Garden Route Tours for Solo Travelers
Ever looked at a map of South Africa’s southern coast? Along the Garden Route, Montagu sits among hills and hot springs, while the Cango Caves stretch beneath the ground near Oudtshoorn. Tsitsikamma National Park meets the ocean with forest and rocky shore, and nearby private reserves keep quieter wildlife areas inland. It’s a true dream come true.
10 best Garden Route solo travel packages
Compiled by
SteffGarden Route travel expert at TourRadar
- 4 Day Garden Route Adventure
- Garden Route, Safari & Winelands
- 7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
- Cape Town - Garden Route - Addo Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Explore The Garden Route- Chauffeur Drive Tour: 4 Days
- Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
- Cape Town to the Garden Route - Chauffeur Drive Tour: 4 Days
- 11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
4 Day Garden Route Adventure
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience was perfect! Thank you so much!”
Pavel, traveled in April
Duration 4 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Stormsrivier, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield, Albertinia, Hermanus, Betty's Bay Age Range Ages 6+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris From
- US$747
Garden Route, Safari & Winelands
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a wonderful trip, enjoyed every minute of it.”
Edith, traveled in February
Vibrant community forms on this Garden Route adventure, with Victoria Bay walks and Plettenberg Bay discoveries. Rex Hotel offers private rooms, while Tsitsikamma National Park provides shared natural wonders.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, Montagu, Barrydale, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Albertinia, Swellendam, Hermanus, Stellenbosch Age Range Ages 8+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Cullinan Guided Journeys From
- US$1,668
7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
39 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Phenomenal experience from start to finish with a scintillating insight to your wonderful country which has so much to offer in every aspect.”
scott, traveled in November
Duration 7 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel BaySee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Group Size Max Group Size 13 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Hotspots2c From
- US$1,210
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good tour with basic but good overnight stays. Landscape just beautiful.”
Ingunn, traveled in September
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Group Size Max Group Size 13 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Hotspots2c From
- US$403
Intimate groups of 2-8 companions visit Knysna Heads, Nature's Valley forests, and Plettenberg Bay. Average age 48 travelers enjoy single rooms in 4-star lodges and social gatherings at local wineries.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 6 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$1,190
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a really nice experience and the guide had a lot of background knowledge that he could share.”
Patrick, traveled in August
Duration 6 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Brenton-on-Sea, Oudtshoorn, Stellenbosch, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 7 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$1,190
Explore The Garden Route- Chauffeur Drive Tour: 4 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The places where we stayed were beautiful and comfortable. We had choices for food, and we even tried eating ostrich.”
Marta, traveled in February
Knysna Heads and Cango Caves welcome independent spirits. Average age 29 travelers share moments at Tenikwa Wildlife Center and Nature's Valley forest walks.
Duration 4 days Destinations George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$655
Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour only scratches the surface of the Winelands and Garden Route, and you could do it many times and see different things each time.”
Peter, traveled in November
Whale watching in Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley forest walks bring solo travelers together. Wine tastings and scenic drives shared with 2-8 like-minded companions.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, Witfontein Nature Reserve, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, George Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 7 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$938
Cape Town to the Garden Route - Chauffeur Drive Tour: 4 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We saw an interesting variety of terrain and Mankind's use of that terrain.”
Brenda, traveled in January
Craft beer tastings in Wilderness and Tenikwa Wildlife Center visits unite independent spirits. Memorable moments shared at Knysna Waterfront and Plettenberg Bay beach walks.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 7 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$870
11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was so well organised! Saw so many beautiful places and met incredible people.”
Georgia, traveled in October
Duration 11 days Destinations Cape Town, Simon's Town, Sedgefield, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Group Size Max Group Size 13 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Cape Xtreme From
- US$2,625
What people love about touring Garden Route solo
- 4 Day Garden Route Adventure
Great introduction to the Garden Route. The loop itinerary meant we saw different scenery all the time, coast and mountains and the plains in between. The guest houses surpassed our expectations and the Garden Route Game lodge chalets were a great experience. Benjamin our guide was friendly and informative and got us to all the included excursions and the optional ones in good time to make the most of them. He also ensured we saw key towns along the route and had plenty of photo stops and opportunities to get refreshments. Included meals were tasty and good quality. Included excursions were all good experiences. We added in the optional Elephant Sanctuary and Monkeyland visits, both of which were enjoyable experiences and a chance to see these animals up close but still in a 'wild' setting. All in all a very enjoyable tour, highly recommended if you're short on time but want to see the Garden Route sights.
We cannot express our gratitude enough to this company for an amazing trip. I travelled with my grown up daughter and although am fit was a little nervous as did not want to be on a party trip. The communication with Eunice was excellent and she organised us our own twin room and bathroom. Our Capetown leg was amazing with Tariq our guide who was professional, informative, lots of fun and looked after us so well. Our backpackers were basic but clean and the trip from start to finish was so well organised. Our Jhb Kruger part of the trip was also amazing. We saw so many animals and our guides were informative and our accomodation was great. The best was staying in Marc’s treehouses where you will see the best of nature. If you are laid back, easy going and enjoy young people from different cultures and great experiences this trip is for you. Thank you to all the amazing staff for your exceptional service and helping us create lifelong memories,
11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
- 7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
This was by far the most amazing tour I have ever done! Gehrald, JP, and TK were so friendly, organized, and accommodating. This was an action packed itinerary and the guides made it an overly amazing experience! 5 stars, 10 if I could!
What our customers ask about Garden Route Tours for Solo Travelers
What percentage of travelers on Garden Route tours are solo travelers?
Tour data shows 30-45% of Garden Route visitors travel solo. The Garden Route Splendour tour attracts 45% solo travelers while the Garden Route & Safari tour sees 40% individual bookings. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "There was a good mix of couples and singles in our group which made for great dynamics and nobody ever felt left out."
What's the best time of year for solo travelers to visit the Garden Route?
September through November and March through May offer the best conditions for solo travel with mild weather and a good mix of visitors without peak season crowds. These shoulder months draw higher numbers of solo travelers with September and October seeing 58% solo bookings. Spring brings wildflowers to Tsitsikamma making it an especially good time to visit.
How much free time is typically available for solo exploration on Garden Route tours?
Most tours provide 2-3 hours of independent exploration daily especially in stops like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Hotels like the Rex in Knysna and Windsor in Hermanus offer central locations perfect for exploring. According to one traveler: "The schedule had perfect balance - enough group time to bond but also free time to explore on my own or with new friends from the tour."
What single supplement cost for Garden Route tours?
Single room supplements range from USD 150-300 based on accommodation type and season. Properties like La Plume Guest House in Oudtshoorn and Rex Hotel in Knysna have single rooms available. To avoid extra costs some tours offer room sharing as one traveler notes: "The accommodation arrangements were great and I was matched with a compatible roommate which helped save on costs."
What activities along the Garden Route are best suited for solo travelers?
Social activities abound from Stellenbosch wine tastings to Knysna Lagoon cruises and guided safaris at Addo Elephant Park. The Cango Caves tours and visits to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary naturally bring groups together. A past visitor shared: "The group activities were perfectly organized to help everyone mingle naturally especially during the Knysna sunset cruise where we all bonded over drinks and dolphin watching."
How safe is it to travel solo on a Garden Route guided tour?
Guided tours provide a secure way to explore with experienced guides and organized group activities. Properties like City Lodge Hotel at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town and Rex Hotel in Knysna offer safe locations with round-the-clock staff. As one traveler said: "I felt completely safe throughout the tour - our guide was incredibly attentive and the group dynamic provided an extra sense of security."