Garden Route road trip
Garden Route · Hermanus · Addo
3 tours
Garden Route
Forests, lagoons and the ultimate road trip.
Indigenous forest, lagoons and long beaches between Mossel Bay and the Tsitsikamma: South Africa's classic self-drive.
Explore the tours
Garden Route
Ways to build a Garden Route trip
The Garden Route stretches roughly 300 km along the southern coast, a mix of temperate forest, lakes, lagoons and wide beaches backed by the Outeniqua mountains. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are the main bases; the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is its wild heart.
It's made for travelling at your own pace. We plan routes with properly unhurried driving days, book the stays that make it special and leave room for detours, from oyster bars to forest canopy walks.
Robberg hike
A dramatic peninsula walk with seals, whales in season and sweeping views.
Forest & canopy
Treetop canopy tours and forest walks among yellowwood giants.
Lagoon life
Sunset cruises on the Knysna lagoon and fresh oysters at the waterfront.
Adventure
Kayaking, coasteering, and the world's highest commercial bridge bungee for the brave.
When to go
Best time to visit Garden Route.
Rain falls year-round, typically in short bursts, so the Garden Route is green in every season. Summer (Dec–Feb) is warmest and busiest; spring and autumn are ideal.
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGood
- MayGood
- JunMixed
- JulMixed
- AugGood
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere.
- Cape Town’s winter rains fall June to August
- Kruger’s dry season (May to September) is peak game viewing
- Summer rains fall November to March in the north and east
- Whale season on the Cape coast runs June to November
Highlights
- Tsitsikamma's suspension bridge and Storms River Mouth
- Knysna Heads and the lagoon
- Plettenberg Bay's beaches and Robberg Peninsula hike
- Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves as a detour inland
- Marine life on a Plettenberg Bay boat trip
Practical tips
- Allow at least 6–7 nights from Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
- Driving in South Africa is on the left. Avoid driving after dark.
- Add Addo Elephant Park at the eastern end for a malaria-free safari finale.
Experiences
Things to do in Garden Route.
Family safaris
Addo · Kruger · Garden Route
4 tours
Can I do the Garden Route without driving?
Yes. We can arrange a private driver-guide for the whole route, or combine short flights to George with chauffeured transfers.
Stays
Where to stay in Garden Route.
Plettenberg Bay
Outeniqua Cliffs Lodge
From $295 per person · night
Tailor-made trips
Tours including Garden Route.
Duration
Budget
2 of 2 tours
11 days · Cape Town & Winelands · Garden Route · Eastern Cape
Garden Route Self-Drive
Breakfast daily, 4 dinners · 4 activities · Rental car & route book
- Clifftop whale watching in Hermanus
- Knysna lagoon and Plettenberg Bay beaches
- Tsitsikamma forest and Storms River Mouth
- Malaria-free safari finale in Addo
From
$2,890
per person, complete package
From $5,780 for two · international flights excluded
12 days · Cape Town & Winelands · Garden Route · Eastern Cape
Malaria-Free Family Adventure
Breakfast daily, all meals on safari · 8 family activities · Flights & transfers
- Boulders Beach penguins and Table Mountain
- Plettenberg Bay beaches and marine safaris
- Junior ranger programme on safari
- Malaria-free throughout
From
$5,250
per person, complete package
From $10,500 for two · international flights excluded
Speak to a South Africa specialist
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