Garden Route Adventure

14 Days | Take to South Africa's wild southern coast

4.1 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Overland
From
NZD $2,356
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Follow the coastal trail to Cape Town on an adventurous 14-day adventure along the Garden Route and Wild Coast of South Africa. Hit up all the region’s hotspots – elephant spotting in Addo Elephant National Park, hiking in the Lesotho Highlands, meeting local Xhosa communities in Cintsa, and two fun-filled nights in Cape Town. Get a sprinkling of safaris thrown in with penguins, creating a whole South African smorgasbord.

Trip overview

Map of Garden Route Adventure including Lesotho and South Africa
Start
Durban, South Africa
Finish
Cape Town, South Africa
Theme
Overland
Destinations
Lesotho, South Africa
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UBOH
This trip generates 41 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Search for gentle giants on a game drive through Addo Elephant National Park.
  • Rise early with your small group to watch wild meerkats wake and warm in the morning sun, before continuing to vibrant Cape Town.
  • Visit Cape Town's Boulder's Beach to watch the resident African Penguins waddle across the sandy shore that's framed by ancient granite boulders.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Helping Rhinos. Donations support their all-female ranger program in South Africa, which specialises in fighting wildlife crimes and protecting rhinos, and other critically endangered animals, from poachers.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Garden Route. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland
  • For your accommodation and campsites on your adventure, facilities do vary, and wi-fi is not always available. Accommodation upgrades are often available.
  • There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
  • Some passengers on this trip will have been travelling together prior to the start of your trip. To see what more you could do, check out our Kruger, Coast & Cape adventure – search trip code UBOSC on the Intrepid website for more information.

Itinerary

Map of Garden Route Adventure including Lesotho and South Africa

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (6 nights), Backpackers (4 nights), Basic Huts (shared facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Activities
  • Howick - Nelson Mandela Capture Site
  • Drakensberg - Day Hike
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour
  • Oudtshoorn - Meerkat Experience
  • Cape Town - Boulder Beach Penguins
Add on activities
  • Durban - Art Gallery - Free
  • Durban - Bay Cruise - ZAR240
  • Durban - Juma Masjid Mosque - Free
  • Lesotho - Bushman Painting Hike - ZAR60
  • Lesotho - Pitseng Canyon Hike - 6 hours - ZAR120
  • Lesotho - Village and Museum Walk - ZAR50
  • Cintsa - Village Tour - ZAR235
  • Cinsta - Canoe Hire - Free
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Night game drive - ZAR480
  • Tsitsikamma - Snorkelling - ZAR440
  • Tsitsikamma - Stormsriver Mouth Hike - Free
  • Tsitsikamma - Waterfall Trail - Free
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
  • Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
  • Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
  • Hermanus - Grotto Beach Walk - Free
  • Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
  • Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1600
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
  • Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2.The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

5.Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Louisa · Traveled February 2024
This trip showcased the beauty of South Africa. Through the most beautiful mountainous areas, game viewing and the beautiful ocean. A short intense trip with delicious local food and tours of villages. A lovely overview of this beautiful country.
Review submitted 10 Mar 2024

Kerstin · Traveled October 2023
This trip boosts some spectacular scenery and locations visited are beautiful. The crew makes the trip even more enjoyable, thanks to Christian, Enock and Gift! - as well as the group that felt like family. The optional hikes/walks are beautiful, but beware you're crossing different climate zones and the weather in the mountains and coast is unpredictable and may change in seconds. Some hikes might not be possible due to bad weather/rain/snow. Bring enough jumpers, wind and rain jackets and maybe even extra blanket as it can get chilly, especially at night. Also be prepared for long driving days (but don't sleep all the way as you might miss out on the beauty of the country or even some wildlife).
Review submitted 15 Nov 2023

Holly · Traveled October 2023
A whirlwind trip. Be prepared for a few long days on the road but they’re all totally worth it. Truly feel we have seen the true South Africa on this trip. An excellent experience.
Review submitted 14 Nov 2023

James · Traveled July 2023
The National Parks and other locations visited on this trip were stunning. The food provided was delicious and the guide was knowledgeable. However, the trip had very long drives and the vehicle used was inappropriate, I felt crammed, had little leg room and could not see out the window. I would warn the Drakensberg leg of the trip had only a brief walk with no other activities offered or provided.
Review submitted 28 Jul 2023

Walburga · Traveled April 2023
The garden route is an amazing trip. Intrepid takes you off the beaten path and shows you incredible places.
Review submitted 13 May 2023
Garden Route Adventure
From
NZD $2,356