Safari Tours & Trips in Garden Route
Explore a wide diversity of safari tours through Garden Route. We have 38 adventures that vary from 3 days to 18 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best safari Garden Route tours
Compiled by
MelissaGarden Route travel expert at TourRadar
- Cape Town & the Garden Route
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
- Garden Route Wildlife Safari - 4 Days
- Super South Africa : Wildlife Safari, Table Mountain, Garden Route
- 3 day Botlierskop Garden Route Glamping and Whale Coast Safari with Private transfers
- Cape town, 5-Days. Wine Tasting & Cape Peninsula & Robben Islands & Big Five Tour & Table Mountain Car
- 7 -DAYS CAPE TOWN INVERDOORN BIG FIVE SAFARI- OUDTSHOORN -KNYSA- MOSSELL BAY- PLETTENBERG BAY
- Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari - 11 days
- 3-Day Cape Town Big Five Safari & Elephant Encounter
- Cape Town City Tour and Bush safaris Adventure 5Days/4Nights.
Botlierskop Game Reserve showcases rhinos and elephants along the Garden Route. Adventures include Monkeyland sanctuary visits, Storms River Mouth exploration, and optional shark cage diving in Hermanus.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Kalk Bay, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Swellendam, Mossel Bay, Botlierskop, Knysna, Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 694 mi Operator Expat Explore Travel From $1,580
12% Off- US$1,385
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
“Great Adventure Tour ... much fun. Lot of driving thru the Scenery...”
Stefan, traveled in October
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 516 mi Operator Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys From
12% Off- US$465
Garden Route Wildlife Safari - 4 Days
“He made great recommendations that accommodated our group's preferences and we saw a lot within the short tour window.”
Eryn, traveled in November
Rangers lead three game drives across Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift Private Game Lodges, tracking the Big Five in 4x4 vehicles. The ancient Cango Caves reveal stunning stalactite formations. Visits to Tenikwa Wildlife Centre and Plettenberg Bay's whale watching spots complement safaris through Klein Karoo's native lion, elephant, and hippo habitats.
Duration 4 days Destinations George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Witfontein Nature Reserve, Oudtshoorn Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 221 mi Operator Explore South Africa From
12% Off- US$920
Duration 11 days Destinations Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, George, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Seal Island, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town Age Range All Ages Welcome National Park Pilanesberg National Park Distance 1049 mi Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $5,699
13% Off- US$4,958
3 day Botlierskop Garden Route Glamping and Whale Coast Safari with Private transfers
“The tour was very nice and very well organized.”
francesca, traveled in January
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Hermanus, Botlierskop Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 438 mi Operator Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys From
13% Off- US$2,400
Cape town, 5-Days. Wine Tasting & Cape Peninsula & Robben Islands & Big Five Tour & Table Mountain Car
“From the breathtaking Table Mountain vistas to the scenic Cape Peninsula, every moment was incredible.”
Joshua, traveled in November
Duration 5 days Destinations Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, Cape Town, Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Robben Island, Aquila Private Game Reserve, Table Mountain Age Range Ages 14+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch Physical Rating Easy Distance 330 mi Operator Matadi Africa and Travel Tours From
13% Off- US$2,000
Duration 17 days Destinations Tsitsikamma National Park, Cape Town, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French Physical Rating Easy Distance 1488 mi Operator Matadi Africa and Travel Tours From
13% Off- US$3,800
Duration 11 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Kalk Bay, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, BarrydaleSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Moderate Distance 644 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
13% Off- US$3,125
Head out on open-vehicle game drives at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge near Oudtshoorn, where expert guides help you track all Big Five species across the Little Karoo plains. You'll get an intimate elephant encounter with rescued elephants, walking beside them and learning their conservation stories from knowledgeable handlers.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 436 mi Operator Knap Tours Limited From
13% Off- US$1,132
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Robben Island, Table Mountain, Oudtshoorn, Betty's Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 540 mi Operator Across Africa Tours & Travel From
13% Off- US$1,371
What people love about Safari Tours in Garden Route
- CAPE SCENIC SAFARI - Chauffeur Drive Tour: 5 Days
vàga huvitav ja ilus maa
- Cape Town & the Garden Route
good itinerary and activities. tour manager was great
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
Very nice tour for people who want to explore Garden Route and do not have much time for it. Nev was an excellent guide.
What our customers ask about Safari Tours & Trips in Garden Route
How long are typical game drives on Garden Route safaris?
Game drives along the Garden Route run between 2-3 hours offering morning and afternoon sessions. Addo Elephant National Park's drives explore its 28000-hectare reserve while private reserves like Botlierskop schedule multiple daily outings. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The morning game drive was thrilling and fulfilling - we spent 2-3 hours exploring the wilderness of Addo seeking out Africa's magnificent wildlife."
What animals can I expect to see during a Garden Route safari tour?
Garden Route safaris provide opportunities to see elephants lions rhinos buffalo hippos cheetahs and giraffes across various reserves. Addo Elephant National Park houses the world's largest concentration of African elephants with over 600 residents. Private reserves like Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift are known for Big 5 sightings. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "We got to see most of the animals bar a leopard tiger so very pleased. Our tour Guide was excellent."
What is the best time of year for wildlife viewing on Garden Route safaris?
The dry winter season from May to September presents the best wildlife viewing conditions. Animals gather near water sources during these months when vegetation thins out. This timing also aligns with whale watching season in coastal areas like Hermanus from July to November. Early morning drives at Addo Elephant National Park tend to be most productive. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The morning safari drive with knowledgeable guides in search of rhinos lions buffalo leopards and elephants was incredible."
What types of accommodation options are available on Garden Route safari tours?
Accommodations range from basic to luxurious across the Garden Route safari circuit. Buffelsdrift Private Game Lodge offers premium rooms with waterhole views while places like Cape to Addo Backpacker House provide budget-friendly options. Most properties feature pools and observation areas. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Even though it was hostel-style accommodation it was always very clean and cosy with great hosts and once also right by the beach."
Are the game drives included in the tour price or do I need to pay extra?
Standard Garden Route safari packages typically include one game drive especially at Addo Elephant National Park. Additional or specialized drives may require extra payment. At Addo a 2-hour guided open vehicle drive costs around 460 ZAR (USD 25). As one TourRadar traveler reported: "The included game drives were excellent value though we opted for an additional specialized drive which was worth the extra cost."