Travel bucket list idea:

Drive the Garden Route

Western Cape, South Africa

Last updated: 24 July, 2024

Africa’s most famous road trip starts from the ever-beautiful Cape Town and heads up the eastern coastline to the typical first stop at pretty Hermanus, a Mecca for whale watching. From there, the route takes you on through the charming towns of Mossel Bay, Knysna, George and Plettenberg.

It’s a route of spectacular coastal cliffs, lush forests, serene lagoons and golden beaches – a dream for wildlife and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Highlights include the Tsitsikamma National Park, famous for its suspension bridge and ancient trees; whale-watching at Hermanus; bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge, the picturesque town of Knysna, stunning limestone formations at the Cango Caves, and outdoor adventures at the Addo Elephant Park.

If you have the time, it’s a fantastic addition to any Cape Town itinerary – and one of the world’s great road trips. Plan on at least 6 nights, though you could easily spend two weeks here and not see it all.

Note – the name of the route has nothing to do with gardens; it takes its name from the Garden Route National Park that it passes through.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 13+

When: All year around

Duration: 3-14 days

Getting there & doing it

There are a number of excellent tour operators offering multi-day tours – see our recommendations below.

If you prefer to do it independently, it’s fairly straightforward to do. The N2 highway, which runs the length of the route, is well-maintained and signposted, and connects all of the key attractions. Petrol stations and eateries are plentiful.

When to do it

The best time to drive the Garden Route in South Africa is from late spring to early autumn, specifically between October and April. During this period, the weather is warm and pleasant, ideal for outdoor activities and scenic drives. Summer months (December to February) offer the peak tourist season with bustling attractions, while shoulder seasons (October-November and March-April) provide milder weather, fewer crowds, and lush landscapes, perfect for exploring the region’s natural beauty.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

6-Day Garden Route & Addo South African Adventure from Cape Town

Cape Town

Viator

Experience the road trip of a lifetime along South Africa's stunning Garden Route. Visit incredible locations such as the Cape Agulhas, ride a canoe in the Wilderness National Park, enjoy a local wine tasting, hike in the Tsitsikamma National Park, relax in South Africa's amazing beaches and participate in a real safari at the Addo Elephant National Park.

Price ZAR 11,750

Min age 18

Rating 4.97 / 5 [248 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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5 Day Garden Route and Addo Safari - Best of South Africa Small Group Tour

Cape Town

Viator

Discover the highlights of South Africa’s legendary Garden Route – including Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Knysna Heads, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn – on a 5-day tour from Cape Town. You’ll explore this coastal paradise with an experienced guide: hike in old-growth forests, see endangered animals in wildlife reserves, and relax on white-sand beaches. A combination of guided tours and optional activities allows you to tailor this trip to your taste for adventure. Try extra activities (own expense) such as bungee jumping, a 4x4 game drive, and ziplining.

Price ZAR 10,890

Min age 10

Rating 4.84 / 5 [246 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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3 Day Garden Route's Best Highlights with Safari from Cape Town

Cape Town

Viator

Spend three days exploring South Africa’s famed Garden Route from Cape Town. This fast paced tour focus on visiting a vast variety of highlights along the Garden Route - in total you'll cover about 1200 kilometres (about 4 to 6 hours driving per day). Explore this piece of paradise on the southeastern coast of South Africa where many adventures awaits.. canoe along a calm river in the Wilderness area, keeping an eye out for the abundant birdlife. Explore the Cango Caves, and enjoy an included 4x4 safari with a game ranger as you set out to spot some members of Africa’s Big Five, and connect with closely with nature in a private game reserve. This action-packed itinerary is ideal for the young at heart with the option to join optional activities scheduled for even more fun: eg. Observe orphaned elephants as they roam freely in a natural bushvelt habitat, and face your fears if you choose to partake in the optional world’s highest bridge bungy jump.

Price ZAR 5,768

Min age 10

Rating 4.85 / 5 [145 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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5-Day Garden Route & Addo Adventure from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Cape Town

Viator

I don't know of anywhere else in the world where you can experience such a diverse offering in a short amount of time. On our 5 Day tours, guests can see two oceans, mountain ranges, a semi-desert, participate in shark diving, whale watching, or bungee jumping, not to mention seeing spectacular African wildlife in a National Park! We manage to fit that all in, at an affordable price to boot! Our guides are South African born and passionate about people and travel. The establishments we support are locally owned and owner run. Last but not least, the food we provide on tour is deliciously local and traditional. We provide excellent service from receiving the booking all the way to dropping you off on the last day of tour.

Price ZAR 11,150

Min age 18

Rating 4.89 / 5 [96 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4 Day Garden Route Adventure & Safari

Cape Town

Viator

The Garden Route is a little piece of heaven tucked away on the East Coast of South Africa. Our 4 day tour incorporates the highlights of the area along with the splendid scenery. This is perfect for those who don’t have much time but wish to experience the famous Garden Route along with many of its activities!

Price ZAR 9,950

Min age 6

Rating 4.83 / 5 [95 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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