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Peregrine Travel Centre

South Africa’s Kruger, Coast & Garden Route

South Africa’s Kruger, Coast & Garden Route

From $ 10,320 AUD

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Description

South Africa is a wildlife lover’s dream, with gorgeous landscapes to boot. On this 21-day adventure, you’ll visit five wildlife reserves including Addo Elephant National Park, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, plus Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and St Lucia Estuary in Eswatini. Search for lions, leopards, elephants and more, watch penguins waddling on the Cape Peninsula and see meerkats emerging at sunrise near Oudtshoorn. Aside from the abundance of wildlife encounters, you’ll hike through the forests and mountains of Drakensberg, walk a coastal trail to reach waterfall views on the Garden Route, dig into local history at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and slow it down with two nights in the winelands.

Trip Name
South Africa's Kruger, Coast & Garden Route
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
21
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Discover Southern Africa’s incredible wildlife on foot, by boat, and on 4WD safaris. Spot giraffes, wildebeest and impala on a guided walk through Eswatini’s Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, search for hippos and crocodiles in St Lucia Estuary, look out for elephants in Addo, and rise early to watch wild meerkats emerge from their burrows in Oudtshoorn.
  • Spend two nights in Stellenbosch, surrounded by the mountains and vineyard-covered hills of the winelands, with a free day to explore at your own pace.
  • Discover Cape Town through an African food and storytelling experience where you'll meet local entrepreneurs and creatives, uncover the city’s history and sample a curated selection of dishes around town for a memorable dinner with your group.
  • Spend a full day exploring Kruger National Park on a 4WD safari, searching for elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo and more. Then, end the day with a bush braai under the African sky.
  • Take in sweeping views in Drakensberg, where you’ll hike through indigenous forest to Gudu Falls, following the Mahai River through the valley.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure., OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., SOUTHERN AFRICA IN PEAK SEASON Southern Africa is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is, therefore, becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However, we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that the included activities are not affected.

Day 1 - Port Elizabeth
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your Garden Route adventure begins in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you’ll have time to explore before meeting your leader and fellow travellers. This coastal city – the largest in the Eastern Cape province – is full of beaches where you can stretch back on the sand. Or you could go for a stroll along the Summerstrand promenade to take in views of Algoa Bay, passing public art installations and plenty of spots where you can stop for coffee or gelato along the way.
Day 2 - Addo Elephant National Park
Leave Port Elizabeth and travel to Addo – a world-class wildlife destination with a remarkably varied landscape. This region is made up of five of South Africa’s nine biomes, ranging from forest in the Woody Cape area to coastal dunes on the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt. In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on a sunset 4WD safari in Addo Elephant National Park. This is the only national park where you can find the southern right whale and great white shark as well as Africa's five iconic animals – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for your first glimpse of these remarkable creatures.
Day 3 - Tsitsikamma
Travel west towards Tsitsikamma, where forest meets a rugged stretch of Indian Ocean coastline. After arriving, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and enjoy the surroundings. You’ll explore the coast on foot tomorrow.
Day 4 - Tsitsikamma
Get out and about to discover the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park. Start by walking the short Storms River Mouth Trail. You’ll traverse coastal forest to reach the river mouth and a suspension bridge, where you can see views of the Tsitsikamma forest and the Storms River Gorge. Then, take on the Waterfall Trail, which makes up the first section of the famous Otter Trail. Follow the rocky shoreline towards a waterfall overlooking the sea, where you can pause to soak up the views.
Day 5 - Knysna
Continue your drive along the Garden Route, stopping in Plettenberg Bay to visit Old Nick Village. You’ll have time to have lunch and browse the locally run shops – an eclectic range of boutiques selling ceramics, beadwork, textiles and artisanal chocolate. If it’s open during your visit, you can also see textiles being made at the Mungo Weaving Mill. Then, travel to the town of Knysna, set between forested hills beside a protected lagoon. This evening, you can choose to join a sunset cruise on the lagoon. You’re likely to see African black oystercatchers – this bird can be found in the area year-round.
Day 6 - Oudtshoorn
On the way to Mossel Bay, head to the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve for a 4WD safari. This 6000-ha reserve is set against a backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains and is home to rhinos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, mountain zebras and the rare black impala. An impressive array of over 200 bird species can be found here. After, continue to the Point of Human Origins in Mossel Bay for a guided tour. Learn about the archaeological discoveries made in this cave and what they reveal about early human life around 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. Then, travel inland to the town of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo.
Day 7 - Oudtshoorn
Go on a guided tour through the limestone chambers of the Cango Caves, located in the Swartberg Mountains. Learn how the caves formed over millions of years as you pass each chamber filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Some of these formations have names based on what they resemble – keep your eye out for Cleopatra’s Needle and the Dried Tobacco Leaves of Oudtshoorn. Later, you’ll have some free time to explore Oudtshoorn at your own pace or simply relax at your hotel.
Day 8 - Stellenbosch
You’ll have an early start today, rising before the sun to observe wild meerkats near Oudtshoorn as day breaks. Settle in quietly and keep watch as the group emerges from its burrows. Continue to the town of Stellenbosch, passing through the Little Karoo. Stellenbosch is a lively hub of culture, history, food and wine. When you arrive, join your leader for an orientation walk through town. This evening, there’s the option to head to the Kayamandi township for a home-cooked dinner and a chance to hear about life in the community.
Day 9 - Stellenbosch
Spend a free day exploring Stellenbosch and the surrounding countryside your way. If you’d like to explore beyond Stellenbosch’s town centre, consider joining a guided walk through the nearby vineyards, taking you through mountain scenery. This walk is run by a community tourism initiative that employs local guides and hosts, so you’ll get a personal insight into what life is like in this scenic region. If you’re after something more laidback, you could wander through town at your own pace. For those who didn’t join the home-cooked dinner last night, there’s another opportunity to do so tonight.
Day 10 - Cape Town
Witness the raw beauty of the Cape Peninsula today. Follow the peninsula towards Cape Point, where you’ll have time to take in the ocean views. After, head to Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins. Watch the penguins waddling around freely in this protected marine area. African penguins are among the smallest and most endangered species of penguin. Hit the road again, bound for Cape Town, where you have a free evening. Ask your leader for recommendations on where to try some local dishes for dinner – boerewors (a spiral-shaped, spiced sausage) and chakalaka and pap (vegetable stew with cornmeal) are classics.
Day 11 - Cape Town
Today is a free day for you to explore Cape Town at your own pace. Speak to your leader if you need some suggestions to help you plan your day. This evening, join your group for an African food and storytelling experience. You’ll explore the city through the eyes of local entrepreneurs and creatives, meeting the locals who run Cape Town’s restaurants, community kitchens, bookshops and tailors. Along the way, hear how migration and history have shaped this city’s diverse food scene, making stops to take part in four curated tastings at various eateries.
Day 12 - Johannesburg
Say goodbye to Cape Town and take an unescorted flight to Johannesburg. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. You’ll have some free time before your second welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your new trip leader and the travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure. After your meeting, why not head out for an optional group dinner and get to know your new group. Your leader can point you in the right direction with the best bar and restaurant recommendations.
Day 13 - Kruger National Park
Leave Johannesburg early this morning and drive to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. These unusual, cylindrical rock formations have been carved by water erosion over centuries. Then, take in the views over Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, and the Three Rondavels – a trio of peaks named for their resemblance to the traditional beehive-shaped dwellings found throughout Africa. Continue to Kruger National Park, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. There’s the option to go on a 4WD safari at sunset to see more of the local wildlife – sprawling over two million hectares, this is one of the best wildlife destinations in all of Africa.
Day 14 - Kruger National Park
Head out early this morning to embark on a full-day 4WD safari in Kruger National Park. With an expert local guide, you’ll search for elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, elands and a variety of other iconic African wildlife across the park’s diverse landscapes, dotted with baobabs, wild date palms and fever trees with their distinctive yellow-green bark. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the sky – you might see African hawk-eagles, lappet-faced vultures and martial eagles. This evening, get an introduction to an important part of South African cuisine when you head into the bush for a traditional braai (barbecue) dinner.
Day 15 - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After breakfast, travel south, crossing the border into Eswatini. Continue to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll settle into your accommodation, set among the sanctuary’s ancient hardwood trees in the lush Ezulwini Valley. This afternoon, you can opt to visit a Chief Village to learn more about traditional Swazi culture and gain insight into the way of life in rural Eswatini. Try your hand at braiding lutindzi grass or grinding maize and learn a few phrases in siSwati.
Day 16 - Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning is free for you to explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary at your own pace. You might like to join an optional 4WD safari to see even more wildlife. This afternoon, join an expert ranger to explore the sanctuary on foot. Venture through the grasslands, forest and mountainside in search of rhinos, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, impala and smaller critters like snakes, spiders, aardvarks and porcupines.
Day 17 - Saint Lucia
Leave Mlilwane early this morning and cross the border back into South Africa, headed to the St Lucia Estuary. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia is home to a vast diversity of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, leopards, monkeys and baboons. More than 500 bird species have been recorded here, including giant kingfishers, whiskered terns and African fish eagles. When you arrive, hop on a boat cruise along the estuary and look out for wildlife in the water and along the banks.
Day 18 - Saint Lucia
Embark on a 4WD safari through the eastern shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, keeping watch for rhinos, elephants, buffalo, antelopes and others. Next, continue to Cape Vidal, where forested dunes meet the Indian Ocean. You’ll have some time to relax on the sand or maybe go for a refreshing swim. This evening, you’ll have dinner with a local family. Get to know each other and learn about daily life in the area as you tuck into a home-cooked meal.
Day 19 - Drakensberg
Say goodbye to St Lucia and make the scenic drive towards Drakensberg, passing rolling green hills, sugarcane fields and traditional Zulu homesteads. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site to learn about his arrest here in 1962 – a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. Continue the drive, watching the landscape shift from lush valleys and farmland to wide-open grasslands and dramatic rocky peaks. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon. You’ll have some time to relax or stretch your legs on one of the short walking trails nearby.
Day 20 - Drakensberg
Set off on a full-day hike through the unforgettable landscapes of Drakensberg. Follow the Mahai Forest Loop through indigenous forest and sweeping mountain scenery, then stop at Gudu Falls. Descending into the Mahai Valley, pass through a cool forested area where the Mahai River flows. There will be plenty more spots where you can pause to take in the views of the surrounding peaks and valleys as you hike. Return to your lodge later this afternoon.
Day 21 - Johannesburg
After breakfast, make the drive to Johannesburg, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-04-202725-04-2027AUD $ 10,320-
03-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 10,320-
14-06-202704-07-2027AUD $ 10,320-
19-07-202708-08-2027AUD $ 10,320-
16-08-202705-09-2027AUD $ 10,320-
06-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 10,320-
13-09-202703-10-2027AUD $ 10,320-
04-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 10,320-
15-11-202705-12-2027AUD $ 10,320-
13-12-202702-01-2028AUD $ 10,320-

Accommodation

Hotel (11 night), Chalets (2 nights) Guesthouse (1 night), Lodge (6 night)

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Plane

Map

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