South Africa

Garden Route

Region

The Garden Route is the coastal stretch between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, a good 200 kilometers along the N2 and about four to five hours' drive east of Cape Town.

by Felix Gillen

The Garden Route is the coastal stretch between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, a good 200 kilometers along the N2 and about four to five hours' drive east of Cape Town. Lagoons, ancient forests, long sandy beaches, and small seaside resorts like Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay make it the country's most popular self-drive route.

The N2 links all locations; plan on spending at least four to five days. Around Wilderness and Knysna lie lakes, lagoons, and forests, today mostly part of the Garden Route National Park. In Plettenberg Bay, you'll find the most beautiful beaches; in the Tsitsikamma section, the primeval forest reaches the rocky coast. From June to November, whales pass along the coast. A detour inland leads over mountain passes to Oudtshoorn, home to roadside farms and the Cango Caves. During the South African summer holidays in December and January, the region is crowded and expensive.

Place 1 of 4

George

George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, with its airport, the starting point for many. The city lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, just a few minutes from Wilderness and the sea.

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Place 2 of 4

Knysna

Knysna is located on a large lagoon, its outlet to the sea formed by two sandstone cliffs, the Knysna Heads. Surrounding it are South Africa's largest continuous forests.

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Place 3 of 4

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is the western starting point of the Garden Route. Bartolomeu Dias landed here in 1488, and from Cape St Blaize, you'll see whales off the coast in winter.

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Place 4 of 4

Nature's Valley

Nature's Valley is a small holiday village on the Garden Route, nestled between a lagoon, sandy beach, and the forest of the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. There are hardly any shops, but instead peace and beautiful hiking trails.

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More places in Garden Route

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is the largest town in the Little Karoo and the heart of ostrich farming. From here, you can reach the Cango Caves and the Swartberg Pass.

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay, or Plett for short, is the Garden Route's most popular seaside resort. Long sandy beaches, the hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve, and whales in the bay define the town.

Sedgefield

Sedgefield is a quiet holiday resort nestled between Wilderness and Knysna. As Africa's first Cittaslow town, it embraces a slow pace: the lagoon, long beaches, and the Saturday farmers' market define the place.

Storms River Village

Storms River Village is a small village in the forest, near the mouth of the Storms River. It's the base for the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park and for adventures like Canopy Tours and Tubing.

Tsitsikamma National Park

The Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park stretches along a steep rocky coastline between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. Dense primeval forest with Yellowwood trees extends here right to the ocean, and off the coast lies one of Africa's oldest marine protected areas. The park is known for the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth and the multi-day Otter Trail.

Wilderness

Wilderness is between George and Sedgefield on a long sandy beach. Beyond it, lagoons, lakes, and forests of the Garden Route National Park begin, ideal for paddling, hiking, and paragliding.

Sights in Garden Route

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Knysna Heads

Two sandstone cliffs guard the narrow entrance from Knysna Lagoon to the ocean, a passage feared for its strong current. From the viewpoint on the eastern cliff, you gaze across the lagoon, sea, and surf. Boat trips depart from the Knysna Waterfront to the Heads.

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Essen & Trinken

DEBONGS CAFÉ

Café in 14 St Georges St.

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île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery

Bakery in 10.

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Caffe Mario Knysna

Restaurant in 17 Hedge St.

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Anchorage Restaurant CC

Restaurant in 11 Gray St.

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Food and Drink on the Garden Route

Oysters from the Knysna Lagoon

Oysters have been cultivated for decades in Knysna Lagoon. They are served raw with lemon, often right by the water. In July, the town celebrates its Oyster Festival, amidst the South African winter.

Ostrich from the Little Karoo

Oudtshoorn is the heart of South African ostrich farming. Ostrich meat is dark, lean and tastes more like beef than poultry, served as steak, carpaccio, or burger.

Fish from the coast

Kabeljou, Kingklip, and Calamari are on the menu along the entire coast. Most popular is Fish and Chips from a harbour shack, for instance in Mossel Bay or Knysna.

Farm shops and markets

Between the towns are farm shops and weekly markets, many only on Saturdays. The markets in Sedgefield are well-known. They sell local cheese, bread, preserves, and honey.

Wines of Route 62

Route 62 through the Little Karoo connects wineries known primarily for dessert wines, such as Muscadel and port-style wines from Calitzdorp. The dry inland climate differs significantly from the winelands near Cape Town.

History of the Garden Route

Long before the Europeans, the Khoikhoi and San lived on this coast; cave finds near Mossel Bay are among the most important evidence of early humanity. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to land in Mossel Bay. In the 19th century, the timber industry in the forests around Knysna and the ostrich feather boom in Oudtshoorn brought prosperity; many Victorian houses date from this period. Today, the region thrives mainly on tourism.

Round trips through this region

Cape–Addo

This route connects the Cape Region with the Garden Route all the way to the Addo Elephant Park. It offers safe roads, plenty of campsites, and immense scenic diversity. Perfect for a 2–3 week campervan trip.

15 Days

7 stops

Garden Route Classic

The route follows the coast from Cape Town, via Hermanus, Mossel Bay, and Knysna, to Plettenberg Bay and Gqeberha. Along the way are lagoons, beaches, and the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. The stages are short and the infrastructure is good, even with children.

16 Days

6 stops

Nearby

Knysna

Knysna is located on a large lagoon, its outlet to the sea formed by two sandstone cliffs, the Knysna Heads. Surrounding it are South Africa's largest continuous forests.

Sedgefield

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay, or Plett for short, is the Garden Route's most popular seaside resort. Long sandy beaches, the hiking trails in Robberg Nature Reserve, and whales in the bay define the town.

Wilderness

Wilderness is between George and Sedgefield on a long sandy beach. Beyond it, lagoons, lakes, and forests of the Garden Route National Park begin, ideal for paddling, hiking, and paragliding.