SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1 - UK to Port Elizabeth

Fly from London to Port Elizabeth, arriving next day.

Day 2 - Port Elizabeth

You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay - stay an extra few nights if you prefer. Port Elizabeth is a relaxed town with a great beach, and makes a good starting point to your itinerary.

Day 3 - Port Elizabeth to the Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Collect your car from the Port Elizabeth depot - costs include a Toyota Corolla or similar, although there’s a good selection of options available. Depart Port Elizabeth and drive to your Eastern Cape Game Reserve (approx 1.5-2 hours), for a three night stay. Arrive in good time for your afternoon game drive.

Driving is fairly straightforward in South Africa, with well maintained roads which are generally fairly quiet outside of the main towns. Driving is on the left and most laws and customs are familiar to UK drivers. Do bear in mind that all drivers will need a valid drivers licence plus the DVLA online code and printout, along with a credit card in the name of the main driver for deposit purposes. Other T&C’s apply - just ask for details!

Days 4-5 - Eastern Cape Game Reserves

Spend the next few days on safari - park up your car as you’re in the hands of the experts, with morning and afternoon game drives in the reserve to see as much wildlife as possible. Many of the game reserves are home to the ‘big 5’, so expect superb wildlife sighting and a real thrill.

Day 6 - Eastern Cape Game Reserves to Tsitsikamma

After your final game drive on safari it’s around a three hour drive to the beautiful Tsitsikamma area, perhaps stopping for coffee in pretty Jeffreys Bay on the way. Take in some of the magnificent forest and coastal scenery of the Tsitsikamma area on a hike - Tsitsikamma National Park is a beautiful area of forests and coastline, so make time to explore the area. Check in to your accommodation in the village of Storms River for an overnight stay.

Day 7 - Tsitsikamma to Knysna

From Tsitsikamma it’s around an hour and a half to Knysna - be sure to stop at the Bloukrans Bridge, a spectacular crossing of a deep river valley and home to one of the world’s highest bungee jumps, with perhaps a final stop of the day in Plettenberg Bay before arriving in to Knysna and your chosen hotel, for a two night stay.

Day 8 - Knysna

Consider taking a day off driving today and perhaps head to the water - Knysna Lagoon is a beautiful area and boat trips are popular here. Alternatively, sample some of Knysna’s renowned food in one of the numerous restaurants.

Day 9 - Knysna to Oudtshoorn

From Knysna head along the coast to George and inland to Oudtshoorn (approx 1.5 hours), perhaps stopping in Wilderness to see if you can spot any dolphins in the sea. Alternatively, head inland via the scenic Route 62 and Prince Alfred’s Pass (approx 3 hours) for a more diverse route. On arrival, check in to your hotel for an overnight stay. Oudtshoorn is the unofficial ostrich capital of the world - the birds have been reared here since the 1870’s and gave the town its wealth.

Day 10 - Oudtshoorn to Plettenberg Bay

Depending on the route you chose to get to Oudtshoorn, return to the coast either via the inland route or direct to George, and continue to Plettenberg Bay (approx 2-3 hours). Check in to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 11 - Plettenberg Bay

Spend a day in and around Plettenberg Bay, visiting the beach and taking in the town’s relaxed seaside atmosphere. Southern Right Whales and dolphins are often seen close to shore.

Day 12 - Return

It’s a around a 2.5 hour drive to Port Elizabeth today, petrhaps returning to the beautiful Tsitsikamma area to take in some more of the magnificent forest and coastal scenery. On arrival at Port Elizabeth and the airport you will drop off your vehicle and check in for your flight back to the UK.

Eastern Cape Safari & the Garden Route Fly-Drive Holiday

Your South Africa itinerary starts on safari in the Eastern Cape, where the ‘big 5’ are found, before heading to the beautiful Garden Route taking in gorgeous Knysna, the ostriches of Oudsthoorn and relaxed Plettenberg Bay.

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2025/26 fly-drive package holidays to Eastern Cape Safari and the Garden Route South Africa Holiday prices are per person based on two sharing, including flights, accommodation and car hire, and are subject to availability. Flights from Heathrow - other departures also available, call for details. Holiday Code J0525W.