The Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary: Stops, Tips & More

The Garden Route, a popular road trip destination in South Africa, is often considered one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. 

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The Garden Route road trip is also one of the most popular activities for visitors to South Africa as it provides an opportunity to visit many incredible beaches, indigenous forests, lush green mountains and parks along the southern coast of the country.

A road trip along the Garden Route was one of our favourite experiences in South Africa and one we’d recommend to anyone visiting this amazing country.

Robber Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Robber Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
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If you are planning your own Garden Route adventure, here is a guide to get you started! All of the stops listed in this guide and recommendations are based on our own personal experience along the Garden Route.


What Is The Garden Route?

The Garden Route is the road stretching for 300 km from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It’s an incredibly scenic and ecologically diverse part of South Africa, with picturesque towns and national parks along the way. One you can’t miss is the Garden Route National Park, which encompasses Tsitsikamma, Wilderness, Knysna Lakes, and Nature’s Valley.

Although the route is technically the 300 km stretch of the N2 Highway between Mossel Bay and Storms River, most people usually extend their road trip from Cape Town (via Sir Lowry’s Pass) all the way to Port Elizabeth or vice versa. This is because most people begin their holiday or hire a car from Cape Town or plan to drive from Port Elizabeth along the Garden Route to Cape Town.

Along the Garden Route, South Africa
Along the Garden Route, South Africa

How Long Does It Take To Drive The Garden Route?

It really depends on how long you have and how much time you’re willing to spend on the Garden Route. A 3-day Garden Route itinerary would be possible but a bit rushed. 

The most common is to spend 5 days to one week on the Garden Route, so you can stop to take in the main sights. 

With two or more weeks, you could really explore more off-the-beaten-track Garden Route attractions and spend extra nights in places you enjoy.

Driving through the Garden Route
Driving through the Garden Route, South Africa

Best Time To Go

The best time to travel along the Garden Route in South Africa is around the summertime, from November until April. This is when the weather is at its warmest and most predictable. However, it’s also the busiest time in South Africa, and prices tend to increase during these months. 

Opting for Spring or Autumn/Fall can be a better option as the crowds will be less and the warmer can still be warm enough. 

What Towns Are On The Garden Route?

There is more than one way to experience South Africa’s Garden Route. Since the route offers so many activities, there is lots to do in every town along the way. From tasting authentic South African cuisine to stopping by a private game reserve, the beauty of the Garden Route is not about the destinations themselves but the adventures along the way.

If you are looking for the perfect Garden Route itinerary, we recommend reading up on all the Garden Route towns, highlighting activities and experiences you’re interested in, and building an itinerary around that. 

Below, we’ll take you through each town along the Garden Route, plus a few side trips we recommend:

Swellendam

Although this town is technically not on the route, it offers a nice stopover between Cape Town, the wineries of Franschhoek and the start of the Garden Route. It’s the third oldest town in the country and a pleasant place surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. There’s not a lot to do in the town itself, but the pleasure is in relaxing in this beautiful part of the country.

Jan Harmsgat Country House & Farm, Swellendam, South Africa
The open fields near Swellendam, South Africa

Things to do in Swellendam

Drostdy Museum: One of the oldest buildings in South Africa, the complex was built by the Dutch East India Company in 1747, and you can explore its gardens, gaol and old mill.

Wine tasting: At Jan Harmsgat Country House, they can arrange a guided tasting of up to 6 of their wine varieties.

Farm tour: You can take a tour of the Jan Harmsgat farm through the vineyards before having an incredible picnic as the sun is setting.

Jan Harmsgat Country House & Farm, Swellendam, South Africa
Sunset picnic on Jan Harmsgat Farm

Where to Eat in Swellendam

TrediciOne of the artisan bakeries in town, this cafe offers pastries, coffee and an extensive wine menu, with all ingredients and products sourced from local businesses and farms.

Just AmyThe onsite restaurant at Jan Harmsgat Country House offers a seasonal menu with whatever has been freshly harvested from their garden. They are a great breakfast spot.

Old Mill: Housed inside a beautiful Cape Dutch Building, this restaurant offers all three daily meals with a mix of Afrikaans and European cuisine, with wine from local estates.

Where to Stay in Swellendam

Jan Harmsgat Country HouseThis hotel offers four-star accommodation with ten exclusive Victorian-style suites in various sizes. They have a pool, onsite restaurant, and they offer wine tasting and farm tours on their property. 

Augusta de Mist: is a four-star boutique stay on a historic 19th-century Cape Dutch Estate with a pool and landscaped gardens. They have various suites available to choose from.

Jan Harmsgat Country House & Farm, Swellendam, South Africa
Jan Harmsgat Country House & Farm, Swellendam, South Africa

READ NEXT: Staying At Jan Harmsgat Country House In Swellendam, South Africa

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is a small harbour town and the official starting point of the Garden Route in the Western Cape. It’s a very popular tourist destination and gets rather busy during the summer peak months.

It has beautiful white sand beaches and coastal views and is the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Western Cape. It’s also one of the adventure capitals of South Africa, with skydiving and shark cage diving on offer. 

Overlooking the ocean from St Blaize Trail in Mossel Bay, Garden Route
Overlooking the ocean from St Blaize Trail in Mossel Bay, Garden Route
Mossel Bay, Garden Route
Rockpools at Mossel Bay, Garden Route

Things to Do in Mossel Bay

Santos Beach: The most popular beach in Mossel Bay and one of the most well-known along the Garden Route, Santos Beach is a long stretch of white sand. It’s bustling throughout the summer months.

St Blaize Trail: A must for anyone who enjoys outdoors and hiking, this trail is a popular 13.5km hike that takes you from the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse to Dana Bay. It offers magnificent views of the coastline and was one of our personal favourites in Mossel Bay. 

Skydiving: Mossel Bay offers one of the finest conditions and locations for skydiving in the country. It also has one of the highest tandem dives on the continent, and with the incredible scenery surrounding you, it’s the perfect place to tick this activity off your bucket list.

Shark cage divingOne of the most popular activities in Mossel Bay is the chance to get up close to sharks in the warm Indian Ocean. Despite being inside a safety cage, it’s a pure rush of adrenaline.

Point of Human Origins: Take a walk to the caves at Pinnacle Point, where archaeological sites with some of the earliest evidence of modern human behaviour have been found.

St Blaize trail, Mossel Bay, Garden Route
St Blaize trail, Mossel Bay, Garden Route

Best Restaurants in Mossel Bay

  • La Peron Visskerm: Overlooking the harbour, this restaurant offers delicious seafood dishes with an open fireplace to set a casual mood.
  • Carola Ann’s: A modern restaurant in the heart of the town that is great for breakfast or brunch. They serve mostly European and Western cuisine with a Middle Eastern spice twist.
  • Cafe Gannet: This place is the seafood house of the town. They have some of the most sought after fresh seafood dishes and a nice cocktail and wine list.

Where to Stay in Mossel Bay

  • Segulah Guesthouse – This is a great stay that nature lovers will appreciate, located in the heart of the unique fynbos habitat. The guesthouse has family rooms, an outdoor fireplace, a pool, BBQ facilities, a fitness centre and a garden. It’s also run sustainably, as the property is load-shedding-free and uses solar energy.
  • Rosebud 4 Beacon Point – If you’re looking for a beachfront property, check out this sustainable luxury apartment only 350m from Point Beach. The modern apartment features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with stunning sea views. 

Oudtshoorn

This small town is oddly referred to as the ostrich capital of the world, with ostrich farms forming a huge part of the local economy. Oudtshoorn is also one of the main stops on the Route 62 Wine Route and has plenty of wineries and estates on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. 

It’s just over an hour from Mossel Bay to Oudtshoorn and an hour’s drive inland from Wilderness. It’s a common place for people to stay for the night, thanks to the town’s top attractions like the nearby Cango Caves and our personal favourite, the meerkats experience.

Ostritch in Oudtshoorn
Ostritch in Oudtshoorn

Things to Do in Oudtshoorn

Five Shy Meerkats ExperienceA cattle farm and one of the original meerkat conservation sites. You can learn about meerkats and observe them as they go about their daily routine in the reserve area.

CP Nel Museum: This museum celebrates and explains the history of the ostrich trade and the heritage of the small town. The building itself dates back to 1909 when the ostrich feather trade was at its peak

Cango Caves: A 20 million-year-old network of limestone chambers which have unique stalagmite formations. Not all the caves are open, but you can explore some on foot. The site is 30km from Oudtshoorn.

Meerkats experience, Outdshoorn, Garden Route
Meerkats experience, Oudtshoorn, Garden Route

Where to Stay in Oudtshoorn

  • Karoo Retreat: This retreat offers self-catering accommodation with various apartments and villas. It has free parking for guests and a plunge pool for relaxing. 
  • Raw Karoo GuesthouseWithin walking distance from the centre of town, this boutique guesthouse has modern and spacious rooms with breakfast included.

Best Restaurants in Oudtshoorn 

  • Black Swan Restaurant & Tavern: A high-class restaurant in the heart of town. Their most popular dishes include steak and pizza and their wine bar has extensive local varieties.
  • Nostalgie: A popular restaurant that offers both local Karoo cuisine including ostrich meat as well as Western favourites like hamburgers.
  • Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Restaurant: Specialising in traditional Karoo cuisine with local fresh produce. This restaurant is on an open deck inside the Game Lodge with beautiful views over the waterhole.

George 

George is the second largest city in the Western Cape. It’s at a nice midway point between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and can be a nice base for exploring the Garden Route. However, compared to the smaller coastal towns, the bustling city doesn’t have much charm. So we would recommend it as a day trip or midday stop rather than an overnight stay.

Considering Wilderness is just 16 km further down the coast, we recommend continuing your Garden Route drive to stay there for the night.

Things to do in George 

Outeniqua Pass: If you’re coming from Oudtshoorn, you’ll cross this spectacular road pass on the way to George. You’ll likely stop frequently for photos of the beautiful rolling mountains.

Visit Redberry FarmThis farmstead is a commercial strawberry grower and offers farm experiences from picking your own berries to pony rides and go-carts. It’s the perfect family day out on the Garden Route.

Visit Herold Wine Estate: A farm and vineyard just 15km away from George at the base of Cradock Peak. You can pop in for a wine tasting and snack platters from their small restaurant.

Outeniqua Farmers’ MarketEvery Saturday from 8am until 2pm with more than 150 food and craft stalls and live entertainment.

Herold Wines, George, Garden Route
Herold Wines, George, Garden Route

Best Restaurants in George

  • Bayleaf Cafe: This cafe serves breakfast, lunch and coffee with a French and Italian flair in a leafy garden setting.
  • Nina’s Cafe: Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is a very popular restaurant in George that offers a range of multicultural cuisine. It’s also a licensed bar and has an extensive range of wine and gin.
  • The Fat Fish: An extremely popular seafood restaurant with a BBQ night on their open terrace every Friday night.

Wilderness

This was our favourite stop on our Garden Route trip. You could easily spend a night or two here if you have the time and love camping, nature and the outdoors. It’s a small coastal town not far from George and located perfectly between Mossel Bay and Knysna.

It has a great, laid-back vibe and plenty of activities to keep you busy with however much time you have to spare.

Canoeing in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route, South Africa
Canoeing in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route, South Africa
Waterfall in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route
Waterfall in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route

Things to Do in Wilderness 

Wilderness Beach: One of the best of the Garden Route beaches, Wilderness offers a quiet, long stretch of sand. It’s a Garden Route must-see.

Wilderness National Park: A stunning combination of lakes, rivers, beaches and imposing mountains with diverse wildlife and bird species. Inside the park, you can enjoy hiking, canoeing and kayaking.

Kayaking/canoeing on the Touw River: From the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp, you can canoe the river all the way to Wilderness beach.

Canoe/hike to Waterfall Combo: You can rent a canoe from Eden Adventures and do a 4-5 hour trip to a waterfall and back. This was one of our favourite Garden Route activities and one we would definitely recommend!

Hiking trails: There are five trails in the National Park with varying lengths and difficulties, all within easy reach from the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp.

Canoeing in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route, South Africa
Canoeing in Wilderness National Park, Garden Route, South Africa

Restaurants in Wilderness

  • Serendipity Restaurant: A wonderful place to splurge on a special dinner, this is considered the best restaurant in Wilderness.
  • Timberlake Organic VillageHalfway between Wilderness and Sedgefield, this small village is full of vendors, artisans, artists and retail shops, with an eco-friendly and health-conscious mindset.
  • Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market: En route to Knysna, you’ll find this community market on Saturday mornings in the tiny village of Sedgefield.

Best Hotel in Wilderness: Ebb and Flow Rest Camp

Tucked inside the Wilderness National Park, this accommodation offers options for everyone, such as cabins, cottages and campsites. It is situated on the banks of the Touw River and has most of the hiking trails within reach of the grounds. You can also hire canoes from their office.

Ebb and Flow Camp, Wilderness, Garden Route
Ebb and Flow Camp, Wilderness, Garden Route

Knysna

Knysna is another major town along the Garden Route. It’s a very picturesque place with incredible natural beauty and you could easily stay a couple of days to cover all of the Knysna sightseeing activities. Travelers visit Knysna to enjoy the Knysna lagoon, the Featherbed Nature Reserve, and marine life that’s native to this area. 

Knysna is located in the Garden Route Western Cape province between George and Plettenberg Bay.

Overlooking Knysna Bay, Garden Route
Overlooking Knysna Bay, Garden Route
Overlooking Knysna Bay from Knysna Heads
Overlooking Knysna Bay from Knysna Heads

Things to Do in Knysna

Knysna Heads: Two huge sandstone cliffs mark the entrance to Knysna Harbour. The Eastern Head offers a free viewpoint with incredible views over the Indian Ocean and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Knysna. 

Knysna Lagoon: The meeting point of five different rivers coming through the Outeniqua Forest, this lagoon eventually feeds into the ocean through the Knysna Heads. The only way to explore the lagoon is by boat.

Whale-watching cruise: While it’s possible to go whale-watching from the viewpoint of Knysna Heads, going for a cruise is a better option to see these mighty animals. 

Sundowner cruise: A perfectly romantic sunset cruise on the lagoon is a great way to spend an evening. You can also opt for cruises that include dinner and drinks.

Featherbed Nature Reserve: A privately owned section of the forested coastline in Knysna with hiking trails and scenic views. This Knysna Nature Reserve is only accessible by ferry and visitor numbers are restricted. There are official Knysna tours of the reserve that include the ferry trip.

Buffels Bay: A beautiful stretch of sandy white beach and incredible raw coastline. You can spend your time relaxing by the sea on your visit to Knysna town

Knysna Lagoon
Knysna Lagoon

Where to Eat in Knysna 

  • 34 Degrees South: Upscale restaurant that is considered the home of the famous Knysna oysters
  • East Head Cafe: Situated on the Eastern Head, the view from the cafe is spectacular and is perfect for a nice seafood lunch.
  • Freshline Fisheries: Casual local restaurant near the causeway connecting Knysna to Thesen Islands. Be warned, portions are huge!
  • Tottie’s Farm Kitchen: Open for lunch and afternoon, this cafe is most popular for its Sunday buffets which are usually booked out days in advance. They also sell freshly baked bread, locally produced honey, sweet treats, and more.

Hotels in Knysna

  • The Lofts Boutique Hotel on Thesen Island: Located on the very edge of Thesen Island in the Knysna Lagoon, the large rooms and suites have balconies with lagoon views. This is one of the best Garden Route hotels for a relaxing stay. 
  • Under Milkwood Resort: For a more rustic stay, the wooden beachfront chalets at this property have private sundecks and fully equipped kitchens for those wanting to self-cater.

Plettenberg Bay

This is one of the most visited towns out of the Garden Route stops. It has more of a relaxed and beachy vibe than Knysna, so if you’re looking for a perfect summer escape this is it. It’s just a 30-minute drive from Knysna and you could easily relax in this overnight stop for one night or more.

Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
At Lookout Beach, Plettenberg Bay
At Lookout Beach, Plettenberg Bay
Lookout Beach, Plettenberg Bay
Lookout Beach, Plettenberg Bay

Things to do in Plettenberg Bay

Whale Watching: From June to November, the Southern Right Whales migrate to Plettenberg Bay. You can also spot humpback whales from May through to December. The excursions out on the water usually operate for a couple of hours during this time to spot these majestic mammals. It’s one of the best Garden Route tours.

Robberg Nature Reserve: Just a few minutes away from the bay, this reserve has three Garden Route hiking trails to choose from of varying lengths but they all take in the incredible coastline scenery. A hike here is certainly one of the Garden Route highlights.

Birds of Eden: This two-hectare dome is the world’s largest free-flight bird sanctuary. Within the indigenous forests, over 3,500 birds of over 220 species fly free—most of them African birds. Some birds arrive malnourished or with injuries like hacked wings, some have a history of being caged, while others have never even met other birds before. In the sanctuary, birds of all kinds and conditions are rehabilitated and cared for. Visitors can observe them from afar and wander along a 1.2km wooden walkway, or request a guided tour. Single tickets start at R380 on their website, but there are also packaged tours that will take you to all the nearby animal sanctuaries.

Monkeyland: This conservation centre is part of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) along with Birds of Eden and other sanctuaries. They rescue primates who were kept in zoos or as pets. They house gibbons, lemurs, and 550+ other primates. We were a bit hesitant about visiting Monkeyland at first as we tend to stay away from zoos and other places that support animals in captivity. In the end, we were happy to find out that Monkeyland was a true free-roaming sanctuary that has won many conservation and sustainability awards.

Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Gibbon at Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay
Gibbon at Monkeyland in Plettenberg Bay

Where to Eat in Plettenberg Bay 

  • Zinzi Restaurant: A fine dining experience with international cuisine and an outdoor seating area.
  • The Fat Fish: A funky tapas bar right on the central bay with great views. Their drinks list and seafood dishes are to die for.
  • Thyme & Again Farm Stall, Bakery, Cafe: A perfectly cozy place for breakfast or lunch, this cafe has their own bakery with homemade sweet and savoury items.
  • Bramon Boutique Wine Estate: This winery and vineyard is out of town and en route to Nature Valley, making it a great lunch stop on the way. A must-stop in this area!
Bramon Winery, Plettenberg Bay
Bramon Winery, Plettenberg Bay

Where to Stay in Plettenberg Bay

Emily Moon River LodgeSplurge on a stay in one of these secluded lodges, just 7km away from the Robberg Nature Reserve. This is one of the nicest Garden Route accommodations. They also have a great restaurant for lunch or dinner that is open to anyone.

Nature’s Valley

On your way between Plettenberg Bay and Storms River, we recommend a stop in Nature’s Valley. It’s a small beach town on the coast. There isn’t a lot to do there but the beautiful scenery is pleasant enough and makes for a nice rest stop. It’s 35km away from Plettenberg Bay.

Nature's Valley, Garden Route
Nature’s Valley, Garden Route

Things to Do in Nature’s Valley

Grootrivier Pass: As you leave Nature’s Valley and head for Storms River, you will be taking this historic and beautiful road with plenty of wildlife and picnic spots along the way.

Bloukrans Bridge: A soaring road bridge over the Bloukrans River. Also, it’s home to the highest commercial bungee jump from a bridge.

Bloukrans Bridge, Garden Route
Bloukrans Bridge, Garden Route

READ NEXT: The Best Things to do in South Africa

Storms River

Your Garden Route adventures have come to an end here in Storms River where the route technically finishes. This town is also the gateway to Tsitsikamma National Park and there are plenty of things to do here to keep you busy for a couple of days if you have the time to spare.

Things to Do in Storms River

Visit Tsitsikamma National Park: one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in South Africa. It’s also the start of the famous five-day Otter Trail trek, as well as other hiking trails.

  • Waterfall trail 3-4 hours 3km visit Guano Cave, 1st day of Otter trail
  • Loerie Trail 1.5 hours 1 km
  • Blue Duiker Trail 3 hours 3.7km
  • Mouth trail 1 hour 1 km to visit the suspension bridge and lookout point

Black Water TubingHave a fun and relaxing experience of the river as you glide down it on a black water tube.

Canopy tours: Ziplining from one platform to another, 30 meters above the forest floor.

Paddle-boarding: Explore the Storms River Gorge and its caves, pools and forests on a paddle boat.

Storms River Mouth Park: Beautiful viewpoints, a suspension bridge walk and hiking trails inside this park can be explored for an extra entrance fee.

Tsitsikamma National Park, Graden Route
Tsitsikamma National Park, Graden Route

Where to Eat in Storms River 

  • Tsitrus Cafe: A trendy cafe known for delicious pizzas in the center of town.
  • Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery: A microbrewery that opened in 2014, they produce nine ales and a tasting offers a choice of over 30 beers.
  • Fynboshoek CheeseMulti-award-winning cheese-maker with lunch available by bookings only.

Where to stay in Storms River

  • Andelomi Nature’s Rest: A basic but pretty Garden Route accommodation in the heart of the forest. They have five rooms with mountain views and a swimming pool to relax in. 
  • Tsitsikamma National ParkThe park itself offers some great Garden Route accommodation options right on the beach. There are huts and camping spots, so you can choose accommodation that’s right for you. 
Cabins on the beach in Tsitsikamma National Park
Cabins on the beach in Tsitsikamma National Park

Jeffreys Bay

This is technically not one of the Garden Route towns, as the route technically finishes in Storms River. But, many people prefer to continue their Garden Route drive to Jeffreys Bay. This coastal surf town is in the Eastern Cape province and 75 km away from Port Elizabeth.

Ferreira Town, Jeffreys Bay
Ferreira Town, Jeffreys Bay

Things to Do in Jeffreys Bay

Cape St Francis: A small seaside town on the tip of the cape, south of Jeffreys Bay. It’s known for its pristine white sand beaches, surf waves, and nature reserves. Surfing is definitely the top activity here, and there are a few well-known surf spots in town that are worth the drive. There are also more than enough outdoor activities to keep you occupied, like swimming, windsurfing, canoeing, hiking, and abseiling. It’s a great, laidback town to escape to, especially when Jeffreys Bay gets a little crowded.

Paradise and Dolphin Beach: There are many beaches in Jeffreys Bay, and two popular options are Paradise and Dolphin Beach. Paradise Beach is peaceful, with a long stretch of soft white sand, great for different watersports, sunbaking, or simply taking a stroll. Meanwhile, Dolphin Beach is the beach to go to for surfing. The famous surfing spot, “Supertubes,” can be found here. Plus, as the name suggests, you can find dolphins on the beach all year round!

Surfing: Jeffreys Bay, or J’Bay as the locals call it, is one of the five most famous surfing destinations in the world. The annual World Surf League happens here every July, along with other surfing competitions all year round. People come from all over the globe to catch these waves, and there are plenty of surfing spots to choose from to fit your surfing abilities. If there’s any place to learn how to ride a wave, it’s definitely here.

Addo Elephant National Park: From Jeffreys Bay, a 1hr and 15-min drive can take you to visit the elephants at Addo Elephant National Park. It’s the third largest game reserve in the country, and visitors can come and watch these gentle giants graze and parade around the park. 

Restaurants in Jeffreys Bay

Nina’s Real Food: One of the best restaurants on the Garden Route, it’s relatively cheap but with good food and health-conscious options.

Vegan salad at Nina's Real Food in Jeffrey's Bay
Vegan salad at Nina’s Real Food in Jeffrey’s Bay

Hotels in Jeffreys Bay

Surf Lodge: A highly-rated lodge only 50m from the beach, here you’ll get immaculate views at one of the best locations along the bay. Guests can book private rooms with private or shared bathrooms, or a single bed within a 6-bed dormitory with a kitchen. There’s also daily breakfast for an additional fee, and the property has BBQ facilities, an outdoor pool, as well as a hot tub.

If there are any activities you want to try, like surfing or cycling, the management is ready to help make the arrangements for you. The hospitality, great ambience, and breathtaking view make this one of the most popular places to stay on the Garden Route.

Surfstar: This sustainable luxury villa is located on the highest point of Mimosa Street, overlooking the world-famous Jeffreys Bay. The villa is located within a private apartment complex that’s approximately 150m from the beach.

This unit has 3 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6, private bathrooms with a walk-in shower, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, and a fully-equipped kitchenette. All rooms have a balcony with lush garden views, while the private deck gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay. There’s also a private pool in the property, along with BBQ facilities, free wifi, and an outdoor fireplace. 

READ NEXT: 1-Week South Africa Itinerary

Essential Travel Info

What To Budget

The Garden Route can be done quite cheaply and car hire and petrol will likely be your biggest expenses. There are accommodation options for all different budgets and you can choose to either eat out at restaurants or self-cater. 

Garden Route accommodation can start from hostels for 250R/night. It can go up to luxury rooms from 3,000R and more. You can spend around 200R per meal at a restaurant. But, you can reduce costs by cooking your own meals at self-catering accommodations in the Garden Route. 

How To Get Around

The best way to get around the Garden Route is by having your own vehicle, though you do not need a 4×4 to tackle a Garden Route road trip as the main roads are sealed. It’s also easily navigable. Just don’t forget that South Africans drive on the left!

 

Have You Been On South Africa’s Garden Route Road Trip? What Were Your Favourite Stops And Activities Along The Way? 

 

Read NEXT: Renting A Car In South Africa

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary: Stops, Tips & More”

  1. Renetta Shearer

    Great help thank you. I really want to do the garden route next year. Yours was the most helpful site! Thx Renetta

  2. While reading through this, i constantly made notes. Travelling to SA soon, will be following your itineary to T. Are there any more local numbers or hacks to keep things in budget?

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