South Africa
Garden Route
Lagoons, forests and coastal road trips
The Garden Route follows South Africa's southern coast past lagoons, indigenous forests, surf beaches and easygoing towns such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. It's one of Africa's great road trips, with whale watching, hiking and ocean adventures.
Stretching for around 200 kilometers (125 miles) along South Africa's southern coast, roughly from Mossel Bay to the Storms River, the Garden Route earns its name. Between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean lie lakes and lagoons, tall indigenous forests, sea cliffs and long sandy beaches, all linked by the N2 highway and a string of small towns.
Towns with character
Wilderness sits beside a chain of lakes and a long, wild beach, with canoe trails up the Touws River. Knysna wraps around a vast lagoon guarded by two sandstone cliffs, the Knysna Heads, and is known for its oysters. Plettenberg Bay, known simply as Plett, has sweeping beaches, a bay rich in marine life and a relaxed seaside feel, while Nature's Valley is a tiny, forest-backed village at the edge of the Tsitsikamma.
Nature and adventure
The Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park protects rugged coastline, deep river gorges and old-growth forest, and the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth is a short, spectacular walk. Thrill seekers can bungee from the Bloukrans Bridge, one of the highest bridge bungee jumps in the world, while others prefer kayaking, surfing, forest canopy tours or the multi-day Otter Trail. Plett's bay is excellent for marine life, with dolphins and seals year-round and whales in season.
Into the Klein Karoo
Just over the Outeniqua Pass, Oudtshoorn and the semi-desert Klein Karoo offer a dramatic contrast, with the Cango Caves and the spectacular Swartberg Pass. Route 62 winds back toward Cape Town through wine farms and small country towns.
How we plan the Garden Route
Most travelers drive the route from Cape Town and spend five to seven days on the coast, or fly into George or Gqeberha to save time. We plan realistic daily drives, choose lodges and guesthouses with character, and can finish with a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape.
Highlights
Knysna Lagoon and Heads
Cruise the lagoon, taste local oysters and watch the ocean surge between the sandstone Heads.
Tsitsikamma
Cross the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth and hike through old-growth coastal forest.
Plettenberg Bay
Look for dolphins, seals and, in season, whales on a boat trip in one of the most beautiful bays on the coast.
Bloukrans Bridge bungee
Take the plunge from one of the highest bridge bungee jumps in the world, or simply watch from the viewpoint.
Wilderness lakes
Paddle up the Touws River and follow forest trails to waterfalls around the village of Wilderness.
Klein Karoo detour
Cross the mountains to Oudtshoorn for the Cango Caves and the dramatic Swartberg Pass.
Best time to visit
Best months
- Jan
- ✓ Feb
- ✓ Mar
- ✓ Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- ✓ Sep
- ✓ Oct
- ✓ Nov
- Dec
The Garden Route has a mild climate with rain spread throughout the year, which is what keeps it so green, so it's a year-round destination. Summer, from about November to March, brings the warmest beach weather, but the December and January school holidays are very busy.
Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are often ideal, with pleasant temperatures, quieter roads and good hiking. Southern right whales typically visit the bays from about June or July to November, and winter often brings clear, crisp days between rain fronts.
Getting there
George Airport (GRJ), in the heart of the Garden Route, has regular flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg, and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha serves the eastern end.
Most travelers self-drive or travel with a private driver along the N2 from Cape Town, which takes about four hours to Mossel Bay and five to six hours to Knysna without stops. Many choose the scenic inland Route 62 through the Klein Karoo for one leg, and a one-way route from Cape Town to Gqeberha avoids doubling back.
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Your Garden Route, designed around you
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