Cape Town & the Garden Route

Name: Cape Town & the Garden Route
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.9 (79 reviews)

12 Days Excluding Flights From

14 Days from

~~£ 2145~~ £ 1945

4.8/5 from

Culture

Activity Level

Easy

Comfort Level

Classic

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group

Activity :

Culture, Wildlife

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AZW

Carbon Footprint :

39kg CO2e per person per day

Experience icons of South Africa: safari animals, dramatic coastal roads, electric cities and unforgettable landscapes

Discover the Garden Route − ‘the greatest road trip in South Africa’ – on a journey from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to Cape Town. This highlight-packed trip is designed for those who want iconic South African experiences: a safari in Addo Elephant National Park; a cellar tour in Stellenbosch; a visit to the penguins of Simon’s Town; and free time in Cape Town, the most absorbing city in South Africa. For an extra-special experience, join the trip between June and November for a chance to spot migratory southern right whales as you stand on the shore.

Highlights

Discover the spectacular Garden Route, the greatest road trip in Africa
See iconic African wildlife, including elephants, lions, penguins and whales (in season)
Explore diverse nature from the forests of Tsitsikamma to the drylands of the Little Karoo
Experience culture from quaint communities to cosmopolitan Cape Town and nearby wineries
Walk through the ancient limestone Cango Caves

Key Information

Accommodation: 11 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses)
Travel by private minibus
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Countries visited: South Africa

What's Included

All breakfasts and two dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

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AZW - Cape Town & the Garden Route

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

Port Elizabeth Cape Town

Welcome to South Africa! Our tour begins in Port Elizabeth, colloquially known as PE, but officially Gqeberha, a Xhosa name for the river that runs through the city. We have a welcome briefing in the evening to discuss the adventures to come.

If you have time before, however, you may want to spend the day exploring. Options include several beaches within walking distance, including Humewood Beach, plus city and township tours (payable locally).

Accommodation: La Mer Guesthouse (or similar)

This morning, we head to Addo Elephant National Park, home to some 550 elephants (up from just 16 when the park was formed) plus black rhinos, leopards, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras, various antelopes and dung beetles. We enjoy a four-hour game drive in our own vehicle, hoping to spot iconic African wildlife, and have the option of a second (at extra cost).

Accommodation: La Mer Guesthouse (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Head west to the official start of the Garden Route at Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Stretching along the coast, the park, which comprises rocky coastlines, fairytale forests, waterfalls and rivers, gets its name from a local Khoekhoe language meaning ‘place of abundant water’.

We can take a 1.2mi (2km) hike in the forest and along suspension bridges, which should take around an hour – other optional walks are also available. The area is a great place for bird enthusiasts with a variety of sea, forest and fynbos (scrubland) species present. Other resident animals include vervet monkeys, chacma baboons and clawless otters.

Accommodation: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp chalets (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We spend the day at Tsitsikamma, where several adventures await. Options include kayaking on the Storms River, zip-lining through the forest or swimming in the ocean.

There are also several self-guided walks available, the easiest of which is the suspension walk. The most challenging is the Otter Trail, a well-marked four-hour trek with some small ladders and boulder hopping. This is the only walk that has rocky shoreline sections to it, plus it goes through the forest and passes the Strandloper Cave and ends at a waterfall dropping into the ocean – this trek is only recommended for fit walkers with a good sense of balance.

Accommodation: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp chalets (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We start our day with a visit to Knysna Heads, two tall sandstone cliffs that form a channel through which the turbulent Indian Ocean enters the calmer Knysna Lagoon.

We have a bit more time to relax in town before leaving for Oudtshoorn after lunch.

As we head inland and over a pass, the landscape changes drastically and we enter the Little Karoo, a much dryer, hotter region. Oudtshoorn itself became renowned for its trade in ostrich feathers and is still the ostrich capital of the world. Our guesthouse is out of town in De Rust, a tranquil, rural Karoo village.

Accommodation: Housemartin Guest Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

We spend today discovering Oudtshoorn and the surrounding highlights. We start by visiting the Cango Caves, an extensive complex of caverns with stalactites and stalagmites. A local guide takes us on an hour’s journey through the limestone caves, which are millions of years old.

We then enjoy lunch at Buffelsdrift, where we overlook a waterhole occasionally visited by elephants, giraffes and springboks. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful Meiringspoort Waterfall and take a 1,640ft (500m) walk, which takes about 10 minutes each way. The order in which we do these activities may be reversed.

Accommodation: Housemartin Guest Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Returning towards the coast, we stop at Mossel Bay and the Dias Museum Complex, which reveals the influence of early Portuguese sailors on South Africa. It’s also home to the Post Office Tree (a 500-year-old milkwood, where seafarers once left letters to be taken home by Portuguese sailors).

We then continue to Hermanus, the whale capital of the world. It’s been a long travelling day, so we stretch our legs with a walk along the cliff path.

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Hermanus. From June to November, southern right whales are easily spotted from shore as they frolic in Walker Bay. A whale crier sounds his kelp horn when he spots whales off the coast. Those who want can also do a boat-based whale-watching trip. There are also several other activities available from hikes to river cruises and lagoon kayaking, which are available year-round. You could also visit the Whale Museum to learn about the most famous visitors to these shores, or walk the 7mi (11km) cliff path, where you could see indigenous plants, tortoises and mongoose.

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)
Upgrade to a sea-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Our next destination is the much-celebrated wine region of South Africa. The industry here, which dates to the 17th century and was heavily influenced by French Huguenots, produces some of the best wines in the world. We have free time to explore the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch on foot and eat at one of the many restaurants in town.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a cellar tour with a sommelier at one of the nearby vineyards. Of course, we also taste a selection of their wines before continuing our journey to Cape Town, the Mother City.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We spend the next two days in and around Cape Town, the most exciting city in South Africa. Our activities in Cape Town will, to some extent, be dictated by the weather as visits to the top of Table Mountain, which has its own micro-climate, are determined by cloud cover and wind. Because of this often-temperamental weather, it is best not to prebook the cable car but to buy tickets on the spot (not included). Those staying in Cape Town post-tour may opt to visit Table Mountain later if the weather looks as though it may improve.

There is also the option of visiting Robben Island on one of the days; however, we recommend you prebook Robben Island with us before the trip (but pay the tour leader locally).

On one of the days, we head down the Cape Peninsula. We follow the Atlantic Seaboard past the areas of Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay to the Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak drive, if it is open. The highlight is our visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to elands, bonteboks, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches. Rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We walk through the reserve for approximately two hours. We first head to the new lighthouse for the panoramic views, before following the pathway to the old lighthouse, which offers spectacular cliff views. Once we leave the park, we stop at the former Royal Navy base at Simon’s Town and visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

On our final day, we have the option of doing a township tour, strolling along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or exploring various other parts of Cape Town.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Walks: This is primarily a vehicle-based adventure, although we can take walks in Tsitsikamma National Park, Meiringspoort Waterfall, Hermanus and Cape Point Nature Reserve. These are generally along good paths and boardwalks and take about one to two hours.

Drive times: These can vary but the maximum amount of driving in one day is approximately 5hr 30min with numerous stops throughout. On most days, we are on the road for less than three hours (not including stops or game drives).

Robben Island closure: The Robben Island Museum has announced that all tours to the island are suspended from 16 June until 1 September. Renovations have been planned ahead of the G20 summit taking place in South Africa later this year.

Legal note: All group members joining this tour are asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. It’s a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: La Mer Guesthouse, 24 Driftsands Dr, Humewood, Port Elizabeth
Phone: +27 (0)41 45 000 90
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

Getting to the start hotel

We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Flying via Johannesburg
If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Port Elizabeth (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for everyone from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Port Elizabeth
Location end: Cape Town

Vaccinations and Health

South Africa

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria prophylaxis is essential if travelling in the greater Kruger area; seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic about which tablets to take. The rest of South Africa, including the Garden Route, has a low risk of malaria.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is also a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we recommend taking the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

South Africa

Travellers from the UK, US and most (though not all) EU states normally do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Please note, all travellers to South Africa who require a visa need at least two consecutive blank pages in their passport (ie a left- and right-hand page) to enable an entry visa to be issued.

Additionally, any child under 18 travelling to South Africa needs to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate with the names of both parents. If a child under 18 is only travelling with one parent, they will also have to have an affidavit, no less than three months old, from the absent parent confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and two dinners are included.

Food on this trip is very similar to the kind of food you are used to at home, though there may be the opportunity to try local meats such as ostrich, kudu or eland. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

The provided water is safe, clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

Weather

Summer is from October to April and the average daytime temperature is 25C-30C (77F-86F). The average night-time temperature is 10C-20C (50F-68F). Winter is from May to September and average temperatures are colder. In general, however, the Cape Town climate is quite mild. Summer is typically dry and warm, but the southeasterly wind can blow up to 43mph (70kph) at least a few times a month. This helps to cool things but can be a little unpleasant if one is walking in exposed areas. Most of the rainfall is in winter but it is frontal rain off the Atlantic. Therefore, it can rain solidly for two days, and in between there will be warm, sunny days. It is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on the higher mountains. Our programme is flexible enough to accommodate any major changes in weather, and still make it enjoyable.

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AZW - Cape Town & the Garden Route

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

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Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotels and guesthouses

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Upgrade to a sea-view room on Day 7 and Day 8 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

TRIP

AZW - Cape Town & the Garden Route

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Anne Edwards

Reviewed August 2025

Unexpected South Africa

This tour was well paced and a great introduction to South Africa, especially for travelers who enjoy exploring the world and finding the unexpected. One of the biggest surprises was the food. The cuisine was so unique and, as our guide advised us, plentiful. Paired with excellent South African wine, you are completely spoiled. Don’t hesitate to try new things such as Bobotie or ostrich.

All of the areas we visited were beautiful. I particularly loved Hermanus with its charming vibe and a spectacular whale watch, and I will dream of Tsitsikamma for a long time. Gazing into tide pools and spotting a beautiful octopus was incredible. Of course, a big part of Africa is the wildlife and this tour gives you plenty of exposure to many of the animals you hope to see. The elephants at Addo felt like something out of a movie. Cape Town is also fascinating. I had no idea the Cape of Good Hope was so vast. The beauty cannot be surpassed. We were lucky enough to have a perfect view at the top of Table Mountain, as well. The people are incredibly kind and friendly wherever you go and it we enjoyed experiencing the mixture of cultures.

The accommodations on this tour vary, but we enjoyed them all. The guesthouse in De Rust was so special as the hosts cooked incredible meals for us each night and treated us like special friends.

All in all, the time in South Africa was something I will never forget. The people, the scenery, the animals, the food…all of it was so much more than what I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting a beautiful octopus in a tide pool and being surrounded by giraffes on a game ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Petro felt more like a friend than a group leader. She is so proud of her country and it was inspiring to see it through her eyes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Being prepared will make the trip easier. Load the Uber app if you don't already have it. Pack some flashlights and a backup phone charger. I am so glad I followed the trip notes because the power was out a few times. Layers are your friend on this trip because the weather changes quite a bit. Enjoy!

Joyeeta Deb

Reviewed January 2025

Being close to the nature and the wild life

I have never been so close to the wildlife, from Addo National park to Harmenus – I been with the nature and the its amazing creatures. This trip is a must go if you want to experience good food, comfortable journey, natural beauties and off course the wild life.

Most Inspirational Moment

In middle of the sea with the Mother and baby Whale at Harmenus. The dolphins chasing our boat and the scenic beauty. It was mesmerizing for me all together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was very good, informative and jovial. She had tried her best to give us all the comfort and guide us through out the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack you bag with lots of energy, a binocular, some sunscreen, hat, sunglass and off course do not forget to take extra layers as some places were very windy and chilled. This trip have moderate walking but have few long travel too.

Robyn Long

Reviewed December 2024

A Must Do Trip!

This trip is simply wonderful! It has everything you could ask for- wild animals, amazing culture, wonderful people, beautiful landscapes and stunning food and drink. I have always wanted to go to South Africa and thought this trip was a great way to see so much of it but it has exceeded all expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching wild animals roam in their natural environment will never get boring!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Petro was exactly what you would want in an Exodus leader! She is caring, passionate, knowledgeable and made it her absolute mission to make sure the group saw the best of South Africa and had a once in a lifetime trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Simply put just book! You won't regret it :) Other than that, add on some extra nights at the end of the trip in Cape Town as there is so much to see and do!

Anne Parkins

Reviewed November 2024

One of my best holidays :-)

This was an amazing trip on so many levels.
I have come back feeling energised, invigorated and really sad to leave…testament to a great hol!
I was travelling on my own and apprehensive. I needn’t have been. My group were so welcoming and friendly. We got to know each other quite quickly and had such a laugh together. We are hoping to meet up again in the New Year.
The itinerary was so varied, there was never a dull moment. Ideally 14 days would be preferable as you are packing so much in.
Animals and birds- so much to see, recommend doing Schotia game drive and whale watching. Penguins at boulders beach were brilliant.
Flora-beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees and a chance to visit the botanical gardens in Cape Town.
Food-Wow…such a variety , huge portions and cheap. Recommend the ostrich, but so many other dishes to choose from( meat or veg)
Wine-fabulous and cheap. I loved the chenin blanc. I enjoyed the afternoon in Stellenbosch too.
Landscape-absolutely stunning..Tsitsikamma, Cape of Good Hope, ocean drives and more!
Activities- so varied and you have the opportunity to choose the activities you want to do at various locations.
Guide- Marco was great on every level. He was informative, professional, catered to everyone’s needs and kept us safe.
Accommodation – I particularly liked Tsitsikamma oceanette as right by the ocean. Got woken up at 5.30am by baboons jumping on the bin outside:-). Loved House Martin and the Windsor Hotel.
Cape Town-beautiful. I visited Robben Island, 2nd half of this tour was particular good as we were shown around by an ex inmate. I didn’t get the chance to go up Table Mountain as I had to leave early. There is so much to see and experience that I will definitely return.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots...game drive in Schotia, whale watching in Hermanus, staying in the oceanette cabin in Tsitsikamma; looking out at the beautiful ocean and stars, the romantic meal at House Martin with yummy home cooked food. Cape Town, so vibrant and beautiful. Really enjoyed the last night at Mama Africas..the music and dancing. Meeting my fellow travellers and Marco and sharing this wonderful adventure together. We laughed, danced and quizzed!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was our group leader and he was amazing, so kind and thoughtful. He looked after us all and kept us safe. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history, geography, flora and fauna and the political situation in SA. He was very professional and informative. On nights off he would give us great recommendations for dinner. He would always go the extra mile to ensure everyone was ok. I'd give him 10/10 :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some power outage in Tsitsikamma in the day, power on again at 5.15pm. I took layers as weather can be changeable. Be prepared to wait for some meals...guide has this covered, we would order, wander and then come back. Don't stress if you have a car park view at one hotel as you are hardly in your accommodation. Take motion sickness tabs if you get seasick for whale watching and Robben Island

Denise Schlachter

Reviewed October 2024

Beautiful Scenery Along South Africa's Garden Route

This was a wonderful tour showcasing the beautiful scenery along the coast from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. Accommodation was great throughout our tour other than a very musty cabin at Storms River, however, the scenery there was stunning. Petro was a wonderful guide …was well organized and had excellent people and communication skills. The knowledge she shared of her country along the way including the names of numerous animals and birds was really appreciated. Highlights for me included: Schotia Game Drive, our stay at De Rust that included home cooked meals, and finishing with Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, and Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town. I had done a Langa Township tour prior to our tour starting and didn’t do the one organized by Exodus, however, I’d recommend doing this type of half day tour as well as it shows you a different perspective.

Gary Josey

Reviewed April 2024

Cape Town and the Garden Route review

A tour of 15 people. Everyone got on well. Some queries with the itinerary. We passed by fabulous beaches without stopping such as Jeffrey’s Bay and Wilderness, yet stopped at service stations for lunch. This actually happened three times; once shortly after Knysna which would have been far preferable. The rooms were not always very good. In Tsitsikamma the room was very good, but it was at least a mile walk each way for breakfast. I’m fit, but this was classified as a leisurely tour. The rooms in Hermanus and Cape Town overlooked car parks. Our room in Hermanus also had no air conditioning. I expected better accommodation quality from Exodus based on personal recommendations. I would say it is comparable to mid range G Adventures. There were no whales (not the season) but also the waterfall in Karoo had dried up and Storms River was very low water also: Our tubing became bouldering. Cape Town and Cape of Good Hope were magnificent. Food provided or purchased throughout was consistently of high quality. A quite expensive trip when excursions, tips and food is added but we probably got what we paid for. A few simple tweaks could have made things better. Enjoyment – 8 out of 10. VFM – 7 out of 10. I regret not seeing some of the wonderful beaches on-route.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cape of Good Hope and Schotia game reserve (a paid excursion of £100 pp) - why wasn’t this part of the standard itinerary?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Petro Pretorious - very good; always cheerful and helpful. A very competent driver.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the season. In March you miss the whales and rivers are low water. Ensure you visit Schotia Game Reserve. South Africa is dangerous. Take high personal precautions over safety and security.

P&E Rooke

Reviewed March 2024

The Garden Route to Cape Town

This was a particularly enjoyable holiday where everything came together to create a fantastic experience. Good weather, a friendly group, an excellent tour leader and a well-constructed itinerary that took us to some wonderful places. The accommodation was of a good standard throughout. The “oceanettes” at Storms River Mouth with their incredible views were outstanding (a pleasant surprise having seen previous travellers’ comments on the wooden cabins there). We very much enjoyed staying in House Martin Guest Lodge too.
–South Africa was thought-provoking and very different to our expectations in so many ways. Like Jill Chaloner (previous review), we found it hard to get a Black perspective on the country, and mention of apartheid was largely restricted to our visit to Robben Island, which was a sobering reminder of South Africa’s recent past.

Most Inspirational Moment

It’s hard to choose one moment as there were so many highlights – Schotia Game Reserve, Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and Robben Island, all were great. However, just spending a sunny hour watching the Indian Ocean breaking on the rocks at Storms River is one of our most memorable moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were lucky to have Marco who was everything a Tour Leader should be: he gave us the right information clearly and at the right time. He was friendly, had excellent local knowledge of birds and wildlife, and was a safe driver. He put a lot of effort in behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly and we particularly appreciated the lifts to the restaurant at Storms River Mouth as it was quite a walk from the accommodation. There were a couple of birthdays and a marriage proposal on our trip, and Marco made these occasions special for all concerned!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack for cool and wet as well as hot and dry. The Little Karoo is hot, semi-desert, but most of the trip is near the coast with a maritime climate (changeable!). –Do the optional Schotia game reserve trip (it really should be included, not an extra). Bring enough cash to pay for it, it’s cheaper than using a credit card. Take a warm layer on the Schotia visit, it was chilly later in the day (our driver handed out blankets). –The food in SA is plentiful and cheap, as is the wine! There were also options for the vegetarians in the group. –We agree with a previous comment about buying tea, coffee and milk before arriving at Storms River Mouth (for milk, ask nicely at the restaurant). –The visit to the wine estate didn’t amount to much, and beware: their cheese board option for lunch is ridiculously generous. –Our e-tickets stated there was no food on the flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, but in fact a light meal was provided, and the flight attendant was surprised we had been told otherwise.

Michael Gallagher

Reviewed March 2024

A varied and enjoyable trip along the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

An enjoyable and interesting insight into South Africa with varied landscapes and experiences. Three game drives at the start with lots of wildlife – elephants, lions and many other animals to see in beautiful locations. We enjoyed stunning mountain and semi-desert scenery, the wild cape coast and the city life and scenery of Cape Town.

Accommodation was good throughout the trip– clean, good facilities and well located in each location. The accommodation and food at House Martin Lodge was excellent. We used a large minibus which was spacious enough for our needs and was safely driven by our guide. Our couple of long drives but the scenery helped and regular stops were arranged.

Meals and food were varied and good throughout the trip and we were able to experience different types of South African food.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tour had lots of highlights - an amazing trip to Schotia Game Reserve where we saw a stunning range of animals, the semi desert area of the Little Karoo around De Rust ( wonderful accommodation and food at House Martin Lodge ) and the Cango Caves, the coastal scenery at Storms River and Hermanus and the Cape Peninsula drive including the penguins, Robben Island, Table Mountain and the Waterfront of Cape Town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour driver and guide was Marco Olivier from Mask Expeditions. He made the trip run smoothly down to the very last detail and had a great sense of humour. Most travel days were broken up with adequate rest and scenic stops and even a fun quiz on the long drive. His local knowledge of nature, wildlife and the culture and history of South Africa was good and he was happy to share and discuss it with us. He was helpful with sorting the optional activities and other arrangements especially in Cape Town.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a pity that the Schotia Game Reserve is not an 'included' part of the tour as it is one of the 'must do' activities. Make sure that you have enough Rands at the start of the trip as it is cheaper to pay by cash rather than card. Our time in Mossel Bay was limited and rushed. If possible discuss with the group an early leaving time which would create more time - we left at 9.30am whereas 8.00am would have been better. Minor point - there is no tea / coffee / milk in the accommodation at Storms River. Worth arranging a quick 'shop' stop enroute to buy some. If you have time book an extra couple of nights in Cape Town. We enjoyed a relaxing two days in Cape Town at the end which was a great way to finish the trip.

Robert Barker

Reviewed March 2024

Feb 2024

Tour of the Garden Route and Cape Town

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing lion and lioness at very close quarters in Ado National Park

Thoughts on Group Leader

Petro was excellent, informative, organised friendly and was a key catalyst in creating a great group chemistry

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a cash travel card loaded with local currency

Gerry Iles

Reviewed January 2024

Enjoyable introduction to the wonderful landscapes and wildlife in this stunning country.

Well thought out tour of the Cape, taking in such varied landscapes and experiences. Highlights were the Schotia Game Reserve, the drive through the Little Karoo to the Cango Caves and the trip to the Cape of Good Hope. Touring was on a mini bus, which was spacious enough for our tour group of 13. Most drives were reasonable, but there was one very long day of 7 hours with only a couple of short stops. Accommodation was spacious, clean and with comfortable beds. All of a generally good standard.

Most Inspirational Moment

Amazing trip to Schotia where we saw a stunning range of animals. Plus the semi desert area of the Little Karoo around De Rust.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tallis was a confident & safe driver. He was knowledgeable and kept us well informed of the details of the trip and any changes to the itinerary. He fitted in a couple of extra visits , which improved our experience and were appreciated by all the group (Betty’s Bay and the Kirstenbosch Gardens) There were a number of health challenges with the group that were dealt with in a calm and appropriate manner.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for bad weather. Take refreshments, as stops some days are limited and in some accommodation facilities were also limited. There is one long day travelling, so be aware

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Cape Town & the Garden Route

4.8/5 from

12 Days Excluding Flights From

14 Days from

~~£ 2145~~ £ 1945

Cape Town & the Garden Route

Experience icons of South Africa: safari animals, dramatic coastal roads, electric cities and unforgettable landscapes

Sustainability and Impact

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Your Group, Your Adventure

Itinerary

Port Elizabeth Cape Town

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

Joining Instructions

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Vaccinations and Health

South Africa

Visa

South Africa

Food & Drink

Weather

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Hotels and guesthouses

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Trip Experts

Petro Pretorius

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Reviews

Unexpected South Africa

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Being close to the nature and the wild life

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A Must Do Trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

One of my best holidays :-)

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beautiful Scenery Along South Africa's Garden Route

Cape Town and the Garden Route review

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Garden Route to Cape Town

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A varied and enjoyable trip along the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Feb 2024

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoyable introduction to the wonderful landscapes and wildlife in this stunning country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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