Travel blog

Taking a road trip along the glorious Garden Route

The Garden Route, known as South Africa’s, most beautiful region, is blessed with world-class vistas, nature reserves and the opportunity for unique scuba diving, water sports activities and one of the most heart-pumping bungee jumps in the world.

2min read

Published 6 January 2023

It has the country’s most popular and interesting stretches of coastline. The Garden Route is a wonderful 300-kilometre stretch of coastline which officially extends from the small town of Mossel Bay to the mouth of the Storms River.

However, almost everyone taking a road trip along it usually leave Cape Town and ends in Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) or vice versa. Along the way, it takes in places of outstanding natural beauty like the towns of George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. It's called the Garden Route because of the lush coastal forests that fringe the wide, and sometimes wild, sandy beaches.

The route wanders between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountain ranges, providing almost unlimited and stunning views, of the type usually only seen as photographs in magazines.

The route encompasses almost a dozen marine and nature reserves, one of which, The Tsitsikamma National Park, is rumoured to still have rare forest elephants walking among its huge old trees. The gigantic Yellowwood tree just off the main road is a sight to behold. There is also a fascinating but deserted, old gold rush gold mine to explore in the area. Other attractions are whale watching, hiking, feasting on fresh oysters, clambering through the world-famous Cango Caves, visiting an ostrich farm or, for the more daring, a 200-metre bungee jump off the Bloukrans River Bridge.

Depending on how much time you have and how many stops you want to make on your self-drive road trip along the Garden Route you will need between three and 14 days. A leisurely five-day tour during the period November to March (skipping the busy Christmas season) is usually sufficient for the average visitor, while September/October offers great opportunities for whale watching.

We list below some of the attractions to be found along this scenic drive

Assuming you are departing from Cape Town, you will first take in the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive and False Bay.

Take a cruise on the Knysna lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve right at the sandstone “Heads” guarding the lagoon’s entrance, enjoy a pre-booked meal under the spreading trees and then explore the area’s ancient sea caves. For lovers of shellfish, the Oyster Company on the other side of the lagoon offers tasty plates of the freshest oysters imaginable.

Drive the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. The twists and turns of this mountainous road are a driver's delight while the ocean views along the way are simply jaw-dropping. Oudtshoorn (a.k.a. The Feather Capital of the World) remains a major producer of ostrich feathers so why not take in an informative ostrich farm safari?

One of the world’s stunning natural wonders is the Cango Caves just outside of Oudtshoorn. The limestone stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia are magnificent as are the huge, cavernous rooms you will pass through.

Halfway through your journey, you will come to the charming port town of Mossel Bay. On offer are 60 kilometres of beaches, many hiking trails, whale watching, the historical Post Office Tree and the Diaz Museum. Wine tasting can also be enjoyed here.

Cape Agulhas, a few kilometres west of Struisbaai, is the southernmost tip of Africa. The African continent literally comes to a full stop right here! Take a winding walk to the top of one of the oldest lighthouses still in use today to enjoy great views.

Keen on a bit of Great White Shark cage diving? Then Gansbaai is just the place for you! Keen on seeing something bigger but not as dangerous as the Great White Shark? Then the quaint seaside town of Hermanus, known as the “Whale Capital”, is a great place to do some whale watching.

The big bonus of touring the Garden Route is that the main roads are tarred, and in good condition and the distances between towns are manageable, usually only about 45 kilometres apart. There are many petrol stations - some with fast food outlets - spread along the route. Accommodation options, from low-key self-catering establishments to world-class 5 Star hotels, lodges, and resorts, are plentiful.

Follow the link to read more on what you can do and places to see in the Western Cape.