Easiest Ways To Travel The Garden Route

The Garden Route is a 300km stretch of South Africa’s southern coastline which has some of the country’s most beautiful natural scenery. Between Mossel Bay and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a shoreline dotted with golden beaches, amber rivers, lakes, mountains and lush indigenous forests filled with birds and wildlife. Yet this magnificent part of the country is often left unexplored as South Africans are either unaware of it or unable to travel to this slice of paradise.

We wanted to do our part to help spread the word, so read on to discover the easiest ways to enjoy the Garden Route, including transport options, popular routes and other tips and tricks. This is one of the must-see gems of this country, so don’t let the journey there stop you from experiencing all it has to offer.

How to get to the Garden Route from Cape Town

We highly recommend using your own private transport or renting a car. Not only will this be the easiest and most affordable option, but you’ll also be travelling around quite a bit once you’ve reached this wild wonderland. The drive will take four to five hours. 

Travelling by plane

The fastest way from Cape Town to the Garden Route is a 50-minute flight to George airport, where you can rent a car.

Travelling by bus

Although it’s more cost-effective than flying, we don’t really recommend travelling by bus as it’s a time-consuming journey (seven hours) and can take even longer if there are delays over which you have no control. The bus can be a convenient option, though, because most services travel to different towns, so you can choose to go as far along this stretch of coast as you please. If you hope to visit multiple destinations, we recommend the Baz Bus, a hop-on hop-off door-to-door service for backpackers.

Travelling by car

There are two main routes: either along the coast (for the whole way or part of it) or inland. 

Route option 1: driving via the N2

The fastest way to travel by car from Cape Town to the Garden Route is along the N2. Soon after leaving Cape Town, you’ll enjoy views over False Bay from Sir Lowry’s Pass, then drive through towns such as Grabouw, Caledon and Riviersonderend before reaching Mossel Bay. If you’re planning to travel deeper into the Garden Route you can just carry on driving along the N2. Those choosing to travel along the N2 can enjoy stops at farm stalls like the Peregrine in Grabouw, and Oumeul Bakery in Riviersonderend. 

Route option 2: driving via the N1, R60 and N2

An alternative route is to leave Cape Town via the N1, then take R60 and join the N2 in Swellendam. Notable stops along this route include the Paarl wine region, and the picturesque Klein Karoo towns of Montagu and Barrydale. Diesel & Crème is a fabulous place to stop for lunch in Barrydale. Those who choose this route should note that there is a toll to use the Huguenot Tunnel just outside Paarl. 

Easiest ways to explore the Garden Route - places you need to see and how to get to them

1. Mossel Bay

 Mossel Bay is a charming harbour town at the start of the Garden Route. If you leave Cape Town early in the morning, you could make it to Mossel Bay in time for lunch, and you’ll also be left with enough time to explore. If you’re in the mood for fresh fish and other seafood, the Cafe Gannet is the place to go. Mossel Bay has a number of worthwhile historic sites, such as the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex which includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. Another significant landmark is The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, which was used as a mail collection point in the 1500s. Mossel Bay is also known for the wide Santos beach, a great spot for swimming, as well as the 19th-century Cape St Blaize lighthouse which offers spectacular views over the bay and of the Outeniqua mountains. 

2.              Victoria Bay

From Mossel Bay you can make your way to the popular surf spot, Victoria Bay, a small cove between George and Wilderness. It will take you approximately 44 minutes to drive there. If you’re a surfer, or simply enjoy watching surfers, you’re in luck. Vic Bay is famous for its right point break and is one of the best surf spots in the Garden Route. It is also a great and safe swimming beach, and has one of the best campsites in the Garden Route.

3.              Kaaimans River

A little further along the N2 you’ll find the picturesque Kaaimans River which is something of a hidden gem as most people tend to just drive straight past, not knowing what this magnificent tributary has to offer. As you come down the Kaaimans pass, there is a turn-off to your right that you can take to get to a parking lot. From there you can start exploring either by renting kayaks and going up the river to see the Kaaimans waterfall, or you can go canyoning (or as locals call it, “kloofing”) up the gorge. There is also a small stretch of beach if you’d like to put up your umbrella and take a dip in the river or sea, which you’ll find at the river mouth. If you’re getting peckish, you can head to the Kaaimans Restaurant, the same place you can hire kayaks.

4.              Wilderness

Just around the corner from Kaaimans you’ll find the breathtaking Wilderness, home to Nima Lodge. Wilderness, as the name suggests, is home to rugged beaches and forests filled with wildlife and birds. It’s important to be cautious when swimming in the sea here, as there are strong rip currents. Other places on the long list of things to see in Wilderness include the Kingfisher Hiking Trail (Nima Lodge has direct access from its grounds), The Map of Africa (a hilltop lookout point from where you can paraglide or enjoy views of the Indian Ocean), and of course the Touw River (where you can go on boat tours, swim or kayak). Wilderness Village has some of the best restaurants in the Garden Route. Some of the best are Pomodoro, Salinas, Ilali and The Green Shed. Needless to say, this is our favourite spot along the Garden Route, as we chose to call it home.

5.              Sedgefield

The peaceful town of Sedgefield is a 20-minute drive from Wilderness. If you’re in the area on a Saturday morning, be sure to have breakfast at the famous Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market. Another place to visit is Gericke’s Point, a beach with impressive weathered sandstone cliffs, which are actually fossilised dunes. Try to go when it is low tide and the sea is calm so you can enjoy the rock pools. 

6.              Buffels Bay

Buffels Bay is a small holiday town about 20 minutes from Sedgefield. It’s the perfect place to visit if you’d like to go for a swim or a long walk along a pristine beach. Right at the Buffels Bay turn-off you will also find a great place to stop for lunch, The RiverDeck. This restaurant is right on a river where you can also swim and splash around on paddle boats. 

7.              Knysna

About 20 minutes from Buffels Bay you will find Knysna, one of South Africa’s top holiday destinations, where you will find lots to keep you busy: from swimming, boating or fishing in the lagoon to going on hikes in the old Knysna forest. There are also many top-notch restaurants to choose from, including the East Head Café at the foot of the Knysna Heads, Ile de Pain on Thesen Island and 34 Degrees South at the Knysna Waterfront. 

8.              Plettenberg Bay

If you carry on driving on the N2 for another 30 minutes you will reach Plettenberg Bay. This seaside town boasts some of the best beaches in the country, including the sandy Central Beach, Lookout Beach and Robberg Beach. To the south of Plettenberg Bay you will see Robberg Nature Reserve, a rocky peninsula which stretches far into the sea. This reserve has trails where you can go hiking and some great swimming spots. Just outside Plettenberg Bay you will find Birds of Eden - the world’s largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary, which is built in an indigenous forest - an elephant sanctuary and Monkey Land. Plettenberg Bay has some of the best places to eat, such as Emily Moon, Le Fournil de Plett and the Lookout Deck. 

9.              Nature’s Valley

Just a few minutes outside of Plettenberg Bay you will find Nature’s Valley, a holiday resort and small village which lies towards the end of the Garden Route. Nature’s Valley sits in between the Salt River, the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, the Indian Ocean and the Groot River lagoon. One of the best parts of Nature’s Valley is that, in spite of its breathtaking beauty, it has managed to remain somewhat undiscovered. There is lots of exploring to do in this peaceful valley, including the Salt River mouth and hiking trails area. Not too far away you will also find Bloukrans, where you can go bungee-jumping if you’re brave enough! 

10.           Storms River 

The last stop on the Garden Route, and just 40 minutes away from Nature’s Valley, is Storms River. This river mouth is located in the Tsitsikamma National Park, which is also where the five-day Otter Trail hiking route starts. Things to do in this area include blackwater tubing, hiking and swimming. 

With countless detours and pitstops showcasing the region’s beauty, the Garden Route is a perfect destination for seasoned road-trippers as well as first-timers. We hope our tips on how to travel the Garden Route have given you some inspiration and made it easier to plan your own incredible road trip along South Africa’s southern coastline.