Photography Tours
Overview
Overview
Garden Route Photo Tour
This Garden Route Photo Tour is a visual journey along South Africa’s most famous coastal route travelling from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape.
The experience begins along the dramatic Overberg coastline, photographing rugged seascapes, penguins, and seasonal whales overlooking Walker Bay. From here, the route shifts inland into the stark Little Karoo. Sunrise encounters with exceptionally photogenic meerkats and a scenic journey along Route 62 add diversity of the route. From the Outeniqua Mountains we descend into the lush forests, lagoons, and coastlines of the Garden Route.
Time is spent photographing Knysna Heads, Robberg Peninsula, Nature’s Valley, and the ancient forests and suspension bridges of Tsitsikamma.
Your journey concludes with a big-game safari territory in Addo Elephant National Park offer close encounters with elephant herds and other wildlife.
Carefully paced and photography-focused, this tour blends seascapes, landscapes and safari into a single, unforgettable travel photography orientated tour.
Photography Tours
DETAILS
DETAILS
Date: Anytime.Please check When to Visit for more info
Duration: 7 days (can be tailored to preference)
Start : Cape Town Namibia
Finish: Port Elizabeth
Photographic Level:
Any level from smartphone user to Pro
Fitness Level: Easy to moderate (can be tailored to preference)
Group Size: Min 2 (non-photographer travel partners are welcome).
Reviews: Trip Advisor Reviews For Photography Tours Here
Accommodation: Strategically located for optimal photographic opportunities (can be tailored to preferences).
Photography Tours
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Cape Town to De Kelders (Overberg Coast)
Depart Cape Town early, hugging one of South Africa’s most dramatic coastal roads. Begin with seascape photography at Kogel Bay, where mountains plunge directly into the ocean. Continue to Betty’s Bay to photograph the endangered African penguins at Stony Point.
Travel through Hermanus and the charming village of Stanford, arriving in De Kelders overlooking the magnificent Walker Bay. Afternoon and sunset sessions focus on dramatic seascapes, oceanside caves + whales and wildflowers in season.
Overnight: De Kelders
Day 2 – De Kelders to Oudtshoorn
Journey through the scenic Overberg, passing rolling farmlands and historic towns including Swellendam, before transitioning into the semi-arid beauty of the Little Karoo. This is a day of changing light, textures, and landscapes — from wheat fields and windmills to vast Karoo vistas. Arrive in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, in time for golden-hour photography.
Overnight: Oudtshoorn
Day 3 – Oudtshoorn to Knysna via Route 62
Begin before sunrise with a guided meerkat walk, capturing intimate moments as these charismatic animals emerge from their burrows.
After breakfast, we travel along scenic Route 62, stopping for a wine tasting en route. Cross the dramatic Outeniqua Pass, descending from the dry Karoo into lush coastal forests.
Stop at the famous Map of Africa viewpoint for panoramic images, before arriving at Wilderness Lagoon for water reflections and birdlife. End the day with a sunset seascape shoot at Brenton-on-Sea.
Overnight: Knysna
Day 4 – Knysna, Robberg & Nature’s Valley
Photograph Knysna Heads, where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean, followed by a coastal drive to Robberg Nature Reserve. Here we shoot dramatic cliffs, seals, ocean patterns, and sweeping coastal views.
Continue to the forested beauty of Nature’s Valley, where river, forest, and beach converge — ideal for layered landscape compositions and slower, contemplative photography.
Overnight: Plettenberg Bay
Day 5 – Garden Route to Addo Elephant National Park
Travel through Tsitsikamma, stopping for forest and coastal photography within Tsitsikamma National Park. Capture ancient yellowwood forests, suspension bridges, and dramatic rocky coastline.
Continue inland toward the Eastern Cape, arriving at Addo Elephant National Park in time for your first afternoon safari drive, focusing on elephants, plains game, and evening light.
Overnight: Addo Elephant National Park
Day 6 – Addo Elephant National Park
A full day dedicated to wildlife photography. Morning and afternoon game drives explore different sections of the park, with opportunities to photograph large elephant herds, buffalo, zebra, antelope, and birdlife.
Between drives, review images, discuss photographic techniques, and refine compositions based on the day’s sightings.
Overnight: Addo Elephant National Park
Day 7 – Addo Elephant National Park
After breakfast, depart Addo for a relaxed transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport, marking the end of your Garden Route photographic journey.
This is the basic Itinerary, which is flexible and can be adapted to suit preferences. To book this tour or request more info click book now
Photography Tours
WHEN TO VISIT
WHEN TO VISIT
Autumn (April – May)
One of the most rewarding times for photography. The weather is stable, the crowds thin out, and the light softens beautifully across coast, forest, and Karoo landscapes. Cooler temperatures make hiking and canoeing in Wilderness especially comfortable, while Addo continues to offer excellent wildlife sightings.
Photographic highlights:
Soft, warm light and balanced contrast
Clear visibility and calmer coastal conditions
Comfortable temperatures for walking and safari
Rich tones in forests and farmland
Winter (June – August)
Winter brings cooler temperatures and dramatic mood. The Overberg coast comes alive with southern right whales, often visible from land in De Kelders. Stormy seas, textured skies, and misty forests create powerful, atmospheric imagery. Safari photography in Addo remains excellent, with animals concentrating around water sources.
Photographic highlights:
Peak whale season along Walker Bay
Moody seascapes and cloud formations
Misty forests and rivers
Excellent wildlife behaviour at Addo
Spring (September – October)
A vibrant and dynamic season marked by renewal. Wildflowers bloom along the Overberg and coastal routes, newborn wildlife appears in Addo, and whale activity continues offshore. Spring offers fresh colours, gentle light, and ideal conditions for both landscape and wildlife photography.
Photographic highlights:
Wildflower displays in the Overberg
Whale sightings still strong along the coast
Lush forests and bright coastal scenes
Baby animals and active herds in Addo
Best Overall Photography Months:
April–May and September–October offer the best balance of light, weather, wildlife, and variety across the entire route.
Photography Tours
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Dramatic Overberg and Walker Bay seascapes
Penguins, whales & wildflowers (seasonal)
Karoo landscapes and Route 62 wine country
Meerkats at sunrise
Forest, lagoon & coastline scenes in Wilderness National Park
Knysna Heads and Robberg coastal cliffs
Tsitsikamma forests and ocean bridges
Big-game safari photography in Addo Elephant National Park
Photography Tours
RATES
RATES
Includes:
- All Accommodation (optimally located for photo opportunities)
- All Meals (to value of R300 p/meal when eating at restaurant)
- All Transport (including 4×4 excursions at lodges)
- All Guided Activities and Excursions (as per itinerary)
- All Park Fees, Permits and special concession fees
- Professional photographer guide, in the field photography tips, techniques & tuition
- Pre and post nights can be arranged
Excludes: International flights, drinks outside of mealtimes, snacks, gratuities, fees for passport, visas, immunizations, insurance and airport taxes. Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary, laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature, any optional activities
2 PARTICIPANTS: From $6 000 USD p/p sharing.
4 PARTICIPANTS: From $5 000 USD p/p sharing.
6 PARTICIPANTS: From $4 000 USD p/p sharing.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1000 extra
Photography Tours
Contact
Contact
Please contact us so we can tailor your photo tour to suit your photography and travel interests, whether you’re a nature lover or professional photographer wanting the best locations and photographic opportunities.