Garden Route Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(9,342 reviews)- Choose from 150+ Garden Route tours
- 650+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
Table of contents
- The best Garden Route tour packages
- What people love about Garden Route Tours
- 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
CAPE TOWN & BEYOND Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is well planned, itinerary is really great. I will highly recommend him.”
Emilio, traveled in December
This 6-day Garden Route adventure from Cape Town costs approx. $160 per day. Wildlife encounters at Buffelsdrift Private Game Lodge, Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, and dolphins in Plettenberg Bay await. Luxury stays include 5 breakfasts, wine tastings at Die Krans Estate, and African Penguins at Stoney Point in Betty's Bay.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, L'Agulhas, Stellenbosch Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
- NZ$2,043
4 Day Garden Route Adventure
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The loop itinerary meant we saw different scenery all the time, coast and mountains and the plains in between.”
Katherine, traveled in July
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$1,188
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 $7,706
4% Off- NZ$7,398You save $308
Private Cape Town Guided Vacation - 5 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“They are simply the best.”
Munyah, traveled in August
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 $2,309
5% Off- NZ$2,194You save $115
Family South Africa’s Garden Route and Safari
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was superb, and we managed to pack in many varied experiences.”
JaneOwen, traveled in January
South Africa's Garden Route stretches from Plettenberg Bay's beaches to Tsitsikamma National Park's forests. Paddle Knysna's lagoon, kayak at Central Beach, and rest in unique accommodations from riverside camps to treetop lodges in this scenic coastal region.
Duration 12 days Destinations Table Mountain, Cape Town, Robben Island, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth Age Range Ages 7+ Operator Explore! From $4,920
6% Off- NZ$4,640You save $280
What people love about Garden Route Tours
- 4 Day Garden Route Adventure
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!
- 5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)
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!
Tough to pick one favorite thing out of so many.
Cape Town and the Garden Route
Travel Garden Route your way
The Garden Route offers real chances to get close to wildlife and try exciting activities. You can start your day early with great white shark cage diving in Gansbaai - our customers say there's nothing quite like seeing these massive predators swim past your cage at dawn. Many travelers combine seal diving near Simon's Town with tracking elephants and lions at private reserves, getting the best of both ocean and bush experiences. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, you can zipline through Kruis River Gorge or take on the world's highest commercial bungy at Bloukrans Bridge. Water enthusiasts particularly enjoy exploring Wilderness National Park's gorges by canoe, watching exotic birds glide overhead, and also paddling guided kayak routes around Storms River.
Explore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Garden Route. We have 7 adventures that vary from 3 days to 12 days. With the greatest number of departures in January, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Our Garden Route tours put you right in the middle of South Africa's wildlife and natural spots. You'll spend your mornings tracking elephants through Addo National Park and later explore the twisting passages of Cango Caves. The early game drives are especially good - that's when the animals are most active, though our travelers tell us the afternoon sun can get pretty warm. Between July and November, you can watch southern right whales from the cliffs at Hermanus, and there are some really good hiking paths with suspended walkways at Storms River. What makes these trips work so well is having guides who know all the local secrets, like the best spots along Chapman's Peak Drive or exactly where to catch those perfect Cape Point lighthouse views.
Select from our extensive range of 101 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Garden Route with our expert guides leading the 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
The 3-day Garden Route tours from Cape Town work well for budget-conscious travelers. You'll join game drives at Botlierskop Private Reserve tracking white rhino and giraffe, plus go kayaking through the waterways of Wilderness National Park. Many of our customers add the optional elephant walk at Buffelsdrift - it's a chance to meet rescued elephants and hear their individual stories. The Cango Caves visits let you choose between relaxed heritage tours or getting active in the narrow passages. These tours blend included highlights like wine tasting on Route 62 with optional add-ons, so you can shape the trip to match your budget and interests.
Our 4-5 day luxury Garden Route trips take things up a notch with premium touches throughout. You'll spend nights in Buffelsdrift's luxury glamping tents, often spotting hippos at the waterhole during dinner. The tours include private sunset cruises on Knysna's lagoon - think fresh seafood and bubbles aboard luxury catamarans. Our travelers love the small details, like having window seats locked in for those Chapman's Peak Drive photos and private rangers during Botlierskop game drives. The pace stays relaxed with late starts and proper time set aside for wine tasting along the Breede River Wine Route.
Garden Route budget tours- Garden Route luxury tours
Garden Route tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
107 tours in Garden RouteExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Garden Route. We have 107 adventures that vary from 3 days to 21 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
71 tours in Garden RouteWe offer three types of Garden Route small-group tours, each earning excellent feedback from our travelers. The quick 3-4 day option gives you a solid taste of the region, with morning game drives at Botlierskop to spot white rhino and giraffe, kayaking through Wilderness National Park and guided walks in Cango Caves' chambers. Our 7-day tours unfold at a nice pace, combining wildlife experiences like elephant tracking at Addo with cultural stops in Knysna's townships and also wine tasting along Route 62. Travelers often mention guides Zaahid, Ulrich, Mawande by name for their local expertise and warm approach to group dynamics. For families and those wanting a gentler pace, the 13-day journey works beautifully, with stays in eco-tented lodges at Storms River, penguin walks at Stony Point and plenty of flexibility. The small group format leads to natural connections between guests, especially during shared moments like traditional braai dinners, morning paddles through Wilderness's waterways and also evening chats around the lodge fire.
Private / Personalized
48 tours in Garden RoutePrivate Garden Route tours run anywhere from 5 to 14 days and put you in control. You can mix classic stops like Table Mountain and Cape Point with whatever interests you most - maybe extra game drives in Kruger or more time in the wine regions. Having your own guide means the pace and focus shift to match what you want to see and do. Some of our travelers add shark cage diving in Hermanus or spend extra time with the penguins at Boulder's Beach. It's an ideal setup for families and small groups who want to blend wildlife viewing and cultural experiences at their own speed.
Top Garden Route travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 3-day Garden Route packs South Africa's natural gems into a quick trip that really works. Our guests love their early mornings on Wilderness lagoon, paddling while kingfishers zip through the reeds and the green-feathered Knysna loerie makes an appearance. At Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, the afternoon drives put you right where you need to be - the rangers know exactly which tracks lead to white rhino, giraffe and also buffalo. The tour mixes things up nicely; you'll go from exploring the cool, lit passages of Cango Caves to watching orphaned elephants lumber down to drink at Buffelsdrift. The guides make all the difference here - we keep hearing how Zaahid, Ulrich and other guides create such a warm vibe that people who start as strangers end up sharing stories like old friends by sunset on day one.
Seven days along the Garden Route lets you properly settle into South African life. Starting from Cape Town, the route winds east with some lovely surprises - our travelers often tell us how the penguins waddling at Boulders Beach and wine stops in Stellenbosch turn out to be their favorite moments. You'll get a nice mix of wild and cultural experiences: track elephants through Addo National Park in the morning, then spend your afternoon learning about daily life in Knysna's townships. The optional activities add extra flavor - kayak the waters of Storms River, walk beside rescued elephants in Oudtshoorn and also join local cooking classes. Route 62 shows you a different South Africa, trading coastal views for mountain passes and desert scenes, where farm stalls serve up real local treats like traditional milk tart and fresh biltong.
The Garden Route unfolds over ten days, blending wildlife encounters with cultural discoveries along South Africa's coast. Our travelers tell us these longer trips give them space to properly explore each destination - tracking elephants at dawn in Addo Park, wandering through Franschhoek wine cellars and discovering local histories. Starting from Cape Town, groups explore Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula before winding east through Route 62's vineyard-dotted landscapes. With multiple nights in Knysna, visitors can join lagoon cruises, explore vibrant townships and connect with local communities. The wildlife viewing stands out, as expert guides know precisely when to visit Addo for prime elephant, zebra and antelope sightings. Days flow at a comfortable rhythm - perhaps walking alongside rescued elephants in Oudtshoorn in the morning, then venturing into Cango Caves' dramatic chambers later that afternoon. Our guests appreciate how the extended timeline lets them add thrilling options like shark cage diving in Gansbaai, ziplining through Tsitsikamma's forests and also joining traditional braai evenings with fellow travelers, while still having time to unwind with sundowners overlooking Plettenberg Bay.
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.
- Solo Travelers132 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples119 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)9 tours
- Seniors (50+)47 tours
Best time to visit Garden Route
- Fall / Autumn 2025
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.
- popular 107 tours
- 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.
- 114 tours
- popular 117 tours
- 111 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 115 tours
- 108 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
Contact our Garden Route travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Garden Route at TourRadar
Nadine 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 162+ Garden Route tours
- 685 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
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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.
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