The Garden Route, the greatest road trip in South Africa, deserves an adventure to match. So, join this activity-packed itinerary for a showcase of its greatest experiences, handpicked by the local experts. You’ll discover the wonders of Cape Town and the glorious Cape Peninsula, ride the wine tram to legendary wine estates, marvel at mischievous meerkats, cruise the beautiful Knysna waterfront and hike through the dramatic landscapes of Tsitsikamma National Park. It ends with an unforgettable safari through the African bush, spotting beasts big and small with the help of an expert ranger.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Gqebe
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha, Hermanus, Cango Caves, Knysna, Amakhala Game Reserve
Designed alongside Cape Town’s Tarryn Povey, one of southern Africa’s top marathon mountain bikers, this thrilling cycling adventure in South Africa showcases the utter beauty of the Garden Route. Riding from Cape Town to Knysna, we explore the Cape Winelands, tackle mountain passes, and discover the semi-arid desert of the Little Karoo. There’s also time to stay on a wine estate, visit the ostrich capital of the world, and quiz your tour leaders on all things bikes.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Knysna, Rooiberg Pass
Cape Town, Knysna, Rooiberg Pass, Swartberg Pass, George, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson Valley, Montagu, Bonnievale, Tradouw Pass, Klein Karoo.
Trek to see the mountain gorillas, swim with dolphins, walk in search of rhino or, relax on sandy tropical beaches. Add in a few adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, gorge swings or quad biking along with stunning gameparks such as the Serengeti, Etosha, Addo and Ngorongoro Crater and some fantastic activities such as Whale watching and Shark Cave Diving will make this a trip to remember.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hostel, Hotel, Lodge, Resort, Tent
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lake Naiv
Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lake Naivasha, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Harare, Great Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Etosha National Park, Kakamega Rainforest, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Little Karoo, Addo, Lesotho, Royal Natal National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park, Arusha
Trek to see the mountain gorillas, swim with dolphins, walk in search of rhino or relax on sandy tropical beaches. Add in a few adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, gorge swings or quad biking along with stunning gameparks such as the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Etosha and Ngorongoro Crater will make this a trip to remember.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hostel, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Cape Town, Masai Mara
Nairobi, Cape Town, Masai Mara, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Harare, Great Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Etosha Village, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Stellenbosch, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park, Arusha
Embark on a 12-day adventure through South Africa, one of the world’s most diverse and exhilarating destinations. Starting in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, journey to the wild heart of the African safari at Kapama Private Game Reserve. Experience thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five, enjoy a playful meerkat encounter, greet penguins on Boulders Beach, and tour an ostrich farm. Marvel at the country’s stunning coastline, breathtaking views, and explore the continent’s southwestern tip. Delight in South Africa’s flavors on a culinary walk in Stellenbosch. This unforgettable journey promises to awaken your senses and satisfy your curiosity about this incredible country.
Contiki is an amazing company and despite the fog at the top of table mountain it was great to connect with everyone on this tour and a wonderful way to enter Africa. did a great job. Thank you guys.
This is an Exploratory trip doing our classic Fes to Cape Town route in reverse, heading northbound instead. The itinerary is therefore flexible. This will take account of road conditions in some parts where there will be rains and plenty of mud, and of where we can apply for necessary visas en-route. Expect good weather and conditions at southern & northern ends, with poorer weather and bad roads nearer the Equator. Embarking on this expedition will give you an insight into the varied cultures of West and Central Africa and all the challenges this vast continent can throw at you. There will be days when it will be pretty tough - bad roads, harsh terrains and extremes of climates, but you will also get to experience, see and discover a continent most travellers only dream of - whilst having the experience of a lifetime!
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun helping to cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Local cultureAdventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Western Cape, Swakopmund, Fes, L
Western Cape, Swakopmund, Fes, Luanda, Congo, Accra, Freetown, Banjul, Cape Town, Fez
A classic overland journey through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The countries that lie at the southern end of the African continent evoke a strong spirit of the wild. From the seemingly empty and endless dunes of the Namibian desert to the teeming animal life of Etosha National Park, this itinerary traverses the greatest parks, reserves and landscapes that the south has to offer. Beginning in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe we head into Botswana for unforgettable wildlife encounters in two of Africa's greatest sanctuaries along the Chobe River and in the wondrous Okavango Delta. Passing into Namibia, we observe wildlife in Etosha National Park, marvel at the Sossusvlei sand dunes, explore the dramatic landscapes of the Namib Desert, and marvel at the enormity of Fish River Canyon. The city of Cape Town with Table Mountain as its backdrop, is a fitting end to this amazing adventure through Southern Africa.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Tent, Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Victoria Falls, Kgalagadi Transf
Victoria Falls, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, Namaqualand, Cape Town, Chobe River, Okavango Delta, Rundu, Etosha National Park, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon
The trip was fantastic! We saw a lot of animals, got to know different cultures and always felt safe due to our amazing tour guide. The group had a great dynamic right from the start.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge, Tent, Hut
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Oudtsho
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Oudtshoorn, Saint Lucia, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Kruger National Park, Gqeberha, Knysna, Durban
31% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The words 'Cairo to Cape Town' conjure up images of African expeditions from days of old. Even today there are a multitude of challenges that this vast continent can throw at you. Desert, river, & mountain crossings are inter-twined with stunning National Parks & some of the best adrenaline fuelled activities & playgrounds in the world. This northbound trip is one that will linger in your memory long after completion.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Note: This is our new itinerary operating on this route starting from 2025. We now include Eswatini, the Caprivi strip in Namibia, more time in Mozambique, and time in Zambia, Burundi, Somaliland and Djibouti. As we are not currently able to drive through Sudan or parts of northern Ethiopia, our route now finishes in Addis Ababa and the group will then take a flight from there to Cairo (flight not included). The Egyptian section of the trip is then finished using local transport and hotels instead of the truck. We ran our 2023 and 2024 departures this way in Egypt and it worked well.
Experience the incredible diversity of Southern Africa - from the abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta, Etosha and Addo National Park, to the breathtaking scenery of the Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon and the Drakensburg Mountains. Try your hand at white water rafting, bungy jumping, quad biking & dune sledding at one of the adrenaline havens, Victoria Falls, Swakopmund or Cape Town. This truly is a trip to stun the senses.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Overland Journeys
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hostel, Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Ma
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Matabeleland, Little Karoo, Addo Elephant National Park, Lesotho, Royal Natal N.P, Okavango Delta, Etosha Village, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Fish River Canyon, Stellenbosch, Cape Town
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Resort
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kruger National Park, Pretoria
Kruger National Park, Pretoria, Hazyview, Maun, Okavango Delta, Ghanzi, Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossus, Sesriem, Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Cederberg, Cape Town, Tshipise, Bulawayo, Livingstone, Kasane, Elephant Sands
12% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The 56-day Cape Town to Gorillas Camping tour is the ultimate African odyssey for families who want it all. Starting in Cape Town and ending in Nairobi, this explorer experience includes Cape Town, Eldoret, Cederberg, Sossus, and 32 more destinations in South Africa and Kenya. With every detail—accommodation, transport, meals—handled, it’s a true journey of discovery. The unique feature is the incredible diversity, from Table Mountain to gorilla habitats, ensuring there’s something extraordinary for every traveler in this extensive tour package.
ExplorerWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Cape Town, Cederberg, E
Nairobi, Cape Town, Cederberg, Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Gobabis, Maun, Okavango Delta, Nata, Kasane, Livingstone, Gariep River, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Kande Beach, Chitimba, Iringa, Mikumi National Park, Dar Es Salaam, Fish River Canyon, Zanzibar, Marangu, Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Sesriem, Lake Nakuru National Park, Eldoret, Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi , Jinja, Sossus, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Experience Cape Town’s vibrant culture, the majesty of Table Mountain, and the thrill of tracking the Big 5 on safari. Feel the power of Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. With local flavours, immersive experiences and unforgettable landscapes, enjoy Africa's beauty—awe-inspiring at every turn.