Garden Route tour from Port Elizabeth: Four stops in one day

Beaches, a suspension bridge, free-roaming monkeys and the world's largest bird aviary in a single loop

A full-day guided tour from Port Elizabeth that covers four distinct stops along the Garden Route: Jeffreys Bay's beaches and surf shops, a short hike to the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park, Monkeyland's free-roaming primates, and Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight aviary in the world. The tour includes hotel or cruise ship pickup, a professional English-speaking guide, entry to both wildlife sanctuaries and the national park, a coffee break at Storms River Bridge, and bottled water throughout. Moderate fitness is recommended for the roughly 2km hike.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tsitsikamma National Park2h
2. Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary1h · entry included
3. Birds of Eden1h · entry included

Garden Route tour from Port Elizabeth

• Depart from Port Elizabeth
• Visit Jeffreys Bay beaches and shops
• Drive through Aston Bay lagoon road
• Coffee break at Storms River Bridge viewpoint
• Photographic visit and hike at Tsitsikamma National Park
• Visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
• Visit Birds of Eden aviary
• Return to Port Elizabeth

The experience

The day starts with a drive from Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay, where you walk the main beach strip and browse the surf brand factory shops along the road, then explore Marina Martinique. From there the route heads inland toward Tsitsikamma, stopping at the Storms River Bridge (also called the Paul Sauer Bridge) for a coffee break and viewpoint. The real physical part comes next: a roughly 2km hike through Tsitsikamma National Park that takes about an hour and ends at the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge, where the river meets the sea through a narrow gorge. Bring comfortable shoes and a jacket for this stretch.

After Tsitsikamma, the tour moves to Monkeyland, where monkeys roam freely across the sanctuary grounds, then to Birds of Eden next door. Birds of Eden holds the title of the world's largest free-flight aviary, housing bird species from across the globe in a single enclosure. Both sanctuaries sit in the Crags area just before Plettenberg Bay. The full loop back to Port Elizabeth covers roughly 10 hours door to door, with a professional guide driving an air-conditioned vehicle and narrating the stops along the way.

What’s included

• Hotel or cruise ship terminal pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• entry to Tsitsikamma National Park.
• entry to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
• coffee and tea at Storms River Bridge.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• toll fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

One-Day Garden Route TourUp to 12 people · Guide in English · 07:00 and 08:00Pickup is included

Solo Traveler SupplementUp to 1 people · Guide in English · 07:00 and 08:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Carlin's Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to cover multiple Garden Route highlights in a single day without arranging your own transport. The fixed itinerary and included guide mean you move through four distinct stops on a set schedule, which works well for cruise passengers or travelers on a tight timeline. Solo travelers are welcome with a single supplement applied.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the hike in Tsitsikamma National Park actually like?

The hike to Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge is about 2km and takes roughly an hour. It's a walk through the park that ends at a suspension bridge spanning the river where it flows into the sea. Comfortable shoes and a jacket are essential.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness, mainly because of the hour-long hike in Tsitsikamma National Park. The rest of the day is spent in the vehicle or walking short distances at each stop.

What animals will I actually see at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden?

Monkeyland is a primate sanctuary where monkeys roam freely across the grounds. Birds of Eden is the world's largest free-flight aviary and houses bird species from around the world in a single enclosure.

Does the tour include meals?

The tour includes a coffee and tea break at Storms River Bridge and bottled water throughout the day. Meals are not included, so you'll want to bring snacks or plan to eat before or after the tour.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for approximately 10 hours total. Hotel or cruise ship pickup is included, so the guide will collect you from your accommodation and return you at the end of the day.