South Africa · Route map
Garden Route & Addo Family Adventure
This family-friendly, malaria-free road trip blends the highlights of the Garden Route with crowd-free local coastal escapes and a thrilling wildlife safari.
- 1
Port Elizabeth
arriving Port Elizabeth Airport
Fly in and collect your rental car
- 2
Addo Elephant National Park
2 nights
Malaria-free elephant herds and safari game drives
- 3
Cape St. Francis
2 nights
An pristine, laid-back local beach escape
- 4
Knysna
2 nights
Lagoons, ancient forests, and family adventures
- 5
Wilderness
2 nights
Expansive beaches and gentle canoeing rivers
- 6
George
departing George Airport
Fly home from George Airport
- ✦6 stops · 8 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to the Eastern Cape
Arrive at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Flight · Morning · Port Elizabeth
Land in Port Elizabeth to begin your self-drive adventure.
Collect SUV rental car
Car hire · Morning · Port Elizabeth
Pick up a high-clearance vehicle perfect for gravel park roads.
Request a child safety lock check and a GPS unit before leaving the depot.
Self-drive Port Elizabeth to Addo
Self-drive · Afternoon · Addo
Drive takes approximately one hour on easy, paved roads.
Overnight in Addo Elephant National Park
Accommodation · Evening · Addo
Book a family chalet inside the main camp to hear hyenas calling at night.
Giants of the Addo Bush
Self-drive game viewing in Addo
Excursion · Morning · Addo
Drive slowly to the Hapoor dam waterhole; it is the ultimate spot for herds of bathing elephants.
Guided sunset open-vehicle safari
Excursion · Afternoon · Addo
A two-hour drive with an expert ranger to spot lions and black rhino.
Pack warm windbreakers for everyone, as the temperature drops rapidly when the sun sets.
Overnight in Addo Elephant National Park
Accommodation · Evening · Addo
Coastward to Cape St. Francis
Self-drive Addo to Cape St. Francis
Self-drive · Morning · Cape St. Francis
Drive takes just under two hours via the N2 highway.
Visit the SANCCOB Seabird Rehabilitation Centre
Excursion · Afternoon · Cape St. Francis
Time your visit for the afternoon feeding schedule to see rescued African penguins up close.
Afternoon exploring the wild rock pools
At leisure · Afternoon · Cape St. Francis
Walk towards the historic Seal Point Lighthouse where the rockpools are teeming with starfish.
Overnight in Cape St. Francis
Accommodation · Evening · Cape St. Francis
Stay in a self-catering beach cottage right behind the dune line.
Canals and Coastline Walks
St. Francis canals boat cruise
Excursion · Morning · St. Francis Bay
A relaxed cruise along the scenic, winding residential canal system.
Look out for giant kingfishers nesting along the thatched-roof harbor banks.
Family beach day at Sunset Beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Cape St. Francis
Grab takeaway fish and chips from the local port outlet to eat on the sand.
Overnight in Cape St. Francis
Accommodation · Evening · Cape St. Francis
Ancient Forests to Knysna Lagoon
Self-drive Cape St. Francis to Knysna
Self-drive · Morning · Knysna
A scenic three-hour drive stopping at Tsitsikamma bridge.
Break the drive at Marilyn's 60s Diner in Storms River for retro milkshakes.
Sunset oyster cruise on Knysna Lagoon
Excursion · Afternoon · Knysna
The lagoon waters are calm enough that even kids prone to motion sickness will enjoy this.
Overnight in Knysna
Accommodation · Evening · Knysna
Choose a guesthouse on Thesen Island so the kids can safely walk to restaurants.
Castles and Forest Feathers
Beach walk at Noetzie Castle Beach
Excursion · Morning · Knysna
The steep stairs down keep the crowds away, leaving this magical beach almost empty.
Stroll the Knysna Waterfront
At leisure · Afternoon · Knysna
Stop by the local sweet shops for traditional South African fudge and koeksisters.
Overnight in Knysna
Accommodation · Evening · Knysna
Lakes and Boardwalks of Wilderness
Self-drive Knysna to Wilderness
Self-drive · Morning · Wilderness
Drive takes roughly 40 minutes along the gorgeous coastal road.
Half-collared Kingfisher Trail boardwalk walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Wilderness
An easy family walk inside the Garden Route National Park.
Wear swimwear underneath your clothes to enjoy a refreshing dip in the waterfall pool.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Book a timber chalet overlooking the Touw River lagoon.
Canoeing the Wilderness Waters
Canoe safari on the Touw River
Excursion · Morning · Wilderness
Rent family-sized canoes to paddle the calm, forested national park waterways.
Keep quiet under the overhanging branches to spot the bright green Knysna turaco.
Beach play at Wilderness Beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Wilderness
The waves here are powerful; stick to sandcastle building and paddle on the lagoon edge.
Overnight in Wilderness
Accommodation · Evening · Wilderness
Departure from George
Self-drive Wilderness to George Airport
Self-drive · Morning · George
An easy 25-minute drive inland over the Kaaimans River pass.
Drop off rental car
Car hire · Morning · George
Return the car keys at the George airport terminal depot.
Fly out of George Airport
Flight · Afternoon · George
Catch your domestic flight connecting to your international flight home.
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