous natural sites, Cape Town has so much to offer. Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Robben Island, Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Clifton Beach, the V&A Waterfront, Constantia. You can fill your days or take them easy, as you prefer. We recommend taking a tour on the city sightseeing bus; alternatively, you can pre-book out a Cape Peninsula Tour or Cape Winelands Tour (joining with other travellers not on our trip). Optional Activities: Group Cape Winelands day tour, Group Cape Peninsula day tour
Day 3 : Free Day In Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Cape Town Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have another free day to explore Cape town today. Optional Activities: Group Cape Winelands day tour, Group Cape Peninsula day tour
Day 4 : Cape Coast- Hermanus, Betties Bay, Cape Agulhas, Shark Cage Diving
Location: Hermanus
Accommodation Name: Cape L'Agulhas/Struisbaai Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The group joins together today as we follow the scenic Cape coastline. We depart Cape Town early, heading towards Hermanus. Guests who have chosen to do the shark cage diving activity depart separately and join up with the rest of the group later in the day. En-route to Hermanus, we make a stop at Betties Bay, where a marvelous sight awaits us: a colony of endangered African penguins. When we reach Hermanus, we are able to explore the charming seaside town’s shops and restaurants. We may also be able to see the famous Southern Right Whales, if we visit during the whale season (July to November). We then continue onto out next stop: Cape Agulhas. This is the southernmost point of the African continent, and is also where we can see the famous meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
Day 5 : Route 62, Winery Stop, Ostrich Farm
Location: Oudtshoorn
Accommodation Name: Game Farm in Oudsthoorn area
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we travel along a famous route in South Africa: Route 62, the longest wine route in the country. This area is famous for its wine production, and we stop off a local winery for a chance to experience a wine-tasting, along with our lunch. We then continue onto Oudthsoorn, a famous town in the Klein Karoo that is known as the Ostrich Capital of the World. Our accommodation for the night is on a working game farm. In the evening you can enjoy a visit to an ostrich farm, whilst taking in the views of the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges in the background.
Day 6 : Wilderness National Park And Knysna
Location: Wilderness National Park
Accommodation Name: Sedgefield Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We have an adventurous and exciting day ahead of us today. We begin by crossing the magnificent Outeniqua Mountain Pass into Wilderness National Park. We explore this beautiful landscape in a unique way- by paddling down the Touw River in canoes. This is a truly enchanting way to experience the beauty of the park, and our journey takes us through the forest, which is abundant with life. After our boating excursion, we enjoy a short 2km hike to a lovely waterfall and rock pool area. We then depart for Sedgefield, where the pristine beaches are perfect for rounding off the adventures of the day.
Day 7 : Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park And Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jump
Location: Tsitsikamma National Park
Accommodation Name: Addo Backpackers or Deluxe Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we will head to the famous town of Knysna via the beautiful Lake District of the Garden Route. Whilst in Knysna we'll visit the viewpoint, where we'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Knysna River estuary and towards the Indian Ocean. Our next destination is Tsitsikamma National Park. En-route, we stop at the world-famous Bloukrans Bridge, the site of the highest bungee jump in the world. While the thrill-seekers in the group enjoy this must-do experience, the rest of us continue onwards to the park. Tsitsikamma National Park’s delightful combination of forest and unspoiled coastline provides a variety of activities for all. Go hiking and swimming, and cross an awesome suspension bridge across a river mouth. In the afternoon, we depart and head towards Addo.
Day 8 : Safari In Addo Elephant National Park, Transfer To Port Elizabeth
Location: Addo Elephant National Park
Accommodation Name: N/A
Today is the last day of the tour, and what better way to spend it than on safari? We spend the morning exploring the vast wilderness of Addo Elephant National Park, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife species. The park is true to its name, and houses approximately 600 elephants. Also look out for zebra, kudu, eland, warthog, and, of course, the other members of the famous Big 5. After a 2-3 hour safari, we depart Addo and reach Port Elizabeth in the early afternoon. Those catching international flights will have ample time, as many depart in the early evening. Guests who wish to extend their stay may certainly do so. There is a number of options available- you can book extra nights in PE, at a lodge outside Addo, or even at a private game reserve. Please contact us for more information.
What's Included
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24hr airport arrival transfer
The tour includes a 24-hour airport arrival transfer service.
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Accommodation
7 nights accommodation in Backpacker Hostels or Deluxe Guesthouses/Hotels is included.
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Transport
All transport in air-conditioned minibuses is provided during the tour.
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Activities and highlights
All activities and highlights as mentioned in the itinerary are included.
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Local driver/guide
An experienced and qualified local driver/guide will accompany the tour.
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Local wine tasting
A local wine tasting experience is included in the tour.
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Klein Karoo Ostrich Farm
A visit to the Klein Karoo Ostrich Farm is included.
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Canoeing and hiking in Wilderness National Park
Canoeing and hiking activities in Wilderness National Park are included.
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Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park
Hiking in Tsitsikamma National Park is part of the tour.
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Game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park
A game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park is included.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights are not included but are available on request.
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Visa fees
Visa fees, if required, are not included in the tour.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and not included, but available on request.
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Single room supplements
Single room supplements are required for solo travelers unless staying in shared Backpacker dorms.
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Meals not indicated
Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.
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Personal expenses
Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses such as laundry are not included.
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Tips
Tips for guides and drivers are not included.
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Entrance fees and activities not mentioned
Entrance fees and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Optional tours
Optional tours in Cape Town and elsewhere are not included.
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Other items
Any other items not mentioned above are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with all transport provided in air-conditioned minibuses, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights of accommodation in either comfortable backpacker hostels or deluxe guesthouses/hotels, offering a blend of affordability and luxury to suit your preferences.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 7 nights of accommodation in either Backpacker Hostels or Deluxe Guesthouses/Hotels, depending on your choice.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, a 24-hour airport arrival transfer is included in the tour package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
All transport during the tour is provided in air-conditioned minibuses.
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Is there an opportunity for wine tasting during the tour?
Yes, there is a stop at a local winery along Route 62 for wine tasting.
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What activities are included in Wilderness National Park?
In Wilderness National Park, the tour includes canoeing down the Touw River and a short hike to a waterfall and rock pool area.
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Is there a safari included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a game viewing safari in Addo Elephant National Park.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include shark cage diving, whale watching boat trips (in season), and a bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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