Day 1: Botlierskop - Oudtshoorn(Travel about 450km excluding safari drives)

Depart Cape Town or Stellenbosch early in the morning and trade the silhouette of Table Mountain for the scenery at the starting point of the lush Garden Route region. Enjoy the scenic route along the way to the 3,500-hectare Botlierskop private game reserve. Located in a malaria-free area, the reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife including four of the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and more than 200 bird species.

Spot some of the wild animals native to the region from the back of an open-top 4x4 vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino sightings. Leopards are nocturnal hunters, evasive, and not contained by fences so it's unlikely to see them during these game drives.

After the 2-hour game drive, it's time for an up close and personal encounter with nature on a short bush-walking safari. Hop off the safari vehicle, following your game ranger as you look for wildlife through the coastal Renosterveldt and Cape Fynbos. After an hour's journey, you'll reach Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, just outside Oudtshoorn town – an unexpected safari oasis that wows from the first glimpse. In the heart of the Klein Karoo, luxe canvas tents are decked out with all the creature comforts, including a beautiful claw-footed bath, rustic outdoor shower, and an inviting king-sized bed.

Wooden balconies overlook the dam where hippos wallow languidly in the glassy water. On the horizon line, giraffes snack on the tops of tall trees as the sun dips below the horizon. Take in the calm veld surroundings as you lounge at the pool deck amongst giant aloe vera, framing your perfect view of the birds and game that visit the water's edge at sunset. Day 2: Buffelsdrift - Route 62

(Travel about 400km excluding safari drives)

After breakfast, venture off into the Klein Karoo bush for an 2-hour 4x4 bush drive to seek out more of the local wildlife. Your ranger will help spot wildlife and share some of nature’s secrets while teaching you about the region’s fauna and flora. 

Get close to nature and discover insects, plants, and smaller mammals. Look out for buffalo, giraffes, kudu, porcupines, and meerkats. Join elephant guides on an optional Elephant Observation Nature Walk (at extra expense) to have the opportunity to follow three rescued elephants as they roam freely in this natural habitat in the Cango Valley overlooking the nearby waterhole. Learn about the gentle giants under the guidance of the elephant guides as you observe them, ask questions, and take photos of African elephants in nature. End the day with a drive along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Soak in the beauty of the high mountains, twisting passes, and rugged Karoo plains, during the return journey before arriving in Cape Town or Stellenbosch by late evening.