The African Voyager

Garden Route, South Africa

Into the wild: the Garden Route’s top 5 unforgettable safari tours

Southern Africa • See & do • Into the wild: the Garden Route’s top 5 unforgettable safari tours

The best safari experiences along the Garden Route

The Garden Route is a region located along the south coast of South Africa that offers a diverse range of stunning landscapes and unique wildlife, making it one of the country’s most enticing safari destinations. This region boasts some impressive game reserves and lodges that provide not only sightings of the iconic Big Five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo – but also opportunities to explore diverse ecosystems rich in other wildlife. In this article, we share our top picks of the best safari experiences along the Garden Route, so pack your sense of adventure and get ready to explore!

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Set against the Outeniqua Mountains, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve offers a 4,200-hectare sanctuary where the wild comes alive. At this game reserve, the safari experiences are plenty but our top picks are the 3-hour guided game drives – Big Five safaris, complemented by rare sightings of the black impala, eland and zebra – and our personal favourite the guided horseback safaris, an intimate way to explore this diverse landscape. For the full experience, consider staying a night or two in one of their luxury tents or bush villas. This also gives you time to book an African massage at their stunning Fijnebos Spa.

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
Gonnakraal Rd
Klein Brak River
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

For a safari experience in the heart of the Klein Karoo, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is the go-to. We highly recommend staying in one of their luxury tented accommodations, where you can spot the wildlife from your private deck. But if you are looking for just a safari day experience, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge doesn’t disappoint. Activities include bush safaris, lion feedings and even elephant feeding sessions. Our favourite safari experience is the Meerkat Safari, where the guides take you to observe the fascinating meerkats in their natural habitat. You can also enjoy authentic Karoo cuisine after your safari adventure at the on-site restaurant to end the day with a good meal!

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Cango Caves Rd
Oudtshoorn
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Gondwana Game Reserve

Gondwana Game Reserve, located near Mossel Bay, is an exclusive 11,000-hectare reserve that offers a range of safari activities with a focus on conservation. Home to free-roaming Big Five game, the reserve’s landscape is characterized by rolling hills and indigenous fynbos vegetation. The reserve’s safari experiences are diverse, with options ranging from classic game drives to bush walks where you can learn about the region’s flora and fauna. One unique offering we love is the opportunity to track wild cheetahs on foot with expert guides. We also think it’s great that this reserve is especially focused on conservation, allowing you to take part in various initiatives, like the rhino conservation project.

Gondwana Game Reserve
Heuningklip Farm
Herbertsdale
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Gondwana Game Reserve

Garden Route Game Lodge

Set against the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, Garden Route Game Lodge is conveniently located right on the N2, making it the perfect stop for a safari experience on the go. At Garden Route Game Lodge, you can enjoy game drives in search of the Big Five. However, they also offer a more interactive safari experience with their cheetah conservation program. You can get an up-close look at the cheetah project, learning about the reserve’s role in protecting these magnificent animals. We also think it’s cool that this game lodge has a family-friendly option – bush school activities – where children can engage with the environment through fun, educational safari activities.

Garden Route Game Lodge
N2, Albertinia
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Garden Route Game Lodge

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

As the largest game reserve in the Southern Cape, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve offers a diverse range of habitats, from indigenous forests to grasslands. Home to over 35 species of game, including lions, rhinos and buffalo, the reserve provides ample wildlife viewing opportunities. This reserve offers morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, during which you can expect encounters with the Big Five and other animals, such as wildebeest, zebras and impalas. You can also opt for a horseback safari, during which you can experience the terrain and wildlife from a different perspective, providing a peaceful and thrilling way to explore the reserve’s expansive landscape.