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Explore South Africa's exquisite Garden Route and wild coast

Travel to South Africa and Lesotho and explore the exquisite Garden Route on a tour from Durban to Cape Town via the Hermanus Wine Region. Combining the classic Garden Route with the enchanting beauty of the Wild Coast, this adventure offers the chance to experience the incredible variety of cultures, stunning landscapes and unique flora and fauna of South Africa. Exploring the traditional Xhosa lifestyle and visiting quaint coastal towns, sophisticated vineyards and cosmopolitan cities, this is the perfect South African tasting platter.

Start
Durban, South Africa
Finish
Cape Town, South Africa
Destinations
Lesotho, South Africa
Style
Basix
Theme
Overland
Code
UBOH
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Encounter gentle giants on a game drive through Addo Elephant National Park

  • Embark on a half-day guided walk in the mighty Drakensburg Range and some spectacular hikes along the Garden Route

  • Delve into the astounding Cango Caves outside of Swellendam

  • Ride the rapids of the Breede River on a scenic whitewater adventure

  • Cruise the classic R320 wine route, stopping for a tipple or two, en route to South Africa's southernmost point

  • Discover the Wild Coast, home to some of South Africa's friendliest tribal folk, the Xhosa

  • Finish in Cape Town, the perfect stepping-stone to the outdoors, epicurean adventures, seaside fun or further travel

Is this trip right for you?

  • Purpose-built overland vehicles are used for the duration of this trip. These multi-purpose trucks allow for excellent game viewing, equipped with large sliding windows. There is no air-conditioning, however, so they can get dusty and hot.

  • The going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land!

  • Facilities do vary, and WiFi is not always available. Accommodation upgrades are often available, however.

  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. 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 you're missing out on check out our Kruger, Coast & Cape trip.

Map of Garden Route Adventure including Lesotho and South Africa
Spot some of Africa's famous wildlife, on Safari through Addo Elephant National Park
Take a hike through Drakensberg Mountain Range in South Africa
Take a hike through Drakensberg Mountain Range in South Africa
Hike with your group through the Drakensberg Mountain Range in South Africa
Get to know the locals as you hike though Drakensberg Mountain Range in South Africa
Relax after a day's hiking in Drakensberg with your fellow group members in South Africa
Enjoy some of the finest wines that South Africa has to offer
Go on safari in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa
Spot the famous South African Kudu on Safari in Addo Elephant National Park
Meerkats in South Africa check the coast is clear before starting their day on the South African plains

Itinerary
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Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have these on hand to provide to your leader. If you arrive early, get out and explore Durban. A wealth of golden, sandy beaches and glitzy nightlife awaits. The Golden Mile is an essential spot – a stretch of fine sands bordered by frothy surf on one side and an attractive beachfront of shops, restaurants and cafes on the other.
Accommodation
  • Dormitory (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Durban - Art Gallery - Free
  • Durban - Bay Cruise - ZAR240
  • Durban - Juma Masjid Mosque - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Leave Durban and travel inland towards the majestic Drakensberg mountain range (approximately 5–6 hours). This highly fertile mountain chain, home to an amazing amount of flora and fauna, is Southern Africa's highest range (3,482 m). It forms part of the border between South Africa and Lesotho. The range is often referred to locally as the Barrier of Spears or the Dragon Mountains. Your accommodation here is in en-suited twin rooms at a unique backpackers lodge in Drakensberg. Sip on a refreshing sundowner in the thatched-loft lounge room. Here there is a book-swap and internet cafe. Other property facilities include a pool, jacuzzi, barbeque, fire pit, and WiFi. Upgrades are available (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Drakensburg - Royal Natal National Park Hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Enjoy free time to go hiking through this incredible mountain range. It's up to you how much time you spend exploring. Feel free to take a short hike for an hour or so, or perhaps challenge yourself to a full-day hike with a local guide (this is optional). This is a great chance to learn more about the region from a local as you walk along. Regardless of how deep you delve, there are sure to be some amazing views and excellent photo opportunities.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Drakensberg - Amphiteatre Day Hike - ZAR590
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Leaving the Drakensberg behind, head into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho (approximately 7–8 hours). Nestled like a small island in the middle of South Africa, Lesotho is commonly known as the 'Kingdom in the Sky' with beautiful mountain ranges and endless hiking trails. Generally the border crossing into Lesotho is quite smooth, but you may experience some delays, depending on the time of year. Drive past the Golden Gate Highlands National Park which is famous for its extraordinary sandstone rock formations. The park is also home to elands, zebras, mongooses and hundreds of bird species – keep your eyes peeled along the way.
Accommodation
  • Dormitory (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today you will have a variety of hikes to choose from. The Lesotho Highlands offer excellent hiking for all levels of skill, so depending on your experience and level of fitness, you should be able to choose a suitable one that allows you to get the most out of these stunning landscapes.
Accommodation
  • Dormitory (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Lesotho - Bushman Painting Hike - ZAR45
  • Lesotho - Pitseng Canyon Hike - 6 hours - ZAR65
  • Lesotho - Village and Museum Walk - ZAR50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Head to the stunning Wild Coast of South Africa and the small town of Cintsa (approximately 10–12 hours). A charming little coastal town, Cintsa and its surrounding region are inhabited by the Xhosa people, whose lifestyle is deeply rooted in tribal traditions and customs. You'll discover that they're a warm and friendly people who can give you a great insight into rural South African life. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will have time to relax and freshen up before an optional group dinner. Your campground has shared facilities, an ATM, and WiFi. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Enjoy free time to explore the town, relax on the stunning beaches or pursue the many optional activities on offer. You might like to go hiking, swimming, mountain biking or surfing. Ask your leader about these optional activities.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Cintsa - Village Tour - ZAR235
  • Cinsta - Canoe Hire - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Travel on to Addo Elephant National Park (approximately 7–8 hours). A true success story in conservation, Addo Elephant National Park was created in 1931 to protect the region's eleven remaining elephants. Today there are over 450 elephants in the park, as well as Cape buffalo, black rhinos, all kinds of antelopes and even the flightless dung beetle which is unique to the park. On arrival, you'll take an afternoon game drive and try to spot some of these resident creatures, among others, from your truck. Your campground here has basic shared facilities and WiFi. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Game drive
Optional Activities
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Night game drive - ZAR275
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Wake early and enjoy another game drive in Addo in our overland vehicle.

Spend the next few days discovering the most superb stretch of the Garden Route. Your first stop is the Tsitsikamma National Park (approximately 4–5 hours). Protecting both land and sea, steep ancient forests meet the breakers of the Indian Ocean at this park. It's a spectacular place for walking and viewing wildlife. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. The accommodation tonight is a campground with basic shared facilities, an ATM and WiFi access. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Notes: Intrepid has not risk-assessed all optional local activities. Only those listed in the trip notes are recommended. If you are unsure about any, please check with your leader. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk-assessed or do not adhere to Intrepid's Responsible Travel ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Game drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Explore this magnificent national park further. Cape clawless otters, dolphins, tortoises and southern right whales (in season) are all visitors here, along with baboons, monkeys and myriad birds. See how many of them you can spot!
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Tsitsikamma - Snorkelling - ZAR100
  • Tsitsikamma - Stormsriver Mouth Hike - Free
  • Tsitsikamma - Waterfall Trail - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Head out across the arid Karoo region bound for Oudtshoorn (approximately 4–5 hours). Stop off on the way at Knysna to stretch your legs and explore this quaint little hamlet with a gorgeous lagoon. A short drive then takes you to the Cango Caves, where you explore the weird and wonderful rock formations – one is ‘Cleopatra's Needle’, 29 feet high and at least 150,000 years old. Your local guide will give you all the ins-and-outs of their formation and history. Continue on to Oudtshoorn, which is the ostrich capital of the world. At the turn of the 20th century it was full of 'feather barons' that grew rich from the popularity of ostrich feathers. Today there are thousands of ostriches here being farmed for their meat, leather, and on a smaller scale, their feathers and eggs. Your campsite has hot showers and flush toilets. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Travel from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam (approximately 4–5 hours) on the scenic Route 62. Drive through towering mountain passes on this impressive journey, crossing some of the most beautiful and rugged alpine scenery in the Langeberg. You should arrive in Swellendam by early afternoon. Set up camp and have the remainder of the afternoon for your white water rafting adventure. The river is an easy grade 1 & 2 suitable for all experience levels. Ride the rapids, taking in the impressive scenic spots along the route. Keep an eye out for any wildlife, if you can take your eyes off the foaming path ahead! After this wet and wild afternoon, return to relax at the camp, which has Wi-Fi access, limited upgrades and a bar.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Swellendam - Afternoon Rafting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The river in Swellendam is feeling the effects of the drought and therefore depending on the water levels the rafting activity may not go ahead. In these circumstance this included activity will be replaced with a meerkat experience on the morning prior to arriving in Swellendam.

Get up early this morning for your journey to Africa's southernmost point – Cape Agulhus (approximately 5 hours). You'll travel along the famous R320 winery route, visiting two or three wineries along the way, before heading onto the beach side town of Hermanus. This region is highly influenced by the cooling Atlantic Ocean that sweeps up past Cape Town and brings with it a nice breeze that cools down the grapes that are grown here. The predominant local grape varieties are French, German and northern Italian – such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. You'll camp with shared facilities tonight and have the opportunity to go into town for a farewell group dinner.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hermanus - R320 Route Wine Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Hermanus before driving back to Cape Town via the scenic bay route (approximately 4 hours). With its stunning coastline, dramatic surrounding mountains and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. It's a great place to end your trip, with vineyards, adventure activities and plenty of good restaurants and cafes at your doorstep. You'll be dropped at the finishing-point hotel in Cape Town.
Optional Activities
  • Cape Town - Bo-Kaap Museum - ZAR30
  • Cape Town - District Six Museum - ZAR25
  • Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
  • Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - ZAR45
  • Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR260
  • Cape Town - South Africa National Gallery - ZAR35
  • Cape Town - South African Museum - ZAR27
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR250
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR720
  • Hermanus - Grotto Beach Walk - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
No accommodation is provided for tonight. If you would like to extend your stay, this can be arranged when you book this trip. It's best not to book any international flights for earlier than 10pm this evening, in case there are delays today.

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (8 nights), Dormitory (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Drakensburg - Royal Natal National Park Hike
  • Addo Elephant National Park - Game drive
  • Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour
  • Swellendam - Afternoon Rafting
  • Hermanus - R320 Route Wine Tour

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip. Please see your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Cape Town on Day 14. Please do not book any flights until after 6pm this evening.

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.
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Reviews

Our Garden Route Adventure trips score an average of 4.51 out of 5 based on 74 reviews in the last year.

Garden Route Adventure, March 2018

Harry Teeuwen

Review submitted 16 Apr 2018

Garden Route Adventure, February 2018

Sabrina Schmidli

Review submitted 04 Mar 2018

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