Safari Tours & Trips in Garden Route
Explore a wide diversity of safari tours through Garden Route. We have 13 adventures that vary from 3 days to 14 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, 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 and the Garden Route
- The Garden Route 10 Days
- Garden Route Wildlife Safari - 4 Days
- 3 Day Garden Route Big 5 & Bungy Safari Tour (Return)
- 9 day Cape Coastal & Garden Route Combo
- 3-Day Cape Town Big Five Safari & Elephant Encounter
- Cape Town Break & Safari - 8 days
- 7-Day Garden Route & Cape Winelands Exploration
- South Africa: The Garden Route
- 5-Day South Africa Garden Route & Addo Escape
Cape Town and the Garden Route
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great trip we got to see most of the animals bar a leopard, tiger so very pleased.”
Gaile, traveled in October
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, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Swellendam, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 657 mi Operator Expat Explore Travel From
- US$1,365
The Garden Route 10 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Tour was flawless from the airport connections to the backpackers lodges. This trip to South Africa was a trip of a lifetime.”
Brian, traveled in December
Addo Elephant National Park's 28,000-hectare wilderness houses 600 elephants alongside lions, rhino, and buffalo. Unique game farms near Oudtshoorn offer memorable ostrich encounters. Rangers lead optional 2-hour open vehicle safaris for R460.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Hermanus, L'Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Knysna, Sedgefield, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Mossel Bay Age Range Ages 18+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 939 mi Operator Encounters Travel From
- US$1,250
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
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
- US$920
3 Day Garden Route Big 5 & Bungy Safari Tour (Return)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The views driving around were amazing! I definitely recommend this tour.”
Sarah, traveled in May
Private Game Reserve offers authentic Big 5 encounters with lions, elephants, and rhinos in their natural habitat. Knysna's optional elephant bush walks provide intimate wildlife moments, while Cango Wildlife Sanctuary houses endangered species. Africa's magnificent predators emerge during morning game drives.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Sedgefield, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 633 mi Operator Cape Xtreme From
- US$415
Tsitsikamma's forest gorge hosts waterfall ziplining across five slides spanning 211 meters, and if you're feeling brave, there's optional bungy jumping from the world's highest bridge at Bloukrans' 216-meter drop. Chapman's Peak Drive takes you through 114 scenic bends from Hout Bay, then you'll spot wildlife including ostriches, baboons, and bontebok at Cape of Good Hope. Jeffreys Bay offers legendary surf breaks, while Tsitsikamma National Park has a suspension bridge to cross, and the Knysna Heads overlook the lagoon with ancient forests all around.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Hout Bay, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 895 mi Operator Hotspots2c From
- US$1,376
Luxury tented suites at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge serve as your base for open-vehicle game drives through the private Buffelsdrift Game Reserve, where you'll search for the Big Five. Guides lead you on walks beside rescued elephants, sharing their individual conservation stories during this ethical wildlife encounter. Meals at the lodge's restaurant come with views of a waterhole where animals regularly gather to drink.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 436 mi Operator Knap Tours Limited From
- US$1,111
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Gansbaai Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Moderate Distance 128 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$1,855
Duration 7 days Destinations Cape Town, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Oudtshoorn, Barrydale, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl Age Range Ages 6+ Physical Rating Easy Distance 859 mi Operator Knap Tours Limited From
- US$2,557
Addo Elephant Park offers prime Big Five tracking along the Garden Route. Robberg Nature Reserve and Knysna Heads present coastal wildlife viewing opportunities. Guided forest walks and ranger-led safaris round out the adventure.
Duration 9 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Franschhoek, Cape Town Age Range Ages 12+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 462 mi Operator G Adventures From $1,999
25% Off- US$1,499You save $500
Big Five game drives take you through Addo Elephant National Park and Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, tracking elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes across South Africa's malaria-free wilderness. Indigenous forest trails wind through Tsitsikamma National Park, and you'll see the Knysna Heads where the Indian Ocean crashes against towering sandstone cliffs. Accommodations include Gerald's Gift Guesthouse and Botlierskop Safari Lodge, with optional activities like the Bloukrans Bridge bungy jump—the world's highest at 216 meters—or ziplining through Tsitsikamma's waterfalls.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Oudtshoorn Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 851 mi Operator Knap Tours Limited From
25% Off- US$1,673
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."
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