Operated by G Adventures

Kruger Safari & The Garden Route

From

CAD 5,549

Duration

16 days

Countries

South Africa

Activity

moderate

The adventure

Can’t decide between safari, culture, nature, or adventure? We got you covered. This 16-day journey through South Africa packs in the best of everything. Spend nearly a week in the Kruger area with epic safari drives and an unforgettable bush walk. Then hit the road for a week-long overland adventure along the Garden Route, from spotting elephants in Addo, to hiking Tsitsikamma, to sipping wine in stunning Franschhoek. While this trip skips a deep dive into Cape Town, it’s the perfect excuse to add extra days in the city before or after your adventure.

At a glance

Duration

16 days

Route

Johannesburg → Cape Town

Countries

South Africa

Activity level

moderate

Style

Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Cycling, Food & Drink, National Parks & Wilderness, Overland & Road Trips, Trekking & Hiking, Wildlife & Safari

Group size

Ask

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Welcome

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

South Africa

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. After an early evening welcome meeting, enjoy an included group dinner and get to know everyone.

Arrive at any time. After an early evening welcome meeting, enjoy an included group dinner and get to know everyone.

Day 2Depart Johannesburg early to get a jump start…

Johannesburg

Depart Johannesburg early to get a jump start on today's long drive. An included lunch along the way will break up the drive and give you a chance to stretch your legs. Arrive to your lodge accommodations in the late afternoon, just in time to freshen up for dinner with the group.

Day 3Wake up bright and early today…

Wake up bright and early today for an included bush walk. Take this opportunity to get up close and personal with the incredible nature that surrounds you. Enjoy a picnic lunch after the walk and then a few hours of well earned rest back at the lodge. In the later afternoon set off on a safari drive to view the wildlife in Kruger National Park. When you return, enjoy an included Braai dinner to get a true taste of South African fare.

Day 4Enjoy an early start this morning to enter…

Enjoy an early start this morning to enter the park and enjoy the full-day safari drive through Kruger in search of the Big Five. After an exciting day out in the wild, arrive late afternoon to your lodge and enjoy some local fare during dinner this evening.

Day 5Another full day in Kruger awaits

Another full day in Kruger awaits. Hop into a 4x4 to enjoy a more intimate wildlife safari drive, one offering a fresh perspective of the scenery and animals around you. Finish the day with a delicious dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 6Spend a free day in the area…

Spend a free day in the area and choose which optional activities are best for you. Possible options include a morning or afternoon safari drive in Kruger National Park, or a full-day tour along the Panorama Route to set those photography skills to the test. The route offers unbelievable views at every turn and traverses the Great Escarpment via thrilling mountain passes.

Day 7After breakfast at the lodgeJohannesburg

Johannesburg

After breakfast at the lodge, witness first-hand the large role conservation plays in Kruger and the surrounding areas on an educational visit to The Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, commonly referred to as Chimp Eden. This animal sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees is located in the Umhloti Nature Reserve and a tour here is the perfect way to celebrate a visit to South Africa. Arrive to the lively city of Johannesburg in the early evening and enjoy a group dinner at the hotel.

Day 8Depart Johannesburg in the morning and board…

Johannesburg

Depart Johannesburg in the morning and board a flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Transfer the hotel before a free afternoon in town. Join an optional group dinner in the evening.

Day 9Experience the wildlife and landscapes of Addo Elephant…

Experience the wildlife and landscapes of Addo Elephant National Park during a morning safari drive with knowledgeable guides in search of rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards, and of course, elephants. Have a picnic breakfast out in the bush and finish the drive in the afternoon. There will be free time to have lunch in the area before returning to Gqeberha to spend a leisurely evening on your own.

Day 10After breakfast depart for Tsitsikamma National Park

After breakfast depart for Tsitsikamma National Park, part of the famed Garden Route on the South Coast of South Africa. The area is valued for its diverse natural and cultural heritage. Enjoy a CEO-led hike along the Mouth Trail and wander along a winding boardwalk through the forest. In the afternoon partake in the Big Tree walk with your CEO, which will take you through indigenous forest to an eight hundred-year-old Yellowwood towering over the rest of the canopy. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 11Enjoy an entire free day in the Tsitsikamma area

Enjoy an entire free day in the Tsitsikamma area. Choose between optional activities like, the Woodcutters’ Journey, a tree canopy tour, a seasonal whale watching excursion, or whitewater tubing. Your opportunity to remain active awaits. Have dinner with the group back at the hotel in the evening.

Day 12In the morning the group will visit…

In the morning the group will visit the Robberg Nature Reserve featuring stunning coastal scenery and some of the best hiking in the country. Walk along the Gap Circuit and see evidence of the prehistoric break-up of the supercontinent of Gondwanaland some 120 million years ago. Travel onwards to Knysna for an orientation drive along the waterfront, through the town centre, to the hip eateries and shops on Thesen Island, and through the lush landscapes of the Knysna Forest full of indigenous trees. Arrive back in town for a free afternoon to enjoy optional activities or to simply relax in the beauty of your surroundings.

Day 13Breakfast will be had at the hotel before…

Breakfast will be had at the hotel before an included visit to The Knysna Heads, which enclose and form the Knysna River Estuary. Visit some of the main attractions on the Eastern Head, walk along a pathway at the foot of the cliffs and learn about the importance of the land to the local population. Spend the remainder of the day as you wish and try some of the optional activities, like an oyster tour which the area is known for.

Day 14Rise early for a long

Rise early for a long, but jam-packed day of epic scenery and unforgettable sights as you drive the more scenic way from Knysna to Franschhoek. First stop is the harbour town of Mossel Bay to visit the lighthouse and walk in the area. Drive along Tradouw Pass next, through the lesser-known gem of Gatplaats Nature Reserve for a short walk and enjoy hilly views to reach the town of Barrydale. Have an included outdoor lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy a wine tasting. Arrive to Franschhoek in the evening and have dinner on your own.

Day 15Start the morning off with a CEO-led orientation…

Start the morning off with a CEO-led orientation walk along Franschhoek’s main street. The remainder of the day is free for optional activities like a guided bike tour Stellenbosch, a history and art tour, or perhaps a winery visit in a region celebrated for its delicious grape varieties. Dinner this evening will be on your own.

Day 16Leave the picturesque winelands of Franschhoek behind this…Cape Town

Cape Town

Leave the picturesque winelands of Franschhoek behind this morning and depart for Cape Town. Stop along the way to walk up the city’s iconic Signal Hill and site of the Noon Gun, one of Cape Town’s oldest living traditions. Enjoy the fantastic views from the top and catch a full glimpse of Cape Town's many landmarks. The tour ends upon arrival in Cape Town around 1:30pm.