Garden Route Tours & Trips
South Africa's Garden Route from Cape Town is scenic the whole way, with beaches, forests, mountains all mixed together. Spot elephants at Addo, hike Tsitsikamma's coastal trails, and checking out Knysna Heads. Port Elizabeth's got beaches, Plettenberg Bay's beautiful, and the whole route's full of places worth stopping. The Garden Route's called that for a reason - everything's lush and green.
Excellent
- Choose from 150+ Garden Route tours
- 650+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- N
Nereida • traveled in October
The tour was excellent thankyou Dylan Curtis to take care about the group all the time, he gave us the best Vibes from Africa. Nereida
5 Day Garden Route Adventure Including Addo - AC
Ay • traveled in June
First time visit to SA, we are so lucky to able to found BokBus and engaged their service. I would give them a 5stars rating as we enjoy the itinerary and they never fail to surprise us with minimum budget yet luxury arrangement. Thanks BokBus and Big Thanks to Ntsiko & Devon!
4 Day Garden Route Adventure - M
Michelle • traveled in November
The tour was great, so many amazing places, food, accommodation and bus were great! Christine was an amazing guide, lots of local knowledge(especially for food places), she was always helpful, kind and funny. Weather wasn’t always in our side but it didn’t matter, the Penguins were amazing in Betty’s bay and we saw lions in Addo!! Great tour, great food/accommodation, great guide and amazing time. Would definitely recommend!
5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)
Table of contents
- The best Garden Route tour packages
- Travel Garden Route your way
- Best tour companies for Garden Route tours
- Best places to start your Garden Route tour
- Discover Garden Route tours for every budget
- Garden Route tours for every type of group
- Top Garden Route travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Garden Route
- Contact our Garden Route travel experts
- What our customers ask about Garden Route Tours & Trips
The best Garden Route tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGarden Route travel expert at TourRadar
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great Adventure Tour ... much fun. Lot of driving thru the Scenery...”
Stefan, traveled in October
The Garden Route unfolds from Oudtshoorn's Cango Caves to wildlife viewing at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Guests stay at PiliPili Backpackers or Dolphin Dunes guesthouse in Sedgefield, with activities like canoeing in Wilderness National Park.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c From
- NZ$684
5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Nicely planned tour of Garden Route, no moment wasted. Accommodations were great and full of character.”
Adrienne, traveled in December
The scenic Garden Route offers whale watching in Hermanus (July-November), wine tasting along Route 62, paddling through Wilderness National Park, and safari in Addo Elephant Park. Selected accommodations complement traditional South African cuisine.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Betty's Bay, Hermanus, L'Agulhas, Barrydale, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Earthstompers Adventures From
- NZ$1,263
The Big 5 in South Africa
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well organized and good itinerary. The support was excellent when needed.”
Antony, traveled in November
An epic route unfolds from Knysna's dramatic lagoon to Oudtshoorn's Cango Caves and wildlife encounters. Ostrich farms, underground cave systems, and wine tasting in Franschhoek Valley pair with upscale accommodations.
Duration 10 days Destinations Johannesburg, Mabula, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Franschhoek, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
- NZ$7,921
4 Day Garden Route Adventure
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a nice mixed group. The itinerary is packed but I felt like we fit a lot in and I was happy!”
Alison, traveled in April
Marvel at Tsitsikamma's hanging bridges, Knysna's waterfront, and Garden Route Game Lodge's Big 5 safaris. The tour includes ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn, optional whale watching in Plettenberg Bay, and penguin viewing at Betty's Bay.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Stormsrivier, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield, Albertinia, Hermanus, Betty's Bay Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris From
- NZ$1,149
Private Cape Town Guided Vacation - 5 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent hospitality, the team is so so good and their profession is top notch.”
Yolanda, traveled in May
Cable car rides up Table Mountain, Chapman's Peak Drive scenic tours, and wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek await. Rest at The Bay Hotel Camps Bay, visit Boulders Beach penguins, and enjoy private guided experiences throughout.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Hermanus Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator T.S TOURS From $2,205
5% Off- NZ$2,095You save $110
Explore the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth - Chauffeur Drive Tour: 4 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Had a great time. Fred and Karen were excellent hosts.”
Jeff, traveled in June
South Africa's coastal paradise unfolds from Bloukrans Gorge to Knysna Heads, with stays at 4-star lodges. The subterranean Cango Caves amaze, while Karusa Estate offers wine tastings, and Mossel Bay provides seal watching opportunities.
Duration 4 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, George Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
5% Off- NZ$869
Cape Town and the Garden Route
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The wild coastline, the amazing mountains, the bungee-jumping!! Lots of activities.”
Tracy, traveled in August
This 9-day Garden Route adventure, rated 4.5/5 by 50+ travelers, starts in Cape Town's Bo-Kaap with its colorful houses before heading to Stellenbosch for wine tasting and Hermanus for whale watching. A wildlife safari at Botlierskop Game Reserve, Tsitsikamma's suspension bridge, and the 20-million-year-old Cango Caves await. Includes 8 nights' hotel accommodation and traditional Karoo cuisine for approx. $160 per day.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Swellendam, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Expat Explore Travel From
5% Off- NZ$2,145
Garden Route Uncovered
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour ran very efficiently and smoothly. The hotels were all very comfortable and in excellent locations.”
Catherine, traveled in November
This coastal journey features Tsitsikamma National Park's dramatic coastline, Knysna's famous lagoon cruise, and Oudtshoorn's Cango Caves. Charming Hlangana Lodge and Rex Hotel host visitors exploring this scenic stretch from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town.
Duration 5 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Cape Town Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Cullinan Guided Journeys From
5% Off- NZ$2,246
Garden Route Splendour
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Tour was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating.”
Melenee, traveled in January
South African wonders include Cango Caves, Monkeyland Sanctuary, and Birds of Eden aviary. Sunset cruises on Knysna Lagoon, wine tastings in Klein Karoo, and Tsitsikamma National Park's coastal forests create unforgettable memories.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, L'Agulhas, Swellendam, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Stormsrivier, Port Elizabeth Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Cullinan Guided Journeys From
5% Off- NZ$2,394
South Africa's Garden Route
34 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The rollers at TsiTsikamma were awesome and the ça go caves were spectacular.”
Linda, traveled in September
The Garden Route unfolds from Stellenbosch vineyards to Hermanus's whale watching spots. Tsitsikamma National Park's suspended walkways, Knysna Heads viewpoints, and Addo Elephant Park's wildlife create lasting memories. Coastal cabins and family-run lodges provide comfortable stays.
Duration 12 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Betty's Bay, Hermanus, L'Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
5% Off- NZ$3,980
Travel Garden Route your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Garden Route tours
Our travelers consistently point to three top companies handling Garden Route trips - Explore, Expat Explore and BokBus. The guides make a real difference here, with people specifically mentioning Bianca and Werner from the first two companies for really knowing their stuff and going the extra mile. The Garden Route itself offers some excellent wildlife viewing, with chances to spot whales in Hermanus, visit the penguin colony at Stony Point and explore deep into the fascinating Cango Caves system. The longer Explore trips cover lots of ground, which some of our customers found made certain days feel a bit rushed getting from point to point. If you're looking for a shorter option, many travelers recommend BokBus's 4-day route. Their guide Mawande gets lots of mentions in feedback for both his local knowledge and easy-going personality, plus the pace feels more relaxed since they're not trying to pack too much into each day. Both shorter and longer options have their merits - it really comes down to how much time you have and whether you prefer to see more places at a quicker pace or fewer spots with more time to take it all in.
Best places to start your Garden Route tour
Most of our travelers - 73 to be exact - start their Garden Route journey from Cape Town, while Port Elizabeth comes in second with 12 tour departures. A handful of tours also leave from Johannesburg, George and also Stellenbosch. The sweet spot for booking is about 3 months ahead (97 days), especially if you're planning to watch whales between June and December when tours get snapped up quickly. September through April tends to work best for reliable weather, though each season brings something special - spring bursts with wildflowers from September to November, summer's perfect for beaches and hiking from December to February, while winter gives you prime whale watching from June to August. Our visitors find that 5-7 days hits the right balance, giving enough time to see the main highlights without rushing and mixing up active outings with cultural stops along the way.
Discover Garden Route tours for every budget
Garden Route tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Garden Route travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers111 tours- Couples100 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)8 tours
- Seniors (50+)43 tours
Best time to visit Garden Route
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter along the Garden Route brings prime whale watching from June through August. You can spot southern right whales breaching just 50 meters off the Hermanus coast - our tours time these stops perfectly. The cooler weather makes Addo's elephants more active and social; you'll often see large family groups moving together across the reserve. Many travelers appreciate that Oudtshoorn's caves keep a steady temperature year-round, making them an excellent sheltered activity. The day's explorations end at eco-lodges and treehouses where guests gather around traditional braai fires to warm up and share stories.
- 83 tours
- popular 114 tours
- 109 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring transforms the Garden Route between September and November as fynbos bursts into bloom along Tsitsikamma and Robberg's coastal paths. Our cycling tours through the Winelands are particularly good this time of year - you'll pedal past vineyards waking up with new growth and stop at estates during peak spring production. The warming waters bring pods of dolphins close to Plettenberg Bay's shore, and our kayak trips often catch them playing in the waves.
- popular 113 tours
- 107 tours
- 106 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer stretches the daylight hours from December through February, giving you more time to hike Storms River's suspension bridges, swim at Plettenberg's Blue Flag beaches and explore the Knysna Heads by boat. Our early morning game drives catch animals gathering at waterholes, followed by afternoon visits to cultural spots in Oudtshoorn and also Swellendam. Clear skies make sunset drinks at Cape Agulhas special - you can watch the sun sink where two oceans meet.
- 105 tours
- 101 tours
- popular 109 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn brings smaller crowds and mild temperatures from March to May. The forests show subtle color changes while the wine regions welcome visitors for post-harvest cellar tours and tastings. Our multi-day trips include extra time at Addo, where comfortable temperatures keep elephants active throughout the day. Many tours stop at Oudtshoorn's working ostrich farms during nesting season, where our guests learn about Klein Karoo's rich farming heritage.
- 112 tours
- popular 113 tours
- 101 tours
Contact our Garden Route travel experts
Kaitlyn
Expert in Garden Route at TourRadar
Kaitlyn is one of our seasoned Garden Route Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Garden Route tours answered!
- Choose from 171+ Garden Route tours
- 690 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Garden Route Tours & Trips
When's the Best Time to See Whales on the Garden Route?
For incredible whale watching head to Hermanus between July and November you can spot Southern Right Bryde's and Humpback whales right from the shore. Plettenberg Bay's also fantastic particularly July through December when Southern Right whales come to have their calves.
How Many Days Should I Plan for My Garden Route Trip?
You've got options from quick 3-day highlights to extended 14-day adventures depending on what you're after. A 3-day tour lets you hit the must-sees like Cango Caves canoeing in Wilderness National Park and safari time at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Want more? Lots of travelers like the 9-day Cape Town and Garden Route combo which Expat Explore guests called "superb from start to finish" giving you time to really soak it all in.