A Complete Guide to the Garden Route
Written by René Robinson
Imagine this: a 300 km long coastal corridor interrupted by sandy beaches, evergreen forests, scenic mountain passes, and tranquil rivers and streams. Well, you’ll be happy to know that a place like this actually exists, and it’s called the Garden Route.
This picturesque stretch can be found in the Eastern and Western Cape province of South Africa and starts in the town of Mossel Bay. The gorgeous scenery continues to Storms River and is abundant in stunning seaside towns, spellbinding landscapes, and thrilling experiences.
Location
How to get there
By plane
Due to the Garden Route being such a long (and magical) area, it is easily accessible from any point. There is a wide variety of places you might want to visit that fall within the scenic stretch. If flying is your preferred mode of travel, there are 2 main airports which we would recommend flying to. The most popular and more accessible of the two is George Airport. This can be found about halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) and is the most central of the Garden Route. The other airport is in Plettenberg Bay and is used mostly for private flights, but the airstrip is available for this. Other airports that you can make use of, in combination with driving, are Port Elizabeth International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. The driving distance from the airport will differ depending on where your destination is within the Garden Route.
By car
The next option to consider is to drive from wherever you are in the country. South Africa has amazing landscapes that are ever-changing and will leave you breathless. Also, who doesn’t love a good road trip? There are numerous national highways and roads that lead to the Garden Route from all over South Africa. If you’re driving, we highly recommend using Google Maps or Waze to navigate the best route to take.
By bus
Lastly, the most affordable option is to travel via bus. Although it takes a little longer than other modes of transportation, and it might not be as glamorous, taking the bus is definitely an option for adventurers travelling on a budget. Our recommended bus liner is Intercape.
Best time to go
Spring, summer, autumn, and winter - there is no doubt you’ll discover paradise any time of the year when visiting. The Garden Route is a popular summer (November to April) holiday destination for South Africans and international visitors alike. Beaches, bars, restaurants, and must-see spots are packed with holiday goers and you’ll leave with a long list of new friends. This also means that in summer, rates will be higher and bookings will have to be made well in advance. However, if you thrive in a bustling atmosphere, this is definitely the season you should visit. With these lovely summer days come daily temperatures ranging from 17°C to 30°C, a perfect match for the refreshing Indian Ocean.
If you prefer a quieter holiday, we highly recommend visiting between February to April. The bonus with these months is that temperatures are still lovely and warm, but destinations will be less busy compared to December when there are school and festive holidays. Winter is also relatively bearable when it comes to temperatures, and most days will be completely windless in this season. Note that whale-watching season peaks in September but runs from July to October—an extra bonus for your trip.🐋
What to do
Main attractions
The Garden Route is filled to the brim with remarkable adventures around every corner. Throughout this massive stretch, the opportunities are endless! So, to make your life easier, we’ve narrowed down our top attractions in the entire Garden Route area.
Beaches
You haven’t been to the Garden Route if your feet haven’t touched the sand of more than one beach. The entire route borders on the Indian Ocean that offers big, small, and scenic beaches that you can find in every town along the way. Most of these gorgeous seaside towns are built to look out on the ocean, and finding your nearest beach won’t take much effort.
Museums and churches
South Africa is a country full of history, and if you’re keen to learn more about how these towns were discovered with ox-wagons and by horseback, most towns will have a detailed museum to check out. Have a look at our lists of towns below for our best suggestions or just stop by and admire the stunning churches you’ll come accross.
Hikes and nature walks
With a name like the Garden Route, you can definitely expect immersive nature walks, hikes in thriving fern forests, and altogether transportive experiences in the greenery and scenery. Our top two honourable mentions for serious hiking spots that you can’t miss (if you’re into hiking) are the Tsitsikamma and Knysna. For hiking trails in specific towns, have a look at our list below.
What to do and where
Mossel Bay
What to do: Mossel Bay Zipline, game viewing at Gondwana Private Game Reserve, scuba diving, sandboarding, skydiving, Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, St. Blaize Trail, and horseback riding tours.
Where to eat: Jakkalsvlei wine farm, De Vette Mossel (for the best seafood), Café Gannet, Carola Ann's, and Peperboom Restaurant, Bakery & Wine Boutique—definitely try their ribs, or if you’re in the mood for something sweet, the cake of the day.
Oudtshoorn
What to do: Explore the renowned Cango Caves, visit one of the nearby ostrich farms to witness an integral element of the Karoo, learn about the Oudtshoorn and ostrich farming history at the CP Nel Museum, explore the town on the Oudtshoorn Art, Cheese, Chocolate and Liqueur Route.
Where to eat: Anny's Bistro, Nostalgie, De Kombuys Estate, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Restaurant.
George
What to do: Visit the gorgeous Garden Route Botanical Garden, play golf with a stunning view at Fancourt, hit the waves at Victoria Bay, taste the garden route with a Herold Wines wine tasting, take your friends and family out to the Outeniqua Family Market, or pick strawberries at the Red Berry Farm.
Where to eat: Bayleaf Cafe, 101 Meade Street Restaurant, Krust Cafe, or Dis Tyd.
Knysna
What to do: Stroll through The Garden of Eden, visit Knysna Heads, immerse yourself in the magical Knysna forest, do some shopping at the Knysna Waterfront, take a lagoon tour via boat, SUP or kayak, watch the sunset with sundowners in hand at Brenton-on-Sea, or spend the day whale watching.
Where to eat: 34 Degrees South, Dry Dock, Upstairs at Rosie's, Chatters Bistro, or Sirocco.
Wilderness
What to do: Canoe, hike, fish, and bird watching at Wilderness National Park, look out over the stunning views at the Map of Africa, hike in Wilderness, visit the amazing Wild Oats Market in Sedgefield, have a cold beer at Sedgefield Craft Brewery, or see the area from the sky and paraglide with FlyTime.
Where to eat: Ilali, Pomodoros for the best pizza in the area, Merchant & Maiden, Pili Pili Beach Restaurant, or Benguela Cove Wine Tasting.
Plettenberg Bay
What to do: Hike and walk in Robberg Nature Reserve, do some canyoning in The Crags, visit Keurboomstrand beach for a swim and sunset, whale watching, or a safari at the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve.
Where to eat: Bramon Wine Estate, Emily Moon restaurant, Enricos, or Thyme and Again Farm Stall.
Nature's Valley
What to do: Keep an eye out for dolphins from “the point”, hire a canoe and paddle on the Groot Rivier and Estuary try birding, go looking for orchids in the valley (in summer), or hike Kalanderkloof.
Where to eat: The Trading Post Restaurant.
Tsitsikamma
What to do: Visit the Storms River Suspension Bridge that hangs only 7 m above the wild waters below, be bold and attempt the famous 215 m Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump, hike, mountain bike, do an immersive canopy tour and see nature's beauty from above, kayak and lilo in Storms River Gorge, try your hand at cheese making with the Fynboshoek Cheese Making Workshop.
Where to eat: Oudebosch Coffee Shop and Farmstall, Tsitsikamma MicroBrewery, De Oude Martha, Taste Restaurant Tsitsikamma, or Tsitrus Cafe.
Ready to Explore? Learn about even more hidden gems in the Garden Route on our blog that are sure to delight!
Nearby sites
Cape Town
From the start of the Garden Route, the vibrant city of Cape Town is just more than a 4-hour drive away. This city is an experience on its own and we highly recommend paying the city of dreamers a well-deserved visit. If you’re keen to explore Cape Town, you can read more about it here.
Montagu
Located in the Langeberg Mountain Catchment area, Montagu can be found with its unique charm, dazzling scenery, and lovely little gems to discover. This small town is mostly just a town that people pass through on their journey to surrounding areas, but it may be worthwhile to escape to this inland treasure for a night or two. Throughout the year there are some interesting film festivals, running, and cycling events to keep an eye on. The town is surrounded by magnificent mountains and hills that create a vintage feeling, along with the adorable 18th-century-style buildings.
Jeffreys Bay
More or less 4 hours from the central point of the Garden Route, this surfing town can be found. The charm of this town comes from the surf community and the lifestyle that goes along with it. This is a laidback paradise, and the main attraction is the ocean. International surfers travel to surf the iconic J-Bay waves, especially to take part in the world-famous J-Bay Open surfing competition that takes over the town every year in July. If you’d like to hit the waves, here you’ll be doing it in the footsteps of some of the greatest surfing names in history. Kelly Slater has said that J-Bay falls under his list of favourite waves in the world!
Wildlife and safari
Addo Elephant Park
This diverse National Park is roughly a 5-hour drive from the central point of the Garden Route area and is highly recommended if you’d like to witness remarkable wildlife in the greenery of the Eastern Cape Province. The Albany Thicket makes up the type of scenery you’ll see and is described as shrubland to low forest. The park is home to plenty of elephants, buffalo, lion, Burchell’s zebra and many more wildlife species.
Accommodation
Basic
Piesang Valley Lodge, Plettenberg Bay
Set in lush vegetation, this lodge is close to beaches and borders on the Plett Country Club golf course. The 6 comfortable suites offer breathtaking views across the valley with personalised service.
Pumula Lodge, Plettenberg Bay
Sit back and relax at Pumula Lodge while surrounded by exotic bird life and serene surroundings. Enjoy a Garden Route visit at this eco-friendly lodge situated between Knysna and the iconic Knysna Heads.
Isola Bella Guest House, Knysna
Isola Bella Guesthouse is a luxury villa located on the water’s edge of Knysna’s Leisure Isle, with a commanding view of the spectacular lagoon and the majestic Knysna Heads in the distance.
Medium
Misty Mountain Reserve, Tsitsikamma
Perched high above the churning ocean of the Eastern Cape coast and bordering the famous Tsitsikamma National Park, Misty Mountain Reserve is perfectly positioned to allow visitors the best experience of its stunning natural surroundings.
The Lofts Boutique Hotel, Knysna
Situated on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route, you’ll discover The Lofts Boutique Hotel. Uniquely located in the refurbished Boatshed on Thesen Islands you will experience a relaxing and tranquil stay.
Fancy
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Little Brak River
Surrounded by the colossal Outeniqua Mountain range and shimmering Indian ocean, this game reserve is definitely one for the books. Enjoy your time at Botlierskop by staying in their range of luxury accommodation.
Kanonkop House, Knysna
Kanonkop House is a luxurious boutique hotel that is family-run and managed, offering personal, award-winning accommodation. Ideally positioned in a peaceful indigenous forest near town, Kanonkop House enjoys breathtaking views of the Knysna Lagoon and its massive sandstone cliffs.
Head Over Hills, Knysna
Lose yourself in the backdrop of the Indian Ocean and the greenery of the Knysna bush at this luxury stay. The convenience of the fully equipped, ensuite rooms and prime location make this the perfect getaway for special occasions.
How to include the Garden Route in your South African adventure
The Garden Route can be included in your South African trip by setting aside enough time to adventure through this long stretch of magical South African landscape. You can spend any amount of time from 3 nights to 3+ weeks in the Garden Route and never run out of accommodation options and remarkable activities to keep you occupied. If you’re keen for an extended trip, visit before or after a stay in Cape Town.
Insider Tips
Make sure to book well in advance if you plan on visiting in December, as it happens to be school holiday and exceptionally busy. Also, pack for all four seasons due to rainy weather and windy days that can be expected throughout the year. On your way to any spot in the Garden Route from Cape Town, make sure to stop at Oude Post Bistro at the BP garage in Buffeljagsrivier. This bistro is known for its mouthwatering “roosterkoek”, which is a type of South African woodfired bread with various delicious fillings.
We just can’t get enough of the Garden Route, and we know you won’t either. That’s why we can’t wait to take you on this adventure of a lifetime. Visit our list of trips to customise your very own Garden Route trip to include the spots and stays that you don’t want to miss.