Garden Route Tours

The Garden Route is the stretch of South Africa's south coast between Mossel Bay and the Storms River: about 300 km of lagoons, beaches, indigenous forest and mountain passes along the N2. Most trips start in Cape Town and end either back in Cape Town or in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and many add a night or two in a malaria-free game reserve.

You can travel it as a private trip with your own driver-guide, or on a shared small-group tour that leaves on fixed dates. This page explains what the route covers, how long you need and how to choose between the options.

Main stops on the route

Mossel Bay

The western start of the route. The Dias Museum has a full-size replica of the ship Bartolomeu Dias sailed here in 1488, and the town is the nearest base for Gondwana and Botlierskop game reserves.

Oudtshoorn

Inland over the Outeniqua Pass in the Klein Karoo. Visit the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm, or stay at Buffelsdrift for game drives from a lodge set on a waterhole. More in our Oudtshoorn guide.

Wilderness and Sedgefield

Lakes, long empty beaches and easy walks in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park.

Knysna

A town on a large lagoon, with boat trips out to the Knysna Heads, oysters at the waterfront and forest walks. See Knysna.

Plettenberg Bay

Beaches, the Robberg Nature Reserve walk past a seal colony, and boat trips to see dolphins and, in season, whales. See Plettenberg Bay.

Tsitsikamma

The suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth, coastal forest trails and the Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump at 216 m. See Tsitsikamma.

Addo and the Eastern Cape

Past the end of the route, Addo Elephant National Park and private reserves such as Shamwari, Amakhala and Kariega offer Big 5 game drives without malaria, within easy reach of Gqeberha.

How long you need

• 3 days. A short loop from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. It covers the highlights but means long driving days.
• 5 to 6 days. The most popular length. Time for Tsitsikamma, a safari and an evening or two without driving, finishing in Gqeberha or back in Cape Town.
• 8 to 14 days. Adds Hermanus, the Cape Winelands, Addo and slower days on the coast.

Cape Town to Knysna is roughly a six-hour drive without stops. To save the drive back, many travellers fly home from George or Gqeberha.

Private or small group

• Private. Leaves any day, at your pace, with hotels chosen to suit you. Best for couples who want flexibility, families and anyone with a special interest such as hiking or wine.
• Small group. Shared transport and a guide on a set itinerary and departure date. It costs less and suits solo travellers who like company.

Compare the two on our private tours and small-group tours pages.

Best time to go

The Garden Route works all year. December to February is warm and busy, so book early around Christmas. Unlike Cape Town, this coast gets rain in every season, so pack a rain jacket whatever the month. Southern right whales come into the bays from about June to November, and spring flowers appear from August.

Good to know

• Many itineraries go out along the N2 and come back inland on Route 62 through Montagu and Barrydale.
• Game reserves on the Garden Route are fenced and smaller than Kruger, so they suit a short first safari. For a longer safari, see our South Africa Big 5 page.
• Bring layers: evenings are cool even in summer, and morning game drives are cold in winter.

Want more wildlife? Read about South Africa Big 5 safaris or safari trips from Cape Town.