Wildlife Safaris in Garden Route: 15 Sorted by Price

1.2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 928 reviews · 2 days · from $533Our pick

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to 12 with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Hermanus, Betty’s Bay, and Cape Agulhas before an overnight at Garden Route Game Lodge. Expect two game drives, a three-course dinner, breakfast, and a long but scenic return journey.

“We had the absolute best few days! This was mainly down to Franks attentive personality and he could not do enough for us! He was a great driver and very informative. I actually learnt so much about South Africa. He was very caring and also great with the kids. Frank stopped at some amazing parts of the coast. The lodge is stunning and our safari guide was great also. We saw all the main animals and had a great stay. It was such value for money. Thanks Frank for making this a memory for life!”

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2.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 872 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Spend a full day in Addo Elephant National Park in a shared, air-conditioned 4x4 Jeep with a maximum of 10 people. Guides such as Freddy, John, Sidwell, and King Elvis are praised for sharp animal spotting and lively park knowledge. Expect two game drives, lunch, hotel pickup, and close elephant encounters.

“Sidwell was an amazing Guide! I had so much fun, he showed us the best spots and made sure we got enough time for the pictures. Thank you so much Sidwell.”

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3.Little Brak River: Botlierskop Guided Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 589 reviews · from $40Best value

Spend three hours in an open safari vehicle at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve near Little Brak River. An English-speaking guide such as Chris, Neil, Mandela, or Memory takes you through a 4,200-hectare reserve in search of lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, and more. Allow time afterward for lunch, the pool, and mountain views.

“Botlierskop is a wonderful, upmarket place for a game drive. Despite not seeing any lions (there had been lots the day before, we were told!), we had a great time and saw numerous other animals and birds, from giraffe to zebra to rhinos. We were confident that our driver/ranger wanted us to see as much as possible. And boy, did he work that bone-shaker four wheel drive to the max! Lunch was great too. Highly recommened and excellent value for three hours. Thank you.”

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4.Full-Day All Inclusive Safari with Traditional Braai Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 345 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Join guides such as Steven, Steve, or Mostaff for a nine-hour Addo Elephant National Park safari from Port Elizabeth or Colchester. Two game drives cover morning and afternoon wildlife activity, with time for elephants, lions, rhino, buffalo, zebra, and more. A fire-cooked braai, drinks, park fees, and hotel pickup are included.

“We can highly recommend the tour and our guide Steven. Besides having some bad weather he was able to give us the best experience possible - which was amazing btw. Seing elephants passing your car within 5m is absolutly outstanding. Steven is always trying to provide the best photo spots and offers to stop wherever and as long as you want to. The Braai was very delicious and even the veggie option looked very very Good. As we have been on our first safari we can recommend booking a guided tour as they are able to tell you a lot about flora and fauna + you are free to watch…”

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5.5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari – Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $575Top rated

Travel from Cape Town through Route 62, Oudtshoorn, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and Wilderness. You’ll share a minivan with up to 25 people, sleep in changing accommodation, and mix included visits with optional bungy jumping, ziplining, surfing, horseback riding, and safari drives. Guides such as Isaac, Maudi, and Uriel are known for careful planning and local insight.

“The itinerary was excellent and well planned out with a variety of options. Pick up and drop off were easily arranged and the accommodation was good throughout. I think I would if repeated splash out on the deluxe accommodation as they looked amazing. The driving was a lot as there was so much to see and do ....if im honest this was a slight negative but just a personal thing. What made the tour was our guide Neville. What a great guide and a great guy. He looked after us like we were family he was knowledge and enthusiastic and nothing was too much trouble for him he worked so…”

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6.6-Day Garden Route & Addo South African Adventure from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 282 reviews · from $675

This six-day Earthstompers Adventures road trip links Cape Agulhas, Betty’s Bay, the Klein Karoo, Wilderness, Tsitsikamma, Mossel Bay, and Addo Elephant National Park. A local guide such as Gareth, Ferne, Wendy, or Christine leads up to 12 people in an air-conditioned minivan, with five nights’ lodging, four dinners, four breakfasts, canoeing, wine tasting, and a safari included.

“A once in a lifetime experience! Friendly tour guide with amazing group of people. The scenery is breathtaking and the accomidation is in great locations, the activities are thrilling. Fantastic calue for money.”

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7.Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve: 2-Hour Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 267 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

Meet at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve Safari Center for a two-hour, English-language game drive through a 2,200-hectare reserve. A game ranger leads you toward rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, birds, and possibly other Big Five animals. Bring a warm jacket and arrive 30 minutes early.

“The Safari was great, we saw a lot of animals and the guide was super nice and kommunicative. It was about a two hour tour, I wish we could stay a little longer like until three hours. Because it was just awesome to watch them!”

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8.Schotia Game Reserve Safari with Port Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 263 reviews · 5 hours · from $233

From Port Elizabeth Harbor, you’ll ride to Schotia Private Game Reserve for a guided open-vehicle safari. Guides such as Norman, Marilyn, Donald, and Robert work with other drivers to find elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, and more. Snacks, drinks, conservation fees, and return transport are included.

“We had a fantastic tour. Our guide Norman was incredible and went way above and beyond to make sure we saw every animal possible. Really special day and would recommend in a heart beat. My only slight complaint was no seatbelts in the bus to the reserve. 45 minute journey each way on fast roads and I didn’t have a seatbelt for my 9 year old daughter or myself.”

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9.Botlierskop Private Game Reserve: 3.5-Hour Sunset Game Drive

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 227 reviews · from $64

Spend 3.5 hours on a late-afternoon open-vehicle drive through Botlierskop Private Game Reserve near Mossel Bay. An English-speaking guide such as Mel, Alex, Kevin, or Rico leads you toward rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and cheetahs, with a drinks and snack stop along the way. Children under six cannot join.

“Bumpy ride but the most comfortable ride and our guide Mel was fantastic and a very safe driver. the afternoon teas was a great treat and good chance to ask questions. Highly recommend this experience!”

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10.5-Day Best of Garden Route and Addo Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 221 reviews · 5 days · from $675

Travel from Cape Town in a small group of up to 13, with an English-speaking guide such as Uriel, Isaac, TK, or Maudi depending on departure. Expect about 1,900 kilometers of scenic driving, four nights’ lodging, Route 62 wine tasting, Cango Caves, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma, Knysna, and a private-reserve 4x4 safari.

“5 wonderful days with so many lovely activities! The itinerary was packed with amazing things to do- ziplining, horse riding, bungee jumping, safaris, wine tasting, ostrich farm and many more! Isaac is an unbeliavably nice guide! He drives smoothly, he gives info about places we pass by, he is friendly and relaxed, he is polite and discreet and simultaneously always available to give solutions and advice with everyting! All accommodation places were either very nice or supurb! We were given actually the glamping upgrade in Baffelsdrift - it was such an amazing luxurius and beautiful stay, beyond any expectation! The private safari in Botlierskop was unexpectedly beautiful and our guide…”

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11.Addo Elephant Park All-Inclusive Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 199 reviews · 8 hours · from $176

You’ll travel from Port Elizabeth into Addo Elephant National Park for morning and afternoon game drives, guided by specialists such as Gary, Nina, Emmanuel, or Xolisa. Expect elephants, zebras, buffalo, antelope, birds, and perhaps lions or rhinos. Hotel, airport, and harbour pickup, park entry, lunch, and refreshments are included.

“Perfect day, vehicle and guide. Godwin went out of his way to ensure we all had good view and understanding of numerous animals encountered. One of the best national park experience we have enjoyed in south Africa. Thanks so much Godwin.”

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12.3 Day Garden Route’s Best Highlights with Safari from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $366

Travel from Cape Town along Route 62 for Cango Caves, a calm Wilderness canoe trip, Bloukrans Bridge, and a 4x4 safari at Botlierskop. You will cover about 1,200 kilometers in three days, with two breakfasts, two nights of lodging, and guides such as Neville, Moudi, or JP depending on departure.

“It was a perfect experience for those who don't have a long time in Cape Town and we went to many places I like it. And the guide Paul was very helpful and gave us information about what we visited. I will recommend this tour”

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13.3 Day Garden Route Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $445

Travel from Cape Town along South Africa’s Garden Route on a small-group trip capped at 13 people. You’ll visit Botlierskop and Albertinia for two 4x4 safari drives, hike near Nature’s Valley, kayak in Wilderness, and have optional bungy jumping or ziplining. Guides may include Asanda, King, Didi, or Sbu.

“The tour was a very good one. We went for 2 drive games, also a nice kayaking, and for the braves: bungy jumping. Asanda our guide was great !! He was always trying to tell us everything about his beautiful country Southafrica. So thanks Asanda for all !!!!”

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14.Addo National Park: Guided Half-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 175 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Spend four hours exploring Addo National Park’s northern Big 5 viewing area in a closed Toyota Land Cruiser with a guide such as Steven or Donald. Expect local wildlife stories, drinks, snacks, and help spotting animals through large retractable windows. Addo village pickup is available, while the R492 park fee is paid separately.

“Our Guide went extra mile for the best experience of Addo. Highly Recommended and must Visit.”

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15.Garden Route and Addo Elephant Park 6-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 175 reviews · 6 days · from $852

Travel in a small group of up to 12 from Cape Town to Addo Elephant National Park and back. You will visit Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, and Mossel Bay, with canoeing, hiking, wine tasting, an ostrich farm tour, safari, and five nights of accommodation included. Guides such as Gareth and Christine are known for keeping the trip lively and well organized.

“Steph is very sweet, I think that we are lucky that she was our guide”

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