3 days – Garden Route & Safari South Africa

Start with a morning pick-up from your accommodation in Cape Town or Stellenbosch.

Set off along the famous Route 62, where you’ll capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, vast Karoo plains, vineyards and orchards. Pop in at one of the many farm stalls along the way, stocked with locally crafted delights before arriving in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.

Delve deep underground into the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going guided Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights about the dripstone evolution. By contrast, the Adventure Tour allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more daring underground route.

You’ll spend the evening in Oudtshoorn at leisure. Either head to town to enjoy a top restaurant meal or join locals for an optional outdoor braai (similar to barbeque) including South African favourites, such as ostrich kebabs, ‘boerewors’ sausage and ‘potbrood’ bread at the local backpackers.

As the dawn breaks in the dusty Klein Karoo, opt for a close encounter with Mother Nature and join rangers on an optional Elephant Bush Walk. Gentle giants, Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo made Buffelsdrift their home after their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. Join these three rescued elephants, as they walk to the nearby waterhole. Following in their footsteps, you’ll make memories that you’ll never forget. If you do not take part in this optional activity, your day will usually start a bit later when the guide collects you afterwards.

Then, take to the water for a leisurely afternoon paddle along the reed-lined banks in Wilderness. Indigenous forest and campgrounds line the river. It’s not until you stop paddling and let the gentle current guide you, that the abundance of birdlife becomes apparent.

The adventure continues as you reach Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy jump. The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty clear from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on an elastic cord like a yo-yo. If you do not wish to bungy jump this region is a playground for the outdoors and those who’d prefer to keep their feet on solid ground will continue on to explore the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma area, or can watch the jumpers as they scream through the air. Spend the evening soaking in the slow town way of life in Sedgefield or Wilderness. Check out the rustic beach restaurant in Sedgefield or venture into town for a more intimate dinner if you overnight in Wilderness or Knysna area.

Your journey today will begin in the heart of the African bush. On your first stop of the day, spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open 4×4 vehicle in the malaria-free Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Search for giraffe, white rhino, kudu, lion, elephant, zebra and wildebeest, just to name a few. The game drive is led by an experienced game ranger, sharing his knowledge of the local wildlife; including antelope species, birdlife and insects.

When your guide finds the perfect (and safe) spot, you can hop off your safari vehicle for an even closer connection to nature on a quick tranquil ±10minute mini bushwalk during the safari. Follow your game ranger as he tries to find smaller wildlife through the coastal renosterveldt and Cape fynbos. Keep an eye out for animal tracks and learn about the medicinal value or names of the endemic plants.

End off the day with a journey through the landscape of rolling farmlands as you pass through the heart of the Garden Route on your way back to Cape Town.