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One of the world’s most glorious coastal drives, the Garden Route South Africa is a picturesque stretch of coastline that takes you through lush forests, stunning beaches, and charming towns.
More than just a road trip, an expertly crafted South Africa Garden Route itinerary blends adventure, culture, and luxury.
Your journey is easily extended with a Big Five Safaris adventure. You’ll find a number of malaria-free Big Five game reserves along the way or a short drive beyond the Garden Route, such as Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Gondwana Game Reserve, and Pumba Private Game Reserve.
Must-Visit Areas Along the Garden Route
The coastal towns and wildernesses along this famous route have so much to offer discerning travellers. Get ready for ideal watersports locations and Blue Flag beaches.
Knysna: Watersports Galore
Set between two cliffs known as the Knysna Heads, the Knysna Lagoon is the jewel of this picturesque town. Besides simply enjoying the stunning views, you’re able to go fishing and sailing.
From kitesurfing and wakeboarding to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming, you’ll easily while away a day on the water.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve: Big Five Safari
A natural extension of the Garden Route, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers you the opportunity to see the Big Five in a malaria-free, family-friendly location. Explore the landscapes and spot wildlife during guided game drives and bush walks.
Gain insight into wildlife rehabilitation by visiting the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. It’s here that dedicated professionals work to return sick, injured, abandoned, or orphaned animals back to the wild.
Plettenberg Bay: A Perfect Beach Destination
This seaside town, known to locals as Plett, is renowned for its beaches and marine life.
Walk the white sands of Robberg, Central, and Lookout beaches, and watch dolphins in the distance. You can go on boat tours to not only get closer to the pods of dolphins but also the whales during migration.
Plett is earning its stripes as a wine region. As South Africa’s smallest wine-growing region, you’ll want to tour the wine farms here to taste unique vintages and sparkling wine.
Best Time to Visit the Garden Route
If you’re looking forward to lying on the beach and participating in watersports the most on your Garden Route holiday, plan your trip during the hotter months, from November to March.
However, the winter months don’t disappoint. In July, the Knysna Oyster Festival takes place. This multi-day event includes live music, cooking competitions, wine festivals, arts and crafts, markets, and lots of fresh oysters.
The cooler months also see fewer visitors and the excitement of whale season kicking off.
Wildlife Found on the Garden Route
Along the Garden Route, you’ll be able to spot pods of dolphins, as well as whales on their migration. Take a boat tour to see these incredible animals up close.
Go snorkelling in Knysna to spot the Knysna seahorse, a species endemic to the area.
There are Big Five reserves along the Garden Route, giving you the opportunity to spot the so-called Big Seven of lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos, as well as great white sharks and whales.
How to Get to the Garden Route
The Garden Route is a stretch of the South African coast, though how long it is is up for debate, ranging from 200 km to 300 km.
It’s easily accessible from Cape Town. For a more convenient starting point closer to the route, you can fly into George Airport, a regional hub located in the Western Cape. Upon arrival, your journey continues smoothly.
At Discover Africa, we arrange transfers, guided drives, and local flights for a truly seamless and stress-free experience, allowing you to simply enjoy the scenery.
Your Discover Africa safari planner can assist you with all the planning and logistics.
Unforgettable Add-Ons to Your Garden Route Journey
Extend your journey with a city or bush break, perhaps even both. Start in Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, where you can explore one of the best cities in the world, visit the penguins, spend a day in the Winelands, or simply relax on the beach.
A guided drive up the Garden Route can include stops in Hermanus, the best land-based whale-watching spot in the world, and St Francis, a delightful coastal village on the warm Indian Ocean.
Overnight in Gqeberha before heading to one of the many Big Five Reserves in the Eastern Cape, or hop on a flight to Greater Kruger for a few days in one of the world’s most renowned wildlife regions.
We curate only the finest destinations, accommodations, and experiences to ensure your entire trip is unforgettable.
Ready to Create Your South African chapter?
Planning a multi-destination journey across South Africa is complex, with logistics, transfers, and accommodations to perfectly coordinate. Leave the details to us.
Start planning your African chapter with our local experts, and let’s craft a bespoke Garden Route itinerary that is tailored to your dreams and built with unparalleled expertise.
