9-Day Private Garden Route, Safari & Cape Town Tour from Port Elizabeth
Discover South Africa on a 9-day private Garden Route & Cape Town tour from Port Elizabeth. Enjoy safaris, wine tastings, coastal drives, and 4-star stays.
This exclusive 8-night, 9-day private journey begins in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and ends in Cape Town, offering a perfectly balanced blend of safari, scenic beauty, wildlife encounters, and cultural highlights. Designed for travelers who value comfort, flexibility, and authentic experiences, the tour features handpicked 4-star guesthouses and the services of a knowledgeable private guide throughout. Traveling at your own pace allows you to discover both iconic landmarks and hidden gems, creating unforgettable memories along South Africa’s most celebrated routes.
Day 1
Upon arrival in Port Elizabeth, you are warmly welcomed by your private guide and depart directly for your first safari adventure. The day begins with a morning game drive in Addo Elephant National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds as well as buffalo, antelope, and rich birdlife. After lunch at leisure, the journey continues to Schotia Private Game Reserve for an atmospheric sunset safari, culminating in a traditional bush dinner under the stars. This immersive introduction to South African wildlife sets the tone for the remarkable journey ahead, with overnight accommodation in the Addo area.
Day 2
The following day takes you westward along the scenic Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park, a region celebrated for its dramatic coastline, ancient indigenous forests, and the iconic suspension bridge spanning the Storms River mouth. After exploring the park’s natural beauty, you will visit either Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight bird sanctuary, or Monkeyland, the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. After lunch at leisure, the journey continues to Knysna, where you settle into a luxurious lagoon-facing guesthouse for the evening.
Day 3
Day three begins with a morning boat cruise on the tranquil Knysna Lagoon, passing through the famous Knysna Heads and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. From here, the route turns inland towards Oudtshoorn, where you explore the spectacular Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders formed over millions of years. After lunch en route, you arrive in Oudtshoorn and check into a 4-star guesthouse, where dinner and breakfast are included.
Day 4
On day four, the adventure continues with an ostrich safari experience, offering fascinating insight into the region’s most iconic inhabitants. This is followed by a scenic drive over the Swartberg Pass, weather and road conditions permitting. As a UNESCO-listed mountain pass, it provides dramatic landscapes and panoramic views across the Little Karoo, making it one of South Africa’s most memorable drives. The afternoon is spent at leisure before returning to your accommodation in Oudtshoorn.
Day 5
Day five showcases the legendary Route 62 as you travel through the heart of the Little Karoo, passing charming towns such as Barrydale and Calitzdorp, known for their port wines and relaxed country atmosphere. A stop at Four Cousins Wine Estate in the Breede River Valley allows for a wine tasting or optional food and wine pairing experience. The journey then continues towards the Cape Winelands, where you settle in for the night surrounded by rolling vineyards and mountain backdrops.
Day 6
The sixth day is dedicated to exploring the renowned Cape Winelands. Highlights include a cheese and wine tasting at a historic estate in Paarl, a chocolate tasting at the Spice Route, and a visit to Drakenstein Prison, marking the site of Nelson Mandela’s final steps to freedom. In Franschhoek, the gourmet capital of the Western Cape, there is time to stroll through boutique shops and enjoy lunch at one of the town’s acclaimed restaurants. The day concludes with a scenic drive over Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch, where a final wine tasting at the prestigious Delaire Graff Estate offers spectacular views and world-class wines before returning to Cape Town.
Day 7
Day seven is devoted to a full Cape Peninsula tour, beginning with a drive along the Atlantic Seaboard past Sea Point and Camps Bay to the fishing village of Hout Bay. Weather permitting, a boat trip to Seal Island follows, after which the journey continues along the iconic Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. After lunch at leisure, the tour visits Simon’s Town and the famous penguin colony at Boulders Beach before returning to Cape Town along the scenic False Bay coastline.
Day 8
On day eight, the route takes you over Sir Lowry’s Pass into the fertile Elgin Valley before continuing to Hermanus, widely regarded as the whale-watching capital of the world. During whale season, guests may choose to join an optional boat-based whale-watching excursion. Lunch is enjoyed at the renowned Bientang’s Cave restaurant, followed by a spectacular coastal drive along Clarence Drive with a stop at Stony Point in Betty’s Bay to view the resident penguin colony, before returning to Cape Town for the final night.
Day 9
The journey concludes on day nine with a final exploration of Cape Town’s highlights. Weather permitting, a cable car ride to the summit of Table Mountain offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and surrounding ocean. A visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens provides a tranquil farewell to South Africa, showcasing the country’s remarkable indigenous flora. You are then transferred to Cape Town International Airport or your onward destination, marking the end of an exceptional private tour experience.