From Cape Town: 5-Day Best of Garden Route and Addo Safari
Day 1: Route 62 Start with a morning pickup (6am to 7am) from your accommodation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Travel about 450km ( about 6 hours driving) along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, with a wine-tasting stop (non-alcoholic tasting available too) before reaching Oudtshoorn by afternoon. For a close encounter with Mother Nature, opt in to join elephant guides on an Elephant Observation in Nature (at extra cost) and observe 3 lovable rescued elephants in their natural Cango Valley bush veld habitat. Overnight at Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Saver Backpack package) or 88 van Rheede Guesthouse (3 star Comfort Stay package) or Hlangana lodge or similar (4 star Luxe package). Ask to upgrade to Buffelsdrift at extra fee. Day 2: Oudtshoorn Travel time today is about 250km / 3 hours. Visit a working ostrich farm and see the largest flightless birds in the world. Next, head to the mountains to go deep underground in the illuminated wonder world of the Cango Caves, exploring vast halls filled with ancient stalactites before traveling onward for about 400km to reach the Addo town region. Overnight at Avaco Cabins (Dorm or Saver -) or HappyLands Farmstay (Comfort-) or Addo Wildlife lodge or similar (Luxe package). Day 3: Addo, Jeffreys Bay Travel route about 300km / 3 hours. Rise early for the best chance to spot wildlife as the bush awakes in Addo Elephant National Park, the 3rd largest national park in South Africa. Join your own group after breakfast for the included 2-hour van game drive with your guide to search for some of the big five animals; if lucky you'll spot elephants, buffalos, lion & more. Travel about 200km to J'bay to either spend free time at the beach or choosing between optional surfing or beach horseback riding (extra cost). Overnight at Island Vibe (Dorm or Saver -) or Sea Whisper (Comfort -) or On The Beach Lodge or similar (Luxe package). Day 4: Tsitsikamma, Sedgefield Travel route about 300km / 3 hours. After breakfast, drive inland to experience an optional highest Bungy jump bridge in the world, optional Waterfall Zipline over waterfalls in Tsitsikamma forest (both at extra cost) or choose to have free time and arrive early to spend more time in Tsitsikamma National Park. After all had some time to explore the park, drive onward with a photo stop at Knysna's lagoon en route to Sedgefield. Overnight at Pili Pili Backpackers (Dorm or Saver-), or The Rex (Comfort), or Protea Hotel Knysna or similar(Deluxe). Day 5: Garden Route Safari Travel route about 400km / 6 hours. Take the road back along the coastline until a 2-3 hour safari activity stop in the heart of the native bushveld. Search for most of the Big 5 and other wild animals from an open 4x4 vehicle in the Botlierskop Reserve. Journey back to Cape Town with evening drop-offs in Cape Town or Stellenbosch (between 8pm to 10pm).