road trip cape town port elizabeth

Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Via Cape Route 62 and the Garden Route 

Planning a trip to South Africa in 2024 and thinking about traveling along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth?

In this travel blog I will share my 17-day itinerary from Cape Town that will take you along some of the best places to visit in South Africa on our day-to-day self-drive route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. One of the most popular itineraries for people traveling to South Africa for the first time.

Also find the best places to stay, some useful travel tips and things to do in Cape Town, the best stops along the Garden Route and the Karoo, tips about car hire in South Africa, the best Game Reserves for an unforgettable Big Five Safari in Port Elizabeth and more.

Plan your holiday to Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a unique tourist destination that offers outstanding landscapes and scenery from semi desert and mountain ranges to a spectacular coastline, beautiful winelands in the Western Cape, adventure activities, abundant wildlife and even more! Once you’ve visited South Africa, you will want to go back to see more of this beautiful Rainbow Nation. First time traveling to South Africa? Then I can recommend you the laid-back, safe and beautiful Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

I’ve been to South Africa five times already and there’s still so much to explore. Start planning your Cape Town trip with this ultimate South Africa itinerary for first timers and follow the footsteps of my 2,5-week road trip along the Garden Route and Cape Route 62 through one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the world.

Car hire South Africa tips

Road conditions in South Africa are good and all signs are written in English. That makes it easy to do a self-drive, however there are some things to be aware of. All rental cars in South Africa are right-hand vehicles and you have to drive on the left-hand side of the road; for that reason, I was really happy with an automatic car.

It’s also recommended to obtain an International Driver License. Although it’s not required, some rental car companies ask for it. Ultimate South Africa car-rental tip: make sure you book a car in advance to prevent stress and issues upon arrival at any airport in South Africa. Even if it’s last minute and you’re already at the airport, it’s better to book it online.

We rented a medium sized (Suzuki) automatic car at Around About Cars, the cheapest car rental in South Africa, and enjoyed being on the road with them! We picked up our car at Cape Town Airport and dropped it off at Port Elizabeth Airport. This procedure was very smooth. We were very happy with the quality of our car and we do think that Around About Cars is a reliable South African car rental agency.

To travel around Cape Town we used Uber a lot. It is an easy, affordable and safe way to get around in the city. No parking problems and no stressful driving in the busy city. Just download the Uber app and make sure you have a good internet connection. 

The best way to stay connected when traveling to South Africa is a local prepaid sim card for tourists or an e-sim card. In my article about buying a sim card for South Africa in 2024  I will explain you everything you need to know. There is also the possibility to buy a sim card at Cape Town Airport  or if you first land in Johannesburg then check out my article about buying a sim card at Johannesburg Airport .

It is a big country and while a road trip in South Africa is amazing, you can save time by taking domestic flights. The most popular tourist attractions in South Africa are well connected. This is obviously going to costs you way more money and you will see less of the countryside.

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Is South Africa safe for tourists in 2024?

South Africa is not the safest place to travel in terms of crimes and robberies, but I honestly felt safe all the time. Just be aware and make informed choices, like everywhere else in the world! That’s the best way to avoid dangerous situations and places. 

Keep the doors of your car locked at all times, also when you’re driving and give some of your small money to a parking attendant. That way, you know they’ll look after your car once it’s parked and they are happy with the money since parking attendants are often people with no paid jobs.

Things to do on the Garden Route

The Garden Route is by far the most popular self-drive route in South Africa with scenic views everywhere and lots of things to see and places to visit along the road, like the following:

• wine tasting in Franschhoek
• hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town
• Lion’s Head in Cape Town
• observing the African penguins on Boulder’s Beach
• Whale watching in Hermanus
• searching for Meerkats in Oudtshoorn
• relaxing on the beach in Plettenberg Bay
• safari near Port Elizabeth: Samara in the Great Karoo, Addo Elephant National Park and Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

Safari near Port Elizabeth

Many people travel to South Africa to see wildlife and experience their first safari. The largest and most famous wildlife park in South Africa is Kruger National Park in Johannesburg, that is almost as big as Belgium. When you stay near Port Elizabeth, you can choose out of different Big Five safari game reserves. We spent our last 5 days in 4 different game reserves and a National Park around Port Elizabeth. 

Ultimate itinerary from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in South Africa

Day 1: Franschhoek (A)

Day 2 – Day 6: Cape Town (B)

Day 7 – Day 8: Hermanus (C)

Day 9: Oudtshoorn (E)

Day 10: Garden Route via George to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (F)

Day 11:  Garden Route to Ksitsikamma NP, Storms River and Port Elizabeth (G)

Day 12 – Day 13: Samara Private Game Reserve (H)

Day 14:  Bellevue Forest Reserve (I)

Day 15: Addo Elephant National Park (J)

Day 16 – Day 17: Shamwari Private Game Reserve (L)

Day 1: Franschhoek and the winelands 

After a long flight and car pick-up at Cape Town Airport, our first stop was Franschhoek, a 45-minute drive along the N1 towards Paarl which will take you through the beautiful Wineland area of the Western Cape.

As the name refers, Franschhoek is a traditionally French town that is appoint to the food and wine capital of the country. The Franschhoek valley is one of the most stunning parts of the Cape Winelands and popular for some top restaurants, wine estates, golf courses and of course the Wine Tram which will take you to several wine estates for wine tastings. Wine lovers will admire this stunning place!

For us, it was a perfect place to start our holiday, but it’s also nice to stay in Franschhoek after your visit to Cape Town, to relax and unwind after the busy city life. 

Where to stay in Franschhoek?

We stayed at the amazing and peaceful Angala Boutique Hotel , located within the Wine Estate of Vrede & Lust in the heart of the Cape Winelands. This boutique hotel is a real gem and offers comfortable modern cottages and bungalows in a lovely, peaceful and quite environment.

We were given their biggest bungalow including a private swimming pool with mountain views from our bedroom and from the pool. I loved their outside breakfast overlooking their natural pool in a nicely decorated garden. The spa is amazing as well!

Be aware that Angala Boutique Hotel is not in the centre of Franschhoek, but located between Franschhoek and Paarl in the area called Drakenstein. From the property you can easily go for a hike up to magnificent mountains and walk through the beautiful gardens. Don’t forget to go for a wine tasting at Vrede & Lust; you will receive a voucher for a complimentary wine tasting. I could have stayed here for a few more days, because it’s so peaceful. I would advise to stay at least two nights. 

Day 2-6: Cape Town, the Mother City

What can I say? Cape Town is one of my most favourite cities in the world and I could write several articles about the best views, great restaurants and best things to do in Cape Town. I can easily put together a 7-day Cape Town itinerary with must visits and adventure activities in Cape Town, but I will keep it short in this South Africa itinerary travel blog because I want to focus on the route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. 

One of the main reasons to visit South Africa is exploring Cape Town, also known as the Mother City. With beautiful views everywhere and lots of things to do, you must add Cape Town to your South Africa travel itinerary or plan a city trip to Cape Town to only focus on the city and its surroundings.

Are you a first-time visitor? You would probably want to explore the most popular places to visit in Cape Town including tourist attractions like Table Mountain, Robben Island, Lion’s Head, Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and the wine area of Stellenbosch to taste some of South Africa’s finest wines. These were exactly the spots I visited when I first traveled to South Africa. Back then, I started my first Africa trip in Johannesburg and ended my trip in Cape Town.

For the sake of convenience there’s a Hop-on Hop-off bus that will easily take you to most of the Cape Town highlights, but you can also walk or take an Uber. Although we had our own car, we walked a lot and took various Ubers.

You should also add Bo-Kaap and Camps Bay to the list of things to do in Cape Town and don’t forget to visit Signal Hill, one of the best sunset spots in Cape Town. Another great spot for watching the sunset is Sunset Rock with views over Camps Bay, Lion’s Head, 12 Apostles, Clifton Beach and Robben Island.

Apart from the above mentioned popular places to see in Cape Town, I would also recommend visiting the Saturday market in Woodstock and the Old Biscuit Mill, a trip to Blouberg Strand to admire Table Mountain from a distance and taking Instagrammable selfies at the colourful beach huts on Muizenberg Beach.

Another top thing to do in Cape Town is driving the iconic 9km long Chapman’s Peak Drive, that contains 114 curves and beautiful sceneries everywhere. It’s known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and therefore not to be missed when you travel to Cape Town.

If you visit the Mother City between November and April, a great Cape Town travel tip is to attend the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series that take place every Sunday. It’s a great way to enjoy music in Cape Town. As you might imagine there is absolutely no shortage of things to do in Cape Town. I would recommend staying 5-7 days in Cape Town, definitely when it’s your first visit!

Where to stay in Cape Town?

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel with excellent service; Derwent House Boutique Hotel is the place to be! Without a doubt they deserve the certificate of excellence, traveller’s choice and the 5-star ranking at TripAdvisor.

Derwent is perfectly located in a safe neighbourhood called ‘Gardens’, around the corner of Kloof Street (an extension of Long Street). It’s close to delicious restaurants and nearby popular attractions. The hotel also has a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

The rooms are equipped with everything you’ll need; some contain a living room and kitchen and all rooms are differently designed and decorated! As I said before, the team of Derwent offers a great service. There is always someone on duty at the reception desk and they even serve a nightcap when you come back in the evening. Apart from that the Derwent Boutique Hotel also has their own Gin-Bar. 

When you go to the beach, you will receive a beach bag and they generally ask you what your plans are for the day and give you several options of things to do in Cape Town including their favourite restaurant recommendations.

Guests can use the free and guarded parking area and every morning there’s a various breakfast with a daily special. The staff really made me feel at home in this cosy boutique hotel and I would stay again! Some rooms also offer perfect views of the Table Mountain; pretty stunning.

Day 7: Clarence Drive from Cape Town to Hermanus

From Cape Town we drove a beautiful, coastal route to Hermanus. We took the so called ‘Whale Watching Route’ that includes the ‘Clarence Drive’ (the scenic R44 route) and stopped at different places like Gordons Bay, Dappat se Gat and Stoney Point. 

We were hoping to spot the Great White Sharks at Dappat se Gat, because False Bay used to be home to this world's largest known predatory fish. Unfortunately, they vanished and haven’t been seen in 2019; nobody knows why. It could be the presence of orca’s or fishermen, because they sell their prey, but it’s still unclear. The last shark sighting at Dappat se Gat (could be all species) was one month before we visited the place.

We had more luck with spotting penguins at Stoney Point because they are always there. This nature reserve is a much quieter place to watch African penguins than the more famous Boulders Beach. Entrance fee for Stoney Point is 25 ZAR per person. Although I already observed the penguins at Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, I really liked Stoney Point because it was less touristy and the surroundings were beautiful.

Day 8: Hermanus and the Southern Right Whales

Hermanus is famous for Southern Right Whale watching between May and November, but sadly the whale sightings in South Africa have dropped extremely the past few years. For that reason, we weren’t lucky to spot any whales in Hermanus.

Locals explained they have seen whales, but they left two weeks before we arrived in Hermanus. However, there were some sightings of whales in Port Elizabeth.

Because of the poor shark and whale sightings, we changed our program in Hermanus and enjoyed the Cliff Path Walk, instead of a marine activity like natural Shark predation and spotting whales. The Cliff Path offers outstanding views of the coast and sea, where you can enjoy rock formations and extremely high waves. You can also visit the Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

Where to stay in Hermanus?

We spent two nights at Whale on Main B&B that offers 5 spacious rooms. We were given a room with a large balcony and a comfortable king-sized bed. It was very quiet and peaceful, so we really came to rest.

The accommodation offers a free private parking and a garden with a swimming pool. The owners, Marlene and Zeno, were lovely hosts; their service is very good and personal. They advised about activities and recommended several restaurants like Walkers Grill ad Chads Grill and Wine Bar, which I would recommend too.

The Bed & Breakfast was fairly new, perfectly located across the street where you can enter the Cliff Path and close to Hermanus town (15 minutes). I highly recommend staying at the Whale on Main B&B to relax and unwind.

Day 9: Cape Route 62 from Hermanus to Oudtshoorn

The route from Hermanus to Oudtshoorn is about 360km and will take you around 5,5 hours including road works and a quick lunch stop on the way. You will drive the Cape Route 62 that serves as a tourist route. After the popular Garden Route (or Tuinroute) this route is one of the most beautiful and scenic drives of the Western Cape.

The R62 will lead you through the dryer parts of the Klein Karoo; very different from the landscapes you see on the Garden Route, but not less beautiful. On your way to Oudtshoorn, I would recommend stopping in the town called ‘Barrydale’ to have your early lunch (or breakfast). Two famous lunch restaurants in this area are ‘Diesel and Crème’ for its famous milkshakes and ‘Ronnies Sex Shop’ which is no sex shop at all but thought it would probably sell better.

Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo

Oudtshoorn is known as the Ostrich Capital of the world and a lot of people go there to visit ostrich farms, the Cango Caves or to do a Meerkat adventure, some great things to do in Oudtshoorn. The Karoo is also a great spot for stargazing activities, because it has some of the darkest skies in South Africa.

Bush Safari at Buffelsdrift Game Reserve

Buffelsdrift Game Reserve is located in Oudtshoorn and is a reserve where you can go for a bush safari. Apart from spotting a variety of animals, the guides will also teach you some facts about birds and plant species of the Karoo. We went for a two-hour afternoon game drive including a refreshment break at a high lookout point with views over the Klein Karoo.

I personally think it’s a good activity for a first-time safari experience, but it’s a relatively short activity and less spectacular wildlife viewings. Because of the extremely drought in the Karoo, the reserve added extra feeding grounds for the animals. In terms of wildlife we spotted two rhinos at the feeding ground and some giraffes and impalas. After the game drive we had dinner at the deck with views of the waterhole, where you can watch and hear the sounds of hippos and birds at sunset.

Meerkat Adventure

Another popular thing to do in Oudtshoorn is the daily wild habituated Meerkat experience. During a 2 to 3-hour tour, you will share the sunrise with a Meerkat family. While you are sitting in a chair, you can observe the Meerkats as they come out of the burrow to start their daily routine like seeking for food.

There are only a few operators who run this tour. We did this Meerkat Adventure with Five Shy Meerkats on a farm just outside Oudtshoorn, which is home to the original Meerkat conservation site ‘De Zeekoe’. This is the only place in South Africa where you can do this Meerkat activity.

The tours of Five Shy Meerkats are operated by experienced tour guides. I think it’s an amazing and very unique experience to see these wild animals in their natural environment. While the Meerkats warmed their tummies in the sun for blood circulation, we learned more about their warming up process and behaviour.

I would definitely recommend this tour by Five Shy Meerkats. It’s worth the early morning wake-up and you will be back in time to enjoy your breakfast.

Where to stay in Oudtshoorn

Boutique glamping is a great way to experience the Karoo and that’s possible at AfriCamps Klein Karoo , where you will be staying in a luxury tent, located only a 10-minute drive from Oudtshoorn centre. The tents are amazing; spacious and well equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, comfortable beds, a sitting area and a balcony with a great view over the Klein Karoo surroundings. 

We were given a tent with the best view, near the dam. Because of the extreme drought this area in South Africa is facing, there sadly wasn’t any water available to fill the dam, which means there wasn’t much wildlife around. Apart from that I still loved the tranquil view. 

Preparing your own ‘braai’ (bbq in Afrikaans) or watching the milky way from your tent makes this experience even better. Inside the tents, there is a fireplace to warm up on the cooler evenings and an air-conditioning for the hot days. 

At the check-in you will receive an extensive breakfast box with fresh juice, coffee, water, bread, eggs, yoghurt, cereals, and muffins. You can keep it in the fridge in your tent and enjoy your breakfast the following morning; just perfect.

The Garden Route, also known as Tuinroute, is one of the most popular things to do in South Africa. The official Garden Route starts in Mossel Bay and ends at Storms River. From Oudtshoorn we drove to George, which means we skipped the first part of the Garden Route. We had an overnight stay in Plettenberg to have a little more rest and spend some time at the beach. After one night we continued the route to Port Elizabeth.

The Garden Route has a lot to offer like beautiful beaches, extreme outdoor activities and national parks. More inland you will find beautiful mountains, lakes and lagoons. You can visit this area over and over, and explore different things every time you drive the Garden Route. Some popular places along the Garden Route are: George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Nature’s Valley and the awesome Storms River Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Day 11: Garden Route to Ksitsikamma NP, Storms River and Port Elizabeth

I really liked Knysna, a cosy and charming town at the Knysna lagoon. This is also one of the most popular stops halfway the Garden Route. After our overnight stay in Plettenberg, we visited Tsitsikamma National Park and did the most popular ‘Mouth Trail’ to the Suspension Bridge, the hanging bridge over the Storms River. The trail took about 1 hour (2km walk).

Another adventurous thing to do along the Garden Route is jumping off the 216-meter high Bloukrans Bridge above the Bloukrans River. The Bloukrans Bungy is the highest bungy bridge in the world and a bucket list item for many travellers. I didn’t jump; after jumping off the 111-meter high Victoria Falls Bridge in Zimbabwe I didn’t feel the need to do it again.

From Tsitsikamma National Park to Port Elizabeth is only a 2-hour drive. Port Elizabeth is Cape Town’s little sister, with a nice relaxing atmosphere. There are many things to do in Port Elizabeth, from visiting the town and the beach to several marine activities like whale watching, spotting sharks and going on a boat trip to for example another colony of African penguins.

We stayed in Port Elizabeth for only 1 night and from there we planned several African safari experiences in different high-end game reserves: time for the African bush feeling; the reason why I fell in love with Africa in the first place.

Day 12-13: Samara Private Game Reserve, Safari for the soul

The luxury, malaria-free Samara Private Game Reserve covering 67,000 acres of land, is located near Graaff-Reinet in the mighty Great Karoo. The best way to get there is by car over fairly good roads. From Port Elizabeth it will take you 2,5 hours to the main entrance gate of Samara. We had a short lunch stop at ‘the Ark’, an old farmhouse in Jansenville and filled up on fuel at the neighbouring gas station.

Once you reach Samara’s main entrance gate, you have to drive an unpaved road. Depending on which lodge you stay, this will be 15-18,4 km. 

Upon arrival at the lodge you will be welcomed by Samara’s friendly staff and you will quickly feel at home on this beautiful property with stunning views of the Great Karoo. 

We stayed in the rustic-chic Karoo Lodge; a renovated farmhouse. We were given a luxury cottage with private veranda. This charming and spacious Karoo Suite contains a fireplace, bath, indoor and outdoor shower and offers incredible mountain views and views of a nearby watering hole where elands and baboons came for a drink.

Our two-night stay included two early-morning game drives, two afternoon game drives and all meals. During these game drives, we explored different areas of the reserve and we had some amazing wildlife sightings.

To fully experience all that Samara has to offer, for example their milky way star bed in a remote secluded location, I recommend staying there for at least 3 nights.

Together with our guide and tracker, we traced wild cheetahs on foot, observed a mother and baby rhino and came very close to a group of elephants. At our last game drive, we drove all the way up to the mountain with 360 degrees panoramic views. 

Standing on top of the plateau with such spectacular views, makes you feel very small and humble. This special moment is one of my most vivid memories of this South African trip. Good to know is that the land is slowly recovering from the effects of agricultural exploitation and that it is Samara’s dream that the land will recover and bring back the wildlife that used to call the Great Karoo their home, but got locally extinct. 

Samara is most famous for their story of a wild cheetah, Sibella, who has become a global ambassadress for cheetah conservation. Sibella’s life nearly ended at the hands of hunters but was rescued by De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. In 2004 Sibella was the first to be released into the wild and the first cheetah back in the Karoo in 125 years. At the time of her death in 2015, Sibella was mother to 9, grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to 18 cheetahs still alive across the country. A truly remarkable cat, contributing to 2.4% of the wild cheetah population in South Africa.

Day 14: Bellevue Forest Reserve 

Bellevue Forest Reserve is a 2.500 hectare private and malaria-free game reserve, located in the Greater Addo region. It’s 74 km away from Port Elizabeth Airport (30 minutes) and neighbours the Addo Elephant National Park (20 minutes to the main gate) and Shamwari.

This family friendly reserve is most famous for the unique Giraffe Walk excursion and home to wildlife such as lions and buffalo. Apart from the guided Giraffe Walk, they offer other daily outdoor activities like a Buffalo Feeding Tour, Stargazing experiences in their outdoor star bed and of course, game drives on their own property.

You won’t get bored in Bellevue Forest Reserve, but if you are up for some other wildlife you can also go on a day-trip to Addo Elephant National Park. 

Because Bellevue Forest Reserve is the only one who offers a giraffe walk, we couldn’t miss out on it. I think it’s an enjoyable activity; especially when you haven’t been close to wildlife before it’s very impressive to walk up very close to these animals. Walking with giraffes doesn’t mean touching our padding them; these are wild animals.

When the giraffes are comfortable you get out of the game drive vehicle to slowly walk in the footprints of the giraffes to observe their behaviour and get closer to them. Quite impressive if you look up to the most elegant animals of the African bush. During the activity, you will also stop at the Buffalo Camp of Bellevue what’s giving you a glimpse into the natural habitat of these animals, that are considered to be the most unpredictable animals of the African bush.

In Bellevue Forest Reserve, we stayed in the Elephants Lodge (Olifantskop Lodge) , which overlooks the valley of the Reserve. It’s a cosy environment with natural gardens. The recently renovated rooms are small but very clean and equipped with everything you need. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at a common area with an atmospheric fire place and a bar.

The hosts will do anything to make their service as personal as possible and because of that, they really create a familiarity of home. For this reason, I would recommend this place in particular for solo travellers and families. At Bellevue you will find a delightful home away from home on vacation.

The hosts also prepared a delicious Braai and joined their present guests – including us – for dinner! We had a great evening and heard the lions roaring in the night; the sounds you want to hear while you’re on a safari near Port Elizabeth.

Day 15: Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant is South Africa's third largest national reserve and is home to the Big Five animals, namely; Black Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and of course the Elephant. You should definitely visit Addo Elephant Park for at least a day trip, but you can also stay in the National Park. You can either go there with a guided tour or on a self-drive. Addo is perfect for a self-drive but you are not allowed to go off-road. We were lucky to spot a male and female lion, zebra’s and three elephants.

Day 15-17: Shamwari Private Game Reserve

For an absolutely wonderful, rewarding and most luxury safari near Port Elizabeth, you have to choose Shamwari Game Reserve. Our stay was amazing, from the beginning to the end and I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the whole team of Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

I think it is the whole package that makes Shamwari such a wonderful place to be; the rooms are perfectly designed and fully equipped, the food they serve is delicious, all staff members are well-trained and their service is outstanding. They believe in the work they do and they do everything to make your stay unforgettable.

Guests can completely relax in style and luxury in a peaceful environment inspired by nature. With 7 lodges and 1 explorer camp, they can definitely meet different expectations, whether traveling with family, friends or business associates.

We stayed in the newly renovated luxury ‘tent’ of Bayethe Lodge that provides an in- and outdoor shower, ensuite bathroom with bath, king sized comfortable bed, relaxed lounge area and a private deck with plunge pool and a great view with chances of spotting wildlife.

What absolutely made our stay even more wonderful is the quality of the game drives and in particular the quality and knowledge of our ranger, Timothy. He made our safari experience truly memorable. We had a lovely time and apart from stunning wildlife sightings, Timothy taught us a lot about tracking, the animal’s behaviour and the beautiful environment. We couldn’t have wished for a better ranger who truly loves his work and belongs to the African bush.

On top of all, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is really successful in conservation. They even have been declared a protected environment because of their conservation efforts, for example The Born Free Foundation.

Shamwari, what means ‘friend’, is totally living up to her name. A stay at Shamwari Private Game Reserve will be memorable, because it truly is a magical place.

Cape Town Garden Route Travel Blog

This South Africa itinerary travel blog is written by  Kim Paffen , an award-winning travel- & wildlife photographer, one of Traveltomtom’s talented team members with a deep-seated passion for traveling in Africa.

For Traveltomtom, she traveled to this beautiful country and shared all her South Africa tips and incredible photos in this travel guide and itinerary. Check out her Instagram account: @ourplanetinmylens . 

I hope the above South Africa itinerary and travel tips from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth were helpful for you. Feel free to help me in return by sharing the link of this article somewhere on internet. Every pin on Pinterest or share on Facebook is very much appreciated.

For more Africa inspiration and amazing photos of Kim have a look at her Uganda Travel Guide and Madagascar travel blogs .

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From Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Road Trip (Garden Route)

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Home » From Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Road Trip (Garden Route)

Wondering where to stop on a Port Elizabeth to Cape Town road trip? We’ve got you covered!

The Garden Route is a scenic stretch along South Africa ’s east coast, reaching from Storms River to Mossel Bay. If you are planning the ultimate South African road trip, then you just have to include the Garden Route.

This route covers a beautiful strip of coastline – with lush indigenous forests, stunning towns, pristine beaches, and many other attractions along the way.

There are plenty of great places to stop along the Garden Route – you can choose an itinerary based on your interests and time limits.

While the Garden Route map technically covers the area between Storms River and Mossel Bay, most people will cover the route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (or vice versa). 

This is because both cities have airports – allowing you to fly into one and out the other. Doing the trip like this also adds even more amazing places to visit along the way.

Tip:  Check out our Ultimate Guide to Travel with Kids in South Africa .

Here is our guide for the best Garden Route itinerary. This road trip includes a wide range of activities, towns, landscapes, and things to experience.

Here is our itinerary, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. The total length of this trip is 10 days, but you can customize that based on your own circumstances. You could also just as easily do this trip in reverse.

Each stop is only a short distance from each other, so driving is fairly short and easy.

Click here to book your tour guided 5 day Garden Route tour if you don’t want to self-drive the route

Stop 1: Port Elizabeth

Start your Garden Route adventure by flying into Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth is a pretty quiet and laid back city.

There are some great beaches here, as well as a lovely beachfront promenade and pier.

You won’t need to stay long here to experience all that Port Elizabeth has to offer.

We would recommend visiting Addo Elephant National Park during your day here.

This park is within about a 1-hour drive from the city – and it offers a beautiful South African safari escape. Spend the day doing a self-drive game tour of the park.

You can spot plenty of wildlife here – and, of course,  plenty of elephants.

While there is a lot to experience at Addo Elephant National Park, you can easily manage to see everything you need to in a day.

The park is home to the famous Big 5 , so hopefully, you will get to spot some of these creatures. Click here to read more about our self-drive through Addo Elephant Park post .

Return to Port Elizabeth for the night before starting your Garden Route road trip the next day.

Stop 2: Bloukrans

Start your second day off by driving down the coast towards Plettenberg Bay. This drive will take you past some of the most beautiful sights and points of interest along the SA Garden Route.

During the drive down, be sure to stop at Bloukrans Bridge . Bloukrans is home to the world’s highest bridge bungee jump – so any adrenaline junkies will love this stop! Taking the thrilling leap is a real once in a lifetime kind of experience.

If bungee jumping isn’t for you though, the impressive view over the steep river valley far below is still worth admiring. Staying here also gives you access to Natures Valley – a gorgeous part of the Garden Route with a very special beach.

Below is our choice of accommodation for the Bloukrans area.

Trogon House and Forest Spa

This is treetop Tsitsikamma accommodation at its best. This heavenly hotel offers secluded accommodation amongst lush natural surroundings. There is also a spa here for those that really want to unwind.

Why should you stay here?

• Accommodation in nature
• Amazing views
• Luxurious and comfortable

Check out the current prices for Trogon House and Forest Spa here .

Stop 3: Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay , or Plett as it is known, is one of South Africa’s favorite seaside towns. No Garden Route itinerary would be complete without a stop here.

Plett is famous for its beautiful beaches and laid back seaside charm. There is some good surfing in Plett for those that want to hit the waves. There are also some lovely coastal walks, fishing opportunities, and stunning viewpoints.

The town offers some great shopping and restaurants as well – making it a quality all-round holiday destination.

Plett also makes for the perfect central base in the area where you can explore nearby attractions from. We spent 3 nights in Plett and used it as a base to visit other destinations during our South Africa Garden Route tour.

Here is our recommended itinerary during your Plett stay.

Day 1 in Plett

Nature lovers will enjoy all the wildlife attractions around Plett. If you are traveling with kids, then be sure to check some of these family-friendly destinations out. You can visit the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary .

This is a sustainable wildlife sanctuary focused on creating awareness around large animals in captivity. The sanctuary is home to some incredible predators. These include lions, cheetahs, leopards, pumas, white tigers, jaguars, and many more. The tours of the sanctuary are very informative.

The wildlife here are all rescues and have no interaction with humans. They are kept in captivity due to their survival being very low if they are returned to the wild.

Then there is the Monkeyland Sanctuary . This is the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. The place covers over 12 hectares of indigenous forest and is in line with all eco-tourism standards. All ages will love visiting this fun sanctuary, and seeing all of the different types of monkeys swinging around.

The next sanctuary is Birds of Eden . This is the world’s largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary. This unique eco-tourism destination will reveal a wide range of different bird species to admire. These three nature sanctuaries are usually all visited together in the same session.

Day 2 in Plett

Be sure to dedicate a day to visit Tsitsikamma National Park . This is one of the most stunning national parks in the country – with lush indigenous forest and a magnificent coastline. However, the main reason to visit here is to walk to Storms River mouth .

The Storms River mouth trail hike is a scenic walk through the park. Wooden walkways will guide you past thick trees and enticing viewpoints, before reaching the magnificent river mouth. Here you will find suspension bridges that cross the river – allowing you to enjoy stunning views of the coastal area. This is one of the most popular stops on Garden Route tours.

Enjoy a late lunch at Keurbooms where you will find Enrico’s . This restaurant is next to a pretty beach where you can enjoy spending some time before heading back to Plett.

Here is our Plett accommodation recommendation.

Bella Manga Country Escape

This is a well-equipped accommodation option in Plett. The comfortable rooms here come in self-catering options and are part of quality grounds. There are two large pools, an honesty bar, and even small game on the property.

• Wonderful large grounds
• Well equipped rooms
• Convenient central location

Check out the current prices for Bella Manga Country Escape here

Stop 4: Oudtshoorn

Next up on your Garden Route tour is Oudtshoorn. The drive here from Plett is really enjoyable, as you get to pass some lovely areas.

We would definitely recommend making a stop at the East Knysna lookout for some spectacular views of the Knysna Heads . Knysna is another worthy destination to spend some time – offering a lovely waterfront and excellent shopping.

Continuing on the road trip, take a detour at the Montagu Pass from George . This is a scenic dirt road route that will take you to Oudtshoorn. There are some brilliant lunch stops close to Plett. These include Moss and Maple, Thyme and Again, and the stunning Bramon Wine Estate . 

Oudtshoorn is an inland town located in an area called the Klein Karoo. This place is known for its many ostrich farms and unspoiled landscapes. Oudtshoorn offers a different feel to the coastal Garden Route destinations.

This town is located along the popular Route 62, making it a convenient base for exploring the area. We would suggest spending 3 nights here to make the most out of your stay.

Day 1 in Oudtshoorn

Spend your first day in Oudtshoorn driving to Prince Albert via the scenic Meiringspoort Pass . Enjoy a peaceful lunch in Prince Albert at the Lazy Lizard , before carrying on to the Cango Caves via the awesome Swartberg Pass .

Be sure to book a Cango Cave tour in advance as these can get very popular. The Cango Caves are a spectacular natural landmark with some interesting stories behind them. Walking through the massive caves is a really special experience – with the huge stalagmites and stalactites towering around you.

Day 2 in Oudtshoorn

You can’t visit Oudtshoorn without experiencing the famous ostriches of the area. The best place to do this is at the Safari Ostrich Farm .

Here you will be able to tour the farm on a tractor-pulled wagon, feed ostriches with a spoon, stand on massive ostrich eggs, and even watch baby ostriches hatching. This is a brilliant family-friendly attraction.

After this hour-long tour, you could head to the Cango Wildlife Ranch for the rest of the afternoon. This is a conservation farm that houses many endangered species – including plenty of crocodiles.

Our accommodation choice for Oudtshoorn is below:

Welgeluk Cottage

A lovely 3 bedroom homestay with great facilities. The property is well-located, and the garden views are sublime.

• Well equipped accommodation
• Perfectly positioned in Oudtshoorn
• Quiet and peaceful

Check out the current prices for Welgeluk Cottage here.

Stop 5: Cape Town

It’s now time for the final leg of your Garden Route Cape Town adventure. Take the drive from Oudtshoorn down to the mother city – one of South Africa’s top tourism destinations. Cape Town is known for its iconic flat-topped mountain, beautiful beaches, and vibrant city culture. This is the perfect place to spend two nights before flying off.

Spend one day doing a drive around the Cape Peninsula . Table Mountain National Park is the center point of the city – with mountains stretching from the city center to Cape Point.

You can enjoy a day driving around the entire peninsula, stopping at the many different interesting places along the way. Some great areas to stop include the Constantia Wine Valley, Kalk Bay, Cape Point, Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak, and the beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard.

You can spend another day in the city relaxing on Camps Bay Beach before flying out in the late afternoon. There is a lot to enjoy along the vibrant beachfront here. This is one of the most trendy and exciting strips in Cape Town – with amazing shops, restaurants, and bars on offer.

You can find our 4 day Cape Town itinerary here if you wish to stay for a bit longer.

We would recommend basing your Cape Town stay in this area. Our Cape Town accommodation choice is below.

Primi Seacastle

This beachfront spot is in the prime position for a Cape Town holiday. The property is right on the beach, with gorgeous ocean views from each room. Table Mountain stands tall in the background. This luxurious villa is the ultimate place to stay in Camps Bay.

• Right on the beach
• Luxurious accommodation in a beach villa
• Closely located to Cape Town’s top attractions

Check out the current prices for Primi Seacastle here .

Final Thoughts on the Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Garden Route

South Africa is a country with a wide range of landscapes, towns, and attractions on offer. Taking a road trip through the Garden Route allows you to experience many different points of interest, beautiful places, and fun things to do.

Our ultimate Garden Route itinerary covers all of the top destinations in this area. This is a brilliant trip to do as a family with kids, as there are plenty of suitable activities to enjoy along the way.

If you are planning a trip here, then be sure to experience these amazing places for yourself – it will definitely be a memorable holiday!

Jolene Ejmont

4 thoughts on “from port elizabeth to cape town road trip (garden route)”.

I could not even think that Africa is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! I will definitely plan my trip there! Good luck!

Glad you liked the post… South Africa is amazing and there are so many beautiful spots 🙂

😭 this makes me feel everything! It makes me want to book my flight for tomorrow and go out

Great! Hope that you can travel again soon and enjoy this amazing place!

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Road trip: Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

Oliver Jones

500 miles | 6 days

Two of the most iconic road trips in South Africa are here joined together for days of intrepid travels. Start in the buzzing city of Cape Town, before exploring the famous Winelands for a taste of South Africa’s most delicious export. Following the famous Route 62 onto the lauded Garden Route, you’ll be treated to some of the finest roads in the land, with a host of gorgeous countryside to explore before finishing your trip.

Start your adventure in mesmerizing Cape Town, a colourful city that is a true hub of creativity and style in South Africa. From the technicolour Bo-Kaap suburb to the design-forward, artsy neighbourhoods of East City and Woodstock, explore a diverse city shadowed by the enigmatic Table Mountain. The dining options are numerous, representing the many faces of the people that call the city home. Before dinner calls, however, you can try your hand at surfing, or hike the mountains for unforgettable views over the city, set to work up a healthy appetite before sinking into a trendy eatery in the buzzing streets of Woodstock.

Cape Town is utterly captivating, but the wider region beckons. A stone’s throw from the buzzing downtown of the city lies an irresistible landscape known as Cape Winelands… It’s time to hit the road!

Discover some of the most famous vintners in the world. The road north out of Cape Town takes you into the heart of Cape Winelands, where the mountainous landscape offers a remarkable microclimate perfect for grapes. Rolling vineyards grace this pretty region, with historic towns offering exceptional dining, luxurious stays and, ofcourse, superb wines. The most famous are Dutch-founded Stellenbosch and French-Huguenot-founded Franschhoek. These origins give clue to each town’s historic charms, both offering quaint, colonial settings that paint a glorious scene for enjoying fine tipples. Paarl, Tulbagh and Robertson also make excellent stops along the way, where superb dining options compliment cellar-door tastings. An iconic outing from Cape Town, the Winelands are a perfect springboard for exploring the coast further north.

With the Cape Fold Mountains as your guide, head to the start of the famed Garden Route with a stop at the gorgeous seaside town, Mossel Bay. It was the site of the first European landings in South Africa, a history told in the local museum. With the second mildest climate in the world, the long stretches of white sand beaches make for a replenishing stop. Plenty of hair-raising activities like skydiving are available locally, but if you want to take it easy, check out the market at Hartenbos Beach or set sail to nearby seal island – which, as the name suggests, is packed full of seals! Mossel Bay is a laidback port town that makes for a great stop before setting off to explore the picturesque Garden Route.

Surfers around the world head for Victoria Bay just outside of Wilderness, where a national competition is held annually. Along the irresistible stretch of coastline, the town of Wilderness is another coastal idyll that offers an array of activities and things to do – if you can tear yourself away from the stunning roads that take you there. Nestled amongst a lagoon, the ocean, and a collection of rivers, spot wildlife and try activities like hiking, hangliding, kayaking and more. Ride a horse through the glorious forests that fringe the town, or head out to Dolphin’s Point to try your luck at spotting the dolphins and whales that bask in the shores below.

Plettenberg safari

Head out on an adventure with a safari in Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. From jeep safaris to horseback rides, you’ll have a chance at spotting the famous Big Five, a bucket-list sight for most travellers to this glorious country. In certain reserves and parks you could also try a self-drive safari, or rely on the excellent guides at the game reserve for better chances of sighting the beautiful wildlife that calls the area home.

Nature’s Valley

As the name suggests, this tiny hamlet lies relatively untouched by, well anything really. No big developments, no flashy shopping malls – just a small collection of homes that curve around a beautiful shoreline. It’s a perfect base from which to explore the wild landscape that surrounds the village, spanning Tsitsikamma National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. Discover the rainforests that offer sanctuary to a noisy collection of wildlife, best explored with canopy tours that zipline through the dense thicket.

For a truly adrenaline-fuelled afternoon, don’t miss the highest bungee jump in the world at Blourkran’s Bridge. Two of every 10 people turn back from the edge – testament to how daring this jump really is.

Port Elizabeth

The final chapter of the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth is blessed with year-round sunshine and a collection of enviable beaches. It’s the perfect spot to reflect on the magnificent roadtrip you’ve just completed, sinking into the sands of the shoreline or trying some of the town’s new and hip eateries. Spot sharks, whales and dolphins just off the coast which, alongside the excellent local game reserves, offer the chance to catch not just the Big Five but the Big Seven. Walk Route 67, an art trail dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service with a piece to commemorate each year. For one last hoorah, head to the cool bars to catch the excellent music scene as the sun sinks, and wind down with locals in this up-and-coming city.

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Cape Town, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Addo, Storms River, Knysna, Montagu & Stellenbosch

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Garden Route South Africa: Road Trip Itinerary Planning

The Garden Route South Africa is the country’s most iconic road trip. The full Garden Route stretches from the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town to the friendly town of Port Elizabeth. It winds past beautiful beaches, staggering cliff drops and peaceful beachside communities.

The epic road trip is one of the most popular things to do in South Africa. And for good reason. Whether it’s a honeymoon, a road trip with friends or a wonderful family holiday, it has something for everyone. There is simply so much to do en route. You could drive the Garden Route time and time again, and still do different activities every single time.

Best of all, the Garden Route is a great self-drive adventure. Whilst you can take bus services or organised tours, such as this one, you can definitely self-drive the Garden Route. So in this guide, I’ve listed top things to do along the Garden Route. I’ve also included suggestions of places to stay and to eat, all within an itinerary for driving the Garden Route.

Essential information: Garden Route South Africa

You can of course start the route in either direction. But for the purpose of this blog post, this itinerary will start in Cape Town and end in Port Elizabeth. More officially, the Garden Route actually starts in Mossel Bay (387km outside of Cape Town). And it finishes in Storms River (166km from Port Elizabeth). The distance between Mossel Bay and Storms River is actually only between 200km and 300km, depending on the route take. If you drove the official Garden Route from start to finish, this would only take you between 2-3 hours. So you can really see how many amazing attractions and places to visit are concentrated in this relatively small area.

However, this 7-day Garden Route itinerary could be squeezed into just 3 or 4 days if needed. But it’s more common to spend at least a week driving the Garden Route. There’s certainly enough to do to in two weeks, or even longer!

Best time of year to explore the Garden Route

As with everywhere along the coast in South Africa, the spring and summer months are the best time to visit. This is from around October to April. Daily average temperatures during this time range from 24c and 30c, and you can expect long sunny days. It can rain occasionally during the summer months. And when it does, it tends to linger a full day, rather than be a flash rain storm. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do on the drive if you do have a day of drizzle.

With the great weather, of course there will be larger crowds. The Garden Route is likely to be busy in some areas if you visit in the peak summer season.

Self-drive or organised tour

The best way to explore the Garden Route in South Africa is to hire a car. It offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility. You could collect a car at Cape Town airport and drop it off in Port Elizabeth. Doing this, you would just have to pay the one-way fee. f you had the time, it would be possible to drive the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth back to Cape Town again to drop the car off

Furthermore, I would say the quality of roads are really good on the Garden Route. Traffic is minimal and the roads are mostly two lane. I would say to only choose an organised tour if you’re a very low confidence driver. Or if having a car is simply impractical.

However, here are a couple of suggestions of organised tours doing the Garden Route South Africa:

• 3 Day Garden Route & Safari (depart and return Cape Town)
• 4 Day Garden Route Adventure Tour (depart and return Cape Town)
• 6 Day Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (depart and return Cape Town)

Driving tips in South Africa

As always in South Africa,  be vigilant when stopping at traffic lights . Although the risk of any car robberies happening does decrease as you leave Cape Town.

Watch out for roaming wildlife . A real hazard across the whole of South Africa is wandering animals such as baboons, ostriches, tortoises and hares. Even antelope may suddenly come bounding from the side of the road. Drive carefully and slow down when you see the signs showing animals when doing day trips from Cape Town .

Remember to  keep spare change at hand for toll roads . Many of these don’t accept foreign credit cards so keep some South African rand for this.

Also, remember to  keep 5 Rand coins spare for parking guards  at the car parks along the Garden Route. The car guard will help direct you into a space and mind your car whilst you go off sightseeing. When you return, they will approach you expecting 5 Rand as a tip.

Where to stay on the Garden Route

The Garden Route offers tons of accommodation to suit all budgets. There are plenty of camping and glamping sites, as well as hostels for those looking for budget accommodation. For those seeking luxury accommodation on the Garden Route, there are some wonderful places to stay. I’ll include suggestions for each area below.

In terms of campsites along the Garden Route, these are some of the best:

Ebb & Flow campsite in Wilderness . Offering camping and caravan spots, as well as 4-bed log cabins and forest lodges.

Timber camping decks in the Knysna Forest . Beautiful camping decks for tents as well as treetop forest chalets.

Nature’s Valley Rest Camp in Tsitsikamma National Park. Forest huts and camping spots.

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp in Tsitsikamma National Park . Offering a mix of forest huts, rondavels and camping spots.

Budgeting for the Garden Route

As with most trips, this epic road trip can be done on a budget, or you can splash out.

Transport:  The first thing you’ll need to consider is the hire car or the cost of the bus pass. Car hire will really vary depending on the time of year you drive the Garden Route. If you visit in peak season, car hire will be a lot more expensive. Most car hire companies also charge an insurance premium that lowers the cost of the excess should anything go wrong. So I would recommend budgeting for the insurance premium – just in case.

Gas/Petrol: This is generally quite affordable in South Africa.

Accommodation : As mentioned, there are places to stay on the Garden Route to suit every budget. A nice hotel room is likely to cost around £50 per night. Whilst a camping spot will be around £12 per night.

Activities and Entrance Fees

One of the best things about the Garden Route is that so many activities are free or inexpensive. For example, you’d need to pay an entrance fee into the national parks. But once inside, many activities are free like hiking and swimming.

To help you plan, here are the entrance fees to various sections of the Garden Route National Park:

Tsitsikamma section:

• South African citizens (R62/£3.25 per adult per day, R31/£1.65 per child per day)
• Overseas tourists (R248/£13 per adult per day, R124/£6.50 per adult per day)

Nature’s Valley section:

• South African citizens (R56/£3 per adult per day, R28/£1.50 per child per day)
• Overseas tourists (R112/£6 per adult per day, R56/£3 per adult per day)

Wilderness section:

• South African citizens (R38/£2 per adult per day, R19/£1 per child per day)
• Overseas tourists (R152/£8 per adult per day, R76/£4 per adult per day)

Kynsna section:

Another option is to purchase Wild Card membership . This gives one year’s unlimited entry to 80+ national parks, reserves and resorts across South Africa and neighbouring countries. It can be bought for an individual, a couple or a family (two adults, two children). This may work out to be really good value depending on how many parks you’re planning to visit.

The prices are as follows (valid until 13 October 2020):

• All parks in Southern Africa (80+):
• Individual R685/£36, Couple R1,130/£60, Family R1,380/£72.

A (slightly) less expensive if you’re a South African citizen is to opt for the SANParks Wild Card, which gives access to 21 parks in SA:

Individual R655/£34, Couple R1,065/£65, Family R 1,280/£67

Note this is not available to international tourists. You can check full details of all pricing here .

Garden Route South Africa Itinerary

So let’s get stuck into this itinerary. Although the official Garden Route is far shorter, logistically, for most travellers it’ll make sense to travel from Cape Town so that’s where I’ll start this route.

As I did the whole route to Port Elizabeth, I’ve extended my Garden Route itinerary to here and provided several suggestions of things to do and see near this lovely city.

Cape Town and Mossel Bay

From Cape Town , you have several options to go from here to Mossel Bay. For example, you could start your Garden Route itinerary by driving towards the Cape Peninsula. This shorter drive is one of top things to do in Cape Town . I’d normally suggest it as a day trip, but it is also a great start to the Garden Route if you have time. Along this mini road trip, you can spot penguins at Boulder’s Beach and visit the beautiful Cape Point Nature Reserve. You could also stop by the charming Simon’s Town or Kalk Bay.

Alternatively, you could also make your first stop Hermanus, instead of doing this as a day trip from Cape Town. This beautiful town is often visited by a huge Humpback whale population every year, and is widely considered one of the best whale watching spots in South Africa. Between Hermanus and Mossel Bay is the official most Southerly point on the African continent, at Cape Aghulas .

As you can see in the below, the most direct way to get to Mossel Bay from Cape Town is along the N2. But Hermanus or the Cape Peninsula would be nice stop points.

But it is Mossel Bay that is the official starting point of the Garden Route. This is a relaxed coastal resort with some lovely beaches and interesting history. One night is probably enough time here, but it’s well worth a stop.

You can do some great hikes near Mossel Bay, including a 14km route from St Blaize Cave to Dana Bay and a much longer route known as the Oystercatcher Trail . Note this is a one way hike and you’ll need to jump in a taxi back to town.

Mossel Bay is also one of the places in South Africa where you can go cage diving, but if you’re after something a bit more relaxing then sunbathing and surfing is definitely top of the order in Mossel Bay. Make sure to check out this detailed guide on all the best things to do and see in Mossel Bay here .

Places to stay in Mossel Bay

If you plan on staying over night in Mossel Bay, there are some great places to rest. From the family-friendly convenience of the Protea by Marriot in Mossel Bay , to the stylish Lavandula Manor and 94 on Rodger .

Distance from Cape Town to Mossel Bay: 387km

This town, a little further inland is well worth the short detour. Home to both the  Cango Caves , an interesting web of underground tunnels and caves, and the  Cango Wildlife Ranch , the perfect place for up-close encounters with unusual animals. You can pay to hold lemurs as well as meerkats and servals. Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world, so make sure to stop at the nearby  Cango Ostrich Farm  too, the main place to meet these quirky birds!

There are also plenty of great hiking trails nearby in and around the Klein Karoo if you fancy spending a couple of days longer here.

Some great tours in and near Oudtshoorn include:

• Guided Ostrich Farm Tour
• Cango Caves Zipline Adventure
• Swartberg Pass Tour

Some recommended places to stay nearby include  Old Mill Lodge ,  Karoo Retreat  and Raw  Karoo Guesthouse .

Distance from Mossel Bay to Oudtshoorn: 85.6km

George is the largest town around and has an airport, so it is a convenient access point to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay if you want to visit the Garden Route, but you’re short on time. There’s also a  large shopping centre  here, but otherwise I wouldn’t recommend stopping for too long in George.

Distance from Oudtshoorn to George: 63km or go directly from Mossel Bay (46km)

Wilderness is nestled at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains and is a small, peaceful town with an abundance of natural beauty. This beautiful destination is bordered by the Kaaimans River to the West, and the Goukamma Nature Reserve to the east, and faces the warm Indian Ocean.

Its location means visitors can enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities along the vast stretches of beaches and in the nearby mountains, lagoons, forests, lakes and rivers. Days can be spent hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching, whale-watching, angling, boating, horse-riding and swimming. Soif you’re into outdoors activities, you can easily spend several days here!

Make sure to check the SANparks site for a guide of the  five main hiking trails in Wilderness and also visit Dolphin Point Lookout too. Here you can take in expansive views over the stunning coastline and Kaaimans River Mouth.

Wilderness is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature – definitely take the time to absorb the charm of this soulful town.

Places to stay in Wilderness

Wilderness is home to the excellent Ebb and Flow Rest Camp, which offers budget-friendly forest huts, log cabins or camping spots.

If you’re not camping, there are plenty of well-priced small boutique hotels to pick from, including  On the Beach ,  Oceans Wilderness  and  Views Boutique Hotel & Spa .

Make sure to stop at  BITE Wilderness  for some great food and excellent craft beers, and book a table at the stunning Serendipity Restaurant for a delicious South-African inspired meal in a beautiful location.

Distance from Mossel Bay to Wilderness: 59km

Knysna is a beautiful town set around a huge lagoon and is a definite highlight along the Garden Route. Days in Knysna can be spent exploring the huge estuary on boat trips, enjoying numerous watersports or hiking along the cliff tops. In fact, between just Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (the next town in my guide), you can easily spend a week or two doing something different every single day, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

My favourite things to do in Knysna include trying my luck at fishing in the huge lagoon, playing in the shallow waters near Bollard Bay beach or making my way around some of Knysna’s excellent restaurants.

Some excellent tours in Knysna include:

• Lagoon Boat Cruise and Oyster Tasting
• Knysna Kayak Hire
• Sailing Experience in Knysna
• Knysna Whale Watching Tour
• Downhill Forest Scootour Adventure
• Knysna Standup Paddleboard Hire

Places to stay in Knysna

Knysna has an enormous number of places to stay. Not only can you stay around the edge of the lagoon, but you can also stay on some of the islands within the lagoon, including Thesen’s Island. My favourite place to stay is  The Turbine Hotel & Spa  and I highly recommend enjoying booking into their spa to enjoy some of their spa treatments too.

Other places to stay in Knysna include the  Westhill Luxury Guest House  for its views,  The Rex Hotel  for comfort and convenience, or the  Knysna Guest House  for a budget-friendly option.

Places to eat in Knysna

Knysna food is great! I’ve enjoyed many delicious lunches at the  East Head Cafe  on its beautiful terrace out the back, and I also highly recommend sailing over to  Featherbed Beach Bar  for a wonderful lunch at the water’s edge. On Thesen’s Island, I highly suggest visiting  34 Tapas & Oysters ,  Ile de Pain ,  Sirocco  and enjoying lunch at the  Island Cafe at The Turbine Hotel .

One thing to definitely try is the oysters in Knysna – the town is known for them!

From Knysna, it is just 30 minutes to Plettenberg Bay (32km drive)

Plettenberg Bay

This beautiful beach town is the home of the South African summer holiday, so if you visit November – February, expect it to be very busy with locals on vacation. It’s affectionately known as Plett and many South Africans have holiday homes there.

My favourite thing to do in Plettenberg is to visit the Robberg Nature Reserve , one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. From one of several hiking routes in the Reserve, you might see seals, dolphins and whales and the beaches here are truly some of the best in South Africa .

Other brilliant things to do in Plettenberg include diving with seals, canyoneering, mountain biking, hiking and if you’re with kids, definitely stop at Adventure Land, a huge complex of pools, slides and water-based activities.

You can even go on game drives near to Plettenberg. As Knysna and Plett are so close, I’ve popped all the best things to see and do near the two below.

Places to eat in Plettenberg Bay

One of the most popular places for lunch in Plett is  Lookout Deck . Serving up excellent seafood all day long, it’s definitely somewhere to visit whilst in Plett.

Slightly outside of town, the Bramon Wine Estate is well worth a visit, and is the only vineyard in the area. You can even spend a full day here, but make sure to book in advance for picnic-style lunches.

Another popular spot is the awesome Emily Moon River Lodge, a bohemian guesthouse where day visitors are welcome to visit for lunch, dinner or sunset drinks. Another place not to miss includes seafood at The Fat Fish .

Best things to do near Knysna and Plettenberg Bay

As mentioned above, the two towns are just a 30 min drive apart, making them excellent places to spend a couple of nights whilst driving the Garden Route. I’ve listed some of the best things to see and do near Knysna and Plett here:

• Knysna Elephant Park is well worth a visit, and is one of the best things to do on the Garden Route for kids. Visitors can arrange several different elephant interactions, from feeding them to walking with them. Another similar alternative is at Plettenberg Bay’s  Elephant Sanctuary .
• At nearby, Tenikwa Animal Sanctuary, you can have even more animal encounters, including the chance to walk with a cheetah. Book your visiting to Tenikwa here.
• Another stop is the Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary , a fascinating centre to learn about these interesting creatures.
• If you can fancy getting out on the water, then perhaps consider whale watching with  Ocean Safaris . July to December is a particularly good time to do this.

Other great tours include:

• Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani Wildlife centre visit
• Plettenberg Game Reserve 2 Hour Guided Tour
• Wild Cat Experience
• Swim with seals in Plett
• 2 Hour Horseback Game Reserve Tour
• Plettenberg Bay Canyoning

Nature’s Valley

This town is, as you might guess, a paradise for nature lovers. Just another 30 minutes’ drive along from Plettenberg, this coastal town sits at the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and between the Salt River and the Groot River lagoon. Similar to Wilderness, it’s a beautiful place to stop on the Garden Route.

There are an endless array of activities to enjoy here, between the untamed coastline, the deep forest and the rugged mountains. The order of the day in Nature’s Valley is simply to embrace Mother Nature, and all of the wonders she decided to place in Nature’s Valley. Trails wind through the forest canopy, where you might emerge into an opening with a deafening waterfall ahead of you, or see curious monkeys playing in the trees above you.

One of the most unusual things to do on the Garden Routes is here at Nature’s Valley in its ‘gully’, where visitors can swim with sharks in shallow waters. The sharks, known as the Sharptooth Houndshark are not dangerous, and the ones here feed on lobsters, crabs and other small fish.

If you’re up for some physical adventure than make sure to hike the Kalanderkloof hiking trail, or cycling the Groot River pass amongst the indigenous rainforests of the Tsitsikamma.

Places to stay in Nature’s Valley

Nature’s Valley is a fantastic place to stay somewhere a little unusual and right in the heart of nature. One option is Nature’s Valley Rest Camp , where you can stay in wooden forest huts, or of course, camp surrounded by the towering trees.

Alternatively, there is the Four Fields Farm or the stylish Entre Mer et Fôret Beach House . A little further out is the Trogon House & Forest Spa , offering tree top accommodation.

Distance from Plettenberg Bay to Nature’s Valley: 34km

Storms River

Another 40km along the Garden Route and you’ll find yourself in the Storms River National Park . This is another stunning spot to visit on the route, particularly as it is where the Indian Ocean meets the river. The drive from Knysna and Plettenberg Bay to Storms River weaves between canyons, with jaw-dropping views from the bridges you cross on route.

Storms River is known for awesome adventures in the forest canopy, including rope bridges, suspension bridges and zip lining. In fact, a canopy tour in Storms River is often considered one of the best things to do in the whole of South Africa!

Book your Canopy Tour here

In the river and along the shoreline, kayaking and tubing are two of the best activities to do, as well as snorkelling in the marine protected area, where you might see sharks, rays and even octopus!

Arrange your Storms River kayaking tour here in advance

There are also several walking trails and waterfall hikes, mostly taking around 2-3 hours, and exhilarating mountain biking on the scenic Storms River Pass. Book your hiking tours here .

One other activity to do near here, which is particularly good for thrill-seekers, is the bungy-jump at Bloukrans Bridge. At 216m, it’s one of, if not the highest bungy jumps in the world.

Where to stay in Storms River

Like Nature’s Valley, stays here meaning immersing yourself in the surrounding nature. Storms River has a good variety in places to stay, from camping at the Storms River Rest Camp, to quaint stays at places such as Swallows Nest Country Cottages or the Storms River Guest Lodge . There are also some beautiful luxury places to stay, including The Fernery Lodge & Chalets and the stunning Forest Nest .

From Storms River to Port Elizabeth, the final stop on this Garden Route itinerary, it takes around 2 hours of driving (170km).

Jeffreys Bay

This world-renowned surf spot is on the way to Port Elizabeth. Often known as J-Bay, Jeffreys Bay is one of the best places in the world to surf. Every year, the planet’s best surfers come to Jeffreys Bay to ride some of the iconic waves and soak up the atmosphere. If you’re not into surfing yourself, it’s actually a great beachside community to spend a few days in with excellent accommodation options and good beach facilities.

Book your surf lessons for Jeffreys Bay here

You probably don’t need that long here if you’re not into surfing but if you do choose to stay, a great value option is Villa Petit, or The Mandyville .

Port Elizabeth

The final stop on this Garden Route itinerary is the friendly city of Port Elizabeth , one of the lesser visited cities in South Africa. Whilst it doesn’t have the obvious natural beauty of Cape Town or the vibe of Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth is in itself a peaceful, chilled out town to spend a few days in.

Port Elizabeth, aka PE is a safer and calmer place to visit in South Africa that still offers plenty of interesting attractions and beautiful places to visit.

Things to do in or near Port Elizabeth

My favourite place in PE is the unbelievable Sardinia Bay beach, which, despite seeing all of incredible beaches on the Garden Route, will still blow you away with its beauty.

Accessed by climbing a huge golden sand dune, you emerge on a vast beach with miles of soft golden sand and turquoise waters. There are few facilities here, but days can easily be spent enjoying the sea or playing ball games on the expansive sand. Make sure to stop at Grass Roof café , which is a brilliant farm stall and restaurant with a great laid back beach atmosphere. Sardinia Bay is about a 15 minute drive from the heart of PE, but if you want more centrally located beaches than try perhaps Hobie Beach or Humewood Beach.

In the heart of Port Elizabeth, a day can easily be spent in Summerstrand between the beach there and The Boardwalk . This is a shopping and leisure centre in one, all built around an artificial lake. There’s a light show on the fountains in the evening, as well as numerous other entertainment venues, shopping and great restaurants.

Another great spot to visit in the historical centre of PE is Route 67 , an arts and heritage trail showcasing artworks made by artists based in the Eastern Cape. The idea is that there’s one piece of art for every year that Nelson Mandela devoted to South Africa, and the trail weaves together the story in the run-up to the 1994 elections. Whilst wandering in the old part of the city, why not also visit the old public library?

Book your Port Elizabeth walking city tour

Near to Port Elizabeth are some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities including Addo Elephant Park and the Cape Recife Reserve, where you can see an abundance of marine life and penguins.

Book your tour to see the marine life near Port Elizabeth here

Where to stay in Port Elizabeth

There are a huge number of really good value places to stay in Port Elizabeth, many of which are located really centrally.

To stay in the very heart of the the city, I’d recommend staying at the Boardwalk Hotel or alternatively, the Radisson Blu Hotel .

Places to eat in Port Elizabeth

I’m always so pleasantly surprised by the dining options in PE, and have now sampled a fair few places in the city. La Kouzina on the seafront is an amazing spot for Greek and sushi in one place, as well as the neighbouring Coachman’s restaurant . Make sure to also stop by the original Vovo Telo , the now super popular café and bakery that has spread across South Africa. Another great smoothie and coffee spot is Rhubarb and Lime , which is right by St George’s Park, home to the city’s cricket ground.

Addo Elephant Park

Another amazing activity to do near Port Elizabeth is to visit Addo Elephant Park . Just 45 minutes from the centre of PE, and you can experience a true African safari – and you can even self-drive in the park with your hire car!  

If you don’t fancy self-driving amongst the wild animals, fear not! Another option is to book a full day guided tour, such as this one!

As South Africa’s third biggest national park, it offers more than 440,000 acres of game viewing land, and you can see a lot more than elephants – including lions, zebras, rhinos, hyenas and antelope.

Where to stay in or near Addo Elephant Park

I spent the most amazing day here, but you also do overnight stays. Some recommendations include:

Luxury : Gorah Elephant Camp or Hitgeheim Country Lodge

Mid-range: Addo Wildlife or Avoca River Cabins

Budget: Addo African Home or Addo Rest Camp

Garden Route South Africa

So there you have it! My complete guide to planning your Garden Route itinerary, including all the stop towns and beaches communities to visit. I hope this is useful but feel free to drop me a line if you would like any further information.

If you’re planning on spending a bit of time in Cape Town, then you might find some of my other guides useful. From this detailed Cape Town itineraries post, to these guides on the best places to eat in Cape Town and things to do in the city too.

I’ve also written a complete guide to the best beaches in South Africa , as well as a guide to going on safari in Kruger National Park .

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This visit to South Africa was entirely paid for by myself. There was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

Enjoyed my guide to the Garden Route South Africa. Pin it!

You may also enjoy:

Cape town guide: the best things …, marrakech travel guide: how to spend 3 …, visiting taghazout and paradise valley in …, the best beaches in south africa.

The photos of Knysna Heads are amazing! I can’t believe so much is in such a small bit of the country! I’m dying to re-visit!

I know! It’s crazy isnt it!

You had quite an adventure of 7 days! When I visited Cape Town years ago, I booked only a day tour around the coast. So, I’ve learnt lots from your post today.

Ah that’s awesome! Yes, we did have a huge adventure! Amazing country.

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Cape Town To Port Elizabeth Road Trip Itinerary

Trip itinerary: cape town to port elizabeth coastal adventure.

Embark on a road trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and experience the diverse beauty of South Africa's coastline. Starting with the majestic Table Mountain, you'll indulge in breathtaking views of Cape Town and beyond. Journey on to Hermanus to witness the majestic Southern Right Whales breaching in their natural habitat, and feel the excitement of spotting these gentle giants from the cliffs.

As you venture further, Mossel Bay invites you with its rich maritime history and lovely beaches. Absorb the sun, visit the historical Post Office Tree, and engage in water sports, revealing the town's vibrant spirit.

Travel through the heart of the Garden Route and stop in Knysna, a town framed by forested hills and a clear lagoon. Here, exploring the Knysna Heads is a must. Plettenberg Bay or 'Plett' is your next piece of paradise; luxuriate on sun-kissed shores and keep an eye out for playful dolphins.

Delve into the wilderness at Tsitsikamma National Park. Traverse hiking trails that wind through verdant forests and along rugged coastlines. Dare to conquer the highest bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge. Finally, the trip culminates in Port Elizabeth, the vibrant city that offers golden beaches, historical heritage, and a warm welcome from the locals. Wildlife enthusiasts can also take a short drive to nearby game reserves. This journey truly encapsulates the wonders of South Africa's landscape and wildlife.

Recommended Explorations

Table mountain.

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Plettenberg Bay

Tsitsikamma National Park

Jeffrey's Bay

Port Elizabeth

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Music for your journey, tasty picks, stay recommendations, the silo hotel.

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Tsala Treetop Lodge

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Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

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Cape Town To Port Elizabeth Epic Road Trip

South Africa offers dramatic landscapes, amazing wildlife, lots of adventurous activities, history as well as impressive cultural experiences. Watch this epic road trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth . Destinations Lena and Chris explored, includes Shark Diving, Canyoning, Table Mountain, Penguin Beach, Cape of Good Hope, Hermanus, Gansbaai, Swellendam, Stellenbosch, Garden Route, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Jeffrey’s Bay, Port Elizabeth and Schotia Game Reserve. However, if a South African road trip is on top of your bucket list – hire a car in South Africa to accommodate your travel. Video by – Lena and Chris

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An Awesome Garden Route Itinerary (with Cape Town)

Last Updated: April 2023

If you’re looking to plan an incredible Garden Route itinerary, you’re in the right place.

I’ve driven South Africa’s famous Garden Route three times now, so I wanted to share my favourite Garden Route itineraries and tips with you, to help you plan your own epic trip.

The Garden Route is, what I would call a mix-and-match adventure because the ‘perfect’ Garden Route itinerary will be different for everyone, depending on the length of time you have and the things you like to do.

From adrenaline-pumping activities to long beachside hikes or wine tasting and fine dining, to fun things for kids, there’s something to suit everyone!

The Garden Route South Africa stretches along the coast from Mossel Bay on the west side to Storms River on the east side.

It is known to be one of the most famous road trips in the world and it’s easily combined with the beautiful city of Cape Town – which is my favourite city in the world – as well as a few other of South Africa’s best destinations like Addo Elephant National Park. Or incorporated into a longer South Africa itinerary.

Below you’ll find my recommended Garden Route South Africa itineraries (including Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Jeffrey’s Bay & Addo Elephant National Park), plus suggestions of things to do, to help you create your own perfect Garden Route trip.

Please Note:  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support!

Table of Contents

An Awesome Garden Route Itinerary

Is the Garden Route worth doing?

Absolutely! The Garden Route is beautiful and there are so many activities and highlights along the way. It’s no surprise that it’s one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations. If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, I would 100% recommend driving along the Garden Route.

How long is the Garden Route?

The Garden Route is a relatively short stretch of the South African coast at only 200km from start to finish, starting in Mossel Bay and ending in Storms River.

Mossel Bay is a 4-hour, 20-minute drive from Cape Town and Storms River is about a 2-hour drive from Port Elizabeth (also known as Gqeberha).

You can just do the Garden Route itself if you flew in and out of either George Airport or Plettenberg Bay (connecting through Johannesburg or Cape Town) Airport. However, many people choose to fly in or out of Cape Town (which has an international airport) or Port Elizabeth, extending their Garden Route adventure.

How many days to spend on the Garden Route?

Many of the highlights are close together, so you could see the Garden Route in just a few days, but the longer you have, the more you’ll enjoy it.

The minimum amount of time I’d recommend for the Garden Route is 5 days. To do it properly, I’d allow at least 7 nights on the Garden Route itself, more if you want to add in other places too.

Most people travel the Garden Route in road trip style, moving every night or two. How long you stay in each area will very much depend on how long you have overall and what you want to do in each place.

What’s the best way to get around the Garden Route?

The easiest and most flexible way to travel the Garden Route is to hire a car. You only need a 2-wheel drive car as the roads are all tarmac between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

But if you plan to off-road anywhere (ie. go on a self-drive safari), then you might consider a 4×4 but generally, you don’t need one on the Garden Route.

Car hire is pretty cheap in South Africa and most companies allow you to hire a car in one place and drop it off in another, which is great if you don’t want to double back on yourself.

I’ve hired cars through Avis, Bluu Car Rental and Comet Car Rental in the past and they’ve all been great.

If you can’t drive, you can book a ticket on the Baz Bus, which stops at all the places I mention on this itinerary.

The Baz Bus is a great, backpacker-friendly, hop on hop off bus that covers most of South Africa and drops you off at your hostel. It is a safe and reliable way to travel, plus you may make a few new friends in the process. You can book your tickets here .

The downside is… once they drop you at your hostel, that’s it, they’re off to the next place and you are without transport until the next bus comes to take you to the next hostel. To get around the area you’re in, you’ll need to walk (not always possible), take taxis (not always available or easy to get) or take tours to get around when you’re there.

Fortunately, all hostel are pretty good at organising activities, but having your own car is an advantage – otherwise, getting out to random places, popping out for groceries or restaurants to eat etc can be tricky (especially in more remote areas). My friend Jo wrote a great post about the pros and cons of the Baz Bus .

Alternatively, you could take a guided tour of the Garden Route with a local company.

Which direction to drive on the Garden Route?

You can either do a round tip, starting or ending in the same place (Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George or Plettenberg Bay) or go in a continuous direction, flying into one place and out of another. All options work.

But your final itinerary will usually depend on where your international flights arrive/depart and how many days you have in total.

If you want to start and end in the same place, you can mix it up and stop at different places on the way there, than you do on the way back.

The first time I travelled the Garden Route we did the round trip from Cape Town. The second time I went, we started in Cape Town and ended in Port Elizabeth (our international flights went in and out of Johannesburg and then we took internal flights to and from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth). The third time, we did a round trip from Cape Town again.

I was asked, in the comments below, does it matter which side of the road you’re on for the views? And in my opinion… no, not really! The road is on the coast in some places but inland in a lot of places too. So I don’t think that being on the coastal side (remember they drive on the left in SA) has any major advantages.

To be honest, it doesn’t really matter which way you go. It’s all amazing!

What’s the best time of year to drive the Garden Route ?

The Garden Route is an all-year-round destination, but if you’re hoping to see the southern right whale migration, the best time is from June – October, with peak calving season taking place in July and August.

This is also the best time to see great white sharks. Just be aware that this is winter in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, so if you’re wanting warmer weather, try visiting between November and March.

Shoulder season (often meaning relatively good weather and cheaper prices) is March to May and September to November. January and February are known for having the most amount of sunshine, but it can still be cold and rainy at times.

Whatever the season, the weather in South Africa is quite unpredictable though, so it’s always good to be prepared for all kinds of weather.

Map of the Garden Route

But if you’d like to add in Cape Town and or Addo/Jeffrey’s Bay, the route looks something like this!

Sample Garden Route Itineraries

There’s no right or wrong way to plan your Garden Route itinerary and there are lots of different ways you can do it, but my suggested itineraries would go something like this…

Itinerary 1: Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (or vice versa)

Here’s a few sample itineraries for between 1 – 3 weeks.

1-Week Itinerary

• Day 1 : Cape Town
• Day 2: Mossel Bay (on safari) or Wilderness
• Day 3: Wilderness
• Day 4 – 5: Knysna
• Day 6 – 7: Plettenberg Bay or Tsitsikamma National Park
• Day 8: Depart from Port Elizabeth

2-Week Itinerary

• Day 1 – 4: Cape Town (include a day trip to the Cape Winelands)
• Day 5 – 6 Wilderness
• Day 7 – 8: Knysna
• Day 9 – 10: Plettenberg Bay
• Day 11 – 12: Tsitsikamma National Park (Stormsriver, The Crags, or Nature’s Valley)
• Day 13 – 14: Addo Elephant National Park (Port Elizabeth)
• Day 14 or 15: Depart from Port Elizabeth

3-Week Itinerary

• Day 1 – 5: Cape Town
• Day 6 – 7: The Cape Winelands (Franschhoek/Stellenbosch)
• Day 8 – 9: Hermanus
• Day 10 – 11: Wilderness
• Day 12 – 13: Knysna
• Day 14 – 15: Plettenberg Bay
• Day 16 – 17: Tsitsikamma National Park (Stormsriver, The Crags, or Nature’s Valley)
• Day 18: Jeffreys Bay
• Day 19 – 20: Addo Elephant National Park (Port Elizabeth)
• Day 21: Depart

Itinerary 2: Cape Town to Cape Town

If you do a loop, you can visit some places on the way there and some on the way back which means you don’t have to repeat any locations. Again, you can skip some of the locations if you have less time.

If you do the loop, I suggest starting and ending with Cape Town, rather than Port Elizabeth, but again, both work. And if you’re starting and ending in Cape Town, there’s no need to go as far as Port Elizabeth either!

• Day 1: Cape Town
• Day 2 – 3 : Plettenberg Bay or Tsitsikamma National Park
• Day 6: Wilderness
• Day 7: Cape Town
• Day 1 – 2: Cape Town
• Day 3 – 4: Knysna
• Day 4 – 5: Tsitsikamma National Park
• Day 6 – 7: Plettenberg Bay
• Day 8 – 9: Wilderness
• Day 10 – 11: Cape Winelands
• Day 12 – 14: Cape Town
• Day 2 – 3: Hermanus
• Day 4 – 5: Wilderness
• Day 6 – 7: Tsitsikamma National Park (Stormsriver, The Crags or Nature’s Valley)
• Day 8 – 9: Addo Elephant Park
• Day 10 – 11: Plettenberg Bay
• Day 14: Oudtshoorn
• Day 15 – 16: The Cape Winelands (Franschhoek/Stellenbosch)
• Day 17: Cape Peninsula Drive to Cape Town
• Day 18 – 21: Cape Town

Places to Visit on Your Garden Route Itinerary

Starting with my favourite city in the world… Cape Town, which I would highly recommend adding this to your Garden Route itinerary.

You could easily spend weeks in Cape Town and still not see and do everything, but if you give yourself at least 4 – 5 nights, you will be able to get around a few of the main highlights.

From watching the sunset from the top of Table Mountain to driving the Cape Peninsular or just watching the world go by at the V&A Waterfront, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice. Check out my guide to free things to do in Cape Town .

And don’t be surprised if you’re planning your return visit before you’ve even left.

Things to Do in Cape Town

• Watch the Sunset From the Top of Table Mountain: Table Mountain is great at any time of day, but sunset is extra special. Check the weather before you head up.
• Drive the Cape Peninsular: This is one of the best drives in Africa and definitely a must-do activity in Cape Town. The main stops are Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Boulders Beach (to see the penguins – yay), Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, and the Chapman’s Peak Drive. You could also finish with a nice cool drink in Camp’s Bay overlooking the ocean.
• Go Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch or Franshoek: Less than an hour or so outside the city, you will find two of the world’s best wine regions. It would be rude not to really. We booked this tour and it was great!
• Go Surfing at Muizenberg Beach: This is one of the best surf spots in South Africa.
• Visit the V&A Waterfront: Yes it’s a bit touristy, but the V&A Waterfront is beautiful and a great place to spend an afternoon.
• Hike Lion’s Head: To get one of Cape Town’s most incredible views, hike up to the top of Lion’s Head.
• Visit the Neighbourgoods Market: Each Saturday, the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock turns into the Neighbourgoods Market where you’ll find food, drinks, and lots of other lovely things.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

There are tons of different accommodation options My favourite locations to stay in Cape Town are Sea Point, Green Point, De Waterkant and V&A Waterfront. Then just outside of the city, you have Camps Bay and Clifton.

• Villa Viva :  Villa Viva is a great hostel in the Gardens area of Cape Town with amazing views of Table Mountain. I used to love it when it was The Backpack and stayed again recently. It has lost a bit of the magic it used to have (there were a few very unenthusiastic ‘volunteers’ working there who definitely need some customer service skills) but it’s still a good place to meet other travellers.
• Gorgeous George :  This boutique hotel is very central and about as Instagrammable as it gets. They also have a rooftop bar and a cool pool. The food is amazing too – book in advance if you want to eat there.
• Tintswalo Atlantic :  For the ultimate romantic getaway, head to the Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay, just outside of Cape Town.
• The Silo Hotel :  Probably the most beautiful hotel in Cape Town, with a price tag to match, but if your budget allows, The Silo Hotel at the V&A Waterfront is an excellent choice.
• Airbnb:  If you want a little home away from home, there are some amazing  Airbnb rentals in Cape Town .

The Cape Winelands

I LOVE the Cape Winelands, so if you enjoy wine, I would suggest spending a day or two exploring Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or both as the towns are very close to each other.

You can stay in either place or take a day trip from Cape Town. There are several operators that offer day trips/group trips to the region where you visit different wineries or, you can hire a driver to take you around for the day.

All of the wineries offer wine tastings and some have other activities you can take part in, such as horse riding, cellar tours, cheese/chocolate pairings, markets, live music, olive oil tastings, mountain biking and garden tours – so you can really make a day of it.

On the last trip, we spent a day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram which was SO MUCH FUN! We organised a private transfer from Cape Town (with Bluu Car Rental via the wine tram website) and took the Orange Route. We visited 4 wineries throughout the day – Babylonstoren, Bacco, Vrede en Lust and Boschendal and they were all amazing.

Things to Do in the Cape Winelands

• Visit a Winery (or two, or three, or four): You can visit a wine estate and spend the whole day or tour around a few different wineries. I highly recommend the Franschhoek Wine Tram .
• See the Ducks at the Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate: Located in Stellenbosch, this was one of the cutest wineries I visited. Throughout the day they have a duck parade which is great to watch. But the ducks aren’t just cute, they also eat the bugs, meaning that the wine production is more eco-friendly.
• Visit the Kayamandi Township: It’s very easy to get a very one-dimensional/glossy view of Cape Town and South Africa, but I personally think it’s important to see all sides of a place. I don’t see visiting a township as ‘poverty porn’ if done in the respectfully. Township visits can be a great way to get a better insight and understanding into a country’s history and economic makeup. And as well as breaking down stereotypes, it can also provide employment and income for residents. I write a bit more about this here .
• Visit the Boschendal Wine Estate Night Market: This winery in Franschhoek offers several activities including a food and drink market on Friday evenings in the summer months.

Hermanus is a great place for whale watching, especially between the months of June and October when the southern right whales come to calf and play in the waters here.

It’s usually best to do an early morning boat trip to see the whales, but they’re often close to shore so you can sometimes see them for free!

There are a few nice spots for lunch around here too and again, if time permits you could also stay here.

If you needed to cut somewhere out of your Garden Route itinerary, I would perhaps suggest Hermanus, as you can go whale watching in Knysna too.

Things to Do in Hermanus

• Go Whale Watching: If you want to see the whales up close, you can find a number of boat trips here . Or if you want to stay on dry land (that sea can be choppy AF) The Cliff Path and Siever’s Point offer the best views.
• Visit the Old Harbour Museum: Learn about the history of Hermanus with a trip to the Old Harbour Museum.
• Go Shark Cage Diving: Some people agree with it, some don’t, but if you want to go shark cage diving, there are a number of tours that leave from Hermanus and nearby Gansbaai.
• Visit Parrie the Giant Stingray: Swing by Struisbaai Harbour to meet its most famous resident, Parrie.

Where to Stay in Hermanus

• Hermanus Backpackers :  I stayed here 10 years ago and remember it being very nice. A great option if you’re on a budget.
• The Whale on Main :  This place looks like the perfect place to rest your head for the night.

Cape Agulhas

Between Hermanus and Mossel Bay (via a bit of a diversion south), you’ll find Cape Agulhas (L’Agulhus), the most southerly tip of the African continent. Here you can take pictures at the exact point the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, visit the ‘Map of Africa’ monument and the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse nearby.

This can also be done as a day trip from Hermanus.

Swellendam is a great place to stop for lunch if driving between Cape Town/Hermanus and the Garden Route. I’m sure it’s also a lovely place to stay too, but I’ve only ever passed through.

We ate lunch at a great restaurant called La Belle Alliance which overlooks the Koornlands River. We were lucky enough to get a table on the deck which was really nice. There are some nice shops in the town too, but it was a Sunday when we went and not much was open.

Mossel Bay, George & Sedgefield

From there, make your way to Mossel Bay which is the beginning of the ‘actual’ Garden Route itinerary. It also has the nickname ‘the adventure capital of the Garden Route’. Mossel Bay lies close to both George and Sedgefield.

I’ve put these three towns together as I’ve not stayed in any of them, but they are also good (but bigger) alternatives to Wilderness (see below) where I usually stay! George is the biggest town on the Garden Route and where you’ll find the Garden Route Mall .

Mossel Bay is the best place on the Garden Route to do a safari and there several reserves, including the Gondwana Private Game Reserve , the Indalu Game Reserve , Botlierskop Private Game Reserve and the Garden Route Safari Camp. You can find organised safari tours here .

You could easily skip Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, but if you have the time…

Oudtshoorn used to be famous as the place where you could ride an ostrich ( which is cruel , so please don’t do it) but now it’s the place in South Africa where you can hang out with Timon and pals.

Yes, you can spend time and interact with meerkats at the De Zeekoe Guest Farm, a beautiful 150-year-old, restored colonial homestead with views of the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains.

So, maybe detour off your route a little and spend a night here if you get the chance!

Things to Do in Oudtshoorn

• Hang out With Meerkats at De Zeekoe Guest Farm: This would probably be my number one reason for going to Oudtshoorn. You can find out more info here .
• Visit the Cango Caves: Around a half-hour drive from the farm, you’ll find the Cango Caves , in the Cango Valley. If you’re interested to see interesting rock formations, you’ll love this.

Where to Stay in Oudtshoorn

• De Zeekoe Guest Farm :  Spend a night at the farm and book a morning meerkat encounter.
• Die Fonteine Guesthouse :  Lovely guesthouse with great views of the surrounding area.
• Karoo Soul Backpackers & Cottages :  Stylish backpackers lodge.

Wilderness is a beautiful part of the Garden Route, lying in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains. It’s a lovely place to spend a day or two, immersed in natural beauty. I’d recommend at least one night here if you can fit it in.

Many of the activities centre on the Touw River and the surrounding area, so if being in the great outdoors is your thing, then you’ll love it here. As well as the river (which is absolutely gorgeous), there is a stunning and expansive beach.

On the way from Knysna to Wilderness, you could also make a stop in the quiet town of Sedgefield (some people also stay here) which holds the Wild Oats Farmers Market on Saturdays. Oh, and definitely eat at The Girls restaurant! We loved it there.

Things to Do in Wilderness

• Hiking in Wilderness National Park: There are 5 hiking trails within the Wilderness National Park for you to explore, including the Map of Africa Viewpoint.
• Go Canoeing or Kloofing on the Touw River: Eden Adventures offers a few different canoeing and kloofing trips on the river. You can also hire canoes at the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp.
• Go Paragliding: Wilderness is a great place for paragliding… if you’re feeling brave. The Map of Africa is a popular launching spot. Book your trip with Dolphin Paragliding or Cloudbase Paragliding .
• Stop at the Dolphin Point Lookout: For one of the best views in the area, stop at the Dolphin Point Lookout between Wilderness and George.
• Head to the Beach: I loved spending time chilling on the beach here as it’s stunning and wild.
• Go Surfing: Like many of the other places along the coast, Wilderness is a great place to surf.
• Visit Timberlake Village: Timberlake Village is a beautiful place with independent shops and restaurants.

Where to Stay in Wilderness

• Wilderness Beach House Backpackers Lodge :  Popular backpackers with one of the best views around.
• Fairy Knowe Backpackers :  Homely backpacker hostel with a variety of rooms including dorms, twins, doubles and family rooms.
• Fairy Knowe Hotel : Great hotel in a good location next to the river. This is where the kayak trips and hikes depart.
• The Wild Farm :  It’s been 10 years since I stayed at The Wild Farm, but this is still a popular choice along the Garden Route, with great views over the ocean.
• Ebb & Flow :  This beautiful rest camp lies right on the river and is one of the most popular places to stay in the area, due to its stunning location. I stayed in Ebb & Flow South and loved it.
• Moontide Riverside Lodge : Gorgeous place to stay on the lagoon.
• Serendipity Country House & Restaurant :  The Serendipity hotel is highly rated and known for having a fabulous restaurant too. Near to the town, beach and river.

Our next stop on our Garden Route itinerary is Knysna, a pretty town, set around a beautiful tidal lagoon

The first time I drove the Garden Route, we completely skipped Knysna – but on my 2nd and 3rd trips I spent two nights here and it has become one of my favourite places in South Africa.

There are lots of cool things to do in Knysna, but two of my favourite things to do are to go paddleboarding around the Thesen Island canals and to visit the East Head Viewpoint where you will get fantastic views over the lagoon.

And, if you’re there in season (June to October), you can take an ocean safari to see southern right and humpback whales.

For food, I highly recommend île de païn, an award-winning bakery/eatery on Thesen Island with an incredible menu. They are famous for their artisan bread and you should try their ‘hot chocolate de lux’ – it’s is very rich and delicious.

Other restaurants I enjoyed… 34° South, The Drydock, East Head Cafe and Tapas & Oysters (they have live music on Wednesdays and Fridays).

Things to Do in Knysna

• Drive up to the East Head Viewpoint: This is a lovely spot with great views over the lagoon.
• Eat Oysters: Knysna is famous for its oysters. They even hold a festival in June every year.
• Go Stand-Up Paddleboarding: If you fancy getting out on the water, rent some SUPs from the folks at Ocean Odyssey  and take a leisurely paddle through the waterways.
• Visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve: Take the ferry over to do some hiking.
• Take a Cruise on the Lagoon Cruise: We took a sunset cruise on the MV John Benn with Featherbed Co. which have cruises running throughout the day, including a dinner cruise on a paddle cruiser. There are also regular boat cruises . and dinner cruises available as well as a champagne and oyster catamaran trip. You can also book cruises through Springtide Charters.
• Surf in Buffalo Bay: In nearby Buffalo (aka Buffels or Buffs) Bay, you’ll find a great beach for surfing. If surfing’s not your thing, you can also try your hand at SUP, go for a refreshing swim in the sea, or try and spot dolphins off the coast from the Buffelsbaai Waterfront Restaurant.
• Go Whale Watching on an Ocean Safari: Take a whale watching trip to see migratory southern right and humpback whales. Whale season usually runs from June to November.
• Cycle Around the Lagoon: The guys at Ocean Odyssey have electric bikes for hire which makes exploring the area super easy!

Where to Stay in Knysna

• Paradise Private Zen Studios :  We stayed at this incredible place, perched up on the hill overlooking the town and lagoon. The owners Ellie and Francois were just lovely and I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Breakfast isn’t technically included, but they provide muesli, rusks, yoghurt, milk, tea & coffee and they also left us wine, sherry and chocolates – we didn’t want to leave.
• Under Milkwood Resort : This is a great resort situated near the Knysna Heads. Their self-catering chalets are right on the beach and all their kitchen utensils are Le Creuset (fancy). A 15-minute drive outside of town.
• Island Vibe Backpackers :  If you’re looking to meet people, then this backpackers is a great place to make some friends to go adventuring with.
• Turbine Hotel & Spa :  Set on Thesen Island, the Turbine Hotel & Spa is a unique and stylish hotel choice.
• Lofts Boutique Hotel :  If you’re looking for a relaxed stay, then head to this lovely boutique hotel, which is also situated on Thesen Island with stunning views over the lagoon. If you don’t stay, I’d recommend going there for drinks at least.

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay (or Plett for short) is an awesome place to spend a day or two of your Garden Route itinerary, with a beautiful beach, great hotels and restaurants and lots of local attractions and activities.

Whilst we were there, we hiked around the Robberg Nature Reserve on the Robberg Peninsula, one of South Africa’s best hiking destinations .

If you happen to be in the area on a Saturday, you could visit the Harkerville Market , which is just outside of town. This is a lovely farmers market, with food and craft stalls and if you haven’t had breakfast already, you can get some fuel for the day (the Bundu Breakfast looked amazing, but we’d already eaten).

Or, if you have eaten already, maybe pick up a few things so you can stop for a picnic down on the beach, halfway through the Robberg hike.

For food, I love The Lookout Cafe, Emily’s at Emily Moon River Lodge and Enrico’s.

Things to Do in Plettenberg Bay

• Hike the Robberg Peninsular: Open from 7am – 8pm (1st October to 30th April) and 8am – 6pm (1st May – 30th September). There are 3 different hiking trails to choose from ranging between 2 and 9 km. The trails can be challenging in parts, so you will need a relatively good level of fitness/mobility and be very careful if hiking with kids.
• Swim With Seals: Head out to the ocean and go swimming with seals , a very unique experience.
• Learn to Surf: Plettenberg Bay has great waves for beginners and you can book your lessons with Learn to Surf Plett .
• Jump Out of a Plane: Get an aerial view of the Garden Route and your adrenaline pumping when you go skydiving with Skydive Plett .
• Visit the Birds of Eden Freeflight Sanctuary: This is a great activity to do with kids and nearby, you’ll also find the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary.

Where to Stay in Plettenberg Bay

• Infinite Blu :  For beautiful views and a comfortable, stylish stay, look no further than this gorgeous hotel, which has an incredible infinity pool too, hence the name.
• Emily Moon River Lodge :  We didn’t stay here, but we did eat at the restaurant (which was gorgeous). It lies just outside of town with lovely views over the river.
• Singing Kettle Beach Lodge :  This beach lodge (just outside of town) has stunning views over the bay and they also have one of the most popular restaurants in town (see below).
• Plett Holiday Stay : We stayed at this gorgeous 3-bedroom apartment which was very central, reasonably priced, and had great views.

Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River

Tsitsikamma National Park, a particularly beautiful part of the Garden Route with tons of activities to keep you busy.

There are three main places to stay in the area – Storms River, Nature’s Valley & The Crags. I particularly loved Storms River – it’s a super cute little town. This is also where you’ll also find Bloukran’s Bridge, the world’s highest bridge bungee jump.

The Crags and Nature’s Valley are also nearby and great to visit. Nature’s Valley has a gorgeous beach you should definitely go and see.

There is a toll road if driving from Stormsriver to Nature’s Valley. As we hired our car from Avis, our toll fees were already paid which was a nice surprise.

Things To Do in Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River

• Go Blackwater Tubing: Take part in one of the original activities in the area and go blackwater tubing down the river. We did this on my last trip and it was tons of fun. We booked it through Tube n’ Axe Backpackers.
• Go Horse Riding with Hog Hollow Horse Trails: Experience the national park on horseback. They offer a number of horse riding activities , including visits to wine estates.
• Go Abseiling with Africacanyon: Get your adrenaline pumping on an abseiling and canyoning trip through a beautiful forest.
• Go Wine Tasting: The Bramon Wine Estate is a wonderful place for lunch and wine tasting.
• Go Zipling: Go zipling through Tsitsikamma forest.
• Explore the Trails Around the Storm’s River Mouth: There are some hiking trails around the river mouth where you can get great views of the gorge. Entry is R248 per adult, per day and R124 per child, per day for non-residents and R62 per adult, per day and R31 per child, per day for residents (with ID cards).
• Bunge Jump Off Bloukran’s Bridge: If you’re brave enough (I’m not), take on the world’s highest bridge bungee. Or you can just watch people jump.
• Go on a Kayak & Lilo Tour: This was a great way to explore Stormsriver Mouth. You can book the tour we did here . Just be aware that the conservation fees are paid directly to the park on entry.
• Hike to Salt River Mouth Hike: There are tons of hikes to choose from around Nature’s Valley, but the one that I was most drawn to is the Salt River Mouth hike which has incredible views.
• Take on the Otter Trail: If you have the time (and can get the permits), hike the famous  Otter Trail which takes 5 days and runs from Storms River to Nature’s Valley.

Where to Stay in Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River

• Djembe Backpackers Lodge :  Those on a budget should check out quirky Djembe Backpackers Lodge. I haven’t stayed here personally but friends have and they said they loved it. They have a pet goat and a horse that comes up to the bar.
• Tube ‘n Axe Boutique :  The popular Tube ‘n Axe Boutique has been in operation for years and is a great place to spend a few days, resting and hanging out between adventuring around the area. They have comfy rooms and a nice pool and these guys also run the blackwater tubing adventures. I loved my stay here in 2023.
• Storms River Mouth Rest Camp :  If you want to be right next to the ocean, Storms River Mouth Rest Camp is a great place to stay, inside the national park. Close to the awesome Cattle Barron restaurant. They have chalets and camping spots available.
• The Fernery Lodge & Chalets :  This one is further out than the rest, but The Fernery Lodge & Chalets is a beautiful hotel with incredible views.
• Wild Spirit :  This is a favourite amongst the backpacker crowd with nice views, great hikes, lots of sitting around the fire, hula hooping and yoga. The rooms could do with refurbishing but it’s a great place to meet other people if you’re a solo traveller.
• 10 St Andrews Avenue :  This 5-bedroom house is a great choice for families or groups of friends, offering free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, a shared lounge and a garden.
• Rocky Road Backpackers :  If you’re looking for a friendly, chilled-out vibe in a garden setting, then check out Rocky Road Backpackers.
• Trogon House and Forest Spa :  Treat yourself to a stay at the luxurious Trogon House and Forest Spa which lies in a tranquil and beautiful setting in the forest.
• Moonshine on Whiskey Creek :  Love unique accommodation? Then stay at the gorgeous Moonshine on Whiskey Creek. You can thank me later!

Jeffrey’s Bay

You could easily skip Jeffreys Bay (or J-Bay as the locals call it) if you just want to stick to the Garden Route, but if you love to surf, Jeffreys Bay is worth a stop, as it’s known for having some of the best surf in all South Africa.

We only stayed one night here, but I quite liked Jeffreys Bay. It reminded me of some of the surf towns we visited during our 2-week Hawaii trip .

Sadly, I didn’t have time to go surfing this time, but the waves and beaches looked great, so I will definitely be back.

Things to Do in Jeffreys Bay

• Go Surfing: There are some great places to surf along this bit of coastline. Many of the hotels and hostels offer surf packages.
• Jump Out of a Plane: Where better to jump out of a plane than on the South African coast? Book your trip with Skydive Jeffreys Bay .
• Grab a Bargain: If outlet villages are your thing, Jeffreys Bay has a great one selling mostly surf clothing.

Where to Stay in Jeffreys Bay

• Jeffreys Bay Beach Accommodation :  These two apartments lie right on the beach. Each apartment sleeps up to 6 people so great for groups.

Addo Elephant Park/Port Elizabeth

I would definitely try to add Addo Elephant Park to your Garden Route itinerary, especially if you aren’t planning to do a safari elsewhere.

You can stay in the park or outside (in the surrounding areas or even in Port Elizabeth which is about an hour away) and you can organise safaris directly with SANParks (the national parks association), or with private safari companies/your hotel or even do a self-drive in your own car. There are lots of options.

We booked our safaris directly with SANParks, then stayed in a lodge 10 minutes outside the park and drove to the Main Addo Rest Camp to start our guided safari in an open vehicle.

One of the most unusual things about Addo is that it isn’t just home to the BIG 5, Addo is home to the BIG 7. So as well as lions, elephants, cape buffalo, black rhinos and leopards, they also have southern right whales and great white sharks which live in the marine section of the park, which lies off the coast of Port Elizabeth.

If you want to, you can go on a safari to see all 7 in one day, starting with boat trip from Port Elizabeth (we only saw dolphins and penguins on our trip – no whales or sharks sadly, but loved the trip anyway), followed by an afternoon safari in the park.

If booking a safari via SANParks, make sure you book either the afternoon drive at 3 pm or the sunset drive as you’ll arrive too late for the others as the boat trip only finishes at 1 or 2 pm usually.

Things To Do in Addo Elephant Park

• Go on Safari in Addo Elephant National Park: Either go with a guide or do it yourself. There are lots of options! Check out my Addo safari guide .
• Go Horse Riding in the Park: Addo Horse Trails depart from the main camp at 8.30am and 2pm each day. The rides take you from the main camp to the Nyati area and last for approximately 2 hours. Between 1 – 5 people are allowed at any one time.
• Go on an Ocean Safari: Raggy Charters offer ocean safaris to see whales (southern right & humpback usually), sharks, dolphins, and penguins. They have also played a pivotal role in helping to save the African penguins that live in the area so by supporting them, you’re helping too!
• Go on a Big 7 Safari: If you want a full-day guided tour, try a Big 7 Safari where you do a boat trip and a game drive.
• Alexandria Hiking Trail: The Alexandria hiking trail is a 2-day trek through the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant Park. You need a minimum of 3 people and there is a maximum of 12.
• Visit the Spa: On-site at Addo, you’ll find the Indlovu Spa , a great way to relax after a bumpy and dusty safari.

Where to Stay in Addo Elephant Park

• Addo Main Rest Camp :  This is one of the places to stay inside the park and where all of the park run game drives depart from.
• Orange Elephant Backpackers :  On a budget? The Orange Elephant Backpackers is a great choice and they can organise game drives for you.
• Elephant House :  We stayed in this mid-range boutique lodge for 1 night and it was absolutely lovely. The staff were wonderful, the food amazing and the place had a bit of an ‘Out of Africa’ vibe about it. We could easily have stayed another night, relaxing on the grounds or at one of their 3 pools.
• Camp Figtree :  This is an absolutely beautiful camp, located just outside the park. Book here if you want to really treat yourself!

My Top Tips for Travelling on the Garden Route

• Be aware that they have load shedding in South Africa. This is when they turn the electricity off, sometimes for hours at a time. You can check load shedding times on the ESP EskomSePush app .
• Don’t forget your international driving licence, as you’ll need it to rent a car.
• You usually need to be 18 or older to rent a car and you may need to have had a driver’s licence for at least a year. If you’re under 25, a young drivers surcharge will be applied to the costs.
• The Baz Bus is a great and safe alternative method of transport if you’re under 25 or can’t drive.
• Hire a GPS or use Google Maps to navigate. SIM cards are easy to purchase at the airport (I recommend Telma or Vodacom) and top-up. Just ensure you have an unlocked phone before you go.
• South African residents and SADC nationals get discounts at National Parks and other attractions with a valid ID/passport.
• You can save a lot of money if you have a Wild Card permit.
• Do your research as there’s so much to do. Try and get a shortlist of your must-dos and plan around that.
• Don’t try to fit too much in, if you rush too much you won’t enjoy it.
• You may need to book some things (activities, restaurants, and hotels especially) ahead of time, if you are travelling in the South African summer (European winter) and the South African school holidays.
• But, leave some room in your Garden Route itinerary to explore – some of my favourite places were random spots we came across along the way.
• Ask the locals for more recommendations as you go.
• Always have some small change for the parking attendants. Parking is free almost everywhere, but you sometimes need to pay someone to watch your car (the guys hanging around in the hi-vis vests). Around 5 – 20 Rand per parking spot is fine and you give them the tip when you return to your car.
• You should also tip the petrol station attendant who puts fuel in your car/washes your windshield. The usual tip amount for restaurants is 10 – 12%.
• Carry some cash as not everywhere takes cards and load shedding makes some card machines not work. But also be aware that some places only take cards.
• Don’t drive at long distances at night, it’s much safer to drive during the day.
• In South Africa, they use South African Type M, 3-pronged plugs so you will need an adapter if coming from elsewhere. Some hotels had additional European or British plug sockets but M was the most common.
• Pack for all weathers. You can experience 4 seasons in a day on the Garden Route.
• Take sturdy shoes, you’ll need them for hiking.
• Keep an eye on the weather as it may affect some of the activities.

Have you been to South Africa? Anything else you’d add to this Garden Route itinerary?

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I love to travel all over the world, but it's Africa that holds a special place in my heart. My mission is to help people travel Africa in an authentic, safe, fun, adventurous and ethical way.

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11 Comments

Wow Helen, such a nice post and such evocative pictures… that’s heaven over there. All the best from Italy.

Thank you Helen, a great itinerary for people those who are interested in visiting the attractive places in South Africa,especially Cape Town. The safari park is a well known visiting point all over the world.Thank you for the detailed description.Very helpful to plan my own trip and to utilize my time in South Africa efficiently.

Thank you! Very comprehensive ! Quick question. Does it make sense to fly to Port Elizabeth and drive towards Cape Town so that you are driving on the coastal side for better viewing? When we drive down the Pacific Coast Highway in California , we always recommend driving north to south. Driving round trip seems like a long loop.

I’ve done both (Garden Route & PCH) and the Garden Route is a bit different, as in you’re not actually by the coast as much. Much of the road is inland, but for the bits that you do drive that are on the coast, it’s always nice to be on the coastal side, but I personally don’t think it really matters for this drive!

Driving the loop from Cape Town can work, as there’s different places to see on the way there and on the way back (if you plan your itinerary that way) but either works and I know some people don’t like doubling back on themselves!

My husband always says he prefers to start in CT and end in PE. 🙂 I always think round trip from Cape Town, as I’d like to arrive in CT, drive the Garden Route and then look forward to coming back to Cape Town.

I’ll be updating this post over the weekend! I started it weeks ago and then got distracted! So check back for updated tips! Thank you for reading and commenting! It’s appreciated!

Hi, my husband and I are planning 7 days in Cape Town mid March. We would like to do the Garden Route and the winelands, together with the highlights of Cape Town itself. We will be travelling from London. Could you advise whether it’s best to fly to CT first, spend a few days and then drive the Garden Route, stopping a night somewhere along the route, and flying back from PE. Or better to do it the other way around? Any good suggestions for places to stay (top rated air bnb’s/hotels?) in CT, PE and the Winelands? Thanks

Hi Anita, I think either way works. I think it’s nice to end in Cape Town though, so I’d probably say PE first, Cape Town last.

But… I would spend at least a couple of nights on the Garden Route if you can to break up the journey and see a bit! No point flying into PE (which is past the Garden Route) and driving the Garden Route if you don’t really see anything on the way – it’s quite a long journey. It’s not all a scenic drive, you have to go off the Garden Route to get the best of it. I week to do Cape Town and thye Garden Route is quite tight.

You could also fly into Plettenberg Bay, which is actually on the Garden Route.

Alternatively you could spend a few days in Cape Town and then a night or two somewhere else, like the Winelands or Gondwana Game Reserve which is close to Cape Town.

I’ve listed quite a few places to stay under each destination already. I’ve not stayed in the Winelands or PE. But there’s quite a few CT recommendations!

Hope that helps!

Hi Helen, Getting excited we have 2 weeks early May, flying in to Joburg,. safari in madewki for 3 nights then flight to Cape town. Roughly 10 days Cape Town/garden Route/Stellenbosch. Is this doable. My husband and i late 50’s but physically fit.

I’ve been to Cape Town several times, and keep saying that I want to include the Garden Route on next trip, but have a vague idea of what to do and where to stay. I am a South African, living in South Africa, and got so much useful information from your post! Thank you for such a wonderfully detailed & informative piece. It was not only fact based but loved your personal experiences included as well.

Thanks Claire, that means a lot, especially coming from a South African who lives in South Africa! 🙂

Your site is great and I have read & re-read the info provided. We are planning 2 weeks next June for 25th anniversary. Plan to spend 4 nights in Cape Town, stay in places along garden route then 3 nights at a safari reserve. My husband fancies hiring a motor home rather than staying in hotels. Do you think they are good to be driving about in or do you think car is better?

Motorhomes are good as there are lots of campsites to stay along only the Garden Route. They’re a bit less convenient to park if not in a campsite ie. you are just popping into town, but a nice comfy option between camping and hotels.

A lot of people get the cars with the roof tents, that’s also an option. But a campervan should be fine!

In Cape Town, I generally just use Ubers to get about! Hope you have a great time!

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The Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary for 2024

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Stretching from Storms River Mouth in the Eastern Cape to Mossel Bay in the Western Cape the Garden Route is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world and, having driven the Garden Route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on numerous South Africa trips, we’ve put together our recommended Garden Route itinerary. This is our guide to the Garden Route and includes things to do, where to stay and where to stop along the way. It’s the route we used when we visit South Africa and is the perfect guide for planning your Garden Route Itinerary.

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary

We’ve listed our itinerary in a loop coming from and returning to the Cape Town/Western Cape. Reverse the order if you are starting the journey coming from Port Elizabeth or the east of South Africa !

How long for the Garden Route

Having driven the Garden route a number of times we recommend 2 weeks for exploring the Garden Route. We find 2 weeks to be the perfect length of time as you can explore everything the Garden Route has to offer at a leisurely pace, with short drives between each destination.

Best Stops on the Garden Route

The Garden Route begins at Storms River Mouth and the nearby Bloukrans Bridge is the perfect spot to brave one of the world’s highest bungy jumps! Plettenberg Bay, a beautiful coastal town on the Indian Ocean is the next stop followed by Knysna, famous for its sea cliffs, the Knysna Heads. The Map of Africa in Wilderness is the perfect short detour of the Garden Route followed by Mossel Bay where the Garden Route comes to an end.

Extending the Garden Route Itinerary

Most visitors join the Garden Route either from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth and there are some fantastic stops at either end to extend your Garden Route itinerary including safari, Route 62 and the Cape Winelands.

Renting a Car

Renting a car in South Africa is the best way to explore the country and the Garden Route, plus driving is relatively easy in the country. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace a see place that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport.

We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in almost 50 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Book your car now with Booking.com , where you will find great rental car prices

Book your South Africa rental car

Garden Route Itinerary Route Map

Our recommended route for the Garden Route is as follow:

Cape Town (1) – Hermanus (2)/Gansbaai (3) – Cape Aghulas (4) and Mossel Bay – Wilderness (5) – Knysa (6) – Plettenberg Bay(7) – Storms River (8) – Addo Elephant Park  (9) – Amakhala Game Reserve (10) – Oudtshoorn (11) – Stellenbosch/Franschhoek (12) – Cape Town (1)

Click here for the Google Maps version of the route

Day 1 and 2: Hermanus/Gansbaai

Hermanus and Gansbaai are stunning stopovers en route from Cape Town to the Garden Route and their natural beauty is mesmerising. The rugged coastline is as spectacular as the sea life in its waters: whales, seals, penguins and sharks are abundant in the area and it’s known as the Great White Shark capital of the World.

Things to do: in Hermanus and Gansbaai

• Whale watching is a must do in Hermanus
• Gansbaai is one of the most popular spots for cage shark diving if you so desire!

Drive time: 90 mins Cape Town to Hermanus, 30 minutes from Hermanus to Gansbaai

Where to stay in Hermanus and Gansbaai

• Misty Waves Boutique Hotel – beautiful boutique hotel where it’s often possible to spot whales from the balcony! – check prices now!
• Bellavista Country Place – If you’re visiting the Garden Route you have to stay in this  – incredible –  check prices now!
• Bellamente Serene – A stunning hotel located right on the beach in Gansbaai –  check prices now!

  Click here for Hermanus Hotel prices

Day 2: Cape Aghulas (optional) and Mossel Bay

Cape Agulhas requires an optional detour down to the coast between Hermanus and Mossel Bay before driving to Mossel Bay to spend the night and explore the town the following morning.

Cape Aghulas

Cape Aghulas is the most Southern point in the African continent (it’s often touted as the Cape of Good Hope but it is the most South Westerly point in Africa) and marks the dividing point of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. The rugged wilderness, the crashing waves where two oceans meet and the stunning African sunset took our breaths away – after all it’s not every day you stand at the most Southern tip of Africa!

The seaside town of Mossel Bay is a step back in time and our highlight was the Post Office Tree. The story goes that in 1501 a Portuguese sailor sought refuge in Mossel Bay during a storm and he left a written account, with an address, in an old boot. The report was found by the person it was addressed to and the tree then served as a post office – it’s still possible to post letters at the old tree today!

Drive time: 90 minutes from Gansbaai to Cape Aghulas and 3 hours from Cape Aghulas to Mossel Bay. Driving directly from Gansbaai to Mossel Bay will reduce the journey time to just over 3 hours.

Where to stay in Mossel Bay

• Bar-t-nique Guest House : panoramic views of the harbor and Outeniqua mountains with nice home made breakfast – check prices here!
• African Oceans Manor on the Beach – great guest house, rooms have beautiful views of the Indian Ocean – check prices here!

  Click here for  Mossel Bay hotel prices

Day 3: Wilderness

The coastal town of Wilderness is home to two of our favourite sights on The Garden Route, the Map of Africa and Kaaimans River Bridge. The sleepy little village of Sedgefield, close to Wilderness, draws visitors to its lagoon.

The Map of Africa is a viewpoint where the flow of the river has formed a piece of land shaped exactly like a map of the African continent. It has a spectacular view overlooking the Kaaimans River Basin and is as intriguing as it is beautiful. The mix of mountain, forest and river is a beautiful sight!

Close to the Map of Africa sits the Kaaimans River Bridge in Wilderness. The curved bridge passes over the amber coloured water at the mouth of an estuary and is a beautifully photogenic stop on the Garden Route. A steam train operated on the line until 2009 but the railway bridge is iconic even in its absence.

The sleepy little village of Sedgefield, about 20 minutes from Wilderness, is surrounded by lakes, vegetated sand dunes, an Estuary and the beautiful Indian Ocean. Its lagoon is popular for fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird watching and riverside walks and the Saturday morning Wild Oats farmers market is unmissable.

Drive time: 45 minutes from Mossel Bay to Wilderness, 20 minutes from Wilderness to Sedgefield

Where to stay in Wilderness

• Oceans Wilderness: a beautiful beachfront guesthouse with an amazing design, great breakfast and magnificent views, our favourite! – check prices here!
• Lodge on the Lake: amazing lakeside views, great rooms and an infinity pool – check prices here!

Click here for Wilderness hotel prices

Day 4 and 5: Knysna

Famous for its oysters Knysna, a waterfront town along the Garden Route, is home to the Knysna Heads and is a beautiful spot to relax for a few days on the Garden Route. The Knysna Heads are two imposing sea cliffs which protect the entrance to the Knysna lagoon from the unrelenting Indian Ocean. The boat journey to view the heads often results in a sea drenching but it’s spectacular to watch the sea thrash through the narrow gap amid the stunning scenery.

Things to do in Knysna:

• Take a boat trip on the lagoon and check out the Kynsa Heads
• Take the ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve with spectacular viewpoints and a nice hike

Drive time:  40 minutes from Wilderness to Knysna

Where to stay in Knysna

• Villa Afrikana Guest Suites:  Offering panoramic views across the bay this is one of the best options for staying in Knysna and close to the restaurants –  check prices now!
• Augusta Bay Guest House:  Beautiful guest hotels with views over Knysna Bay –  check prices now!

Click here for Knysna Hotel prices

Day 6 and 7: Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay, or Plett Bay as the locals refer to it, is a South Africa hidden gem overlooking the Indian Ocean and the perfect base for a few nights along the Garden Route.

The architecturally stunning Bloukrans Bridge is close to Plettenberg Bay and, at over 200 metres, is the highest in Africa and arches dramatically over the gorge below. As well as being visually stunning, it is also home to one of the highest bungy jumps in the world. Dave immediately signed up, leaped off that bridge like a pro and had the time of his life so if you’re feeling brave … bungy jump!!

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary and the Birds of Eden free flight bird sanctuary are both great places to visit while in Plett Bay.

Drive time:  30 minutes between Knysa and Plettenberg Bay

Where to stay in Plettenberg Bay

• Singing Kettle Beach Lodge: We stayed at this gorgeous beach lodge and toasted the beautiful sunset from our balcony – check prices now!
• The Plettenberg Hotel: 5 star luxury on the Garden Route with infinity pools and ocean views – check prices now!

  Click here for Plettenberg Bay hotel prices

Day 8: Storms River

Storms River Mouth is the dramatic starting point of the Garden Route where the Storms River enters the Indian Ocean. Tucked away off the main road in the Tsitsikamma National Park sits this breathtaking stretch of coastline where the Indian Ocean relentlessly pounds the headland. There are some amazing hikes up through the gorge and a stunning rope bridge for the adventurous types!

Drive time: 45 minutes from Plettenberg Bay to Storms River

Where to stay in Storms River

• The Fernery Lodge & Chalets – located at the base of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, The Fernery boasts amazing views over the Sandrift River gorge –  check prices now!
• Misty Mountain Lodge and chalets – surrounded by ocean, forest and mountains this property is a real treat on the Garden Route –   check prices now!

Click here for Storms River hotel prices

Safari (Optional)

Safari is always a good idea in South Africa! Kruger and Sabi Sands are our safari favourites but they’re a long drive or a flight away. If you want to squeeze in some safari while exploring the Garden Route we’d recommend making extra stops at the Addo Elephant Park and the Amakhala Game Reserve.

Day 9: Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant Park, just outside Port Elizabeth, is home to one of the densest elephant populations on earth as well as rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. With 450 elephants the elephant encounters can be truly magical – we will never forget the moment a family of elephants walked alongside our car in the setting sun.

Drive Time: 3 hours from Plettenberg Bay to Addo Elephant Park

Where to stay in Addo Elephant Park

• Gorah Elephant Camp – You can stay right in the park with the elephants at Gorah elephant camp –  check prices now!
• River Bend Lodge – another option for staying in Addo park itself! –  check prices now!

Day 10 and 11: Amakhala Game Reserve

A malaria-free safari option, just outside Port Elizabeth, the Amakhala Game Reserve is home to the safari big 5 of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of antelope species.

Where to stay in Amakhala Game Reserve

• HillsNek Safari – on the banks of Bushman’s River the luxurious tented chalets have panoramic views of the plains – check prices now!
• Woodbury Tented Camp: in the heart of Amakhala, the accommodation comprises en suite canvas tents with views of the valley – check prices now!

Book your safari stay now

Returning to Cape Town

Many visitors return to Cape Town via Route 62 after exploring the Garden Route. Here are some extra stops to add some variety to the drive back.

Day 12 and 13: Oudtshoorn

Known as the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn is home to Ostrich Farms, the spectacular underground Cango Caves and the Swartberg Mountains which are part of the Cape Floral UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also home to the Meerkat Adventures, a dawn tour to hopefully see some adorable meerkats waking up to a new day.

Be sure to stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop in Barrydale en route to the Cape Winelands. Despite the name it is actually a famous dive bar with graffiti plastered walls on Route 62 and a fun stop for a cold beer and a stretch of the legs.

Drive Time: 4 hours 30 minutes from Amakhala Game Reserve to Oudtshoorn

Where to stay in Oudtshoorn

• Hlangana Lodge: a small lodge in a beautiful setting with great breakfast – check prices now!
• Earthbound B&B: quiet, well equipped and spacious guest rooms at an excellent price – check prices now!

Click here for Oudtshoorn hotel prices

Day 12 and 13: Cape Winelands – Stellenbosch and Francschhoek

The Cape Winelands are a collection of historic towns famous for their wine production and are the perfect stopover on the way back to Cape Town.  Wine tasting, delicious food, incredible landscapes and beautiful architecture are synonymous with the region.

Stellenbosh and Franschhoek are its two most popular stopovers and the heart of its wine industry. Stellenbosh, South Africa’s second oldest town, is a charming university town and Franschhoek a charming village filled with galleries, restaurants and wine shops. Hop on the wine trams to explore the vineyards and indulge in some wine tasting and admire the whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture prominent in the region.

Drive time:  4 hours 15 minutes from Oudtshoorn to Franschhoek and 4 hours 30 minutes from Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosh

Where to stay in Cape Winelands

• Asara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch: Beautiful location in the rolling hills of Stellenbosch, lovely rooms and good value for money with wine tasting on site – check prices now!
• The Corner House, Francschhoek: amazing value with excellent rooms and a great location – check prices now!
• La Residence, Franschhoek: set in a private estate, La Residence is the ultimate in luxury . Luxurious rooms and peacock’s roaming around the grounds, this is one for the bucketlist – check prices now!

Click here for Cape Winelands hotels

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A journey to the unexpected

Featured on route 62.

Cape Route 62 serves as a tourist route and stretches across the Western and Eastern Capes of South Africa. Visitors can travel from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and enjoy the scenery and directness of the route while driving.

Cape Route 62 prompts associations with the legendary byway, Route 66, connecting the urban and rural communities between Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1926 the inter regional link, Route 66, between Chicago and Los Angeles, was established as one of America’s main east-west arteries, providing small towns access to a major national throughfare. In the same manner Cape Route 62 links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. This scenic route passes through farming towns such as Calitzdorp, Ladismith, historic Amalienstein, Zoar and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Robertson, McGregor, Rawsonville, Worcester, Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl. It includes the Langkloof with the following towns; Misgund, Louterwater, Krakeel, Joubertina and Kareedouw.

Visit the official COVID-19 government website to stay informed: sacoronavirus.co.za

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An Ultra-efficient Garden Route Itinerary for 5 Days

Streching for more than 300 kilometers (or 190 miles), South Africa’s Garden Route is perhaps the most popular road trip in the entire country. In some ways, the Garden Route is a condensed version of South Africa: it has forests, mountains, lagoons, grasslands, and deserts. This Garden Route itinerary is perfect for both the adventurous as well as the laid-back traveler, with plenty of activities to mix and match. And since there are so many things to do in the Garden Route in South Africa, you can let yourself be occupied from morning until night!

Personally, I loved South Africa’s Garden Route and could’ve spent twice the number of days here than I could. Especially if you love outdoors activities, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the fabulous national parks in this region.

Here are the highlights of my Garden Route trip, some tips on driving it yourself, extra activities I missed but wish I’d had time for, plus guided tours to the Garden Route from Cape Town in case you’re not renting a car.

Enjoy this beautiful slice of paradise ✨

Garden route accommodation

In general, you can stay in most towns along the Garden Route and not go terribly wrong. There are a lot of Garden Route itineraries that recommend a bunch of different locations, ranging from guesthouses to full-blown luxury lodges. These are the places I personally stayed at that ended up being excellent, both in terms of facilities and logistically, and won’t blow your budget.

• Hermanus – We loved our stay at The Nantucket . It’s a three-story guesthouse, and the owner will give you decades-worth of tips for the Garden Route. He even printed out a list of recommended stops for us! Great ocean views, our neighbors staying here saw whales from the balcony! Super clean and bright.
• Knysna – Another guesthouse, Cloud 9 has stunning views over the sea and the lagoon from its high vantage point. The cost per night is a steal, though access is along a weird dirt road Google doesn’t know about so be prepared.
• Port Elizabeth or Jeffreys Bay – We stayed at Brighton Lodge in Port Elizabeth, which ended up being very lucky as they gave us SUPER helpful tips for our trip to Addo Elephant Park, including where best to enter the park and which roads to avoid. Besides Port Elizabeth, you can also base yourself in Jeffrey’s Bay.

Garden Route Itinerary for 5 days

Day 1: cape town to hermanus.

• Day 2: Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysn

Day 3: Plettenberg Bay, Nature’s Valley, Tsitsikamma National Park, Port Elizabeth

Day 4: addo elephant park, day 5: return through klein karoo to cape town.

While not technically part of the Garden Route, Hermanus is a town that a lot of people (us included) build into their Garden Route itinerary. And why not? It’s on the way from Cape Town to Mossel Bay (the official start of the Garden Route), and is famous as the best land-based whale-watching capital of the world . From June to December every year, the Southern Right whale comes to the bay to give birth to its calves. That’s right – you can see baby whales!

Apart from seeing whales, you can also often see the Cape Fur Seal as well as dolphins.

Things to do in Hermanus

• Take a whale-watching boat tour – While Hermanus is famous for its excellent land-based whale-watching, you can get within 50m of these gentle giants by boat. Must-do if you are visiting during the whale season from June to December (there were still whales in the bay during our trip in early December).
• Hermanus Whale Festival – September is peak season, even if the whales can be seen for many more months. This three-day festival includes street food, activities for kids, live music, and whales obviously.
• Cliff Path – Another place you can watch whales from, this easy 10km coastal hike is a great way to spend time in Hermanus. You don’t need to stay long to enjoy the view and breathe in Hermanus’ famous “champagne air”.
• Go for oysters at locales’ favorite oyster joint – Recommended to us personally by our host in Hermanus, Lemon Butta has excellent seafood, especially oysters.

Day 2: Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna

Mossel Bay marks the official start to the Garden Route, even though many people make sure to stop in Hermanus on the way here. Its name literally means “Mussel Bay”, like the mussels you might like to eat! If you’re trying to do this as a day trip, that probably means mussels for breakfast or lunch. Based on some reviews (and our trusty South Africa guidebook ), we ended up at Oyster Bar , which offered 3 oysters for under $10.

Things to do in Mossel Bay

• Eat oysters – You’ll notice this is a theme on the Garden Route! Oysters and other seafood are extremely popular here and you can find them ultra-fresh in Mossel Bay.
• Visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex – Remember how we talked earlier about how sailors used to crash against the southern tip of Africa? You can visit a musem named for the explorer who was the first European to sail around it. It’s got ships inside.
• Diaz Beach – The biggest beach in Mossel Bay, with beautiful sand and has a restaurant and surf school nearby. You can go swimming here, just not too far because the area does have sharks.
• The Point – A popular surf point and beach, complete with both a small and a large tidal pool. Entry point to the St. Blaize hiking trail.
• St. Blaize Hiking Trail – A 15 kilometer long stretch of hiking trail along the coast of Mossel Bay.

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Knysna is famous for having both a beautiful coastline as well as an inland lagoon. Depending on your vantage point, you can actually see both sides of Knysna at the same time. Its unique geography also means it was famous as a dangerous place to sail (this seems like a theme, no?). The Knysna Heads has been called the single most dangerous ocean mouth in the entire world. Sounds like a place you want to hang out, eh?

Truth be told, Knysna is one of my top picks for places to visit on the Garden Route and you’ll soon see why!

Things to do in Knysna

• Eat oysters at the Knysna Oyster Festival – If you’re in Kynsna in June, you can eat oysters at the most famous place to eat oysters in the entire country! You can check the exact dates on the Kynsna website .
• Go for a boat ride – Just after telling you how dangerous it is to sail, I’m going to give you the idea to go for a boat ride! Often these are canceled owing to wind, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. You can do a Whale Watching Boat Tour in case you didn’t get a chance to see whales in Hermanus!
• Knysna Elephant Park – You’ve got a lot of chances to see elephants on this trip, and if you won’t make it to Addo Elephant Park (which, by the way, you SHOULD!) – you can also see elephant in Kynsna.
• See the Knysna Heads at the Eastern Viewpoint – One of the best spots to get a view over the lagoon in Kynsna!

This stretch is a very pretty drive, including stops in a national park and plenty of chances to see babboons! If you have more time, you can break this stretch up for this garden route itinerary into several days. We met people during our South Africa road trip that spent several days in Tsitsikamma National Park alone.

Plettenberg Bay

Also known as “Plett”, Plettenberg Bay is a city famous for its beaches. It’s a popular place especially for families who want to spend time together on the beach. You can come here and grab a drink overlooking the beach, or jump in the water. Keep reading for more information about things to do in Plettenberg Bay!

Things to do in Plettenberg Bay

• Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve – If you’re looking for somewhere to go on safari during your time on the Garden Route, my top recommendation is Addo Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth. However, there are plenty of spots to do it before reaching the far end of the route, such as Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve .
• Go to Monkey Land – If you want to walk among the monkeys, this is the place to do it. This park has free-roaming monkeys you can interact with as you experience Monkey Land. Bring your camera but hold onto it tightly 😉
• Drive through Nature’s Valley – After Plettenberg Bay, you’ll have the option to veer off the N2 onto the R102. It’s a scenic drive and plenty of changes will arrive to see babboons crossing the street! Read more about Nature’s Valley in the next section.
• See the Bloukrans Bridge – Bloukrans Bridge is the highest bungie jumping point in the world. It’s set up in such a way that you need to zipline to the bungie jumping point, so it’s not for those who are afraid of heights! If you want to do it, definitely book your bungee jump slot in advance – when we went they were sold out for the day!

Nature’s Valley

Nature’s Valley is a small resort village along the Garden Route. Even if you don’t decide to stick around for long, you can drive through the area by taking a detour off of the N2 (The Garden Route) onto the R102. As you drive through be careful as babboons cross the road!

Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park is a marine reserve most famous for its suspension bridges you can walk to in about 15 minutes across wooden walkways. For the more adventurous and prone to outdoors activites, kayaking through the gorge or ziplining through the canopy of trees are two of the most popular things to do in Tsitsikamma.

Port Elizabeth

I honestly didn’t spend a lot of time in Port Elizabeth itself, and found the city relatively vanilla compared to most of the other places in the Garden Route. But it’s a great place to base yourself if you’ll he heading to Addo Elephant Park the following morning! We stayed at Brighton Lodge which was super easy to find, secure, and had a good location for driving to Addo the next day.

Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant Park is the third largest national park in South Africa after Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It has more than 600 elephants, and is really special because it’s a place where you can see immense herds of elephants altogether. There are numerous watering holes (many man-made) which often attract elephants in large numbers.

When we were there we also saw zebra, buffalo, hartebeest, and a number of other animals. There are even plans to expand the park to include a marine area, making it the only park in South Africa to be home to the “Big 7” (elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, leopard, whale and great white shark).

Addo Elephant Park was one of the highlights of our South Africa trip! Keep reading for my top tips for visiting.

Tips for visiting Addo Elephant Park

Here are a couple of practical tips for your trip to Addo.

• Enter through the north entrance. Addo is an enormous park, you won’t have time to loop around. If you enter through the North, you can exit through the South and head back to wherever you’re staying.
• Roll down your window and talk to other self-drivers. Drive slowly and if you see other drivers and have a tip for them, or want to ask them something, don’t hold back!
• Go on a guided tour. Addo is an awesome place to experience budget safari in South Africa , because you can do both a self-drive safari (where you drive your own car around the park) and you can join a group guided safari (which will educate you and show you more of the smaller animals too!).
• Get plenty of gas in advance. There is gas available close to the entrance, but you’ll want to make sure you don’t run the risk of running out because obviously there is just anywhere to get gas inside.
• Bring water and snacks. You’re going to be in an air-conditioned car, but you’ll turn it off and wait at certain viewings and it can get toasty! Plus you’ll want to spend at least a few hours driving yourself around. Be prepared!
• Bring your binoculars! If you haven’t used them for real, binoculars are AWESOME when you’re on safari. It’s even better than looking through a zoom lens. We bought these binoculars by Olympus and they were so great everyone else on our later safari asked to brorow them!

If you’re flying back out of Cape Town, go ahead and loop back through the Klein Karoo. If you’re flying out of Port Elizabeth to go elsewhere in the country, like Johannesburg or Kruger National Park, you can do the Klein Karoo in between Hermanus and the other parts of the trip. In any case, this is a special area with open landscapes and rolling hills of farmlands.

Klein Karoo

Klein Karoo means “Small Karoo”, and it’s a desert region that stretches above the coastal region of the Garden Route. The most famous road through this area is called Route 62, considered one of the best roadtrips in South Africa as a whole.

Things to do in Klein Karoo

• Drive the famous Route 62 – Along this route you’ll find a number of towns serving up great wine or hosting ostriches!
• Go to an ostrich farm – One of my regrets in my South Africa trip that I didn’t get to visit an ostrich farm! Just please do not ride the ostriches , it puts the birds under stress.
• Follow the Klein Karoo wine route – Officially, the Klein Karoo wine route goes through Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, and Herold. Check out this website on the Klein Karoo wine route for suggested itinereries.
• Stop in Calitzdorp for a glass of Port – Our host in Hermanus explicitly recommended stopping at De Krans , though there are a number of different options in the area for port wine.
• Hike through the Swartberg Pass – There’s literally a valley in this area called Hell ! If you want to see a side of South Africa most people miss, you can do a guided hike through Swartberg Nature Reserve .
• Go on safari – If you only have a day away from Cape Town, you can still go on a big 5 safari in the Klein Karoo, the Big 5 being lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. Naturally, on safari, it’s not possible to ensure what you see, but the Klein Karoo is the only area near Cape Town that has all of the big five!

Safari in Klein Karoo

There are two main reserves in the Klein Karoo, both of which are home to the Big 5. If you drive yourself on this day trip from Cape Town you can save a lot of money on the transfer (which takes about two hours).

• Aquila Private Game Reserve (does not include transfer) – As you might know, sunset is one of the best times to see animals on safari. If you can, booking either a sunrise or a sunset safari a great idea, because that’s when the animals are most active.
• Inverdoorn Game Reserve (includes transfer) – You can go on a day trip to this game reserve, including a 3-hour game drive. Unlike many public drives, you only share the open-top jeep with up to 8 other people. Inverdoorn is unique because of its cheetah rehabilitation program!

Reach the Garden Route from Cape Town

While it’s possible to reach the start of the Garden Route from Cape Town on a day trip, your best option is to spend several days on the Garden Route. Personally, we loved driving ourselves down the Garden Route because it gave us a ton of flexibility. That said, driving in South Africa can be a little scary sometimes, and not just because of driving on the left. Roads aren’t always in the best condition and there is a lot of speeding. That said, we obviously survived 😉

As for guided tours, after a lot of research, I think the 5-day Garden Route + Addo Tour is the best value . You’ll have a better chance to see rare animals the more often you go on safari, and this tour gives you three safari opportunities. While it doesn’t visit Hermanus, you can easily do that as one of your day trips from Cape Town if you’re visiting in the whale-watching season from June to December.

Here are the pros and cons of the top two highest-rated Garden Route tours for different durations. Both of them have 4.9 out of 5 ratings or higher based on customer reviews.

Highlights not to miss: Addo Elephant Park (famous for having huge herds of elephants), Hermanus (best land-based whale-watching the world, June-Dec), Tsitsikamma National Park (kayaking and suspension bridge), Knysna (just plain beautiful).

How long does it take to drive the Garden Route?

The Garden Route itself (from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth) from a pure driving standpoint could be done in one day, but when you include stops, the main route requires at least 3 or 4 days to see it properly. That said, many people spend an entire week on the Garden Route and still do not see it all!

This Garden Route itinerary spends 3 days on the official route, plus one day in Hermanus and one day driving back to Cape Town through the Klein Karoo for a total of five days . If I were to do it again, I would spend more time in the Tsitsikamma National Park and more time in the Klein Karoo!

Best time to drive the Garden Route

We drove the Garden Route in early December, and it was warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt basically everywhere. It’s also really important, even in early Summer before peak season starts, to wear bug spray and sunscreen anytime you go outdoors. The peak season in South Africa is mostly the end of December through February, so be aware of that when booking accommodation!

Have you ever been to South Africa? Where’s the best place you’d like to visit in the Garden Route? Let me know in the comments if you have any extra tips for me!

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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How long is the drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central?

The direct drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central is 471 mi (758 km) , and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 51 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Stellenbosch , Plettenberg Bay , Oudtshoorn , Knysna , Franschhoek , Overstrand , Hermanus , Somerset West , and Paarl , as well as top places to visit like Paradise Beach and Tsitsikamma National Park, or the ever-popular Seaview Predator Park.

Top cities between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town Central

Plettenberg bay.

Overstrand Local Municipality

Franschhoek.

Stellenbosch

Somerset west, best stops along port elizabeth to cape town central drive, seaview predator park.

Paradise Beach

Tsitsikamma national park, storms river bridge, nature's valley rest camp, tenikwa wildlife rehabilitation & awareness centre, birds of eden, robberg nature reserve, knysna elephant park, featherbed private nature reserve, garden route national park - wilderness section, meiringspoort waterfall, redberry farm, cango wildlife ranch, safari ostrich farm, bartolomeu dias museum complex, highgate ostrich show farm, jakkalsvlei, de krans wines, sanbona wildlife reserve, drostdy museum, bontebok national park, van loveren family vineyards, franschhoek pass, franschhoek motor museum (by appointment only), boschendal accommodation, fairview wine and cheese.

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Helderberg nature reserve.

Attractions

Top searches in Cape Town Central

Other popular road trips from port elizabeth, explore nearby places.

• Cape Town Central
• Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
• the West Coast National Park
• the Cape Peninsula National Park
• De Waterkant
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• Montague Gardens

All related maps of Cape Town Central

• Map of Cape Town Central
• Map of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
• Map of the West Coast National Park
• Map of the Cape Peninsula National Park
• Map of De Waterkant
• Map of Vredehoek
• Map of Green Point
• Map of Gardens
• Map of Woodstock
• Map of Sea Point
• Map of Fresnaye
• Map of Bantry Bay
• Map of Observatory
• Map of Clifton
• Map of Brooklyn
• Map of Camps Bay
• Map of Rosebank
• Map of Mowbray
• Map of Rondebosch
• Map of Newlands
• Map of Claremont
• Map of Pinelands
• Map of Century City
• Map of Milnerton
• Map of Athlone
• Map of Oudekraal
• Map of Sunset Beach
• Map of Kenilworth
• Map of Lansdowne
• Map of Wynberg
• Map of Montague Gardens

Cape Town Central throughout the year

• Cape Town Central in January
• Cape Town Central in February
• Cape Town Central in March
• Cape Town Central in April
• Cape Town Central in May
• Cape Town Central in June
• Cape Town Central in July
• Cape Town Central in August
• Cape Town Central in September
• Cape Town Central in October
• Cape Town Central in November
• Cape Town Central in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Cape Town Central?

Get inspired for your trip to Cape Town Central with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Cape Town Central Itinerary
• 2-Day Cape Town Central Itinerary
• 3-Day Cape Town Central Itinerary
• 4-Day Cape Town Central Itinerary
• 5-Day Cape Town Central Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from port elizabeth to cape town central.

Yes! You can drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central.

How far is Cape Town Central from Port Elizabeth by car?

The drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central is 471 miles (758 km).

How long does it take to drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central?

Driving from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central should take you 8 hrs 51 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central?

Gas from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central would cost around $41 to $96 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central?

You could check out Paradise Beach and Tsitsikamma National Park, or the always popular Seaview Predator Park!

What are the best cities to visit between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town Central?

People love visiting Stellenbosch, Plettenberg Bay, and Oudtshoorn, among others.

What's the weather like in Port Elizabeth?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Port Elizabeth in January
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in February
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in March
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in April
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in May
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in June
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in July
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in August
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in September
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in October
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in November
• Weather in Port Elizabeth in December

What are some other road trips from Port Elizabeth?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Port Elizabeth.

• Port Elizabeth to Cape Town Central drive
• Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay drive
• Port Elizabeth to Oudtshoorn drive
• Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg drive
• Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma National Park drive
• Port Elizabeth to Stellenbosch drive
• Port Elizabeth to Storms River drive
• Port Elizabeth to Durban drive
• Port Elizabeth to Knysna drive
• Port Elizabeth to Pretoria drive
• Port Elizabeth to Overstrand drive
• Port Elizabeth to Wilderness drive
• Port Elizabeth to Graaff-Reinet drive
• Port Elizabeth to Victoria Falls drive
• Port Elizabeth to Mossel Bay drive
• Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park drive
• Port Elizabeth to Sun City drive
• Port Elizabeth to Franschhoek drive
• Port Elizabeth to Madibeng drive
• Port Elizabeth to The Crags drive
• Port Elizabeth to Robertson drive
• Port Elizabeth to Simon's Town drive
• Port Elizabeth to St Lucia drive
• Port Elizabeth to Swellendam drive
• Port Elizabeth to Bloemfontein drive
• Port Elizabeth to East London drive
• Port Elizabeth to Prince Albert Municipality drive
• Port Elizabeth to Kimberley drive
• Port Elizabeth to Sandton drive
• Port Elizabeth to Calitzdorp drive

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Search for a tour in Africa

5 day garden route - cape town to gqeberha (port elizabeth).

Journey from Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) along South Africa's famous Garden Route. Experience whale watching, a Big 5 safari, explore Oudtshoorn, hike in indigenous forests and relax on pristine beaches. A popular tour taking in all the highlights of the Garden Route.

• Whale Route
• Wine and craft beer tasting
• Cape Agulhas - Southern tip of Africa
• Scenic Route 62
• Wilderness canoe trip
• Explore Knysna
• Tsitsikamma Forest - hike/walk
• Addo Elephant Park - Big 5 Game Drive

Below is the basic day to day brief.

The Full downloadable Itinerary is at the bottom of this window.

Please download the dossier should you want more detailed information on the route and tour.

Day 1: Hermanus - Cape Agulhas Our Garden Route tour begins with an early morning departure from Cape Town. We enjoy a scenic drive along spectacular coast line to Betties Bay, where we visit a colony of African penguins. The afternoon is spent in the sea side resort town of Hermanus browsing the many restaurants, shops and markets. Hermanus is renowned for its whales, and offers some of the best shore based whale watching in the world. There is also an opportunity to do a boat whale cruise allowing up close encounter with these enormous mammals. Leaving Hermanus we visit Cape Agulhas – the most southern tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Note that whale season normally runs from July to November. Those wanting to do shark cage diving will depart Cape Town very early morning and meet up with the tour after lunch.

Meals:   Dinner Included Highlight:   Penguin Colony, Hermanus Optional Activities:   Shark Cage Diving,  Whale watching cruise (seasonal)

Day 2: Oudtshoorn Leaving the coastline we head into the arid “Little Karoo” and enjoy the scenic Route 62 en route to Oudtshoorn – the Ostrich Capital. The afternoon is spent sampling the local wines followed by a tour of a working ostrich farm. 

Meals:   Breakfast and Dinner Included Highlights:   Ostrich farm tour,  Wine Tasting

Day 3: Knysna – Sedgefield Our travel continues with us descending the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain where we begin exploring the Garden Route. We visit the Wilderness National Park where we do a canoe trip through indigenous forests. After an easy paddle we take a hike to waterfalls and rock pools. Leaving Wilderness we tour a spectacular part of the Garden Route to the popular tourist town of Knysna. We spend time exploring Knysna with all its quaint shops, restaurants and curio stalls. After taking in the view of the renown Knysna Heads we head to Sedgefield where we spend the evening. The late afternoon can be spent relaxing on this expansive beach.

Meals:   Breakfast and Dinner Included Highlight:   Wilderness National Park Canoeing and Hike/Walk

Day 4:  Tsitsikamma – Addo Elephant Park Today is spent exploring the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. This National park is known for its expansive indigenous forests and beautiful coastline. En route we have a stop at the Bloukrans Bridge – home to the world’s highest bungee jump. Those brave enough have an opportunity to jump. The afternoon is spent in the National Park where one can hike, swim or just relax.  Late afternoon we head for the Addo Elephant Park and sleep close by the Park but we do not enter the park.

Meals:   Breakfast and Dinner Included Highlight:   Ttsitsikamma National Park Optional Activities:   216 M Bloukrans bungee jump

Day 5:  Addo Elephant National Park – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) This morning we safari through the Addo Park – home to Africa’s Big 5 and known for its large herds of elephants and other wildlife. We spend approximately 3 hours exploring and viewing a variety of animals and you can expect great photographic opportunities. After an exciting morning of game spotting there is a short transfer to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) where the tour ends at lunch time.

Included Highlight:   Game drive through Addo Elephant Park Optional Activity:   2 hour open vehicle game drive

Please Download below link

Note:  Itineraries do change, please speak to your consultant for the latest up to date itinerary for your travel period.

Download Itinerary PDF

Tour video overview.

Click to view tour map

Tour prices for departures before 31 July 2024 - per person

Tour prices for departures after 31 July 2024 - per person

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• Meals as per itinerary
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Related Listings

7 Day Garden Route Overland Tour

6 Day Garden Route and Addo Elephant Park Tour

4 Day Garden Route Safari

African Safaris

• Garden Route Tour - Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

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Six spectacular road trips from Cape Town

The Western Cape of South Africa is one of my favourite regions in the world. It has everything I look for in a holiday: diverse landscapes, a vibrant urban scene, great food (and wines) and beautiful accommodations. Venture outside of Cape Town , the arrival point for most travellers, and you’ll find awe-inspiring mountains, fascinating rock formations, sandy beaches, quaint towns, vineyards, whales, penguins and many more natural highlights. The best way to discover the many beautiful places near Cape Town is to go on a leisurely road trip. Some, such as the Cape Peninsula , can be done as a day trip from Cape Town whilst others, such as Route 62 or the Garden Route , require more time. Here are six of my favourite road trips from Cape Town, including suggested routes, things to do and see, and where to stay:

A few notes: in South Africa, cars drive on the left side of the road. Drive carefully and try to avoid driving after dark, especially in/around Cape Town and its airport – I recommend taking a taxi instead. In addition, parts of the routes described below require a sturdy car due to unpaved roads.

1. Cape Peninsula

This route from Cape Town around the Cape Peninsula is arguably one of the most spectacular road trips in the world. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking: from the bright blue expanse of False Bay framed by dark, brooding mountains, to the cute penguins at Boulder’s Beach , the dramatic shoreline of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope , and the awe-inspiring Chapman’s Peak Drive along the edges of Hout Bay . This drive is on my list of the best things to do in Cape Town !

It’s possible to see whales in False Bay and Hout Bay from the shore during the whale season (May to November). Keep your eyes peeled! In addition, you can hop on a boat tour from Simon’s Town to Seal Island or Cape Point . On either of these tours, if you’re lucky, you could spot whales and even Great White sharks!

On this route, don’t miss the turn off to the Cape of Good Hope. This wilderness area is the most southwesterly point of the African continent. Tip: keep your car windows up, especially if you see baboons around.

This route can quite easily be done in a day but consider overnighting at False Bay or near Hout Bay for a more leisurely trip. Read more about this Cape Peninsula drive .

Suggested duration: 1-2 days. Overnight in Simon’s Town or Scarborough (links to accommodations on Booking.com).

2. Cape Winelands

Less than an hour away from Cape Town lie the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek . Surrounded by dramatic mountains, the winelands are home to countless wineries, excellent restaurants and luxurious accommodations.

I recommend spending 1-2 nights in this region to truly enjoy the spectacular scenery, gorgeous wines and food. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with their charming historic monuments and art galleries, are lovely towns to visit or stay at. For the active ones, the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve , part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Cape Floral region, is a haven for hikers.

Wineries to visit

Wineries I recommend for a visit include Lanzerac (the birthplace of South Africa’s Pinotage variety, and also a fabulous place to stay), Middelvlei (a lovely wine farm where you can blend your own wine), Delaire Graff (for its stunning views), Vergenoegd (don’t miss its daily duck parades), Warwick (which offers a terrific wine safari) and classy La Motte . Read more about my favourite Stellenbosch wineries to visit.

Accommodations in Stellenbosch

Accommodations I can recommend include Lanzerac Hotel and Spa , Delaire Graff Lodges and Spier ; Majeka House (read about my stay at Majeka House ); and in the centre of Stellenbosch, Oude Werf Hotel and Coopmanhuijs .

The coastal route to Betty’s Bay and Gordon’s Bay

This route can be easily combined with a stunning drive along the coast to Betty’s Bay . The coastal scenery is absolutely mind-blowing and you’ll get to see penguins!

Read more about this Cape Town wine route and things to do in Stellenbosch . If you’re touring the wine estates and indulging in the region’s fabulous wines, I recommend using Uber or hiring a taxi for a day.

Suggested duration: 2-3 days. Overnight in Stellenbosch and/or Franschhoek (links to accommodations on Booking.com). Driving times: Cape Town to Stellenbosch (±50 minutes); Stellenbosch to Betty’s Bay via Grabouw (1 hour 40 minutes); Betty’s Bay to Strand (40 minutes).

3. The southernmost tip of Africa

Cape Agulhas , the southernmost tip of the African continent and the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, is a fantastic go-to point for a road trip from Cape Town! I recommend spending a few days to make your way there. Extend the Cape Winelands route to Cape Agulhas (see map above) to see pristine nature parks and have more opportunities to experience the wondrous Western Cape marine life .

Along the way, you’ll pass Hermanus , the whale-watching capital of South Africa, the vast Walker Bay , the town of Gansbaai or Gans Bay (famous for its boat excursions to Walker Bay and Dyer Island/Shark Alley) and Cape Floral nature reserves. The whale-watching season lasts from May through to November. Hermanus, with its stunning oceanfront and great restaurants, is perfect as a base. I can also recommend Grootbos , a private nature reserve near Gansbaai with gorgeous accommodations.

From Gansbaai, continue along the coast to Cape Agulhas . Don’t miss the historic lighthouse!

Accommodations in Hermanus I can recommend include One Marine Drive and The Marine .

Suggested duration: 4-5 days. Search for accommodations in Stellenbosch , Franschhoek and Hermanus (links to accommodations on Booking.com). Driving times: Cape Town/Stellenbosch to Hermanus (1 hour 45 minutes); Hermanus to Cape Agulhas via Gansbaai (2 hours).

Suggested itinerary

• Stellenbosch/Franschhoek (1 night)
• Hermanus or Grootbos (2-3 nights, with a day trip to Cape Agulhas)

4. The West Coast to Cederberg

This route north of Cape Town takes visitors off the beaten path, to a wild and largely untouched region. Discover the wild West Coast, five-million-year-old fossils, spectacular mountain passes, dusty plains, unique rock formations and fascinating San rock art. During the spring months (August/September), the Cederberg becomes a rich tapestry of colour as it’s covered with countless wildflowers. At night, sip on a Pinotage and look up to gaze at the amazing star-strewn sky.

This road trip can be done in several days, and is perfect for nature enthusiasts and hikers. A sturdy car is recommended as not all roads on this route are paved. In addition, bring food and water when crossing the desolate Cederberg.

An iconic Cape Town view

As you head north to Langebaan, plan a photo-stop at Bloubergstrand (Blouberg beach) for an iconic view of Cape Town.

Continue north to Langebaan . The Langebaan lagoon is a salt-water lagoon that’s famous for its bird life and water sports (kite-surfing, kayaking and sailing). In October and November, whales can often be spotted. In addition, if you love oysters, Langebaan is the place to be! Some of the top-rated places for oysters include The Oystercatcher and Kokomo Beach Bar & Restaurant . Accommodations in Langebaan I can recommend include Tortoise Trail Lodge and The Farmhouse Hotel .

Just outside Langebaan, you’ll find the West Coast Fossil Park . A national heritage site, the West Coast Fossil Park is one of the few places in the world where visitors can view fossil remains on-site. There are amazingly well-preserved fossils of sabre-tooth cats, short-necked giraffes and other animals which roamed this area five million years ago!

Paternoster

Another place that’s absolutely worth a visit is Paternoster , with its picturesque whitewashed houses and endless beaches. One of the oldest fishing villages in South Africa, Paternoster is a popular holiday destination for locals and boasts a terrific culinary scene (featuring its fantastic seafood)! In fact, one of the world’s top-50 best restaurants (and Africa’s #1), Wolfgat , is located in Paternoster.

The route continues north to Clanwilliam , a historic town on the slopes of the Cederberg mountains. Famous for its rooibos tea (a visit to the Rooibos Teahouse is a must for tea lovers), Clanwilliam is also the gateway to the Cederberg mountains.

There are various trails in the Cederberg mountains near Clanwilliam where hikers can see fascinating geological formations and rock art. One of the most famous is the Sevilla Rock Art Trail , which takes hikers past hundreds of San rock art. San or Bushman rock paintings are one of South Africa’s greatest cultural treasures. Discovered some 350 years ago, there are more than 20,000 San rock art sites scattered throughout the country; some of which date back to the Stone Ages.

Accommodations in Clanwilliam I recommend include Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge and Yellow Aloe .

From Clanwilliam, drive across the Cederberg, an unforgettable drive across three thrilling mountain passes (Pakhuis Pass, Hoek Se Berg and Kouberg Pass) to Wuppertal , an isolated Moravian mission station. You’ll also pass the stunning Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve (consider a stay here).

Continue across the Cederberg and the barren plains – look out for Tafelberg , the lesser-known twin of Cape Town’s  Table Mountain. Turn off to the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve , a unique nature reserve which combines safaris and San rock art with accommodations carved out of the rocky outcrops.

On the way back to Cape Town, you’ll pass Ceres , the citrus capital of South Africa, as well as several more awe-inspiring mountain passes. You can also extend this road trip to include the Cape Winelands route (see above).

Suggested duration: 5-7 days. Search for accommodations in Langebaan or Paternoster , and Clanwilliam . Check rates for Bushman’s Kloof and Kagga Kamma (links to Booking.com). Driving times: Cape Town to Langebaan via Bloubergstrand (1 hour 40 minutes); Langebaan to Paternoster (±35 minutes); Langebaan to Clanwilliam (2 hours); Clanwilliam to Kagga Kamma via Wuppertal (±4 hours); Kagga Kamma to Stellenbosch (3 hours 20 minutes).

• Langebaan or Paternoster (1 night)
• Clanwilliam or Bushman’s Kloof (1-2 nights)
• Kagga Kamma (1-2 nights)
• Stellenbosch or Franschhoek (1-2 nights)

5. Route 62

The iconic Route 62 is the traditional inland route from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and through to Port Elizabeth (renamed Gqeberha in 2021). Along the way, it offers outstanding mountain scenery, charming winelands, quirky attractions and historic towns. Route 62 is also known as the longest wine route in the world as it passes many wine-producing areas, such as around Robertson.

From Cape Town, follow the N1 highway past Paarl and across the Hawequas mountains, and continue to Robertson – you can opt to stop for a meal at Nuy Winery along Route 62.

The stunning Robertson area, at the foot of the imposing Langeberg mountains , begs to be explored. Don’t miss a visit to one of the wine farms such as Graham Beck, Springfield or Zandvliet . Route 62 continues through the Cogmanskloof (gorge) where you can gawk at the towering, layered rock surfaces. As you pass the gorge, you’ll leave the verdant Robertson Valley behind and enter the reddish-orange, rocky landscapes of the Little Karoo . Overnight in Robertson or Montagu , a charming town with tree-lined streets and lovely Victorian houses. There are also hot springs and hiking trails to explore.

Accommodations in Montagu to check out include Jonkmanshof 30 Bath and Galenia Estate .

Continue past Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn. Along the way, drop by at two famous cafés on Route 62: Diesel & Creme and Ronnie’s Sex Shop .

Oudtshoorn and the Swartberg loop

Oudtshoorn , also known as the Ostrich Capital of South Africa, is a historic town with numerous hotels and restaurants. Don’t miss a visit to one of the ostrich farms and the beautiful Cango Caves . I also recommend taking a day to drive the Swartberg loop , an incredibly scenic route! From Oudtshoorn, head to De Rust and on to Prince Albert , the perfect place for lunch and a stroll.

From there, head back to Oudtshoorn along the Swartberg Pass through the spectacular Swartberg mountains, with its towering reddish stone cliffs and awe-inspiring stone formations. This is a largely unpaved road with numerous hairpin bends so make sure you have a sturdy car and drive carefully. You’ll want to drive slowly to take in the jaw-dropping scenery!

Around Oudtshoorn, I recommend a stay at Rosenhof Boutique Hotel or Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages .

Back to Cape Town

From Oudtshoorn, you can choose to continue your road trip along the famous Garden Route (see below), or head back to Cape Town via Mossel Bay, Swellendam and Hermanus on the N2 Highway. I also recommend a stay at the amazing Gondwana Private Game Reserve , a Big Five game reserve near Mossel Bay. Read more about my stay at Gondwana Private Game Reserve .

Suggested duration: 5-9 days. Search for accommodations in Montagu , Oudtshoorn and Hermanus (links to Booking.com). Driving times: Cape Town to Montagu (2 hours 30 minutes); Montagu to Oudtshoorn (2 hours 30 minutes); Swartberg loop via Prince Albert (3-4 hours); Oudtshoorn to Hermanus via Mossel Bay and Swellendam (4 hours 40 minutes).

• Cape Town to Robertson or Montagu (1-2 nights)
• Oudtshoorn (2 nights)
• [Optional] Gondwana Private Game Reserve (2 nights)
• Hermanus (1-2 nights)

6. Garden Route

The Garden Route is the most popular touristic road trip in South Africa. It officially starts in Mossel Bay and ends in Stormsrivier , approximately 300 kilometers away in the Eastern Cape. The spectacular coast, with its indigenous forests, pristine lagoons, endless sandy beaches and picturesque towns, is absolutely breathtaking.

Places to visit along the Garden Route

There are many interesting places to visit along the Garden Route. I recommend choosing two places to base yourself for 2-3 nights: Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. From here, recommended places to visit along the Garden Route include:

• Near Knysna: Knysna Heads, Knysna Forest and Garden of Eden
• Between Plettenberg Bay and Stormsrivier: Tsitsikamma National Park, Robberg Nature Reserve, Bloukrans Bridge and Storms River Bridge

The ultimate Garden Route road trip

There are three ways to embark on a Garden Route road trip. If you’re short on time, you can join a group tour from Cape Town . If you’d like to go on your own but only have a few days, you can fly into George (from Cape Town or Johannesburg) and hire a car at the airport for a few days to explore the Garden Route.

The third option requires more time but you’ll see the best of the Western Cape . Start the trip in Cape Town along the N1 Highway and continue along Route 62 to Oudtshoorn (see Route 62 above). From Oudtshoorn, join the Garden Route at Mossel Bay. Consider a safari stay at the amazing Gondwana Private Game Reserve near Mossel Bay. From here, drive the Garden Route to Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Stormsrivier.

Drive back to Cape Town along the N2 Highway via Swellendam and Hermanus. Before getting back to Cape Town, you can opt to spend a few nights in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek to recover from this epic road trip!

Suggested duration: 10-15 days. Driving times: Cape Town to Montagu (2 hours 30 minutes); Montagu to Oudtshoorn (2 hours 30 minutes); Oudtshoorn to Knysna (1 hour 45 minutes); Knysna to Plettenberg Bay (35 minutes); Plettenberg Bay to Hermanus (5 hours).

Ultimate Garden Route itinerary

• Cape Town to Robertson/Montagu (1 night)
• Oudtshoorn (1 night)
• Knysna (2-3 nights)
• Plettenberg Bay (2-3 nights)
• Gondwana Game Reserve or Mossel Bay (1-2 nights)
• [Optional] Stellenbosch/Franschhoek (1-3 nights)

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12 Responses

Hi Philippe, I’m glad you found my post useful! 🙂 October is a great time to visit the Western Cape and doing all the routes in 3 weeks is certainly do-able. It’s going to be an epic road trip!

Cheers, Keith

Thank you so much for the detailed post! So useful! We are planning 3 weeks in and around cape town in October of this year.

What we were aiming for is Safari, Hiking, (secluded) beaches, Vineyards and good food. Seems like everything can be ticked off by following your route.

I was wondering, do you think it’s possible to combine all of them in one large roadtrip – and would it be doable in three week time? So essentially it’s combining the WestCoast route with a stop at the vineyards and then moving on to route 62.

Glad you hear your view on this.

Commendable, fantastic post, thanks for sharing.

I am glad that too see this blog,thanks for sharing.

Great. Thank you for sharing so many useful information regarding Capetown. I like this city.

Hi Bryan, October is a great month for a road trip around the Western Cape. I’m glad my guide is helpful. 🙂 Have a fantastic trip and travel safe!

Thanks Keith! Amazing write-up! This gives me so much of insights about interesting places to visit throughout my self-driving trip this coming Oct. I am looking forward! *Bryan from Malaysia

Hi Mark, As far as I know, the road through the pass is still unpaved. However, I’ve driven it twice in a pretty ordinary car so a Kia Rio shouldn’t be a problem. Keep in mind though that some parts may be slippery/muddy if it rains. Drive safe and enjoy the amazing scenery and geology!

Thanks for this post. It’s very helpful. Is the Swartberg Pass still unpaved road? Will an ordinary hatch back car like a Kia Rio be able to make it on that road?

I’m glad it’s helpful. Cape Town and its surroundings are absolutely stunning! Have a great trip!

Thanks for sharing this beautiful post, I am planning to visit Cape Town soon, this post was helpful.

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Cape Town to Port Elizabeth via Graaff-Reinet

Cape town to port elizabeth road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. If you're planning a road trip to Port Elizabeth, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Cape Town drive for about 58 minutes

10:58 am   Franschhoek stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:58 am drive for about 2 hours

2:00 pm   Matjiesfontein stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:00 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 5.5 hours

10:00 am  leave from Karoo National Park drive for about 3 hours

12:52 pm   Graaff-Reinet stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:52 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

4:32 pm  arrive in Port Elizabeth

day 2 driving ≈ 5.5 hours

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth questions

Where should I stop along the way?

Franschhoek   (16 answers)     restaurants around Franschhoek:         Le Quartier Français Restaurant Matjiesfontein Karoo National Park   (2 mentions) Graaff-Reinet   (2 answers)

What are some things to do in Port Elizabeth?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Port Elizabeth.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Port Elizabeth to Cape Town drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth . Or get a full Cape Town to Port Elizabeth flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know Cape Town well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Cape Town!

More info on this route:

road conditions from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

places to eat

alternate routes

Google driving directions

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Tours

• Choose from 18 Cape Town tours
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10 best Cape Town to Port Elizabeth tour packages

Compiled by

Melissa Cape Town travel expert at TourRadar

5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)

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• Wildlife Trekking
• Christmas & New Year
• Canoe and hike in Wilderness National Park
• Explore endangered penguins at Betties Bay
• Taste wines on Route 62, the longest wine route

“I was impressed by beautiful landscapes, amazing places, interesting sights, delicious food and good wine.”

• In-depth Cultural
• Tour the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
• Experience the thrill of Bloukrans Bungy Jump
• Explore the southernmost tip of Africa

“Tour was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating.”

• Tour the spectacular Cango Caves
• Visit the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
• Discover the stories of Knysna Forest

“Very enjoyable trip. Would certainly recommend this trip.”

• Watch whales from Hermanus coastline
• Explore Cape Town's vibrant waterfront
• Hike to the Cape Point lighthouse

“Addo elephant park. Whale watching.”

• Sightseeing
• Explore Cape Town's historical landmarks
• See penguins at Betties Bay
• Canoe through Wilderness National Park

“My trip was absolutely incredible. Every stop was worthwhile and every accommodation blew me away they were so nice.”

• Visit Robben Island by boat
• Explore Cape Point and its lighthouse
• Hike through Table Mountain trails

• Arrive and unwind in luxury Cape Town hotel
• Sip fine wines in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
• Ride the cable car up Table Mountain

• Knysna - Admire the lovely lagoons and pristine beaches, book a sunset cruise to Knysna Heads or perhaps visit Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
• Port Elizabeth - Spend a night in “the windy city” at the eastern end of the Sunshine Coast and visit its beautiful beaches
• Klein Karoo - Discover the natural beauty of this long valley and opt to independently explore attractions in area such as the famous Cango Caves and the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn

• Hike through forests and spot whales in Knysna
• Witness ostriches at an Oudtshoorn show farm
• Experience a full day game drive in Addo

• Intl. Flights Included
• Spot whales from Hermanus coastline
• Taste fine wines in Stellenbosch vineyards
• Explore Cape Town's historic Malay Quarter

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