Garden Route Holidays
South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the world’s most scenic road trips. Stretching for around 200 kilometres along the Western Cape coastline, this iconic coastal route delivers an extraordinary combination of dramatic coastal scenery, ancient indigenous forests, wildlife encounters and characterful towns, all connected by well-maintained roads that make it an ideal destination for a self-drive holiday.
Most travellers extend the journey beyond the official route, beginning in Cape Town and ending in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), taking in the Winelands, the Little Karoo and the Eastern Cape along the way.
Where does the Garden Route start and end?
The Garden Route officially runs from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, a distance of around 200 kilometres along the South African coast. In practice, most Garden Route holidays begin in Cape Town and continue east to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), a journey of approximately 750 kilometres that can be comfortably covered over six to ten days depending on how many stops you choose to make.
There are several ways to approach the route from Cape Town. Travelling via Stellenbosch and the Winelands before dropping south through the Outeniqua Pass from Oudtshoorn is a particularly popular choice, as is the coastal alternative through Hermanus and Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent, before rejoining the N2 highway at Swellendam.
Things to do on a Garden Route Holiday
One of the great pleasures of a Garden Route holiday is the sheer variety of experiences on offer, from whale watching and forest walks to underground cave systems and world-class seafood. If your schedule allows, we recommend setting aside at least six or seven days to travel from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), to give yourself time to enjoy the highlights along the way.
Garden Route Highlights
- Hermanus – widely regarded as one of the finest whale watching destinations in the world, where southern right whales return to Walker Bay between June and November to calve and nurse their young
- Montagu & Calitzdorp – two beautifully preserved towns on the scenic Route 62, well worth a detour to explore their Cape Dutch architecture and sample the local port wines and red muscadel
- Oudtshoorn – home to the world’s largest concentration of ostrich farms, where fascinating tours give an insight into how these remarkable birds are farmed for feathers, leather, eggs and meat
- Cango Caves – a breathtaking underground labyrinth of chambers, passages and extraordinary stalactite formations set in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, one of the Garden Route’s most memorable experiences
- Outeniqua Pass – the spectacular mountain pass linking Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo with George on the Garden Route, climbing to over 800 metres with sweeping views across the valleys below
- Mossel Bay – a lively coastal town offering sandboarding, quad biking, deep-sea fishing and excellent seafood restaurants, with a rich maritime heritage and some of the warmest waters on the Garden Route
- Wilderness National Park – a tranquil stretch of lakes, rivers, wetlands and beaches ideal for walking, canoeing and bird watching, with the brilliant Knysna lourie among the most sought-after sightings
- Seven Passes Road – a scenic and adventurous alternative to the N2 between George and Knysna, winding through indigenous forest and offering access to the famous Map of Africa viewpoint
- Knysna – the jewel of the Garden Route, where boat trips across the famous lagoon to Featherbed Nature Reserve, fresh oysters at the waterfront and the dramatic sandstone Heads make for an unforgettable stay
- Plettenberg Bay – a beautiful resort town with sweeping sandy beaches, boutique hotels and excellent restaurants, with the seal colony at nearby Robberg Nature Reserve a particular highlight
- Nature’s Valley – one of the Garden Route’s best-kept secrets, where the Groot River meets a picture-perfect lagoon before flowing out to sea past a pristine and rarely visited beach
- Tsitsikamma National Park – where ancient yellowwood forests cling dramatically to rocky coastal cliffs, and the iconic suspension bridge above the mouth of the Storms River is one of South Africa’s most photographed sights
From Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), the wildlife of the Eastern Cape is within easy reach. A self-drive safari through Addo Elephant National Park makes a wonderful addition to any Garden Route holiday, or for a more immersive experience, a two or three night stay at one of the Eastern Cape’s private reserves, with guided game drives included, provides a seamless and rewarding conclusion to the journey.
Where to Stay on the Garden Route
There is an excellent range of Garden Route hotels and guesthouses to suit every taste and budget, from family-run boutique lodges tucked into the forest to stylish beachside retreats overlooking the Indian Ocean. Three perennial favourites among our South Africa Experts include:
- Montagu Vines – a charming guesthouse set on a working olive grove in the Little Karoo, with just eight rooms each opening onto a garden patio, perfect for a peaceful overnight stop on Route 62
- Hog Hollow – a beautifully positioned country lodge set above its own private nature reserve overlooking indigenous forest, just east of Plettenberg Bay
- Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – a wonderfully atmospheric lodge between Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves, where a game drive in search of elephant, giraffe and rhino is included as standard
Garden Route Escorted Tours
For those who would prefer to leave the driving to someone else, our Garden Route escorted tours offer an excellent alternative, travelling by luxury coach with an experienced guide leading the way. Tours operate from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) or as circular trips returning to the Mother City, with high quality hotel accommodation, daily activities, wine tastings and cultural experiences all included. It is a particularly popular option for solo travellers and those who prefer the camaraderie of a small group.
Plan Your Garden Route Holiday for 2027 & 2028
Our South Africa Experts have all lived or travelled extensively in South Africa and are ready to help you plan your ideal Garden Route itinerary, whether that is a straightforward self drive, a fully escorted tour, or a wider South Africa holiday combining the Garden Route with a safari, beach extension or time in Cape Town. Book with FREEDOM and your flights, hotels and car hire are all covered under one fully ATOL-protected package. Get in touch today to start planning.
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