Garden Route and Addo
Overview
Highlights
- St. Lucia: You could drive the entire route in a day – but where’s the fun in that? Seeing the sights and taking part in the myriad of activities could take up to 2 weeks (depending on how long you want to sizzle on those glorious beaches.)Our Garden Route & Addo trip is 8 days long, and includes all of the route’s main attractions, like Addo Elephant Park, Cango Caves and Stellenbosch.
- Tsitsikamma National Park: It’s common to start in Mossel Bay in the west and finish at Storms River in the east – but there’s no reason you couldn’t do this in reverse or start in the middle (like the rebel you are.)Our Garden Route & Addo trip starts off in Cape Town. From there, we’ll board the Contiki coach and drive east to the Addo Elephant Park via Oudtshoorn. We then head south to Gqeberha before making our way back west to Hermanus via Knysna. Check the itinerary above for more info.
- Tsitsikamma National Park: This depends on your country of origin. In some cases, your visa is free and you can collect it when you arrive in South Africa. In others, if you’re travelling from New Zealand for example, you’ll need to arrange your visa ahead of time. Click here to find out visa requirements based on your home country.
- Tsitsikamma National Park: It’ll change slightly depending on what time of year you’re visiting, but some essentials will include:Your cameraComfortable shoes/clothes for walkingYour swimming costumeSun cream, a hat, sunglassesInsect repellentA portable phone chargerRead our full guide to visiting Africa.
- Tsitsikamma National Park: The Garden Route summer occurs between November and March, with the best beach weather coming in February/March. July to December is Whale Season, so this is the best time to visit if you’re keen to admire the Garden Route’s awesome marine life. June - September usually sees the coolest weather, so these months are ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities.
- Tsitsikamma National Park: We visit two wildlife reserves, so you’ll have a decent chance of catching the elusive Big 5 – plus giraffes, warthogs and other famed species. You’ll also have a great chance of seeing elephants in Addo, plus the myriad marine life on our marine safari – including whales and dolphins.
- Cango Caves: Tour Africa's largest limestone caves system. At over 20 million years old, it makes our nan look like a spring chicken.
- Addo Elephant National Park: See these gentle giants in their natural habitat as you cruise through this scenic conservation park.
- Jeffreys Bay: Known for its waves, its calamari and its natural beauty, there’s no beach quite like Jeffreys Bay Beach. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Knysna: If you’re looking for dramatic scenery, a trek through Tsitsikamma National Park will give you plenty of ops to fill up your memories and Insta feed.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Itinerary
Hello Africa… and hello Cape Town. Ready to get going? It’s off to the Karoo desert via the famous ‘Route 62’. Today's scenic drive goes through mountain passes, vineyards and epic desert scenery along the way.An included guided tour of Africa's LARGEST show cave syst...
Good morning! Let's continue heading East towards one of South Africa's most loved National Parks: Addo Elephant. (Anyone guess which animal this place is famous for?) That’s right, it’s elephant time. After lunch, we’ll set out in our comfy (and tall!) coach in sear...
Ready for the second chance at wildlife spotting? We thought so. Today is all about wildlife, both on land and in the ocean. We’ll start with a morning tour of the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Centre, who give sick and injured penguins the care they deserve and help...
Beach time. Desert? Tick. Caves? Tick. Safari? Tick. Now it’s time to make our way along the famous Garden Route to our next destination, Knysna – with a few sensational stop-offs on the way. Known as one of the best surf spots in the world, it’d be wrong not to star...
Rise and shine, team. Today starts with an included breakfast, overlooking the Knysna lagoon, and then we’re off again once more. It’s ocean time… Join our optional marine safari and set out in search of whales, dolphins, seals and more spectacular sea life. Afterwar...
Make sure you call dibs on a window seat. As we drive back to Cape Town, you’ll watch the magnificence of the Garden Route unfold as we pass coastal towns, forests, gorges and some jaw-dropping ocean views. Marine mania… We’ll have lunch and some free time here in th...
It might be our last day together but fear not, there’s still plenty planned about the Cape Winelands. And most of it revolves around food. After some free time to explore (and shop till you drop) we’ll set out to discover Stellenbosh’s awesome wine farms, sampling t...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Contiki Reviews & Ratings
Helena
Nov 2024
Garden Route and Addo
Jam packed trip with all the best stops - we really got through a lot in one week it was great! Lots of safari's, wine, amazing food, a few beaches and lots of other...
Su
Oct 2024
Garden Route and Addo
Being in SA felt like I was back in Asia but with more wild animals. The trip felt short and long at the same time. Definitely wasn't expecting to see 4 of the Big 5...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2024
Garden Route and Addo
Honestly it was the most incredible experience.
Ntombikayise Kotelo
Sep 2024
Garden Route and Addo
It was the best seven days of my life. The Trip Manager and Driver were amazing, accommodating, and welcoming. We got to know each other within two days, and it felt...
Trusted Customer
Sep 2024
Garden Route and Addo
Great way to safety view Africa and still get an authentic experience. I went to South Africa as a solo female traveler and ended up leaving with so many friends. Ou...
Other Contiki Reviews
Jenifer MacDonald
Dec 2024
Ultimate New Zealand
Was an amazing 3 weeks! Met life long friends and had the adventure...
Shaina Lee
Dec 2024
Total Thailand
I loved being taken into local villages, and sharing culturally-immersive experiences as a group. Our guide Rhi made it feel like we were home, every step of the way...
Tour Operator
We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.
No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.
We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.
With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.
About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?
Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
- Riempie Estate (or similar)
- Town Lodge Port Elizabeth (or similar)
- Knysna Quays (or similar)
- Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations