14 DAYS SOUTH AFRICA: GARDEN ROUTE PLUS ADDO ELEPHANTS

Welcome to George, the second-largest city in the Western Cape, right on the Garden Route. Fetch your rental car and get ready for the first part of your road trip – a short and sweet one, because today is all about relaxing! Drive south on the N2 for 48 kilometres, and you'll reach Mossel Bay in less than 35 minutes. Check into your hotel and find your beach slippers and shorts. The sandy white beaches are waiting for you, and the most important thing for today is a lazy stroll to the harbour or the lighthouse and a sundowner with your toes in the sand!

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Accommodations:

• Silver African Oceans Manor on the Beach
• Gold The Point Hotel and Spa
• Platinum The Village Lodge @ Botlierskop

Framed by forested hills and endless stretches of sand, Wilderness is a seaside gem that lives up to its name - wild, beautiful, and blissfully unhurried. Start with a few lazy hours on the beach, then follow the shoreline to a peaceful lagoon where you can drift along in a canoe or take a scenic cruise on the Touw River. The town centre is small but full of charm, with cosy cafés, artisan shops, lively retaurants and a friendly buzz. Nature lovers will adore the Wilderness section of the Garden Route, where they can explore lush walking trails like the Kingfisher Trail, while those with a camera in hand shouldn’t miss the Map-of-Africa viewpoint - a twist in the river that really does look like the continent from above.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Fairy Knowe Hotel
• Gold The Ocean View Guest House
• Platinum Escape to the Beach

Knysna is a coastal treasure where forest trails, white sandy beaches and rich cultural heritage meet. The town’s story is deeply tied to the Houtunqua people, but today it’s also known for its mix of adventure and relaxation. Start with the iconic Knysna Heads – two dramatic cliffs guarding the lagoon’s mouth – perfect for breathtaking views and an obligatory sundowner. The next day, take a ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve for a walk or kayak trip through its shallow waters. Spend some time on the pristine shores of Buffalo Bay, and wrap up your visit at the bustling Waterfront, where boutique shops and mouth-watering eateries keep the vibe lively well into the evening.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Premier Resort The Moorings
• Gold Knysna Hollow Country Estate
• Platinum Pezula Nature Retreat

Plettenberg Bay – or ‘Plett’ as the locals like to call it – is where golden beaches, lush forests, enchanting lagoons and the dramatic Robberg Nature Reserve all meet in one postcard-perfect scene. Ocean lovers will be in their element here: snorkel colourful reefs, swim alongside playful Cape Fur Seals, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins riding the waves. From July to December, the bay turns into a prime whale-watching stage. And here’s an insider secret: Plett is South Africa’s smallest wine region, with 57 kilometres of boutique vineyards dotting the coast from Packwood to the Crags. Order a crisp local white, sink your toes into the sand, and let the good life come to you.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Plett Quarter Hotel
• Gold The Robberg Beach Lodge
• Platinum The Plettenberg

The Tsitsikamma National Park encompasses 80 kilometres of untamed coastline, dotted with glorious beaches, fynbos and evergreen coastal forest. Today the thrills don’t come from spotting lions (although you might see whales from June to November), but from conquering epic hikes, walking the 2 kilometres long suspension bridge over the Storms River, plunging into waterfalls and trying exhilarating outdoor activities... scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and tubing to name a few. And the adrenaline lovers among us can do the highest bungee jump in the world or an exciting tree-top canopy zip-line tour. Adventures galore!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa
• Gold The Fernery Lodge and Spa
• Platinum Misty Mountain Reserve (Misty Domes)

Jeffreys Bay – or J-Bay to the locals – is a legendary surf town best known for its prime beaches, epic waves and laid-back surfers vibe. With world-renowned surf spots like Supertubes, Point and Kitchen Window, it’s a mecca for surfers chasing fast, powerful breaks reaching up to 12 feet. But there’s more: go sandboarding, stroll nature reserves, or visit the shell museum. J-Bay is also famous for its handmade leather goods, shell art and surf-inspired fashion (go shopping in Surf Village!) - plus a cool craft beer brewery to match the scene. And don’t leave without trying the local calamari, fresh from the ocean and straight to your plate.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver The Ocean Bay Luxury Guesthouse
• Gold On the Beach Guesthouse
• Platinum Canal Guest House - Waterfront Accommodation

Addo Elephant National Park is the country’s third-largest game reserve, located right along South Africa's iconic Garden Route (meaning your drive already takes your breath away!). The park is home to more than 600 elephants AND to the Big Seven. Wait, what now? Yes, you read that right, the Big Seven! In Addo, the famous Big Five family of large safari animals extends its reach into the ocean to include the humongous southern right whale and the great white shark. And Addo is the only place where you have a chance to see them all!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Barefoot Addo Elephant Lodge
• Gold Elephant House
• Platinum Kuzuko Lodge

The last drive of your itinerary is the one from Addo Elephant National Park to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where you'll catch your flight. The drive is 112 kilometres and you can choose to take the route through the countryside or the one along the coastline. Both should lead you to your destination in 1.5 hours. Enjoy the magnificent scenery one last time and reminisce about your Big Seven encounters and all the other memories made.

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