Travel Guide to the Garden Route
“Follow the fresh scent of the forest, the taste of the Ocean, and the thrill of adventure, and you will eventually discover why the Garden Route is one of the best road trips in South Africa. After our magnificent journey in the Eastern Cape, we continued our Eastern Cape Road Trip Campervan, following the Garden Route map. With its epic coastlines and idyllic landscapes, the Garden Route of South Africa stretches over 300 kilometres from Storms River in the Eastern Cape to Mossel Bay. Here, I share our Eastern Cape Journey, the Garden Route self-drive itinerary, and the best things to do on the Garden Route.
With its epic coastlines and idyllic landscapes barred by breathtaking passes and gorges, the Garden Route of South Africa stretches over 300 kilometres. The route stretches from Stormsriver in the Eastern Cape to Mossel Bay. Here, I share our 7-day Garden Route Self-drive Itinerary with the best things to do on the Garden Route.
Our Map of the Garden Route Itinerary
As we departed from Oyster Bay, the weather was cloudy and rainy. The scenic route from Humansdorp to Stormsriver is around 94.2km long and takes approximately an hour and 20 minutes, depending on our speed and the number of stops we make.
One of the best things about a Garden Route safari road trip is that we can stop whenever and wherever we want and travel at our own pace. Additionally, Dashuri can join us on our Garden Route road trip.
Our South Africa Garden Route Itinerary took us to Storms River, Nature Valley, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Glentana, and Mossel Bay. We returned to Gauteng via Oudtshoorn – De Rust – Beaufort West and Bloemfontein.
Best Time to Tour the Garden Route
The best time to take a South Africa Garden Route tour is during Spring and summer, between September and April. The days are mostly warm and sunny during these months, with fewer chances of rain. Springtime, however, is best for flowers. Garden Route Weather is unpredictable, and one can experience four seasons in one day. Therefore, it is best to dress in layers due to different coastal climates.
Visit Storms River
From the Eastern Cape, as per the Map of the Garden Route. Our first stop was at Africa’s highest Storms River bridge, standing 216 meters above the River.
Before the Stormsriver Bridge was built, the Paul Sauer Bridge was the highest concrete arch in Africa, with a maximum height of 120 meters (394 ft).
Don’t miss the scenic Storms River village in the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Stormsriver is a small village and the gateway to the Tsitsikamma National Park, where most Tsitsikamma Adventures occur.
Stormsriver Village has many good restaurants, some cosy shops, a postal agency, and a liquor store.
Not far from the Storms River bridge, we stopped at a cute farm stall next to The Shoppe at Mel’s on the Garden Route. Mel’s was initially started to assist residents in earning an income by selling their products, such as wood, charcoal, milk, bread, and even meat. They also rent out bikes to explore the region.
Here are the best Garden Route attractions for a 5-day Garden Route Itinerary. On what are the best things to do, visit the list of the Best Adventure Activities on the Garden Route.
The Storms River Mouth
Storms River Mouth and Storms River Camp in Tsitsikamma National Park. There is a large restaurant overlooking the Ocean, from where we saw a whale in the deeper waters on our last visit. After that, explore the Storms River suspension bridge and enjoy a meal at the restaurant overlooking the Ocean. On our last visit, we were lucky to spot a whale. I recommend their tasty hamburgers and crispy chips.
Visit the Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wolf Sanctuary Garden Route
Visit the Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary. This non-profit organisation provides a haven for abused and abandoned wolves.
They offer a variety of support options for volunteering at the Wolf Sanctuary in Tsitsikamma.
One can even volunteer by staying in and working with the wolves. Location: Lot 510 Wolf Sanctuary, Elandshoogte, Witelsbos, Tsitsikamma. +27-82-956-4175.
Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Look closely at lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other animals such as meerkats and penguins. Learn more about Wildlife rehabilitation and take the most amazing pictures with wild cats at the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at The Crags in Plettenberg Bay. Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre also offers tours focusing on indigenous wild Cats and local wildlife. To book your spot, visit the EcoKidz Family Challenge Wildlife Tour.
Monkeyland, Birds of Eden & Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
I hate sad stories but love happy endings. At Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll experience happy endings and rejoice with them. Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary are Plettenberg Bay-based sanctuaries that are the final forever homes for animals misplaced or mistreated by humans. You can support them by visiting Jukani Sanctuary, Monkeyland, and Birds of Eden, which are on their mission to help those who can’t help themselves.
The animals at Jukani’s Wildlife Sanctuary Plettenberg Bay are all rescued animals that humans mistreat. The enclosures are specifically built to suit each animal’s needs. At Jukani, you will find Predators such as Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Leopards, and Spotted hyenas. Located off the N2, The Crags, Western Cape, South Africa, Tel: +27 (0) 44 534 8409
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
They are one of the World’s first multi-species primate sanctuaries where ex-captive primates roam freely. Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary spans 12 hectares of indigenous forest and is home to over 550 primates. Monkeyland Plett also hosts howler monkeys, vervet monkeys, langurs, sakis, capuchin monkeys, and spider monkeys. Furthermore, squirrel monkeys, as well as endangered black and white ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs, are also present. To experience these beautiful creatures, visit Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
Birds of Eden Plettenberg Bay
Experience the largest single-span free-flight aviary globally, encompassing 2.3 hectares of forest waterways. On the 1.2 km walkways, take in the surrounding environment and diverse bird species.
Amongst the 3500 birds are about 200 species of previously caged birds, including parrots, turacos, waterfowl, finches, cranes, and hornbills.
Monkeyland, Jukani and Birds of Eden are located at Animal Alley. Coming from the N2, take the Kurland Village turn-off, The Crags, +27 44 534 8906
Plettenberg Bay Activities
- Plettenberg Bay Canyoning Trip / Swim with the Seals
- Explore the Salt River Plettenberg Bay—zip-line and abseil down the river gorge, and swim in the waterfall.
- Bungy jump from the World’s highest bridge South Africa are only some of the activities in Plettenberg Bay.
Knysna, the Pearl of the Garden Route, sits between George and Plettenberg Bay and must be on any Garden Route South Africa Itinerary.
Best things to do in Knysna
Visit Knysna Heads
The Knysna River, which feeds the Knysna lagoon, is primarily built on the northern shore of a large estuary. Explore the Knysna Estuary alone or on a Knysna Heads boat trip using a Garden route map.
The Heads Knysna estuary offers stunning cliffs, historical caves, diverse marine life, and an abundance of flora.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Board a ferry crossing the Knysna Lagoon to the privately-owned Featherbed Nature Reserve. Situated on the Western Head of Knysna, the Reserve is only accessible by ferry on guided tours to protect the splendour of the natural beauty.
Explore the Knysna Heads and estuary on a 45-minute adventure cruise. Learn about the history of Knysna and encounter with birdlife and seals that inhabit the estuary. To secure your place, book with Knysna Heads and Estuary Boat Adventure.
Knysna Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Venture out for a magical sail in Knysna on a luxury catamaran to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Watch for dolphins while you laze in the sun with an ice-cold beverage and enjoy a delicious complimentary Captain’s barbeque. To not miss out and secure your place on this amazing experience, visit Luxury Knysna Sunset Cruise
Knysna Elephant Sanctuary
You can encounter these little giants at the Knysna Elephant Park, the first facility to care for orphaned African elephants in South Africa. Although they are rarely seen in the forest, they do exist.
Book a Garden Route Tour
Several tours are along the Garden Route coastline to spot the migratory Knysna Whale Watching and the magnificent Whale creatures. The Best Places to Spot These Giants. Moreover, when is the best time for Whale watching on the Garden Route and Whale-watching Mossel Bay tours and to book a whale-watching adventure along the Plettenberg Bay coast.
Thesen Island Knysna
Linked by a causeway and bridge, Thesen Island is within walking distance of the waterfront. The multi-award-winning marina comprises 19 artificial islands related to 25ha of tidal waterways with 21 arched bridges. Besides exploring the Thesen Island Knysna shops and scenery, the Thesen Island Waterways offers various watersports like stand-up Paddling on the lagoon. Whatever the celebration or for a romantic sunset, board a luxury cruiser and sail around the Knysna Lagoon with the backdrop of the breathtaking Outeniqua mountains. To book, visit Knysna Thesen Island Lagoon Cruise.
The Big Tree
It is situated on the N2, just east of the entrance to Storms River Village. The Knysna big tree Tsitsikamma Storms River is what it claims to be, as the name doesn’t leave much to your imagination.
A giant Outeniqua Yellowwood (Podocarpus Falcatus) is 1,000 years old and about 45 metres high. It is the largest known Outeniqua Yellowwood. The trunk measures nearly nine metres, and the canopy spans a width of 33 metres.
Ratel Nature Walk: Two walking trails start at the Big Tree. One can opt for the 2.6 km or the longer 4.2 km trail.
Goukamma Nature Reserve Knysna
Located on the Garden Route between the seaside towns of Sedgefield and Knysna, Goukamma Nature Reserve is an Isolated marine protected area. Although relatively small, its diverse habitats are home to many marine species and the secretive Cape Otters.
Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve
The Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve is home to one of the rarest butterflies in the World, which is visible from late October until December. If you can’t find them on your Map of the Garden Route, a single signpost marks their location.
Sedgefield
Sandwiched between the Wilderness and Knysna on the Garden Route of South Africa lies the beautiful Village of Sedgefield. Sedgefield is home to the pet-friendly Lake Pleasant Resort, which offers fully equipped self-catering timber cottages and a spacious Caravan park with clan ablutions. Lake Pleasant has been owned by the same family since 1962 and boasts the only camping resort along a bass fishing lake in the Southern Cape. In addition, the resort features a squash court, a restaurant, a pub, a convenience store, and safe swimming pools.
Charming Sedgefield Lodge is situated on the edge of a natural freshwater lake in Sedgefield. It is a serene retreat in the tranquil Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve. Birdlife is abundant along the entire Garden Route, with over 200 species, including Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Green-and-Red Knysna Turacos, as well as bottlenose and humpback dolphins.
Charming Timberlake Village
Hidden among the fynbos in a natural environment lies Timberlake Village. Home to 17 small local businesses in unique cabins, the Village feels like a hidden Gem.
Besides the extensive playing area with lots to keep children entertained, there are a few restaurants. Timberlake Village has a Coffee Roastery, a boutique wine store, and a Coffee Roastery.
Other shops on the Map of the Garden Route include a Deli, the famous Oyster Bar, an art and leather shop, a pottery studio, and a driftwood sculptor.
Best Seafood and Fish on the Garden Route
We had the most delicious fresh fish, Calamari, and Chips at Mr Kaai. It was so good we had to go back. You can visit the popular Mr Kaai Fish restaurant in Sedgefield. Their scrumptious Fish, Calamari, and Chips were our best during our Eastern Cape Road trip. There is no formal dress code; you are welcome to wear your beachwear. In Sedgefield on Kingfisher & Uil Road, Mr Kaai offers the best takeaway meals on the Garden Route map. For Mr Kaai’s orders, contact them at 074 756 8103.
Playing Golf in the Garden Route
Known as the Golfing Mecca of South Africa, there are 12 golf courses on the Map of the Garden Route of South Africa.
Game Reserves on the Garden Route
There are a few Plettenberg Bay Game Reserves on the Garden Route that are home to the Big Five and other free-roaming safari animals. One gets close to the wildlife on the 2-hour guided Garden Route Safari and Game drive. With a knowledgeable game ranger who knows precisely where to look each time of the day, you can guarantee a fantastic experience. To get to the Reserve, take the R340 Road 12 Kms from N2 and 20 km from Plettenberg Bay, 6600
Victoria Bay
The Map of the Garden Route leads to beautiful Victoria Bay, located on the scenic Garden Route of South Africa, between Wilderness and George.
Unfortunately, Victoria Bay, like most of the Western Cape, is not pet-friendly. Dashuri wasn’t even allowed to walk on the grass near the beach or the Victoria Bay campsites. Glentana is pet-friendly.
Glentana
Halfway between the towns of Mosselbaai and George lies the tiny seaside Village of Glentana. We camped at the secluded and peaceful prime Pet-friendly Glentana Caravan Park. The ablutions are fantastic, and one is so close to nature, watching birdlife all over the Camp. We can recommend Glentana to anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. We planned to stay longer, but the weather got so bad, with predicted wind storms and cold coming, we decided to hit the road. For other Pet-friendly campsites, check out Pet friendly Eastern Cape.
Glentana Restaurants
Where to eat at Glentana? On the beach at Glentana is the famous Visgraat restaurant overlooking Glentana beach. At the Visgraat restaurant, one can sit outside or inside while enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Another popular restaurant in the area is De Vette Mossel Groot Brak, but I suggest reading their latest reviews before visiting.
Mossel Bay
The beautiful seaside town of Mossel Bay is situated on the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. It was also the last town on our Garden Route map. Die Punt Campsite in Mossel Bay is not pet-friendly. This was a blessing in disguise, as we noticed the campsite was utterly overloaded even during the low season. We decided to head back to Glentana, where we camped at some of the best campsites in Eastern Cape. Looking for self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay, or a good hotel, I recommend the Protea Hotel in Mossel Bay.
What to do in Mossel Bay
Book a 3-hour Botlierskop Game Drive in the Private Game Reserve. Here, you can experience close encounters with rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and 26 wildlife species. Situated in the spectacular mountains near Mossel Bay, the Reserve boasts a diverse range of habitats.
Garden Route Accommodations
Here are the Best Places to stay on the Garden Route, as well as self-catering accommodation on the Garden Route:
For options on the Wilderness Garden Route National Park, and Garden route accommodation. For Camping in the Garden Route, visit the Pet-Friendly Campsites on the Garden Route.
Lake Pleasant Resort in Sedgefield is Pet-friendly and offers camping along the Garden Route. In addition to their large grassed campsite, they provide other types of accommodation on the Garden Route. After a few nights in Sedgefield, we continued to Glentana. The Pet-friendly Glentana Caravan Park was our next destination on the Garden Route, Südafrika.
Eastern Cape Road Trip back to Gauteng
The Garden Route map took us from Glentana to George, then to Oudtshoorn, before returning to Gauteng. Outside George, we stopped at the impressive Elvis Brew Farmstall.
Besides the strong wind, the exorbitant prices at the Farmstall quickly got us back on the road. Unfortunately, like the rest of Cape Town, their prices are steep, catering to foreigners.
If you’re short on time and can’t spend a few days in Oudtshoorn, you must at least stop by the Smitswinkel in Oudtshoorn town.
Oudtshoorn Tourist Attractions
Smitswinkel Oudshoorn
The unique Smitswinkel is centrally located on Langenhoven Rd, Oudtshoorn. Whatever you do, don’t miss a stop at the Smitswinkel in Oudshoorn. Their unique decor, collections, and atmosphere are worth experiencing.
Smitswinkel offers a variety of high-quality items, snacks, and gifts. Sit down for a tasty meal or Coffee and Cake. You don’t have to worry about the kids; they have a children’s play area with birds and other farm animals. The 34.7 km drive from Oudtshoorn to De Rust is a scenic route.
De Rust
The charming Victorian town of De Rust is known as the gateway to the Klein Karoo and is located only 12 minutes from the breathtaking Meiringspoort. De Rust is an impressive little town with heartwarming people—the cosy shops with exciting things, arty stuff, and antiques.
The charming town of De Rust has a few cosy restaurants and guest houses. We spent some time at The Grumpy Bar De Rust, a fun place to visit. The 60-meter Meiringspoort Waterfall is a great picnic spot to relax, swim, and admire the view.
On the Picturesque Route 62, between the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains, there is much to experience. De Rust town is one of those bucket list places you cannot afford to miss and the perfect place to stay overnight. De Rust is worth staying over for at least two nights.
Beaufort West
Springbokkie Private Game Reserve
Do yourself a favour and stay at the beautiful private Game reserve Steenbokkie, only 12 kilometres outside Beaufort West. Steenbokkie Private Nature Reserve is a 7,500-ha family-run working, game, and hospitality farm that offers comfortable, affordable accommodation for overnight travellers and an unforgettable farm experience for families.
Although there is wildlife, horses, and farm animals, they allow pets. Their camping site and facilities are some of the best and are highly recommended. Springbokkie Game Reserve has beautiful Campsites and other accommodations. Springbokkie Game Reserve is a lovely place to stay in Beaufort West. For Beaufort West self-catering accommodations, visit Ons Dorpshuis Beaufort West or Beaufort West Hotels.
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Where to Stay on the Garden Route
For the Best Campsite, visit amazing pet-friendly Campsites on the Garden Route. Citation: “This article has been polished using Grammarly’s AI tool.”
