South Africa Safari, Garden Route & Coastal Tour

Nov. 8-19, 2026

Visit two incredible National Parks in South Africa, with safari drives in Addo Elephant National Park to see huge colonies of elephants, plus black rhinos, leopards, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras & various antelopes and then the next day see monkeys, baboons, otters and dramatic scenery featuring rocky coastlines, waterfalls, rivers & fairytale forests in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Enjoy a coastal drive along the famed Garden Route, with more dramatic coastal scenery featuring the twin sandstone cliffs of Knysna Head

Enjoy a visit to the scenic Stellenbosch Wine Region of South Africa, with a visit to one of its leading wine cellars and vineyards for beautiful views of the wine lands and tastings.

Enjoy three nights in beautiful Cape Town, along its legendary Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with two full days of sightseeing including the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to more exotic wildlife, including Wildebeests, ostriches, elands, springboks, baboons, and bonteboks, as well as rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches and beautiful flora, plus visits to the Penguin Colony of Simons Town at Boulders Beach, and see the stunning Table Mountain (with optional cable car ride to the top), and an option to visit Robben island, to tour the former prison that held Nelson Mandela captive for over 20 years.

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Enjoy a visit to the ostrich Capital of the World and to one of the premier Whale Watching destinations in the world, with an option to do a Whale Watching excursion.

Visit the Kango Caves, with a guided tour of its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, dating back millions of years.

Enjoy an outdoor lunch at a watering hole, sometimes visited by local wildlife including elephants, giraffes and springboks.

Other optional activities are Zip-lining, kayaking, scenic coastal walks, shark cage diving, paragliding and swimming in clear ocean waters.

In mid-November, this area of South Africa experiences warm, sunny weather as summer begins, with average daytime highs around 73−77F.∘

It is the dry season, so rain is rare, and skies are typically clear, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploration. 

BOOK THIS TRIP BY OCTOBER 27, 2025 AND RECEIVE 20% OFF!!!

YES 20% OFF IF YOU BOOK THIS TRIP BY OCT. 27, 2025!!!

Day1 Nov. 8, 2026

Our Adventure starts in Port Elizabeth • To Sundays River Valley

Welcome to South Africa! Our tour begins in Port Elizabeth, colloquially known as PE, but officially Gqeberha, a Xhosa name for the river that runs through the city. We have a welcome briefing in the evening to discuss the adventures to come.

If you wish, join us for an optional 2 night Pre-tour stay in this beautiful beach town with many optional activities and of course, great beach/ocean time. Options on the Pre trip days are relaxing along several beautiful beaches within walking distance, including beautiful Humewood Beach, or a safari in two more parks - Kragga Kamma Wildlife Park, and Schotia Wildlife Park,

You may also take a guided tour to a Private Game Reserve to do a guided Giraffe Walk, - Yes Walking with the Gentle Giants, .or enjoy a day cruise to St. Croix island to see more whales, dolphins and penguins.

Or you can even do a guided visit to a local beer brewery on your free days during our optional 2 night pre trip in scenic Port Elizabeth South Africa..

Accommodation for day one of our tour (and for our optional 2 night Pre trip stay in Port Elizabeth, South Africa): La Mer Guesthouse (or similar)

Offering an outdoor pool, La Mer Guest Lodge is located in the suburb of Humewood in Port Elizabeth. Kings Beach is 0.6 mi away and the property offers free WiFi access. Each room here will provide you with a satellite TV, a refrigerator and a kettle. The private bathroom has a shower. Rooms on the upper floor have views of the harbor.

At La Mer Lodge you will find a tropical garden and a traditional lapa with barbecue area. The property offers parking behind access-controlled gates. The property is a 5-minute drive from the Boardwalk Casino and Port Elizabeth Airport is within two and a half miles

Most popular amenities

· Outdoor swimming pool

· Free parking

· Free Wi-Fi

· Family rooms

· Beachfront

· Airport shuttle

· Non-smoking rooms

· Restaurant

· Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms

· Breakfast

Day 2 Nov. 9, 2026

Safari Wildlife drives in Addo Elephant National Park

This morning, we head to Addo Elephant National Park, home to some 550 elephants (up from just 16 when the park was formed) plus black rhinos, leopards, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras & various antelopes.

We will enjoy a four-hour safari game drive, to spot iconic African wildlife.

This afternoon, we have at leisure, with the option to enjoy a second safari drive in this incredible national park, to spot more wildlife in their natural habitat here.

The optional second safari drive is at an additional cost and can be signed up for on day one at the orientation meeting and paid for at that time.

Accommodation: La Mer Guesthouse (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 Nov. 10, 2026

Start of the Garden Route scenic drive and •then walk along stunning suspension bridges in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Today we head west to the official start of the Garden Route scenic drive at Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Stretching along the coast, the park, which comprises rocky coastlines, fairytale forests, waterfalls and rivers, gets its name from a local Khoekhoe language meaning ‘place of abundant water’..

You can take an optional 1 mile hike in the forest and along suspension bridges, which should take around an hour. Other optional walks are also available. The area is a great place for bird enthusiasts with a variety of sea, forest and fynbos (scrubland) species present. Other resident animals include vervet monkeys, chacma baboons and clawless otters.

Accommodation: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp chalets (or similar)

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp is host to a breathtaking eighty-kilometer focus of craggy shoreline, dramatic and beautiful sea conditions, and landscapes drawn from the impressive confluence of the two.

The heartland of the Park stretches some 5 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of intertidal, reef and deep-sea life. Dolphins frolic in the breakers, surfing and playing for the sheer joy of life, and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visit here, coming inshore to breed.

The African black oystercatcher, a red data species, is one of South Africa’s most threatened bird species and several pairs nest along the Park’s rocky coastline. The beautiful Knysna loerie, with their gruff call, are common sightings in the forest. The Cape Clawless otter is a shy and elusive species that hunt crabs along the Park’s coastline. Blue duiker and bushbuck are seldom seen but can sometimes be glimpsed browsing around campsites.

Enjoy beautiful seascapes that contrast with the dense indigenous forests, well laid out walks, hikes, suspension bridges, boat trips and all from within the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp.

The chalets overlooking stunning scenery at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 Nov. 11, 2026 Free day to relax, walk or explore Tsitsikamma

We spend the day at Tsitsikamma National Park, where several adventures await. Options include kayaking on the Storms River, zip-lining through the forest , kayaking, canoeing or swimming in the ocean, or go rafting/tubing along a scenic river, or enjoy scenic horseback riding trails

There are also several self-guided walks available, the easiest of which is the suspension walk. The most challenging is the Otter Trail, a well-marked four-hour trek with some small ladders and boulder hopping. This is the only walk that has rocky shoreline sections to it, plus it goes through the forest and passes the Strandloper Cave and ends at a waterfall dropping into the ocean – this trek is only recommended for fit walkers with a good sense of balance.

Accommodation: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp chalets (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 Nov. 12, 2026 Visit the sandstone cliffs of Knysna Heads

We start our day with a visit to Knysna Heads, two tall sandstone cliffs that form a channel through which the turbulent Indian Ocean enters the calmer Knysna Lagoon.

We have a bit more time to relax in town before leaving for Oudtshoorn after lunch.

As we head inland and over a pass, the landscape changes drastically and we enter the Little Karoo, a much dryer, hotter region. Oudtshoorn itself became renowned for its trade in ostrich feathers and is still the ostrich capital of the world. Our guesthouse is out of town in De Rust, a tranquil, rural Karoo village.

Accommodation: Housemartin Guest Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Situated on the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains in the Klein Karoo, 1 km. from the world renowned Meiringspoort Waterfalls, lies the small village of De Rust.

Swim under the waterfall in Meiringspoort, visit Prince Albert, Ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn and the Cango caves nearby..

This old charm property is also ideal for small weddings or celebrations.

Relax in the beautiful garden and swimming pool...House Martin has a 4 star grading from the SA Tourism Grading Council and offers 12 double rooms each with their own private veranda leading into the garden. Rooms are tastefully decorated with high quality bedding, electric blankets, panel heaters and air conditioning.

Complimentary tea, filter coffee, mineral water, homemade biscuits and sherry. Enjoy a Continental breakfast or scrumptious dinner in the dining room situated in the large manor house built in 1885. All homemade and freshly baked.

4.9 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor and a 2025 award winner on Trip Advisor

Day 6 Nov. 13, 2026

Explore the 20 million-year-old Cango Caves •

and

Visit the magnificent Meiringspoort Waterfall

We spend today discovering Oudtshoorn and the surrounding highlights. We start by visiting the Cango Caves, an extensive complex of caverns with stalactites and stalagmites. A local guide takes us on an hour’s journey through the limestone caves, which are millions of years old.

We then enjoy lunch at Buffelsdrift, where we overlook a waterhole occasionally visited by elephants, giraffes and springboks. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful Meiringspoort Waterfall and take a 1,640ft (500m) walk, which takes about 10 minutes each way. The order in which we do these activities may be reversed.

Accommodation: Housemartin Guest Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day7 Nov. 14, 2026

Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus via Mossel Bay

Returning towards the coast, we stop at Mossel Bay and the Dias Museum Complex, which reveals the influence of early Portuguese sailors on South Africa. It’s also home to the Post Office Tree (a 500-year-old milk wood, where seafarers once left letters to be taken home by Portuguese sailors).

We then continue to Hermanus, the whale capital of the world. It’s been a long travelling day, so we stretch our legs with a walk along the cliff path.

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

The independently owned Windsor Hotel stands proudly on the edge of Hermanus’s breathtaking Walker Bay with a panoramic vista featuring the world’s best whale-watching available in most rooms.

Southern Right Whales have been breeding and feeding here for centuries (July – November) and our guests have been returning, generation after generation, to delight in this spectacle.

The 120-year-old Windsor, near the town center and its rich variety of restaurants, galleries and shops, has been modernized but steadfastly retains its family atmosphere with home-from-home hospitality.

All rooms have an en-suite bathroom and ground floor rooms feature a small patio. Free Wi-Fi and parking is available for all our hotel guests.

If you wish, Upgrade to a sea-view room for our two nights here – Ask us more details.

Our Sea Facing Rooms feature a panoramic view of Walker Bay. Beds can be configured as a king or twin at your request..

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 Nov. 15, 2026 Free day with optional whale watching

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Hermanus. From June to November, southern right whales are easily spotted from shore as they frolic in Walker Bay. A whale crier sounds his kelp horn when he spots whales off the coast. Those who want can also do a boat-based whale-watching trip. There are also several other activities available from hikes to river cruises and lagoon kayaking, which are available year-round. You could also visit the Whale Museum to learn about the most famous visitors to these shores, or walk the 7mi (11km) cliff path, where you could see indigenous plants, tortoises and mongoose.

Other optional activities here are shark cage diving, sea kayaking, paragliding, horseback riding and scenic coastal walks, along the 14 kilometer Cliff Walking Path.

THE CLIFF WALKING PATH IN HERMANUS IS UNIQUE!

Where else can you traverse an entire town along its coast?  With its extraordinary diversity of scenery, rocky coves, sandy beaches and secluded forest glades, the Cliff Path is unequalled anywhere. 

The conservation value of the coastal area has been recognized by its inclusion in 2000 into the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

The Cliff Path attracts thousands of whale-watchers every year for the best shore-based whale watching in the world, but not only whale watching may be enjoyed on the Cliff Path - it is also a nature lover's paradise. 

Originally constructed by the Hermanus Botanical Society and now maintained by the Cliff Path Management Group and the local municipality, the Cliff Path meanders for almost 12km from the New Harbor in the west to the mouth of the Klein River in the east.  It takes you past famous fishing spots, whale-watching viewpoints, multimillion-rand homes and the original fishing harbor, now a museum and National Monument.  It also winds through a fascinating diversity of vegetation types with an astonishing number of flowering plants to be seen ending with the Piet-se-Bos milk wood forest.

Flowers of all kind abound on the Cliff Path, from the deep pink Cliff Lily Gladiolus carmineus to the rare Green orchid Bonatea speciosa, purple `vygies', yellow daisies and white-starred Boegoe.  Rock dassies sun themselves on cliff ledges, while overhead the large Kelp Gull and smaller Hartlaub's Gull wheel and dive. The rare red-beaked African Black Oyster Catcher perches on outlying wave-washed rocks

OR Enjoy your free day with a Visit to one of the Beaches in Hermanus

Grotto Beach is a Blue Flag Beach in Hermanus. This beach is excellent for swimming, sun bathing, beach walks. It also offers excellent facilities and a restaurant .

A favorite with locals and tourists alike, endless stretch of white sand also makes it an excellent location to take the dogs for a walk, something which many a pet owner can be seen taking advantage of. 

If you are feeling particularly energetic, take the 18 kilometer walk from Grotto Beach all along the coastline to nearby De Kelders. The views are outstanding and in season you will in all likelihood spot a few whales.

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Optional Upgrade to a sea-view room for our two days here –ask us for more details

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 Nov. 16, 2026

To Stellenbosch • Sommelier-led wine tour then to Cape Town

Our next destination is the much-celebrated wine region of South Africa.

The industry here, which dates to the 17th century and was heavily influenced by French Huguenots, produces some of the best wines in the world. We have free time to explore the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch on foot and eat at one of the many restaurants in town.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a cellar tour with a sommelier at one of the nearby vineyards. Of course, we also taste a selection of their wines before continuing our journey to Cape Town, the Mother City.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a 207-room hotel in the Cape Town City Centre, South Africa, known for its proximity to the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town International Convention Center. . Key amenities include an outdoor pool, a garden, a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. It is well-regarded for its location, clean rooms, friendly staff, and value.

Location and access

· The hotel is situated at the entrance of the V&A Waterfront, making it an ideal base for exploring the waterfront’s many local shops, attractions and restaurants.

· It is also close to the Cape Town International Convention Center and the Bo-Kaap neighborhood.

· The hotel provides easy access to nearby restaurants and attractions. 

• Rooms: The 207 rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and free WiFi. Some have views of the waterfront.
• Dining: Guests can dine at the hotel's restaurant, #Café, or enjoy a drink at the bar. Buffet breakfast is available for a surcharge.
• Recreation: The hotel features an outdoor pool and a fitness center.
• Services: Other amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a business center, dry cleaning services, and a garden.
• Parking: Free self-parking is available on-site.
• Airport Shuttle: A round trip airport shuttle is available for an extra charge. 
• Guests frequently praise the hotel's excellent location and the helpfulness of the staff.
• The rooms are consistently described as clean and well-appointed.

City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront has been stylishly reimagined – modern, sexy and inspired by Cape Town’s iconic fynbos floral species. With 207 beautifully refurbished rooms (some canal-facing), this hotel is your effortless escape in the heart of the city. Enjoy two vibrant bar experiences: the all new Atlantic Lounge on the first floor, a chic wine and coffee bar showcasing proudly South African wines and spirits and the lively bar in our brand-new restaurant on the ground floor, Atlantic Social. Relax on the canal-facing terrace, take a dip in the splash pool, or work out in the new fitness center.

Days10 – 11 Nov. 17-18, 2026

Two days exploring Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and Simon's Town penguins

We spend the next two days in and around Cape Town, the most exciting city in South Africa. One highlight of any visit to Cape Town, is the thrill of witnessing the iconic Table Mountain, which we will see on our sightseeing tour here.

If you wish, you can make an optional ride up the cable car to the top (not included in the trip cost).

There is also the option of visiting Robben Island on one of the two sightseeing days here. However, we recommend you pre-book Robben Island tour with us before the trip (but then pay the tour leader locally).

On one of the two days here, we will head down the Cape Peninsula.

We follow the Atlantic Seaboard past the areas of Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay to the dramatic views of Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak drive.. The highlight is our visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, the south-western most point of the African continent.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is home to elands, bonteboks, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches.

Rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We walk through the reserve for approximately two hours. We first head to the new lighthouse for the panoramic views, before following the pathway to the old lighthouse, which offers spectacular cliff views.

Once we leave the park, we stop at the former Royal Navy base at Simon’s Town and visit the resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The resident penguin colony of Simons town at Boulders Beach.

Day12 Nov. 19, 2026 Our Adventure ends in Cape Town

On our final day, we have the option of doing a township tour, strolling along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront one more time or exploring various other parts of Cape Town.

Meals included: Breakfast

Fly on your own arrangement, home from Cape Town today.

TRIP PRICING FOR OUR 12 DAY SAFARI, GARDEN ROUTE AND COASTAL TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA:

ONLY $3229 PER PERSON based on two people per room.

If you do not have a friend to travel with, we can provide you a roommate, if you wish.

Optional single room supplement: Only $799 – but single rooms are limited, so book early if you wish the privacy of your own room.

AND ANYONE WHO BOOKS ANY ROOM BY OCTOBER 27^TH, 2025, WILL GET 20% OFF THE ABOVE LISTED PRICING FOR EITHER DOUBLE OR SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOMS!!

A deposit of 25 % is due within 7 days or booking your space on this trip (But to get the 20% off, your 25% deposit must be paid by Oct. 27^th, 2025!)

The balance payment is due by June 8^th, 2026.

CANCEL POLICY FOR THIS TRIP: OUR TOUR OPERATOR FOR THIS TRIP HAS A STRICT CANCEL POLICY.

IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP ANY TIME BEFORE THE BALANCE PAYMENT IS DUE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE TRIP CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR YOUR DEPOSIT. YOU CAN REDEEM YOUR FUTURE TRIP CREDIT WITHIN 90 DAYS OF CANCELLING YOUR TRIP AND SELECT AT THE TIME OF REDEEMING YOUR FUTURE TRIP CREDIT, ANY TOUR DEPARTING WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE YOU CANCELED YOUR TOUR.

OPTIONAL 2 NIGHT PRE TRIP STAY IN PORT ELIZABETH:

ONLY $249 PER PERSON BASED ON TWO PEOPLE IN THE ROOM

OR ONLY $319 SINGLE OCCUPANCY

BOOK ME A SPACE ON THIS TRIP