Garden Route and Addo (2025)
Garden Route and Addo (2025)
Garden Route and Addo (2025)
7 Days Starting and ending in Cape Town
Visiting: Cape Town, Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Gqeberha, Private Game Reserves, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Stellenbosch
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AAGRMP20
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Ready for one of the world’s most epic road trips – where you flicker from wildlife to city life to beach life? You’ll gawp at the Cango Caves, sample the nightlife of Cape Town, and even encounter the Big 5 at some of Africa’s finest national parks. The Garden Route has everything, and you’ll experience it all on this unforgettable 7-day adventure, with a squad of fellow 18-35s.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town To Oudtshoorn Via Cango Caves
Location: Cape Town, Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn
Accommodation: Riempie Estate (or similar)
Hello Africa… and hello Cape Town. Ready to get going? It’s off to the Karoo desert via the famous ‘Route 62’.
An included guided tour of Africa's LARGEST show cave system. The Cango Caves are replete with cavernous halls, limestone formations, cave paintings and artefacts (which indicate they were in use throughout the Middle Ages)! How's that for a pitstop?
Welcome to the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World’. After passing vineyards and mountain passes along the way, we’ll check into Oudtshoorn, say hey to the ostriches and then enjoy a delicious bush dinner (overlooking a watering hole - IRL).
Day 2: Oudtshoorn To Gqeberha Via Addo Elephant National Park
Location: Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Gqeberha
Accommodation: Town Lodge Port Elizabeth (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Marvelous meerkats… today we’ll get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most famous wildlife, both large and small. Starting out with a Meerkat Safari at sunrise, we’ll watch these precious creatures wake up, stretch and embark on their day’s activity. And if that’s not special enough, just wait till you get to today’s stop-off…
That’s right, it’s elephant time. After lunch, we’ll set out in search of Africa's largest land mammal here at the Addo National Park, home to over 600 of these tusk-tastic creatures. (Keep your eyes peeled for lions, buffalo, and antelope too though!)
We'll retreat here for the night but fear not, more safari adventures await in the morning. Stuck for something to do this evening? Let us introduce you to the karaoke bar just around the corner. (Cue your fave Lion King jams.)
Day 3: Gqeberha And Private Game Reserves
Location: Gqeberha, Private Game Reserves, Gqeberha
Accommodation: Lodge, Town Lodge Port Elizabeth (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 Center, who give sick and injured penguins the care they deserve and help them to return to the wild.
Later this morning, we’ll set out on the first of today’s two private game drives. (IKR?) The Eastern Cape’s game reserves are some of South Africa’s best spots for seeing the Big 5, home to valleys, plains, rivers and much more. We’ll head in for an included lunch, then back out again for the day’s second game drive. Yes, yes that is four game drives in 36 hours. Lucky you, right?
Tonight we’ll head back to the city where a free evening awaits. Karaoke round two? We won’t stop ya.
Day 4: Gqeberha To Knysna Via Jeffreys Bay And Tsitsikamma National Park
Location: Gqeberha, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna
Accommodation: Knysna Quays (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 start our day with some chill time on J-Bay… which is exactly what we’ll do.
Welcome to our next pitstop, known for the infinitely Instagramable Storms River Bridge – which we’ll take a picturesque hike to so you can get all the legendary snaps you need. After that, you’ll have the chance to up the adrenaline, with a spot of kayaking up the mouth of Storms River.
And then we pull into the beautiful coastal town of Knysna, ready to explore all the sights and activities the Garden Route is known for. (We've got two nights here too!)
Day 5: Knysna And Plettenberg Bay
Location: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna
Accommodation: Knysna Quays (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. Afterwards, we’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing on Plettenberg's main beach, catching those rays and helping ourselves to some splendid seafood.
This evening, we’ll embark on a Township visit here in Knysna, where you’ll meet the locals and have the chance to make a positive impact for the children who live here. Afterwards, we'll tuck into a group dinner on the Knysna lagoon, followed by a night on the town.
Day 6: Knysna To Cape Town Via Hermanus
Location: Knysna, Hermanus, Cape Town
Accommodation: Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 the coastal town of Hermanus, which is one of the world’s best areas for spotting whales – between July and November at least – so have your binoculars at the ready. Before hitting the road once more, we’ll spend some time learning all about shark conservation too.
And here we are, back in the city where it all began. Tonight’s agenda? A group dinner at the V&A Waterfront – followed by a night out, of course!
Day 7: Cape Town And Stellenbosch
Location: Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
It might be our last day together but fear not, there’s still plenty planned… 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 the very finest of the Cape’s fine wines. With spectacular views, and a traditional South African braai for lunch, this really is one tasty excursion indeed.
And, after a brief drive back to Cape Town for an airport/hotel drop-off, that's a wrap! It’s been wild – we’re gutted to leave, we’re thrilled from what we’ve experienced, and we can’t wait to do it all again!
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 60 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 contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.