Garden Route Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,592 reviews)- Choose from 100+ Garden Route tours
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Table of contents
- The best Garden Route tour packages
- What people love about Garden Route Tours
- Travel Garden Route your way
- Top operators in Garden Route
- Best places to start your Garden Route tour
- Discover Garden Route tours for every budget
- Garden Route tours for every group
- Top Garden Route travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Garden Route
- Contact our Garden Route travel experts
The best Garden Route tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGarden Route travel expert at TourRadar
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
80 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great tour, lot to see and do.”
Jenni, traveled in October 2023
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 10 to 99 year olds Operator Hotspots2c From
- US$383
Explore the Garden Route - 4 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The Garden Route is lovely; really green and great for plant life, with amazing beaches, and is a very laid back and relaxed part of South Africa.”
Sam, traveled in February 2020
The Garden Route stretches from Knysna Heads to Cango Caves' underground wonders. Stops include Tenikwa Wildlife Center, Nature's Valley's ancient forests, and marine life spotting at Mossel Bay. Features 4-star lodging, traditional braai, and wine tasting in Oudtshoorn.
Duration 4 days Destinations George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Witfontein Nature Reserve, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$536
Garden Route Wildlife Safari - 4 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“He made great recommendations that accommodated our group's preferences and we saw a lot within the short tour window.”
Eryn, traveled in November 2023
South Africa's coastal beauty costs approx. $210 per day, with luxury lodges along the Garden Route. The trail leads from George through Wilderness to Knysna's famous Heads, into Tsitsikamma's ancient forests, and past Nature's Valley's giant Yellowwoods. Includes three wildlife safaris, Cango Caves exploration, and culinary experiences at Karusa Wine Estate.
Duration 4 days Destinations George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Witfontein Nature Reserve, Oudtshoorn Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operator Explore South Africa From
- US$855
3 Stellenbosch to Hermanus Cycle Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The service level of this tour was good in most aspects, and I especially enjoyed the input of and interaction with members of the guides team.”
Theodoor, traveled in April 2023
Cyclists pedal Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, cross Theewaterskloof Dam to Botrivier, and descend through Hemel en Aarde Valley to Hermanus. Luxury chalets await, alongside wine tastings at Boschendal and Wildekrans estates.
Duration 3 days Destinations Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Grabouw, Hermanus, Betty's Bay, Gordons Bay Age Range 16 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Dutch Operator Adventure Shop From
- US$865
The Garden Route beckons from Addo Elephant Park's wildlife to Tsitsikamma's ancient forests. Views include Knysna Heads, scenic Tradouw Pass, wine tasting in Barrydale, and Franschhoek's valleys. Comfortable hotels and expert guides included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Franschhoek, Cape Town Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
- US$1,999
What people love about Garden Route Tours
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
I loved my tour with Hotspots. We had a smaller group, 4 people, but they still ran the tour and it was awesome. I know the groups they usually get are larger. I was travelling alone so it was a great way to meet people, plus our guide (Andrew) was such a cool, informative and fun guy to be around. I've done quite a few tours around the world and Hotspots2c have their tours nailed down to a tee. The transport is super comfy and safe. The accommodation choices were unique, clean and social - exactly what you wanted. We did so much on the 3 days from bungy jumping, walking with lion cubs, getting hugged by elephants, seeing the big 5 on safari, kayaking, swimming and so much more. I really liked the variation of activities so there was something for everyone. The trip was also very reasonably priced considering your probably travelling with one of the best tour operators in the country. Highly recommend these guys and Andrew is the best guide you could ask for! Can't wait to come back...thinking of the wine tasting tours!
- Explore the Garden Route - 4 Days
Paul was an excellent tour guide and was really friendly and knowledgeable. He helped make space for a few extra things when I said I was into more outdoorsy stuff (kayaking at kynsna was amazing, and hiked a small part of the otter trail) so I had a great time and feel I saw most of the highlights of the garden route in a short space of time. I saw this under the "group trips for solo travellers" section of the website but turned out to be the only traveller in the group - it would have been nice to have met some other people, but it was a last minute booking so not complaining, just expected there might have been a few other people travelling too! The Garden Route is lovely; really green and great for plant life, with amazing beaches, and is a very laid back and relaxed part of South Africa. All the places I stayed on the tour were lovely, clean, and comfortable.
- Garden Route Wildlife Safari - 4 Days
Paul was very friendly and professional. He made great recommendations that accommodated our group's preferences and we saw a lot within the short tour window.
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.
See all Active toursExplore a wide diversity of coach / bus tours through Garden Route. We have 6 adventures that vary from 3 days to 12 days. With the greatest number of departures in April, this is also the most popular time of the year.
See all Coach / Bus toursOur 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.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 90 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Garden Route with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in Garden Route
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.
- 4.5 (510 reviews)
"I highly recommend this tour for everyone who likes to get the highlights of SA. Very well organized, great accommodations, full of activities and of course great food options. Grateful to the TourRadar, which always has options for travelers like me (preferred dates and great tour operators) and make things easy and flexible, makes me safe and comfortable. Grateful to our tour guide Mr. Denver for his continued service, from safe driving, sharing SA history and culture, taking care of guests needs. Thank you!
- Tours
- 5 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 100 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 19h
- Response rate
- 96%
- Average price
- $301
- 5.0 (157 reviews)
"The tour itself was great and a good experience. I would not recommend it for solo American traveler as the tour guide apparently had a bad experience with Americans and I wasn't able to change his mind on the stereotype.
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 18 to 70 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 12h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $323
- 4.5 (21 reviews)
"Great tour guides, well organized. Ideal for first impressions of the country. Some of the accommodation could be better.
- Tours
- 10 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 100 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 26h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $237
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 luxury tours
Garden Route tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
91 tours in Garden RouteExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Garden Route. We have 91 adventures that vary from 3 days to 21 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
67 tours in Garden RouteVisit Garden Route with fewer travelers, ensuring more immersive activities.
Private / Personalized
41 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.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Sedgefield
See all tours
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.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Cape Town, Montagu, Barrydale, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Albertinia, Swellendam, Hermanus, Stellenbosch
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Simon's Town
See all toursDemographics
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.
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 Travelers106 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples50 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)8 tours
- Seniors (50+)45 tours
Best time to visit Garden Route
- Spring 2025
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 112 tours
- 108 tours
- 92 tours
- Summer 2025
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.
- 94 tours
- popular 105 tours
- 105 tours
- 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.
- 108 tours
- popular 110 tours
- 92 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.
- 84 tours
- popular 104 tours
- 86 tours
Contact our Garden Route travel experts
Tetiana
Expert in Garden Route at TourRadar
Tetiana is one of our seasoned Garden Route Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Garden Route tours answered!
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