10-Day Garden Route Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Garden Route itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaGarden Route travel expert at TourRadar

• Garden Route to Cape Town: Coast, Wildlife & Wine in 10 Days

  The Garden Route's 10-day trail winds through Storms River suspension bridge, Knysna Lagoon cruises, and Cango Caves tours. The route connects 13 destinations from Plettenberg Bay's beaches to Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms.

  

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  • Port Elizabeth South Africa

    97 mi

  • Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa

    30 mi

  • Plettenberg Bay South Africa

    18 mi

  • Knysna South Africa

    34 mi

  • George South Africa

    28 mi

  • Oudtshoorn South Africa

    40 mi

  • Mossel Bay South Africa

    165 mi
  • Show 2 more

  • Hermanus South Africa

    40 mi

  • Stellenbosch South Africa

    25 mi

  • Cape Town South Africa

    2 mi

  • Table Mountain South Africa

    4 mi

  • Hout Bay South Africa

    11 mi

  • Simon's Town South Africa

    17 mi

  • Cape Town South Africa

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• 10 Days in South Africa, incl. Cape Town and Garden Route

  This carefully curated Garden Route itinerary spans 10 days: 3 nights in Cape Town, overnight in Oudtshoorn near Cango Caves, 2 nights in Knysna's estuary area, and 3 nights safari at Hlosi Game Lodge in Amakhala Reserve.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Cape Town

    Land at Cape Town International Airport and get settled in the Mother City. Book your Table Mountain cable car tickets online to skip the lines. Early morning visits work best - the winds are calmer and you'll avoid the crowds. Spend day 2 exploring the historic Company Gardens and Slave Lodge on a guided tour. Head to the V&A Waterfront around 4 PM when tourist numbers drop and the evening vibe picks up. If you want to visit Robben Island, book 2-3 days ahead since tours fill up quickly. Start day 3 with a Peninsula tour. Get an early start to avoid traffic on Chapman's Peak Drive and see the penguins at Boulders Beach during their active morning hours. Plan about 1.5 hours to drive to Cape Point from the city and pack some warm clothes - the peninsula gets cooler than Cape Town.

    
  • Day 4

    Klein Karoo

    Take Route 62 east, South Africa's longest wine route (4 hours). Visit the Cango Caves later in the day - most people prefer the less strenuous Heritage Tour over the Adventure Tour. If you're interested in ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn, schedule morning visits when the birds have more energy.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Garden Route

    Drive 2 hours to Knysna through beautiful coastal landscape. The town makes a great base for Garden Route exploration. Take a boat trip to the Knysna Heads at sunset (book for 5:30 PM in summer). The next day, visit Tsitsikamma National Park - bring good walking shoes for the suspension bridge trail since ocean spray can make it slippery.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Amakhala Game Reserve

    Drive 3 hours to Amakhala for safari adventures. Game drives start around 5:30 AM in summer. One visitor shared: "The early morning chill quickly disappears as the sun rises, and seeing a pride of lions in the golden morning light was unforgettable."

    
  • Day 10

    Port Elizabeth

    After your last morning game drive, it's 45 minutes to Port Elizabeth Airport. Get there early - the airport gets busy in peak morning hours and you'll need time to return your rental car.

    

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• 10 Day South Africa Itinerary, incl. Cape Town and Kruger National Park

  South Africa's coastal beauty shines over ten days along the Garden Route, featuring Cape Point Nature Reserve, Franschhoek Valley wine tasting, and Boulders Beach penguin colony. The route showcases Twelve Apostles coastal views and Fish Hoek village charm.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cape Town:

    Begin your South African adventure in Cape Town. Check into your hotel and take the first afternoon to rest and adjust. Book accommodation in the V&A Waterfront area for convenient access to dining and shops. Your second day includes a city tour. Visit Table Mountain's cable car before 9AM to avoid crowds and potential afternoon closures due to strong winds. Plan your schedule with some flexibility since the cableway closes in windy conditions.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cape Peninsula & Wine Country:

    Set aside a full day for your Peninsula tour to Cape Point with a stop at Boulders Beach to see the penguins. Pack a windbreaker since the Cape gets very windy even in good weather. Plan the Franschhoek Wine Tram for Day 4 in the afternoon. This timing allows for a relaxed morning and better wine tasting. A recent visitor shared: "The Purple Line wine tram route was perfect - fewer crowds than the popular Red Line and some fantastic small-batch wineries."

    
  • Days 5-7

    Kruger Area (Karongwe Private Reserve):

    Take a 2-hour flight to Hoedspruit followed by an hour transfer to Karongwe for your safari. Pack light clothes in neutral colors. Most lodges offer laundry service. Game drives start around 5:30AM to see wildlife at their most active. Between drives you can relax at the lodge and spot animals from your deck. Wildlife viewing peaks from September through November during dry season.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Johannesburg:

    Fly to Johannesburg (1 hour from Hoedspruit). Take the Freedom Walk tour in Soweto wearing comfortable walking shoes. Be careful with valuables at busy markets and negotiate prices down to about half the initial ask. Set aside 2-3 hours for the Apartheid Museum.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure:

    Book an afternoon flight if possible to avoid morning traffic in Johannesburg. Get to O.R. Tambo International Airport at least 3 hours before international flights.

    

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