Cape Town & the Garden Route

Name: Cape Town & the Garden Route
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (80 reviews)

80 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

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.

Key Information

Trip Code: AZW
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: South Africa
Carbon Footprint: 39kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

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

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

Itinerary

First Destination: Port Elizabeth
Next Destination: Cape Town

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Port Elizabeth
Next Destination: Cape Town

Our adventure begins in Port Elizabeth, colloquially known as PE, but officially Gqeberha, a Xhosa name for the river that runs through the city. If you arrive in good time 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).

Around 6pm, say howzit to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big South African welcome by arranging a group dinner.

Want to explore Port Elizabeth further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: La Mer Guesthouse (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

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. Alternatively, if you’d like to stay longer, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

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.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Cape Town Hotels

With its iconic Table Mountain backdrop, world-class food scene and vibrant waterfront, additional nights in Cape Town can make your adventure feel even more extraordinary. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

Bay Hotel: Set along the palm-lined shores of Camps Bay, this stylish beachfront hotel offers elegant rooms with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. With multiple pools, a relaxed coastal atmosphere and easy access to cafés and restaurants, it’s perfect for unwinding after your tour.

V&A Hotel by Newmark: Located in the lively V&A Waterfront, this contemporary hotel blends historic charm with modern comfort. Spacious rooms, harbour views and direct access to shops, dining and attractions make it an ideal base for exploring Cape Town.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel: A luxury retreat at the foot of Table Mountain, the Mount Nelson offers lush gardens, refined rooms and classic afternoon tea on its iconic pink terraces. Its serene setting, exceptional service and rich heritage make it one of Cape Town’s most memorable places to stay.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Petro Pretorius

Expert Leader: South Africa

Introducing Petro Pretorius - Expert Leader Petro’s desire to work in travel prompted her to leave her corporate job behind and she began her career as a tour guide.

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.

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 around 6pm in the evening.
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.

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.

On this trip 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.

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.

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

Added 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...

Gary Josey

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

Suggestions

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