Explore the Eastern Cape and Garden Route on a 7-day tour from Port Elizabeth. Spot the Big Five in Addo Elephant Park, hike in Mountain Zebra National Park, and visit the Cango Caves.

Begin your journey in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where you will be collected from your hotel or the airport and transferred to Addo Elephant National Park. Start with an afternoon game drive through this renowned reserve, home to the Big Five and boasting the world’s densest elephant population. As you traverse the park, look out for herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, and, with a bit of luck, even lions. Spend your first night at a lodge or SANParks rest camp within the Addo region.

On Day 2, the route turns inland to Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock. A game drive introduces you to the park’s rugged beauty, with opportunities to spot cheetah, black wildebeest, and the endangered Cape mountain zebra. The highlight here is a guided Karoo hike with a ranger, offering a deeper look at the area’s fascinating geology, indigenous flora, and smaller wildlife species. Overnight accommodation is provided in the park’s rest camp or a nearby lodge

The following day takes you to Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa’s oldest towns, set within the spectacular Camdeboo National Park. Here, you’ll explore the dramatic Valley of Desolation, where towering dolerite cliffs rise above sweeping Karoo plains. A sunset picnic at this iconic viewpoint creates a magical ending to the day before resting in a charming guesthouse or lodge in Graaff-Reinet.

Your journey continues on Day 4 through wide Karoo landscapes to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. A guided ostrich farm tour reveals fascinating insights into these remarkable birds before you venture underground into the Cango Caves, with their vast chambers and striking limestone formations — one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Overnight accommodation will be in a comfortable country lodge or guesthouse in Oudtshoorn.

From the arid Karoo, the scenery transforms on Day 5 as you travel via the Outeniqua Pass into the lush greenery of the Garden Route. Arriving in Wilderness National Park, you can enjoy canoeing on the Touw River, a short forest walk, or simply relax along the pristine beach. A boutique guesthouse or forest lodge provides the perfect overnight stay in Wilderness.

On Day 6, you’ll explore more Garden Route treasures. Begin with a lagoon cruise in Knysna, taking in panoramic views of the famous Knysna Heads. In the afternoon, travel to Plettenberg Bay for a visit to Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight aviary, where hundreds of species flourish in a spectacular forest sanctuary. Overnight stay in storms river.

The final leg of your journey unfolds on Day 7 with a visit to Tsitsikamma National Park, where forest-clad mountains meet the wild coastline. You can enjoy short walks, admire the dramatic suspension bridge over the Storms River mouth, and breathe in the fresh ocean air before returning to Port Elizabeth, where your 7-day adventure concludes.

Enjoy watching a lot of elephants in their large numbers

Introduction to karoo land of thirst enjoy this arid area with a game drive

Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa’s oldest towns, set within the spectacular Camdeboo National Park

Your journey continues on Day 4 through wide Karoo landscapes to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.

Arriving in Wilderness National Park, from the arid Karoo, the scenery transforms on Day 5 as you travel via the Outeniqua Pass into the lush greenery of the Garden Route

On Day 6, you’ll explore more Garden Route treasures.

The final leg of your journey unfolds on Day 7 with a visit to Tsitsikamma National Park, where forest-clad mountains meet the wild coastline.