• 7 Breakfast (B)

• Cape Town: The Garden Route encompasses everything you want to experience and see on a trip to South Africa. It has the ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town, plenty of beaches to catch a surf or tan, wine farms to indulge in, adventurous activities on both land and sea as well as Big 5 Game Reserves to get your wildlife fix.  
• Tsitsikamma National Park: It’s common to start in Mossel Bay in the west and finish at Storms River in the east – but there’s no reason you couldn’t do this in reverse or start in the middle (like the rebel you are). Our Garden Route & Addo trip starts off in Cape Town. From there, we’ll board the Contiki coach and drive east to the Addo Elephant Park via Oudtshoorn. We then head south to Gqeberha before making our way back west to Hermanus via Knysna. Check the itinerary above for more info.  
• Tsitsikamma National Park: It’ll change slightly depending on what time of year you’re visiting, but some essentials will include: Your camera Comfortable shoes & clothes for walking (including a beanie, gloves and warm jacket for open-top safari drives in the winter) Your swimming costume?& towel Sun cream, a hat, sunglasses Insect repellent  A portable phone charger Binoculars (crucial for game drives to see animals in the distance) Day bag for daily activities Torch/Headlight Reusable water bottle Read our full guide to visiting Africa here.  
• Tsitsikamma National Park: The Garden Route summer occurs between October to April, with the best beach weather coming in December to February. July to December is Whale Season, so this is the best time to visit if you’re keen to admire the Garden Route’s awesome marine life. May – September usually sees the coolest weather, so these months are ideal for hiking, outdoor activities, and safaris. 
• Tsitsikamma National Park: Excellent. We visit wildlife reserves, so you’ll have a decent chance of catching the elusive Big 5 – plus giraffes, warthogs and other famed species. You’ll also have a great chance of seeing elephants in Addo, plus the myriad marine life on our marine activities – including whales, dolphins, penguins and more.
• Cape Town: You’ll be journeying around in your very own Contiki coach or minibus, equipped with AC (for a much-needed cool down from the tropical heat.) You’ll have the company of your Trip Manager, who’ll give you all the juicy info you need about the incredible spots you see en-route. And of course, we’ll keep it groovy on the coach with some music.   
• Cape Town: This Garden Route & Addo trip is studded with incredible stays. This includes centrally-located beachside resorts and waterfront hotels, with scrumptious buffet breakfasts to kickstart your day. You’ll also have access to all amenities like restaurants, bars, and pools. 

• Cango Caves: Tour Africa’s largest limestone caves system. At over 20 million years old, it makes our nan look like a spring chicken.  
• Addo Elephant National Park: See these gentle giants in their natural habitat as you cruise in our Contiki coach through this scenic National park. Also be on the lookout for giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, warthogs and all of Africa’s incredible wildlife.
• Jeffreys Bay: Known for its waves, its calamari and its natural beauty, there’s no beach quite like Jeffreys Bay Beach. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
• Knysna: If you’re looking for dramatic scenery, a trek through Tsitsikamma National Park will give you plenty of ops to fill up your memories and Insta feed. 
• Knysna: Stretch out on the golden sands and enjoy some sea air at one of South Africa’s best beaches.    
• Hermanus: Sensational scenery plus your favourite seabird, is this the detour of your dreams or is this the detour of your dreams?
• Stellenbosch: Get to know the photogenic wine town of Stellenbosch. Rich in vineyards, but even richer in history.
• Cape Town: Bo-Kaap. The City Centre. V&A Waterfront. This tour takes in all the historical sites & attractions of the Mother City.  
• Cape Town: Stroll around the scenic harbour and enjoy some Insta-worthy views, at South Africa’s most-visited attraction. 

Search for wildlife on an included safari drive through Addo Elephant National Park aboard the tour coach. Its elevated windows provide views across the Eastern Cape bush as you look for elephants, buffalo, antelope and other animals.

Established to protect a dwindling elephant population, Addo is now home to hundreds of them. Watching a herd move through the vegetation or gather near water reveals the scale and social life of these remarkable animals.

Spend time on Jeffreys Bay’s sandy shoreline, watching waves roll towards a beach known internationally to surfers. Walk the sand, feel the Indian Ocean breeze and take in the relaxed atmosphere of this Garden Route stop.

Jeffreys Bay is especially celebrated for its long, fast right-hand waves. Even from shore, the rhythm of the surf and the wide coastal views make it a distinctive place to pause.

Walk through Tsitsikamma National Park towards the Storms River mouth, where forest, rocky coast and river scenery meet. The hike offers places to stop for photographs and take in the bridges and dramatic landscape around the river.

This stretch of the Garden Route is shaped by steep gorges and the meeting of fresh water with the Indian Ocean. Its dense greenery and rugged shoreline create a marked change from the tour’s inland scenery.

Stretch out on Plettenberg Bay’s main beach or walk its golden sand beside the Indian Ocean. This included beach visit leaves room to enjoy the sea air and coastal setting at your own pace.

Known locally as Plett, the town sits along a sweep of bays on South Africa’s Garden Route. Its broad shoreline offers a gentler perspective on a region also known for forest trails and wildlife encounters.

Visit Stony Point Nature Reserve near Betty’s Bay and use its boardwalks to observe African penguins in their coastal habitat. Watch the birds move between nesting areas and the shore while keeping a respectful distance.

Stony Point protects one of the few mainland breeding colonies of this endangered species. Seeing penguins among the rocks and coastal vegetation offers an intimate view of wildlife conservation along the Western Cape.

Ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of Cape Town. From the summit, look across the city, its coastline and the surrounding mountain landscape when conditions are clear.

Table Mountain’s distinctive flat profile has long defined the skyline of the Mother City. Its high vantage point makes the geography of the Cape easier to grasp, from the urban waterfront to the sea beyond.

Join a short guided tour of Cape Town to get acquainted with the Mother City’s historic centre and notable neighbourhoods, including the colourful Bo-Kaap. Enjoy time to explore the V&A Waterfront and its working harbour setting.

Cape Town’s streets reflect layered histories and cultures, while the waterfront brings together harbour activity, shops and views towards Table Mountain. The combination provides an introduction to both the city’s heritage and its present-day energy.

Choose a scenic bicycle ride or drive on Swartberg Pass, followed by a Karoo braai on a local farm. The mountain route opens up views across the rugged landscape near Oudtshoorn.

The pass lies within the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Region and is known for its dramatic slopes and historic mountain road. A braai brings the evening back to a familiar South African tradition: food cooked over an open fire and shared in good company. This optional experience costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Try the waves with an optional surfing lesson at Jeffreys Bay. Get into the water and practise the basics at a destination whose surf culture draws visitors from around the world.

Jeffreys Bay is famous for its powerful right-hand breaks, though a lesson focuses on learning rather than tackling its most demanding waves. It is a hands-on way to experience the ocean that shapes the town’s identity. The lesson costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Paddle on an optional kayaking experience at the Storms River mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. From the water, take in the steep rock walls and forested scenery around this meeting point of river and sea.

Kayaking offers a closer perspective on the gorge than the coastal walking route, with the landscape rising on either side. It is an active way to explore one of the Garden Route’s most striking natural settings. This experience costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Head out on an optional marine safari from Plettenberg Bay to search for dolphins, seals, whales and other sea life. Watch the coastline from the water and keep your eyes on the surface for signs of movement.

The species you may see depend on season and conditions, and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The outing reveals the Garden Route’s rich marine environment beyond its beaches. This safari costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Join an optional township visit in Knysna to meet local residents and learn about community life beyond the town’s waterfront. The visit includes an opportunity to support initiatives benefiting local children.

Personal encounters provide context that scenic viewpoints alone cannot offer. Approach the experience with curiosity and respect, allowing the people you meet to share their own perspectives. This visit costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Choose an optional sunset cruise on Knysna Lagoon and see the waterside town from aboard a boat. Watch the light change across the lagoon as the day draws to a close.

The lagoon forms part of the Knysna estuary, sheltered behind the imposing sandstone headlands known as the Heads. Its calm-water setting offers a different perspective on the Garden Route’s coastal scenery. The cruise costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Take an optional helicopter flight over Cape Town for views of the city’s meeting of mountains and sea. See familiar landmarks and stretches of coastline from an aerial perspective.

Cape Town’s setting is unusually dramatic: Table Mountain rises close to the urban centre, while the Atlantic shapes the city’s western edge. A flight makes those contrasts especially vivid. This experience costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Join an optional cooking class in Cape Town and help prepare a meal you can sample yourself. Music and drinks add a convivial backdrop to the hands-on experience.

Cooking together offers a chance to connect over food rather than simply sit down to dinner. It is a lively way to spend an evening in the city and share the results with fellow travellers. The class costs extra and is bookable on tour.

Explore the Cango Caves on an included guided tour near Oudtshoorn. Walk through vast chambers beneath the Klein Karoo and examine the limestone formations shaped over millions of years.

The caves have a long human history, with evidence of past use adding another dimension to their natural spectacle. Their illuminated passages offer a striking contrast to the dry, open landscapes above ground.

Join two game drives in the Eastern Cape’s private reserves, keeping watch for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo. The drives offer time to scan varied terrain, from open plains to river corridors, for wildlife both large and small.

Animal sightings are never guaranteed, but repeated drives create more opportunities to observe the bush at work. Look beyond the Big Five for antelope, birdlife and the changing details of this diverse landscape.

Discover Stellenbosch, the Cape’s historic wine town, with time to take in its streets and vineyard-framed setting. A stop at a local food market offers a chance to browse regional produce and choose lunch.

Founded in the 17th century, Stellenbosch is closely associated with Cape winemaking and its university. The town and market introduce the region’s food culture even if you choose not to join an optional wine tasting.

Visit the wine farms around Stellenbosch for an optional tasting of Cape wines. Sample local styles while taking in the vineyard landscape that has made this one of South Africa’s best-known wine regions.

Winemaking has deep roots in the Cape, and Stellenbosch’s surrounding estates sit among some of its most recognisable growing areas. Tasting here connects what is in the glass with the place where it was produced. This experience costs extra and is bookable on tour.