Garden Route Tours & Trips

Demographics

If you're traveling solo, our shorter Garden Route trips of 3-4 days pack in plenty of social time and shared experiences. The backpacker spots in Sedgefield, Storms River Village and other stops make it easy to meet fellow travelers. You might spend your morning paddling canoes through Wilderness National Park and end up swapping stories over a traditional braai dinner. Our travelers like how they can mix scheduled activities like Cango Caves tours with optional extras - the Bloukrans Bridge bungy (world's highest, by the way) is there if you're up for it. The guides are great at bringing everyone together, whether you're out on Tsitsikamma's hiking trails or heading out for sunset game viewing.

Young adults have taken to our Garden Route tours, which run 3-4 days and blend social time with outdoor exploration. The compact trips pack plenty of action - from morning kayaks gliding through Wilderness National Park's waterways to late afternoon drives tracking white rhino and giraffe at Botlierskop Reserve. The backpacker lodgings in Sedgefield, Storms River Village naturally draw people together, especially during traditional braai dinners where travelers share stories from their day. You can shape your own experience with optional activities like tackling the world's highest commercial bungy at Bloukrans Bridge or joining surf lessons in Jeffrey's Bay. Most tours include canoe trips down peaceful rivers with short walks to waterfalls, while some focus on closer wildlife encounters such as elephant walks at local sanctuaries. Our guides Mawande, Silvester and also Lourens get constant mentions from guests for their skill at bringing groups together, whether exploring Tsitsikamma's suspension bridges or heading out for sunset game viewing. The pace stays active but leaves room to breathe, balancing scheduled highlights with free time to join spontaneous activities alongside new travel companions.

The Garden Route really shines with our 7-13 day tours, giving seniors the perfect amount of time to explore at their own tempo. We've carefully selected lodging that blends comfort with character, from peaceful eco-lodges near Storms River, intimate hotels overlooking Knysna's lagoons and tranquil retreats along the coast. Days unfold with a natural rhythm starting with whale watching from Hermanus' dramatic cliffs or gentle forest walks in Tsitsikamma, before moving into cultural experiences and wildlife viewing. Our travelers often tell us how much they appreciate guides like Bianca and Werner, who read the group dynamics perfectly and share fascinating stories about local history, wildlife and culture. The tours strike an excellent balance between structured activities - think Cango Caves exploration and wine tasting along Route 62 - and flexible free time that lets you set your own pace. As evening arrives, groups often gather for traditional braai dinners, where conversation flows easily over grilled specialties as the sun sets across scenic spots like Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans come together in spectacular fashion.

Our 13-day Garden Route tours really work well for families - you get to take things at a nice pace and the kids have time to soak it all in. Parents tell us they love how the days flow naturally, from morning game drives watching elephants at Addo to lazy afternoon swims at Plettenberg Bay's safe beaches. The eco-tented tree houses at Storms River are a big hit; children jump out of bed to spot butterflies from their balcony and listen to the morning birds. We've got some great hands-on activities lined up too - kayaking the gentle parts of Breede River, walking next to African penguins at Stony Point and gathering around evening campfires where local staff share their Western Cape stories.