One of South Africa’s most stunning road trips, the Garden Route is packed with idyllic locations.
The official Garden Route stretches 300 kilometres along the Western Cape coastline from Witsand to Storms River (some travellers also include Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and the Addo Elephant National Park). Along the way, you’ll find long stretches of white-sand beaches, a patchwork of parks and nature reserves, charming guesthouses and boutique wineries. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer trip, these Garden Route highlights are ideal for exploring the country’s food and wine scene, spotting the region’s famous wildlife and enjoying unparalleled scenery.
Nature’s Valley: A hiker’s and birdwatcher’s paradise.
Nature’s Valley is at the eastern end of the Garden Route, with a long, golden beach and powerful waves. The beach stretches around the protected Grootrivier Lagoon, a great spot for swimming. In the low season, the village’s population dwindles to just 100 residents, but woodpeckers, kingfishers and owls fill the forests.
The town is also the starting point for the Otter Track — a 27-mile hike through Tsitsikamma National Park, where hikers pass through fynbos, one of the world’s most biologically diverse and endangered ecosystems. Other activities in the park include exploring by off-road scooter and ziplining through the forest canopy.
Tenikwa Wildlife Centre: The place to learn about South Africa’s spectacular and endangered wildlife.
Cheetahs, lions, leopards and servals make their home at Tenikwa Wildlife Centre, offering visitors the chance to get up close and personal with these animals in a safe and secure space. As a rehabilitation and awareness centre, all of the animals have been seized from illegal ownership, rescued or acquired from other wildlife centres.
If you want to maximise your time with the animals, book a comfortable suite or a cosy cabin located just metres from the lion enclosures. The centre also offers a range of tour options to suit all interests, whether it’s conservation, photography or just seeing as many big cats as possible.
Located in The Crags, this relatively new winery claims the title of the most easterly winery in the Western Cape, one of the Garden Route’s must-see attractions. Their small restaurant offers an Italian-influenced menu, and they have a cellar full of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir. Recently, they’ve been experimenting with sparkling wines made using the Cap Classique method (making sparkling wines with a second fermentation in the bottle), which you can enjoy in their elegant tasting room, accompanied by a cheese board.
Characterised by long sandy beaches and rolling green mountains, Plettenberg Bay is one of the largest towns and best scenic drives along the Garden Route. Immerse yourself in nature with a visit to Robberg Nature Reserve, where you can take a snorkelling tour with the resident seal population or head to Monkeyland, where nine different species of rescued primates roam the trees. Afterwards, take a sunset stroll along the boardwalk at Central Beach or try the daily special at Moby’s, a popular seafood restaurant overlooking the bay.
In June, the town of Knysna hosts a traditional oyster festival, and humpback whales begin to appear in the coastal waters. The town comes alive with oyster-eating and -shucking competitions, drawing crowds, while whale-watching boats offer tours of the harbour.
Foodies can take an oyster tour to learn about the farming of these shellfish, while nature lovers can explore the lush forests by scooter, spotting giant yellowwood and stinkwood trees. Other highlights of the town include Knysna Fine Art, a vibrant gallery in a historic house, and the picturesque Pledge Nature Reserve, where you can get panoramic views of the town and the protected estuary below.
Garden Route Botanic Gardens: The perfect place to wander
Located in the town of George, the Garden Route Botanic Gardens allow visitors to experience the region’s unique flora in a compact setting. A tranquil lake, manicured pathways and colorful flower beds allow visitors to explore the area’s biodiversity and lush greenery.
Next door, you’ll find the Garden Route Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for falcons, eagles and owls — if you’re lucky, you might catch a live flight show and see the birds in action. After exploring, grab lunch on the quiet patio at Meade Cafe, which serves hearty sandwiches and fresh salads.
Witfontein Nature Reserve: Hike through rolling green hills and admire delicate wildflowers.
Overlooking George, Witfontein Nature Reserve is packed with hiking and biking trails that are popular with visitors and locals alike. Mountain bikers can explore the cross-country trails, and hikers can try the George VKM trail, which leads up a steep climb to George Peak. Some sections require climbing, so wear sturdy shoes. Refuel with a coffee at Rocket — a hip local cafe and roastery that donates 5% of all profits from hot drinks to charity.
With its Victorian beach pavilion and charming holiday homes, Mossel Bay is an ideal base for exploring the Garden Route. Despite its serene ambience, the town is known for its adventure tourism, with activities such as cage diving with great white sharks, skydiving with views of the Indian Ocean, surfing when conditions are right and ziplining over the waves.
If you’re looking for something more relaxing, opt for a gin masterclass at Cape Saint Blaize Distillery, where you can distill your own bottle of gin and learn about flavour profiles and techniques.
Pinnacle Point Caves: Explore the origins of humanity
In the late 1990s, Pinnacle Point Caves, near Mossel Bay, was the site of a major discovery. An archaeologist found evidence of modern human behavior in artifacts dating back 164,000 years, including ground ochre pigment and small stone tools. Today, the historic site is open to the public by advance reservation — as you tour the cave and surrounding area, you’ll learn about the early humans who walked this same path millennia ago.
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