Family South Africa’s Garden Route and Safari
Family South Africa’s Garden Route and Safari
Family South Africa’s Garden Route and Safari
12 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Port Elizabeth Airport
Visiting: Table Mountain, Cape Town, Robben Island, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Breede River, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Robberg Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FCP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 20
Age range:
7-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
From the top of Table Mountain to the coast of the Indian Ocean, explore the best of South Africa's Garden Route on this family adventure. Experience the thrill of safari, try your hand at river rafting and caving and spot whales along the beautiful coast. Along the way, get closer to nature, camping at rustic lodges and in cabins surrounded by South Africa's stunning wildlife.
Addo Elephant National Park - Search for elephants, lions, and black rhino on a game drive in the world-famous park.
Cape Town - Take a guided tour of Robbin Island and the District Six Museum, ascend to the top of the iconic Table Mountain and see African Penguins at Stony Point.
Garden Route - Discover Tsitsikamma National Park, a beautiful marine and forest park, and have a go at sea kayaking in Plettenberg Bay.
Wildlife - Seals in Hout Bay, Ostriches in Oudtshoorn and a safari park at the end of the trip, our itinerary packs in the best of South Africa's wildlife.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip In Cape Town, Scale Table Mountain
Location: Table Mountain, Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel, Lady Hamilton
Accommodation Name: Quayside Lodge, Simons Town
Our tour starts today in Cape Town, South Africa's vibrant capital. Edged in by the blue waters of Table Bay and crowned by the looming Table Mountain, Cape Town combines cosmopolitan culture with majestic scenery - it's the ideal launch pad for our South African adventure.
For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 1pm for a welcome meeting and to take us on a guided walk to climb Table Mountain. Not only does the climb afford us spectacular views across the city and beyond, but we'll also get to discover the beautiful plant life of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which has more indigenous plant species per square metre than anywhere else in South Africa.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is around a 40-minute drive from our hotel.
If you'd like to join the Table Mountain walk today, you need to arrive at the hotel by 1pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. From the airport, it's around a 40-minute drive to the hotel, so the latest your flight can arrive is 11am. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Anyone arriving late on Day 1 will be able to ascend Table Mountain on one of the other days in Cape Town.
Please note, the weather in Cape Town can be highly variable. In the event of adverse weather, our Table Mountain climb will be postponed to another day.
For those not wishing to walk, an aerial cable car runs frequently to and from the summit. It's worth noting that the Table Mountain Cableway usually closes for general maintenance at the end of July each year. When the cable car is not running, the hiking trail is still accessible.
Day 2: Catch The Ferry To Robben Island, Free Afternoon
Location: Robben Island
Accommodation: Hotel, Lady Hamilton
Accommodation Name: Quayside Lodge, Simons Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll travel from the nearby Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront in Cape Town to take a tour of the world-famous Robben Island Museum, which includes a boat trip across Table Bay. Please note, the ferry tickets and museum entrance tickets (both booked by Explore) need to be purchased around 4-6 weeks before departure and we cannot guarantee that they will be available for late bookings.
Returning across the bay, we'll arrive back at the hotel at around 2pm. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace
Day 3: Full Day In Cape Town – Hout Bay Boat Trip And Cape Point, Surfing Lesson On Muizenberg Beach
Location: Hout Bay
Accommodation: Hotel, Lady Hamilton
Accommodation Name: Quayside Lodge, Simons Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll make our way to Cape Point Visitors Park and take a walk up to a viewpoint overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to soak up the rugged scenery. We'll take an hour-long walk within the national park to Cape Point and the lighthouse, keeping an eye out for resident baboons, tortoises, otters and seabirds along the way. The trail is well marked, slightly rocky in places, and boasts diverse flora with many colourful flowers.
Moving onto Hout Bay, we'll take a boat trip to see the remarkable bird and marine life of Seal Island - where approximately 7,000 Cape Fur Seals have made their home on low-lying rocks.
This afternoon we head to one of Cape Town's best beaches. Muizenberg Beach is an ideal location to learn to surf; well known amongst the surfing community as offering some of the best surfing conditions along this stretch of coastline. A wetsuit is provided, please bring a towel, swimming suit and sunscreen.
Day 4: District Six Museum, Stony Point Penguin Colony And Whale Watching In Hermanus. Drive To Breede River
Location: Simon's Town, Cape Town
Accommodation: Camp, Up the Creek
Accommodation Name: Round the Bend Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we'll discover the District Six Museum. Initially started as a community space for ex-residents to gather and meet, the museum now tells the story of District Six under apartheid to both local and foreign visitors to Cape Town and South Africa.
Our group will have the privilege of taking a tour with an ex-resident of the district and get to hear their personal experiences and recollections.
After our museum visit, we'll leave Cape Town behind. We'll make a stop at Stony Point penguin colony just outside the quaint coastal town of Betty's Bay. The nature reserve is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of African penguins in the world as well as hosting a wealth of endemic bird life. It sits on the site of a historic whaling station and has a quiet, undiscovered feel, offering excellent penguin viewing without the crowds. The boardwalks can be followed over the craggy outcrops to see the resident seabirds up close without disturbing them. Although humans are not allowed to wander beyond the boardwalks, it doesn't always stop the penguins from joining the trail and setting a slow walking pace!
After a lunch break at Betty's Bay, we'll continue our journey, making a stop at the small seaside resort of Hermanus, regarded as one of the premier spots for shore-based whale watching in the world. From the cliff-top walks, it's possible to spot whales no more than 50 or 100 metres away. (whale watching season is between June and November).
Departing Hermanus in the late afternoon, it's a short drive to Swellendam. Leaving the main road to follow a gravel track to our river camp, where rustic, wooden a-frame huts line the banks of the Breede River. Our accommodation offers a real break from reality and a chance to enjoy the surrounding nature. You can chat with the friendly team - many of whom come from the nearby town - at the bar or around this evening's campfire for an insight into their life on the Western Cape. This evening a traditional, bush-style dinner will be served around the campfire under the starry sky (weather-dependent).
Day 5: Rafting Along The Breede River
Location: Breede River
Accommodation: Camp, Up the Creek
Accommodation Name: Round the Bend Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll spend today exploring in rafts along the scenic Breede River.
From its source up in the mountains above Ceres, the Breede River meanders for 300 kilometres/186 miles before it deposits its water into the mighty Indian Ocean. During its long journey to the coast, it provides life-giving water to one of South Africa's most beautiful regions. This river also boasts amazing bird life and ample fishing.
The winding channels and playful rapids make it the ideal river-rafting destination for families. This ultimate river adventure offers exciting grade 2 and 3 rapids. No experience is necessary, and briefings will be given by our local guides.
The rest of the day is free to find a relaxing spot along the riverbank to enjoy the peace and quiet at our riverside base.
Day 6: Visit Oudtshoorn, The Ostrich Capital Of South Africa And Explore The Deep Caverns Of The Cango Caves
Location: Oudtshoorn
Accommodation: De Poort Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll drive to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa. The arid landscape that borders the Little Karoo is a desolate yet magnificent area of semi-desert.
After checking into our accommodation around lunchtime, we'll set out to explore the finest dripstone caverns in the world - the Cango Caves. Situated in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, these limestone caves extend more than 5 kilometres/3 miles underground through a series of large caverns connected by passages.
After our cavern adventure, we'll take a tour of the Safari ostrich and butterfly farm, north of Oudtshoorn as well as the Zeekoegat School which showcases the process of building a new school. Each group member will get the opportunity to sponsor a 'brick' towards the building of the new Zeekoegat Primary School.
Please note, depending on timings and weather, today's schedule might be switched with Day 7.
Day 7: Drive The Garden Route From Knysna To Plettenberg Bay. Sea Kayaking Along The Coast At Central Beach
Location: Plettenberg Bay
Accommodation: Resort, The Dunes Resort
Accommodation Name: Whalesong Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Making our way eastwards, we'll travel along the awe-inspiring Garden Route to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
This afternoon, we'll get to try our hand at sea kayaking along the coastline from Central Beach. We'll explore this unique stretch of coast, with its abundant marine life, up close in one of our stable kayaks alongside an experienced guide. After a thorough briefing, we'll paddle off from Central Beach and glide across the sparkling water, taking the opportunity to soak in the view of the majestic Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Robberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site. If we're lucky, we might also spot Cape Fur Seals, Bottlenose and Humpback Dolphins and a variety of sea birds along the way. Please note, no experience is necessary to join the kayaking trip but you must be able to swim. We recommend bringing a sun hat and sunscreen as well as a change of clothes.
Our accommodation for the next two nights is a white-washed, seaside resort, centrally located in the heart of Plettenberg Bay, with three 'Blue Flag' beaches only a short drive away.
Day 8: Free Time Around Plettenberg Bay And Beach
Location: Plettenberg Bay
Accommodation: Resort, The Dunes Resort
Accommodation Name: Whalesong Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Plettenberg Bay and its surroundings boast some of the most stunning beaches and scenery of the Garden Route, as well as an unparalleled choice of activities to keep the family busy. If you fancy a day at the beach, we recommend Central Beach - its long stretches of white sand and calm, warm waters are perfect for families.
Today is free and there are several optional activities to choose from including boat-based dolphin and whale watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, surfing, mountain biking and canoeing (some of these activities have age restrictions).
Whale watching is especially recommended in season (between June and December), as this shoreline offers the chance to watch a truly great mammal, the southern right whale. The dunes and escarpments offer panoramic views of the coast, and you have a good chance of seeing seals, dolphins and whales, plus a wealth of bird and botanical life.
Day 9: Discover Robberg Nature Reserve. Treehouse Accommodation In The Tree Canopy
Location: Robberg Nature Reserve
Accommodation: Teniqua Treetops
Accommodation Name: Teniqua Treetops
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll take a short drive to Robberg Nature Reserve where our tour leader will guide us on a walk along the trails. The hiking here is moderate - it's uneven underfoot in places and can be slippery so good walking shoes are advised. Our efforts are rewarded with the chance to soak up the sweeping coastal views and the possibility to spot dolphins and seals playing in the waters below. From July to December, we might also be lucky enough to spot the southern right whales that come into the calmer and warmer waters to calve and nurse their young.
Our accommodation at Treetops is a two-hour drive away. We'll be staying in the Storms River region where there are plenty of well-marked walking trails, as well as the opportunity to explore suspended canopy walkways and zipwires or to try river kayaking.
Teniqua Treetops is a unique eco-tented tree house occupying a position high on the foothills of the ancient Outeniqua mountain range. The tree houses offer a unique opportunity to sleep, eat and shower up in the canopy of the forest, all surrounded by birdsong and butterflies. Built on hand-crafted platforms and situated in carefully chosen beauty spots, the accommodation boasts comfortable tented bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and leafy bathrooms.
Day 10: Morning Walk And Snorkelling In Tsitsikamma
Location: Tsitsikamma National Park
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Coastal Cottages
Accommodation Name: Tsitsikamma Coastal Cottages
Meals Included: Breakfast
The morning is left free to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.
Around midday, we'll take a short drive to Tsitsikamma National Park 'the place of much water', South Africa's most impressive marine and forest park, stretching for 80 kilometres/50 miles from the lagoon at Nature's Valley to the mouth of the Groot River.
The lush forest and sheer cliffs host several short walking trails, the most popular of which takes you to a suspension bridge spanning the mouth of Storm's River, a unique sight, where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores. The heartland of the park stretches for 5 kilometres/3 miles to the sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reefs and deep-sea fish - we can snorkel to discover the marine life. Dolphins frolic in the breakers and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed, in season.
Day 11: Addo Elephant National Park
Location: Addo Elephant National Park
Accommodation: Addo Elephant Forest Cabins
Accommodation Name: Addo Homestead
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll spend the morning enjoying the sparkling swimming pool, a large farm dam with canoes, a pool table, ping pong and the jungle gym on the farm before leaving late morning and heading eastwards to Addo Elephant National Park.
The world-famous park is a 300,000-acre sanctuary, home to a wide range of South Africa's wildlife. It's known for its elephants (with a population of more than 600) but also supports buffalo, black rhinos, leopards and lions in its southern locations. We'll head out for an afternoon game drive on arrival in the park.
We'll gather this evening for a traditional braai dinner (included) prepared by our tour leader.
Day 12: Tour Ends In Port Elizabeth
Location: Port Elizabeth International Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, we'll depart Addo Elephant National Park area, driving 75 kilometres/46 miles to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ). We aim to arrive at about 10am and this is where our trip ends.
Please note, the earliest your flight can depart is 12.30pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Breakfast Only
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
Why Book this Tour
Although there are numerous tours that travel along the Garden Route, few incorporate as many activities or possibilities to meet locals as this adventure. Starting in Cape Town and travelling to the beautiful sandy beaches in Plettenberg Bay, we visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was kept, meet local Cape Town kids in a skateboard park run as a youth initiative, are taken around District Six Museum by an ex-resident, see whales, stay in a tree house, whitewater raft and go on safari. A varied and interactive adventure showcasing the beauty of the country and its people.
Meals
Breakfasts: 11
Lunches: 1
Dinners: 3
Check out our Q&As
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.