Garden Route & Addo: 5-Day Safari, Caves, Bungee & Wildlife

Summary

Safari drives, caves and wild coastlines from Cape Town

You’ll share stories with locals over ostrich dinner in Oudtshoorn, walk forest trails in Tsitsikamma National Park, watch elephants roam Addo up close, and maybe spot whales near Hermanus. With all entry fees covered, game drives included, and pickup from Cape Town sorted—you’ll feel both looked after and wide open to surprise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cape Town to Oudtshoorn via Route 62

• Depart Cape Town at 6am
• Drive Route 62 to Oudtshoorn
• Visit Cango Caves
• Visit ostrich farm
• Overnight in Oudtshoorn
• Enjoy ostrich dinner

Day 2 — Oudtshoorn to Storms River via Garden Route

• Leave Oudtshoorn for Garden Route
• Stop at Wilderness 'map of Africa' lookout
• Visit Knysna Heads and Waterfront
• Explore Knysna markets
• Pass through Plettenberg Bay
• Overnight in Storms River Village
• Opportunity to bungee jump

Day 3 — Tsitsikamma to Addo Elephant Park and Jeffreys Bay

• Explore Tsitsikamma National Park
• Walk coastal route to Storms River hanging bridge
• Visit Addo Elephant National Park
• Drive through Jeffreys Bay
• Overnight in Jeffreys Bay

Day 4 — Jeffreys Bay to Garden Route Game Lodge

• Travel to Bloukrans Bungy Bridge
• Optional bungy jump at Bloukrans
• Arrive at Garden Route Game Lodge
• Late afternoon safari drive
• Overnight at Game Lodge
• Enjoy buffet dinner

Day 5 — Garden Route to Cape Town via Whale Watching

• Morning safari drive
• Depart for Hermanus
• Whale watching at Hermanus
• Return to Cape Town via False Bay

Top questions

How long is the Garden Route & Addo tour?

The tour lasts 5 days, starting and ending in Cape Town.

Is pickup included from Cape Town hotels?

Yes, pickup from Cape Town is included for this tour.

Are game drives included at Addo Elephant Park?

Yes, game drives at Addo Elephant Park are included in the price.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in guest houses or backpacker hostels depending on your package.

Are meals included during the tour?

Dinners are included on some nights—like ostrich dinner in Oudtshoorn—and breakfast at Garden Route Game Lodge.

Is bungee jumping part of the itinerary?

You’ll have time to try bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge if you want (optional).

Can I see whales during this trip?

If traveling June–December, whale watching is possible near Hermanus on the return leg.

Do I need malaria medication for this safari?

No—Addo Elephant Park and Garden Route are malaria-free areas.

Are entrance fees for parks included?

Yes—all entry fees for national parks and attractions are covered.

What’s included

Your journey includes Cape Town pickup, four nights’ accommodation (guest house or backpackers), all entry fees for places like Tsitsikamma and Addo Elephant Park, two safari drives at Garden Route Game Reserve plus guided tours of Cango Caves and an ostrich farm—breakfasts or dinners as listed along the way so you won’t go hungry either.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is that woman at the ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn — she handed me an egg (heavier than it looks) and grinned as I tried not to drop it. Our guide, Sipho, kept laughing at my face when I tasted ostrich steak later that night. It was smoky and a bit sweet, nothing like chicken. The drive along Route 62 felt endless but in that good way — vineyards rolling by, windows down, sun coming up behind us. We’d left Cape Town before sunrise and I still had sleep lines on my cheek when we pulled into the Cango Caves. Those caves are cold inside; you can hear water dripping somewhere deep while someone’s voice echoes off the stone.

We crossed mountains the next morning — mist hanging low over the road — and stopped at this “Map of Africa” lookout in Wilderness. It really does look like Africa from above (sort of). Knysna was busy but friendly; a guy at the market showed me how to eat fresh oysters with just lemon and hot sauce. By Storms River Village, everything smelled like rain and wet wood. Some people did the bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (I watched with sweaty palms). That night I could hear frogs outside our hostel window — loud enough to keep you awake if you let them.

Tsitsikamma National Park was all crashing waves and tangled forest. We walked out to the hanging bridge over Storms River Mouth — it sways more than you’d think. There were otters somewhere nearby but I never saw them; a local kid said he spots them sometimes at dawn. Then came Addo Elephant Park: herds moving slow through dust clouds, ears flapping. Our guide pointed out dung beetles rolling their treasures across the track (I nearly missed them). That feeling when an elephant walks right past your van — it’s quiet except for your own heart thumping.

The last day we woke early for another safari drive at Garden Route Game Lodge — lions yawning in gold light, buffalo staring back like they know something you don’t. Breakfast tasted better after that. Heading back toward Cape Town we stopped in Hermanus; some folks spotted whales breaching far out (I squinted but maybe saw a splash?). By then everyone was tired but happy — sand still stuck to my shoes from Jeffrey’s Bay. Not sure if it was the animals or those small moments with strangers that made it stick with me.