Garden Route Adventure

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm 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 your flight arrives too late, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early and book a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your kitty, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

Durban is South Africa's second most populous city and a tourist magnet thanks to its wealth of golden, sandy beaches and glitzy nightlife. One of its main attractions is the Golden Mile, a stretch of fine sands bordered by frothy surf on one side and an attractive beachfront of shops, restaurants and cafes on the other.

Optional Activities

Art gallery, Durban - Free

Bay cruise, Durban - ZAR200.00

Juma Masjid Mosque, Durban - Free

Surf lesson, Durban - ZAR220.00

Sea World, Durban - ZAR110.00

Wet & Wild, Durban - ZAR110.00

Wet & Wild and Sea World combo, Durban - ZAR150.00

Accommodation

Dormitory (1 nt)

Leave Durban and travel inland towards the majestic Drakensberg mountain range (370 km, approx 6-7 hrs).

The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa (3482 m) and forms part of the border between South Africa and Lesotho. The range is referred to locally as the Barrier of Spears or the Dragon Mountains and is home to an amazing amount of flora and fauna.

We have a whole day to explore part of the mountain range on foot - you can take a short hike for an hour or so, or challenge yourself to a full day hike with a local guide.

Included Activities

Short hike

Optional Activities

Amphiteatre day hike, The Drakensberg - ZAR50.00

Mont-Aux-Sources day hike, The Drakensberg - ZAR50.00

Accommodation

Lodge (2 nts)

Leaving the Drakensberg behind, head into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho (320 km, approx 6-7 hrs). 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 we may experience some delay depending on the time of year.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park is famous for its extraordinary sandstone rock formations. The park is also home to elands, zebras, mongooses and hundreds of bird species.

Included Activities

Village, school and museum hike

Optional Activities

Bushman Painting hike, Malealea Village - ZAR45.00

Pitseng Canyon hike (6 hours), Malealea Village - ZAR65.00

Accommodation

Dormitory (2 nts)

Head to the stunning Wild Coast of South Africa and the small town of Cintsa (620 km, approx 10-12 hrs).

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. They're warm and friendly people and provide good insight into rural South African life.

Arrive in the late afternoon and have time to relax before an optional group dinner.

We spend the next 2 nights here so you will have plenty of time to explore the town, relax on the stunning beaches or pursue the many optional activities on offer including hiking, swimming, mountain biking and surfing.

Our campground has shared facilities.

Optional Activities

Mountain biking, Cintsa - ZAR200.00

Surf lesson, Cintsa - ZAR210.00

Village tour, Cintsa - ZAR195.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Travel on to Addo Elephant National Park (500 km, 7-8 hrs).

A true success story in conservationism, Addo Elephant National Park was created in 1931 to protect the region's 11 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 at the park, take an afternoon game drive and try to spot some of the local residents.

While in Addo, stay at a campground that has basic shared facilities.

Included Activities

Game drives

Optional Activities

Night game drive, Addo Elephant National Park - ZAR250.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Spend the next few days discovering the most spectacular stretch of the Garden Route. Our first stop is the Tsitsikamma National Park (250 km, approx 4-5 hrs).

Protecting both land and sea, steep ancient forests meet the breakers of the Indian Ocean at Tsitsikamma National Park. It's a spectacular place for walking and wildlife viewing. The Cape clawless otter, dolphins, tortoises and southern right whales (in season) are all visitors here, along with baboons, monkeys and myriad birds.

While in Tsitsikamma, stay at a campground that has basic shared facilities.

Optional Activities

Bloukrans bungee jump, Tsitsikamma - ZAR780.00

Canopy tour, Tsitsikamma - ZAR450.00

Snorkelling, Tsitsikamma - ZAR80.00

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Head out across the arid Karoo region bound for Oudtshoorn (220 km, approx 3-4 hrs). Stop off on the way at Knysna to stretch your legs and explore this quaint little hamlet.

The ostrich capital of the world, at the turn of the 20th century Oudtshoorn was full of 'feather barons' that grew rich off the popularity of ostrich feathers. Today there are literally thousands of ostriches in the area being farmed for their meat, leather, and on a smaller scale, their feathers and eggs. Take a short stroll around town and you'll discover all sorts of ostrich souvenirs.

Our campsite has hot showers and flush toilets.

Included Activities

Local village visit

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Get your blood pumping while exploring the Cango Caves and learn about their formation and history from our local guide.

Travel from Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch (350 km, approx 7-8 hrs) on the scenic Route 62 via the towns of Calitzdorp, Ladysmith, Montaque and Robertson.

Known as the City of Oaks, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa's main university towns and more importantly the centre of the South African wine industry, which produces over 1 million litres of wine a year!

We should arrive in Stellenbosch in the afternoon where we check into our accommodation before heading out to sample some of the local produce from this beautiful area.

Included Activities

Cango Caves

Accommodation

Dormitory (1 nt)

Travel on to Cape Town (80 km, approx 1-2 hrs).

With its stunning coastline, dominating mountain and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. With vineyards on its doorstep, adventure activities around every other corner and plenty of restaurants and cafes to while away the time, Cape Town is a very easy city to spend some extra time in.

On arrival you'll be dropped at our finishing point hotel in central Cape Town. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Cape Town. Please ask at time of booking.

Please don't book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.

Optional Activities

Abseiling/kloofing, Cape Town - ZAR700.00

Bo-Kaap Museum, Cape Town - ZAR30.00

Scuba diving (excluding gear), Cape Town - ZAR275.00

Scuba diving (including gear), Cape Town - ZAR550.00

Harbour cruise, Cape Town - ZAR100.00

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town - Free

Robben Island tour, Cape Town - ZAR200.00

South Africa National Gallery, Cape Town - ZAR35.00

South African Museum, Cape Town - ZAR27.00

Table Mountain - Aerial cable, Cape Town - ZAR180.00

Table Mountain - Cycling, Cape Town - ZAR150.00

Table Mountain - Hiking, Cape Town - ZAR650.00