# Garden Route tour from Cape Town ## Planning a Garden Route trip from Cape Town: how many days, the main stops and drive times *Published: 2026-05-05 13:46:51* *Tags: Garden Route, Cape Town, South Africa, safari, tour, adventure, travel, coastline* > Plan a Garden Route trip from Cape Town: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma and Addo, with drive times and tours from $795. ## Article The Garden Route The Garden Route is the stretch of South Africa's south coast between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, about four to five hours' drive east of Cape Town. It is known for its forests, lagoons and beaches, with towns such as Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, and the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park at its eastern end. Many trips also take in Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves inland, and Addo Elephant National Park further east, near Port Elizabeth. How many days do you need? 3 days Three days is enough for the main stops if you don't mind long drives: Mossel Bay or Oudtshoorn, Knysna, and Tsitsikamma, with a night in each area. Our 3-day private Garden Route tour costs from $885 per vehicle, and our 3-day luxury tour with 5-star hotels from $1,209 per person. 5 to 6 days With five or six days you have time for the Cango Caves and the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn, a canoe trip at Wilderness, the forests and lagoon at Knysna, the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth and a game drive in Addo. Our 5-day shared tour including Addo costs from $795 per person, and our 6-day adventure tour to Addo from $895, both with B&B accommodation. 8 days or more Longer trips let you combine the Garden Route with Cape Town and the Winelands at a relaxed pace. See our 8-day Garden Route and Cape Town private tour or our 14-day Cape Town, Garden Route and Addo tour. Main stops and drive times Cape Town to Mossel Bay: about 4 hours Cape Town to Oudtshoorn: about 4.5 hours, via Route 62 Knysna to Plettenberg Bay: about 30 minutes Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma (Storms River): about 1 hour Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth: about 2 hours Many trips end in Port Elizabeth and fly back to Cape Town rather than driving the whole way back. For more ideas, see our guide to Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma, and our other travel guides. Frequently asked questions When is the best time to visit the Garden Route? Any time of year. Unlike Cape Town, the Garden Route gets rain all year round, which keeps it green. Summer (November to March) is warmest and busiest; whales can be seen from the coast from about June to November. What can I do there? Hiking, canoeing, surfing, whale watching, the Bloukrans bungee jump, the Cango Caves and game drives in nearby reserves. Do I need to book in advance? Yes, especially for December and January, when accommodation fills up. --- [Read on Amity Adventure](https://www.amityadventure.com/blogs/garden-route-tour-from-cape-town/)