Cape Town, the Garden Route and a safari is South Africa’s classic first trip. Here are three itineraries — 7, 10 and 14 days — with realistic driving times and the best place to slot in your game drives.
Last checked: 29 September 2026 — prices and conditions change, always confirm before booking.
Best Garden Route safari tours in 2026
Key distances
- Cape Town → Albertinia (Garden Route Game Lodge): ~360 km, 3.5 h
- Cape Town → Mossel Bay: ~390 km, 4 h
- Mossel Bay → George: 45 km · George → Knysna: 60 km · Knysna → Plettenberg Bay: 30 km
- Plettenberg Bay → Storms River (Tsitsikamma): ~65 km
- Plettenberg Bay → Addo Elephant National Park: ~250 km, 3 h
7 days: Cape Town + Garden Route + safari
- Days 1–2: Cape Town (Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, Boulders penguins).
- Day 3: Drive to the Garden Route; afternoon arrival at a safari lodge near Albertinia or Mossel Bay, sunset drive.
- Day 4: Sunrise drive, then on to Knysna.
- Day 5: Knysna lagoon and Plettenberg Bay.
- Day 6: Tsitsikamma (Storms River suspension bridge).
- Day 7: Fly home from George, or drive back to Cape Town via Route 62.
10 days: add the Klein Karoo and Addo
- Days 1–3: Cape Town and the Winelands.
- Day 4: Hermanus (whales June–November), then Garden Route safari lodge.
- Day 5: Morning drive, afternoon in Mossel Bay.
- Day 6: Oudtshoorn: sunrise meerkats, Cango Caves.
- Days 7–8: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma.
- Days 9–10: Addo Elephant National Park, fly out of Gqeberha.
14 days: Garden Route + Kruger
For a wilder safari, add Kruger at the end: fly from George or Gqeberha to Johannesburg (or direct from Cape Town to airports near the park) and spend 3–4 nights in a private reserve bordering Kruger. Note that the Kruger area is a malaria-risk zone; ask your doctor for advice.
- Days 1–3: Cape Town.
- Days 4–9: Garden Route with one safari night, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma.
- Day 10: Flight to the Kruger area.
- Days 11–13: Kruger game drives.
- Day 14: Flight home via Johannesburg.
Self-drive or guided tour?
Driving in South Africa is easy on the N2 (left-hand traffic). A rental car gives you flexibility for lodges and viewpoints. Guided tours remove the logistics and often include the safari; they are a good option for solo travellers.
Where to sleep on safari
The lodge choice shapes the whole trip. Compare them in our best Garden Route safari lodges guide, or check our Big 5 comparison if seeing all the big animals matters most.
Pros and cons at a glance
- ✔ Pros
- Easy self-drive on the N2
- Mixes coast, wildlife and wine country
- Easy to extend to Addo or Kruger
- ✘ Cons
- Several long driving days
- High prices and crowds in December
- Kruger adds flights and malaria precautions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Cape Town and the Garden Route with a safari?
At least 7 days; 10 days is more comfortable and lets you add Addo or the Klein Karoo.
Should I combine Kruger with the Garden Route?
If you have 12 days or more, yes. Otherwise the Garden Route reserves already offer a very good Big 5 safari.
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