5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 327 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour worth booking?
5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour is a 120-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $13310 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 327 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 91 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (327)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $13310 per person
Discover the highlights of South Africa’s legendary Garden Route – including Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Knysna Heads, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn – on a 5-day tour from Cape Town. You’ll explore this coasta
What you get
- All tour transfers in mini van (4-7 hours travel per day)
- Cango Caves visit
- Game Drives: Addo Park in mini-van & Botlierskop 4x4 Drive Vehicle
- Breakfast
- Donation to 2Cchange charity projects (a portion of your tour fee)
- TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best-of-the-Best Awards Winner South Africa (2025)
About this experience
Discover the highlights of South Africa’s legendary Garden Route – including Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Knysna Heads, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn – on a 5-day tour from Cape Town. You’ll explore this coastal paradise with an experienced guide: hike in old-growth forests, see endangered animals in wildlife reserves, and relax on white-sand beaches. A combination of guided tours and optional activities allows you to tailor this trip to your taste for adventure. Try extra activities (own expense) such as bungee jumping, a 4x4 game drive, and ziplining.
What's included
Included
- All tour transfers in mini van (4-7 hours travel per day)
- Cango Caves visit
- Game Drives: Addo Park in mini-van & Botlierskop 4x4 Drive Vehicle
- Breakfast
- Donation to 2Cchange charity projects (a portion of your tour fee)
- TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best-of-the-Best Awards Winner South Africa (2025)
- Hotel pickup within 5km of Cape Town (if booked 2+ days early)
- Entrance fees: Cango Caves, Addo & Tsitsikamma Natioinal Parks
- Local English-speaking professional tour guide
- 4 nights Accommodation and breakfast for each overnight stay
- Taste Experiences: Route 62 wine tasting, Karoo Food Treats Tasting
Not included
- Meals and drinks not listed in inclusions (lunches, dinners, beverages)
- Optional extra activities (as per itinerary)
- Optional (not compulsory): Sky Walk -or- Zipline at Bloukrans (±R500)
- Optional (not compulsory): Bungy Jump at Bloukrans (±R1690)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cape Town
Departure time from official Meeting Point is 6:45 am. Avoid extra hours on the bus during the pre-and post-tour pickup/drop-off service by making your own way to the tour meeting point at McDonald's in Green Point. Please arrive about 10 minutes early as we won't be able to wait for late arrivals.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 90 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Departure time from official Meeting Point is 6:45 am. Avoid extra hours on the bus during the pre-and post-tour pickup/drop-off service by making your own way to the tour meeting point at McDonald's in Green Point. Please arrive about 10 minutes early as we won't be able to wait for late arrivals.
Options you can book
Saver Backpack Own Room Stay
Saver Backpackers Own Room: Stay in Backpackers accommodation with private bathroom. 2 persons per room. Book as single person to pay & get private room. Pickup included
3 star Comfort Stay package
3* Comfort Accommodation: Stay in 3 star guesthouse as listed. Ensuite bathroom. 2 persons per double room. Book as single person to get own room. Pickup included
Dorm Backpack Shared Room Stay
Backpacker Dorm Room: Overnight in unisex dorm accommodation. Up to12 persons per room with shared bathroom facilities. No under 18 or over 45 yrs Pickup included
4 star Luxury Stay package
4* Luxury Accommodation: 4star guesthouses ensuite room stay as listed. 2 persons per room. Mondays allow single person to pay for 1 to get own room. Pickup included
3* Comfort Stay - Start Group
3* Comfort start group: Pay extra to start small group on new date. 3star 88 Baron van Reede guesthouse accommodation or similar. 2 persons required. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hotspots2c Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best-of-the-Best Awards Winner - Listed as Top 10 Things to Do in South Africa (2025)
- Day 1 : Start in Cape Town - Wine Tasting - Route 62 - Oudtshoorn (Overnight stay options: Saver/Dorm Uthando Backpackers, 3*Comfort 88 Baron van Reede, 4*Luxe Hlangana Lodge)
- Day 2 : Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves - Addo (Overnight stay options: Saver/Dorm Avoca Backpacker House, 3*Comfort Gerald's Gift Guesthouse, 4*Luxe Addo Wildlife Lodge)
- Day 3 : Addo Elephant National Park - Jeffreys Bay - optional surf / beach horse rise activities (Overnight stay options: Saver/Dorm Island Vibe Backpackers, 3* Comfort Sea Whisper Guesthouse or similar, 4* Luxe On The Beach Guesthouse)
- Day 4 : Tsitsikamma Walk - Bungy optional - Knysna Heads - Sedgefield Itinerary steps: 5 Meals included: breakfast Accommodation included: Saver/Dorm> Pili Pili Backpackers, 3* Comfort > Fairy Knowe or similar, 4* Luxe > Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse or similar
- Day 5 : Botlierskop 4x4 Game Drive - N2 road trip to end in Cape Town
- Daily drive time: about 4 to 6 hours. Total distance about 2000 km route. This packed, fast-paced itinerary is filled with many of the best highlights of the region and ideal for the young-at-heart traveller that want to explore this vast region with limited time.
- The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasions, run in reverse order
- Some meals and drinks are not included on most tours; giving the ideal opportunity to experience typical South African meals (or your own preference) at local restaurants, shops or eating spots. Do check your tour's specific included and excluded section to verify the included meals for your tour package. You'll have free time scheduled daily to buy and enjoy meals. – Breakfast is mostly enjoyed at the accommodation's breakfast room/restaurant in the morning. Bed & Breakfast multi-day packages include breakfast for each overnight stay. – Lunch will be en-route with limited time & limited options to choose from. – Dinner-time during multi-day tours is scheduled in free-time after each day’s tour schedule. You can dine out at leisure; or book meals with your guide at the overnight accommodation that day. Your guide can recommend the best local restaurants, or most backpackers even have communal kitchens to prepare your own food - should you wish to buy the ingredients after the tour to prepare your own meals.
- The tour operator already pre-booked space at all optional activities for the group and you can simply decide on the first day of the tour if you'll partake. Optional activities can only be paid on the tour directly to the supplier. Bungy jump optional activity waiting time can vary from 1 to 2 hours and is subject to group size and how busy it is during the time visited. Optional activities are subject to weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed
- Accommodation stay packages will overnight in different properties, each listed in the itinerary. Backpackers are usually far away from guesthouses / lodges.
- Game drive or bush safari drives are shared with other people on especially adopted open-roof converted vehicle or truck.
- Children under 18 years of age are not allowed to book in Dorm room packages
- Minimum age is 8 years. Children between 8 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult and book in private rooms
- Personal comprehensive travel insurance is excluded and recommended.
- It is recommended that you bring: comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sun hat, jacket for cooler evenings, beach towel and swimming costume
- According to availability at time of booking, accommodation will be in the mentioned hotel or in one of a similar standard and star rating in a similar area. Sedgefield accommodation will occasionally be sold out and then your accommodation will be in nearby town
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 327 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
327 verified traveler reviews for 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Just Great
We booked this tour as a private trip for the three of us, and it exceeded our expectations. Our driver, Maudi, was incredibly friendly, drove us safely throughout the journey, and shared so many interesting insights about South Africa, its culture, and its history. Thank you, Maudi, for making this such a memorable experience. We highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: We're so happy to hear your private transfers trip exceeded your expectations, and that your guide; Maudi helped make it such a memorable experience. We've passed along your kind words, he'll really appreciate it and stoked to have had you as guests on tour. Thanks for also choosing us to explore our beautiful country, as your journey contributed to 2Cchange, our community upliftment initiative. Every tour helps support local projects (a portion of your trip's fees was donated towards our Women in Need - Butterfly project) - aiming to create a lasting positive impact in the communities we visit. We truly appreciate your recommendation and support. We hope to welcome you back to South Africa again soon, from Benita Stroebel - Product Manager
via Tripadvisor
Suoer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our Garden Route tour was an unforgettable experience! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, from the coastline to the forests and charming towns. Every stop was well planned and gave us enough time to enjoy the beauty of South Africa. A special thanks to our guide, Isaac, who was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and always made sure everyone felt comfortable and enjoyed the journey. His passion and positive attitude made the trip even more memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting South Africa. Thank you for an amazing adventure!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your fantastic review and recommendation. We're super happy too that you enjoyed the breathtaking scenes and wildlife sightings along the Garden Route and that each stop along the way helped make your South African adventure so memorable. A special thanks for your appreciation for guide Isaac's help. His passion for sharing South Africa, together with his friendly and professional approach, makes him a valued member of our team. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments. Thank you also for supporting our 2Cchange initiative by booking with Hotspots2c. A portion of each tour fee help us give back to local community and conservation projects along the route we travel. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Africa real soon. Always keep exploring, Benita Stroebel Product manager
via Tripadvisor
I’d recommend it 100%
Great experience. Isaac is as an amazing guide. Really worth the money! Made some amazing friends as well!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the fantastic 5-star review and this recommendation. What epic snaps of one adventure of a tour! We're delighted to hear you had such a great experience with Isaac and made some amazing new friends along the way. By travelling with us, a portion of your tour fees was donated to charities close to our heart. So thanks for also supporting our #tour2cchange initiatives; helping fund community and conservation projects through our non-profit, 2Cchange. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon, always keep exploring, -- Benita Stroebel Hotspots2c Product Manager
via Tripadvisor
My first Western Cape trip as an SA citizen
The trip was unparalleled. The sights were breathtaking. The food was delicious. The memories were eternal. The locals were incredibly friendly. Mr Nev was an insatiable source of fun. Enough said...
Response from the operator: Hear hear! 👏 So true; there’s nothing quite like exploring your own country in a fresh way, especially when it’s as beautiful as ours! 🇿🇦 Thank you for sharing such a fantastic review - we’re so glad your first Western Cape trip lived up to it all, from breathtaking sights to great food and unforgettable memories. And topped with a friendly local guide, Mr Nev, adding that extra spark of adventure to the journey! We've informed him of this praise too. And.. just by joining us, you’re also supporting our #tour2Cchange initiatives, contributing to local community and conservation projects along our travel routes. A portion of every tour sold is used to fund causes in the region that we know will bring by positive change to the future. Sustainable travel is extremely high on our mission list. Thanks for doing your part. See you again soon to adventure in another region of Southern Africa with us, From Benita + Team Hotspots2C
via Tripadvisor
Excellent fun packed trip with a top guide!
This was my first trip with Hotspots and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent accommodation throughout, varied and action packed activities and a great group. What made it even better was our guide, Uriel. He was truly exceptional. Kind, calm, caring and professional, he went the extra mile to ensure we all got the most from our trip. Despite inclement weather, which impacted our itinerary, he seamlessly rejigged our activities to make sure we didn’t miss out on anything. Uriel is a real people person and it’s clear he really enjoys his job. 5+ stars from me!!
Response from the operator: What a brilliant review to receive - thank you! We’re so pleased your first trip with us was such a memorable one and that you enjoyed the mix of accommodation, activities, and group dynamic along the way. A special thank you for highlighting our guide, Uriel. He truly leads with heart - calm, thoughtful, and always focused on making sure every guest gets the most out of their journey. Weather can sometimes throw us a curveball, but it’s wonderful to hear how smoothly he adapted the itinerary so you didn’t miss out. That flexibility and care make all the difference. We also love that you felt the trip was fun-packed while still well balanced - that’s exactly the experience we aim to create. By travelling with us, you’ve also supported our #tour2Cchange initiatives, helping us contribute to meaningful community and conservation projects along our routes. If you’d ever like to see how your adventure makes a positive impact, you can explore more on our 2Change page. Thank you again for the glowing 5+ stars - we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Warm greetings from South Africa, -Team Hotspots2C
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $13310 to $69960
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 114
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Hotspots2c Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 75.3.
See everything Hotspots2c Tours runsWhy this scores 91
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.
How much does 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $13310 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour take?
+
Plan for about 120 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.
Is 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 327 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 120-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour?
+
Around 114 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
+
On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Day Tour from Cape Town, Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape point Day Tour, Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for 5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour.
Pick your date
