7 NIGHT GARDEN ROUTE TRIP FROM CAPE TOWN – DETAILED ITINERARY

Don’t feel bad if you have embarked on the Garden Route trip and never completed all the fun things a person can see and do around the region. With a 200 km stretch of coastline and breathtaking natural beauty connecting Mossel Bay and the Storms River Mouth in the Eastern Cape with multiple detours you can make, it’s understandable not to complete everything on a single trip.

I have tried a few times to complete everything on a single trip but failed every time! I either didn’t enjoy the trip, spent less time at each place I visited, or simply returned home feeling tired and frustrated with no tangible memories created. Every time I go to the Garden Route, there is always something new that I discover or learn about from the locals or fellow travellers. So, my Garden Route bucket list keeps getting longer with every trip.

Here is a quick piece of advice – whether it’s your 1st or 10th Garden Route trip, you need to accept the reality that you will not see and do everything the Garden Route has to offer on a single trip. Every time you go, some sacrifices will have to be made! You have to plan and decide what type of trip you would like it to be, what tourist attractions you would like to see, what activities you would like to enjoy, and what type of accommodation you would like to sleep at. Narrowing the list down to a few options will make your Garden Route trip planning easier and your vacation less frustrating. Never try to see and do everything on a single trip otherwise you will not enjoy it and you will go back home feeling more frustrated than happy. At least you can start planning another Garden Route trip as soon as you arrive back home and never repeat experiences you enjoyed on the previous trip.

Travel agents and/or people in general should not fool you, there is no one definite Garden Route itinerary. Every Garden Route itinerary offers different experiences and caters to different travellers and their travel needs. I hope this article answers some if not all of the questions you might have regarding planning the Garden Route trip from Cape Town for yourself, family or friends. There are many beautiful towns, exciting detours, amazing tourist attractions, and fun activities I did not include in this article otherwise the itinerary would have been longer than this one.

NB: You can also start your Garden Route trip from any point and use this itinerary as your reference guide.

MAIN TOWN COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE AS PER ITINERARY

• Oudtshoorn (Detour)
• George
• Wilderness
• Plettenberg Bay
• Stormsriver
• Knysna
• Albertinia

MAIN TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Route 62
• Camel rides
• Map of Africa
• Clarence Drive
• Bloukrans Bridge
• Ostrich farm tour
• Cango Caves tour
• Knysna Heads walk
• Knysna Heads boat cruise
• Outeniqua mountain Pass
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Betty’s Bay Penguins (optional detour)

WHAT IS THE GARDEN ROUTE

The 200 km stretch of coastline connecting Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth in the Eastern Cape is popularly referred to as the Garden Route. The Garden Route trip has been rated as one of the top road trips in the world that any traveller should experience at least once in their lifetime and this is why many local and international travellers including myself, made it a travel tradition to explore the Garden Route at least once every year because every trip is always different and activities are never the same.

The experience offers a diversity of picturesque towns and villages, scenic landscapes, dramatic mountain passes, indigenous forests, interesting caves, a long stretch of sandy beaches, wine farms, wildlife safaris, animal interactions, and marine wildlife safaris. This trip also enables you to travel on the famous R62 route, the longest wine route in the world.

DETAILED 7 NIGHT GARDEN ROUTE ITINERARY FROM CAPE TOWN

Assuming you are already in Cape Town and have a vehicle ready or hired a vehicle, below is how your Garden Route road trip will look like.

You really don’t need a 4×4 vehicle for this trip, and any vehicle will smoothly complete this trip without any problems and there are plenty of fuel stations along the N2.

DAY 1

CAPE TOWN TO OUDTSHOORN

Distance: 420km

Depart Cape Town at 06:00 am and drive to Robertson via the N1 for your first driving break and breakfast at the Four Cousins Restaurant.

This will be followed by a 30-minute drive to another popular small town called Montagu. Make sure you stop at Montagu Dried Fruit and Nut on the main road (1 Long Street, Montagu) to stock up a few snacks for the journey ahead, the area produces some of the best snacks in the country.

Your next stop will be at another small town called Barrydale. On your way to Barrydale, look out for Ronnies Sex Shop on your right hand side.

It’s not what you think, Ronnies Sex Shop is a popular chill spot and the name was a result of friends pranking Ronnie and this spot became popular with travellers because of its name so the owner left the name as it is known today. Stop at Diesel and Crème for refreshments and lunch.

After stretching your legs and exploring the town, continue with your journey on the R62 until you reach a town called Calitzdorp, another pure gem. You will have an opportunity to taste wines and vintage brandy and maybe stock up some bottles for the journey ahead. Visit De Krans Wines or Calitzdorp Cellar.

Your journey will end in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. This will also be your first overnight stop and I highly recommend AfriCamps Klein Karoo for a glamping experience and a braai under the Karoo stars.

They offer both breakfast and braai baskets at an extra reasonable cost. Make sure you book your baskets in advance.

 DAY 2

CANGO OSTRICH FARM, CANGO CAVES, AND CAMEL RIDES

Distance: 30km

After breakfast, visit the Cango Ostrich Farm (or ask AfriCamps Klein Karoo to arrange one of their own Ostrich tours) to enjoy the morning ostrich safari with the opportunity for close interaction with these majestic birds.

This will be followed by a 15-minute drive to the Cango Caves to explore some interesting caves with their chambers and magnificent limestone formations.

After exploring the Cango Caves, take a quick 2 km drive to Wilgewandel Holiday farm for some camel rides and lunch. The farm offers various family fun activities and has an al a Carte restaurant.

Once you feel refreshed and full, drive for about 100km to Buff and Fellow Eco Game Farm, a self-catering game farm in George for your second overnight stop.

Remember to stop for photo opportunities at the designated stop areas when driving through the Outeniqua Pass, you will have spectacular views of the Outeniqua mountains from up there.

Buff and Fellow Eco Game Farm is conveniently situated 10 km from the George airport, close to Glentana beach (8 km drive) and local restaurants.

They have converted old shipping containers into luxurious eco-friendly cabins, pods, and coconuts on the edge of a beautiful farm dam overlooking the majestic Outeniqua mountains.

You will be surrounded by Buffalos, Rhinos, and other wildlife while relaxing in your own wood-fired hot tub.

Watch the short video of Buff and Fellow Eco Game Farm here

DAY 3

EXPLORE PLETTENBERG BAY

Distance: 110km

Depart Buff and Fellow Eco Game Farm after breakfast. Your first stop will be the scenic “Map of Africa” in the Wilderness National Park.

Your journey will continue to Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay to explore the reserve before checking in at your accommodation at Grand Africa Room and Rendezvous.

This will be your home for the next two days. Set on Plettenberg Bay’s vibrant Main Street, Grand Africa Rooms and Rendezvous overlooks Plettenberg Bay’s pristine beaches, Keurbooms lagoon, extraordinary Tsitsikamma Mountains, and the warm Indian Ocean. Your booking includes breakfast.

The location is perfect and gives you easy access by foot to the beach, restaurants, clubs, and markets.

DAY 4

BLOUKRANS BRIDGE AND TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

Distance: 67km

After breakfast, drive to Tsitsikamma National Park but first, make a stop at the world’s highest bungee at Bloukrans Bridge.

Even if you are not planning to jump, just make a stop to enjoy the breathtaking views of the bridge and the river that runs under it. Seeing people jump off the bridge will leave your jaws dropped and your mouth wide open with excitement.

Continue with your journey to the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park. You will walk on the famous coastal hanging bridge over Storms River Mouth and kayak in the river before heading back to your accommodation in Plettenberg Bay. Other fun activities in the area include ziplining and Segway tours. Tough choice about what activity to do and which ones to be left out for the next trip will have to be made. Good luck on making the decision.

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND PLETTENBERG BAY

1. VISIT TENIKWA WILDLIFE AWARENESS CENTRE

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offers wildlife tours for day visitors to see the indigenous big cats of South Africa and other local wildlife. The centre is situated 25km from Plettenberg Bay in The Crags.

2. VISIT JUKANI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary’s mission is to maintain and manage a sustainable wildlife sanctuary, with the focus on creating widespread awareness about the plight of large predators in captivity, in South Africa and all over the world.

3. VISIT LAWNWOOD SNAKE SANCTUARY

Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary specialises in educating visitors on common snakes encountered and the myths surrounding them. Over the years the park has homed a variety of exotic unwanted reptiles.

4. VISIT ADVENTURE LAND WATER SLIDES AND PLAY PARK

Visit Plettenberg Adventure Land and enjoy a picnic or have a braai and spend quality time with your family and friends enjoying the water activities.

5. VISIT BIRDS OF EDEN AND MONKEYLAND PRIMATE SANCTUARY

Birds of Eden’s unique two-hectare dome (the world’s largest) spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. Currently, it is home to over 3,500 birds from over 220 species, with the main focus being African birds.

Monkeyland is the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. Its mission is to educate and foster a greater understanding of animals and the threats and challenges they are facing.

DAY 5

EXPLORE KNYSNA

Distance: 67km

Today, you will start at Knysna Elephant Park in Harkerville. Here you will enjoy a rare wildlife experience with a herd of rehabilitated elephants.

Under the careful supervision of experienced handlers, you will also walk with the elephants, feed them, and interact with these majestic pachyderms.

After this fun experience, drive to Knysna to check in at your accommodation in Thesen Island and enjoy a Knysna Heads boat cruise on the Knysna lagoon.

If weather conditions permit, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cross the Heads onto the Indian Ocean. For accommodation on Thesen Island, I highly recommend The Turbine Hotel and Spa as well as The Lofts Boutique Hotel.

Watch the short video of The Turbine Hotel and Spa here.

DAY 6

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES AROUND KNYSNA

On this day you should feel like you have been away for too long and you might already be feeling homesick. So today, take it easy, lay in the pool area with your favourite book and beverage, take a walk or ride a bicycle around the Island, go kayaking on the Knysna lagoon, or simply do anything you want in order to recharge.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AROUND KNYSNA INCLUDE:

1. KNYSNA FOREST WALK

The Circles in the Forest trail is situated in the Goldfield State Forest and starts/ends at the Krisjan-se-Nek picnic site where you can braai and lie on the green grass. It is a beautiful easy to moderate walk through the forest. There is a swimming spot in a cool forest pool with small fish species in it and also a beautiful pool with a waterfall. There are sections where you walk amongst huge forest ferns and frog-filled streams with small wooden bridges.

2. DRIVE TO GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE

Goukamma Nature Reserve is situated just 22km from Buffels Bay and is accessible from Groenvlei Road, off the N2. This nature reserve protects 16.5km of the coastline and its array of indigenous and endemic animal, bird, and fish species, coastal fynbos, forest, and Groenvlei Lake, a large freshwater lake. Goukamma Nature Reserve is a safe home for marine mammal species such as the resident pod of Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin, and the Southern Right Whale. The protected coastline also serves as an important breeding area for the African Black Oystercatcher and White-fronted Plover.

There are two-day trails in the reserve, Bush Pig Trail, a 6,5km circular route that takes two to three hours. You will walk along a fynbos ridge with views of the coast, river, and estuary, returning via a milkwood forest. The Porcupine Trail is a 13,5km route that takes four to five hours. This route stretches over the vegetated dunes. Permits can be obtained on arrival from the reserve’s reception.

3. KNYSNA HEADS VIEWPOINT WALK

The Knysna Heads are a pair of sandstone cliffs that separate the Knysna Lagoon from the Ocean – a popular landmark along the Garden Route.

You can easily access the eastern head by car and this section offers breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the channel, Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and estuary, and the Outeniqua Mountains.

You can also descend to the nearby rock pools or Coney Glen beach.

4. ATTEND THE ANNUAL KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL

Attend the annual Knysna Oyster Festival. This is the perfect combination of quality oyster tasting and dishes, sports challenges, food and wine stalls, live entertainment, and family time. The festival is held over 10 days of winter, which includes two weekends.

DAY 7

ALBERTINIA – GARDEN ROUTE GAME LODGE

Distance: 149km

Your South African Garden Route road trip is almost coming to an end and you are about to exit the Garden Route but your trip wouldn’t be complete without the Big 5 game drive experience.

Garden Route Game Lodge will be your last overnight stop accommodation on your way back to Cape Town. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg mountain range, the malaria-free family-owned and operated Garden Route Game Lodge guards the entrance to South Africa’s Garden Route coast and is home to an abundance of animal and birdlife including the Big 5.

They offer game viewing in open Land Rovers, luxury accommodation, and a memorable dining experience in their African-style restaurant.

DAY 8

CAPE TOWN

VIA N2

Distance: 342km

VIA R44 (CLARENCE DRIVE)

Distance: 375km

Your trip ends! After breakfast, head back to Cape Town. You have an option to continue driving on the N2 or detour at Bot Rivier to take R44 (Clarence Drive) the most scenic route around the Western Cape after the popular Chapman’s Peak Drive.

If time allows and you are not in a hurry to arrive in Cape Town, stop at Betty’s Bay to visit the African penguins.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GARDEN ROUTE

The Garden Route has an all-year-round temperate climate that is perfectly suited to playing outdoors. Temperatures are highest in the summer months (November to April), but this stretch of coastline gets very busy over the Christmas holidays. For a beach holiday without the crowds, the best time to visit the Garden Route is from February to April. June and July it’s the rainy season but you will still experience some warm/sunny days and the 10-day Knysna Oyster Festival is usually held around this time of the year. The whales visit our coastlines between June and December months.

You will be happy to know that temperatures around the Garden Route rarely fall below 15 degrees Celsius even during the winter season. Your decision as to when to go to the Garden Route will really depend on your interests and the type of vacation you seek for.

1. SPRING (SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER)

Spring season is a lovely time of year to visit the Garden Route, temperatures are around 15 – 25 degrees Celsius. It is usually relatively dry and the Fynbos flowers are blooming. You can also expect fields of lavender and canola flowers. The weather starts to get warmer but not too hot from mid-October.

2. SUMMER (NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY)

The summer months are generally dry and hot with daytime temperatures of 25 – 35 degrees Celsius. This period offers the best weather but prices are usually inflated to make up for the lost revenue during the low season.

3. AUTUMN (MARCH TO MAY)

Autumn is a great time of year to visit the Garden Route if you enjoy hiking. Nights are cooler and days are warmer but not too hot and prices start to go down but avoid Easter holidays.

4. WINTER (JUNE – SEPTEMBER)

For many travellers, the winter months may be the least favourable time of year to visit the Garden Route because of the weather. However, low season rates, generally mild sunny days and the appeal of seeing the Southern Right Whales migration makes the Garden Route the perfect destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts and budget travellers. Just pack enough warm clothes and you will be fine.

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