Drifters Krüger Park & Garden Route

This is the ideal trip for anyone who wants to experience South Africa’s top highlights—including Kruger National Park, the Garden Route, and Cape Town—at a leisurely pace over the course of just under two weeks. You’ll travel with your German-speaking tour guides in an air-conditioned vehicle and stay in upscale, superior-category hotels and lodges. This tour requires a minimum of two participants, and the maximum group size is eight.

In the world-famous Kruger National Park and an adjacent private game reserve, you’ll go on a Big Five safari in an open-top SUV. Afterward, you’ll marvel at the scenic highlights of the Panorama Route, including, of course, the Blyde River Canyon. You’ll continue on to the Garden Route via a domestic flight. In Tsitsikamma National Park, you’ll discover dense forests and a spectacular cliff-lined coastline. In Knysna, you’ll set out on a relaxing boat ride across the picturesque lagoon as the sun sets. In Plettenberg Bay, you’ll embark on a marine safari and, with a little luck, spot dolphins, seals, waterfowl, and—depending on the season—whales. Afterward, you’ll leave the evergreen coast behind and head inland to the arid Klein Karoo semi-desert. You’ll visit the Cango Caves, a stunning stalactite cave formation, and a local ostrich farm. Traveling along the scenic Route 62, you’ll reach the Cape and its “Mother City,” Cape Town—one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Of course, you’ll explore Table Mountain, the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, Cape Point National Park, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Start dates and prices 2026/27 as PDF

Day 1 Johannesburg
At the Johannesburg airport, you will be personally greeted by an English-speaking representative from our transfer service. As you exit the secure area, please look for someone holding a sign with your name on it. You will be driven to your accommodations in the upscale Rosebank neighborhood. There, you can relax after your long flight or explore the area on your own. Rosebank has a large shopping center and several galleries and museums. For dinner, you’ll have a wide selection of restaurants to choose from (not included; payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at the Clico Boutique Hotel or similar.

Day 2 Kruger Park
Early in the morning at 6:00 a.m., your German-speaking tour guide will pick you up at your hotel. Now the first part of your South Africa adventure begins. The drive takes you east into the province of Mpumalanga, also known as the Province of the Rising Sun. Along the way, you’ll stop for a light lunch (not included; payable on site). In the early afternoon, you’ll arrive at the famous Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest national park and home to countless African wildlife species, including the Big Five. You’ll experience your first safari from the comfort of your tour vehicle. Your destination is a lodge in Kruger National Park, which you’ll reach in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay with half board at the Skukuza Safari Lodge or similar.

Day 3 Kruger Park
The day begins early with coffee and rusks (traditional South African hardtack), as you set off on a full-day game drive in an open-top SUV through Kruger Park. Breakfast today will be a picnic at a beautiful spot with a view. You’ll spend the entire day exploring the park in search of exciting wildlife sightings. In addition to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), Kruger National Park is home to about 150 other mammal species, 500 bird species, and 150 amphibian and reptile species. You’ll stop at one of the rest camps for a light lunch (not included; payable on site). In the early evening, you’ll return to your lodge, where—weather permitting—dinner awaits you at the boma, the traditional dining area by the campfire (or alternatively in the restaurant).
Overnight stay with half board at the Skukuza Safari Lodge or similar.

Day 4: Private Game Reserve
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll embark on your final Kruger Park safari in the tour vehicle. Around noon, you’ll leave the park and head to one of the private game reserves, which are also home to the Big Five. Unlike the state-run Kruger Park, only overnight guests are allowed access to the private reserves, ensuring a very intimate safari experience. Upon arrival at your lodge, a late lunch will be waiting for you. Afterward, you’ll set out on your next safari in an open-air 4x4, which will last until dusk. Weather permitting, dinner will once again be served at the boma (or alternatively in the restaurant).
Overnight stay with full board at Makalali River Lodge or similar.

Day 5: Panorama Route
Once again, the day begins early at dawn as you embark on your final safari in an open-air 4x4. Say goodbye to the bush and its inhabitants. After breakfast, you’ll leave the private game reserve and head for the highlights of the Panorama Route. The most famous viewpoint is, of course, the Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondawels rock formation. But you won’t want to miss Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Lisbon Falls, God’s Window, and The Pinnacle either. Along the way, you’ll stop for a light lunch (not included; payable on site). In the early evening, you’ll arrive at your accommodations in the small village of Graskop. Dinner will be served at your accommodations.
Overnight stay with half board at the Hoyohoyo Angel’s View Hotel or similar.

Day 6: Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll begin your return journey to Johannesburg. Along the way, you’ll stop for a light lunch (not included; payable on site). In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the Johannesburg airport, where you’ll say goodbye to your tour guide. To pass the time until your flight to Port Elizabeth, you’ll have access to an airport lounge in the domestic terminal. There you can relax; drinks and snacks are available free of charge for dinner. After your late arrival in Port Elizabeth, once you’ve exited the security area, you’ll be personally greeted by an English-speaking representative from our transfer service and driven to your accommodations.
Overnight stay with breakfast at Hacklewood Hills Country House or similar.

Day 7: Tsitsikamma National Park to Kynsna
After breakfast, your new German-speaking tour guide will pick you up, and you’ll set off on the second part of your South African adventure. The drive takes you west toward Tsitsikamma National Park. This is where the famous Garden Route begins—a stretch of coastline featuring dense forests, endless beaches, and countless rivers and lakes. At the mouth of the Storms River, you’ll take a short hike to the Suspension Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean. Afterward, a light lunch is on the agenda (not included; payable on site). The journey continues to Knysna with its famous lagoon. After checking in at your accommodation, you’ll set out on a boat tour of the lagoon. The light of the setting sun bathes the scene in beautiful colors. For dinner, you can choose from various restaurants along Knysna’s small waterfront (not included; payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at the Knysna Quays Hotel or similar.

Day 8 Plettenberg Bay
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll head to neighboring Plettenberg Bay, where a water safari awaits you. You’ll set out by boat into the bay between the mouth of the Keurbooms River and the Robben Island peninsula. During the boat ride, you’ll have the chance to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and—seasonally, from June through November—even whales. Afterward, you’ll head to a nice restaurant for a light lunch (not included; payable on site). In the afternoon, a very special cultural experience is on the agenda. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll discover the vibrant life of South Africans in a nearby township. You’ll visit, for example, an orphanage, a school, a shop, or a shebeen (local pub). After these memorable experiences, you’re sure to leave some of your preconceptions behind. Back in Knysna, you’ll head to a restaurant of your choice for dinner (not included; payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at the Knysna Quays Hotel or similar.

Day 9 Oudtshoorn
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll continue westward along mountain ranges, coastlines, and lake basins to the small village of Wilderness. Your destination is the Map of Africa, a geological formation created by the Kaaimans River that resembles the African continent. You’ll now leave the evergreen coast behind and drive over the majestic Outeniqua Mountains into the arid Klein Karoo semi-desert. Your next destination is the Cango Caves, a stunning stalactite and stalagmite formation. Here, you’ll take an easy, approximately one-hour cave tour. Afterward, a light lunch awaits you (not included; payable on site) before you reach your accommodations in a lush olive grove, where you can relax for a while. Before dinner, which is served at your accommodations, an olive tasting is on the program.
Overnight stay with half board at the Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar.

Day 10 Route 62
After breakfast, you’ll visit a local ostrich farm. Here, you’ll learn all about the breeding of the world’s largest flightless birds and the history of the ostrich barons from the Victorian era to the present day. Afterward, the journey continues along the picturesque Route 62 through the Little Karoo and the wine regions to Cape Town. The entire region exudes a certain Wild West atmosphere, hence the not entirely unintended name, which is a nod to America’s Route 66. Along the way, you’ll stop in one of the many small towns for a light lunch followed by a wine tasting (both not included; payable on site). In the late afternoon, you’ll check in at your accommodation in Cape Town and say goodbye to your tour guide. For dinner, you’ll have a wide selection of restaurants to choose from (not included; payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at Head South Lodge or similar.

Day 11 Cape Peninsula
In the morning after breakfast, your bilingual tour guide (German/English) will pick you up at your accommodations. The drive takes you along the Atlantic coast through the suburbs of Llandudno and Hout Bay, and on along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. If this road is closed due to weather conditions, an alternative route will be taken. In the late morning, you’ll reach Cape Point National Park with its iconic lighthouse at the southwesternmost point of Africa. The next stop is the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (not included; payable on site) in the charming town of Simon’s Town. Afterward, you’ll stop for a light lunch (not included; payable on site) before continuing along the beautiful coastline of False Bay. You’ll visit the small towns of Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, and Muizenberg with their colorful beach houses. On the way back to Cape Town, you’ll make a brief stop at the Rhodes Memorial. In the late afternoon, you’ll be dropped off back at your accommodation. For dinner, there’s a wide selection of restaurants to choose from (not included, payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at Head South Lodge or similar.

Day 12 Table Mountain and City
After breakfast, you’ll have the morning to yourself. For example, you can stroll along the Sea Point beach promenade or through Green Point Park, home to the iconic World Cup Stadium. The bustling V&A Waterfront is also a worthwhile destination. In the afternoon, your bilingual tour guide (German/English) will pick you up at your accommodation. The trip takes you to the world-famous Table Mountain. The cable car ticket is included in the price, though the mountain may be closed due to weather conditions. Afterward, you’ll visit the Bo-Kaap neighborhood with its colorful houses. Next on the itinerary are the Company Gardens, Cape Town’s “green lung” and oldest park. The tour concludes with a brief visit to a diamond cutting workshop before you are dropped off back at your accommodation in the late afternoon. For dinner, you’ll have a wide selection of restaurants to choose from (not included; payable on site).
Overnight stay with breakfast at Head South Lodge or similar.

Day 13: Departure from
After breakfast, you’ll have some time left for last-minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing. In time for your return flight, an English-speaking representative from our transfer service will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to Cape Town Airport. To help you stay relaxed as long as possible, you’ll have access to an airport lounge in the international terminal, where snacks and drinks are available free of charge. If your return flight is via Johannesburg, you can use the airport lounge there in the international terminal.

Included in the price:

• 12 nights in Superior **** category hotels and lodges
• 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
• Air-conditioned vehicle according to group size
• German-speaking tour guides on the overland trips
• Bilingual tour guides (German/English) for day trips in Cape Town
• Private English-speaking airport transfers in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town
• Domestic flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth in Economy Class
• Access to the airport lounge in Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Activities and admission fees as listed in the program
• Information Pack with Travel Guide
• On-site 24-hour hotline
• Travel insurance certificate

Not included in the price:

• Long-haul flights (can be booked separately upon request)
• Meals listed as optional
• Activities and admission fees listed as optional
• other personal expenses and tips
• personal travel insurance

Included activities:

• Daytime Game Drive in Kruger Park in an Open-Top SUV
• Sunset Game Drive in a Private Game Reserve in an Open-Top SUV
• Sunrise game drive in a private game reserve in an open-top SUV
• Highlights of the Panorama Route, including the Blyde River Canyon
• Tsitsikamma National Park, including the Storms River Suspension Bridge
• Knysna Sunset Boat Tour on the Lagoon
• Plettenberg Bay Marine Safari Boat Tour with Seasonal Whale Watching
• Visit to a Township
• Tour of the Cango Caves
• Visit to an ostrich farm
• Olive Tasting
• Cape Peninsula, including Chapman's Peak Drive and Cape Point National Park
• Cape Town, including the Table Mountain Cable Car and the Bo-Kaap neighborhood

Optional activities, payable on site:

• Wine Tasting
• Admission to Boulders Beach

Important Information:

• This tour requires a minimum of two people. The maximum number of participants is eight.
• All prices listed are subject to availability.
• The children's rate applies to a child under 12 years of age who is staying in the same room as both parents.
• We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance and travel health insurance to cover the costs of assistance, including repatriation in the event of accident, illness or death. We can provide a corresponding offer on request.
• A passport is required for entry. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa in advance. Minors under the age of 18 may need to carry additional documents. We will inform you of the specific requirements that apply to you before you book.
• Travelers who have been in an area at risk for yellow fever must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.
• The Kruger Park region is a malaria-prone area.
• The organizer of this trip is South Africa Travel GmbH & Co. KG, Buddestraße 9, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany. This trip is operated locally by Drifters.