Garden Route Travel Guide
It may seem like a cliché, but there truly is something for everyone along the Garden Route. Family travellers will delight in the warm seas and wide-open beaches at Plettenberg Bay, or take a paddleboat trip to explore the Featherbed Private Nature Reserve and iconic Knysna lagoon.
Delve into colourful country markets at Sedgefield, or shop for local art and design in charming owner-run galleries. Next, lace your boots for a ramble through the region’s lush indigenous forests, still home to a handful of secretive wild elephants!
There’s certainly no shortage of adventure on offer along the Garden Route: adrenalin-junkies can brave the world’s highest commercial bungy jump from the Bloukrans Bridge, go sea-kayaking with dolphins at Plettenberg Bay, zip-line through the Knysna forest or paraglide above the beach at Wilderness. In winter (July-October), boat-based whale-watching trips offer close-up sightings of southern right and humpback whales.
The Garden Route is also a hotspot for golfing holidays, boasting more than a dozen manicured courses ranging from casual country clubs to the world-class championship layouts at Fancourt estate.
For travellers not venturing north to the iconic safari reserves of the Lowveld, the Garden Route also offers a handful of smaller game reserves offering an accessible malaria-free safari experience.
The Garden Route’s restaurant scene is defined not by cutting-edge contemporary cuisine, but by intimate owner-run eateries that celebrate local produce in unbeatable locations.
For brunch it’s hard to beat the patio tables of the East Head Café, perched metres from the aquamarine waters of the Knysna lagoon. Also in Knysna the famous île de païn bakery-café is a much-loved local spot on Thesen Island, while Pembrey’s offers classical French cuisine that never disappoints.
Something of a local secret is Fynboshoek, hidden away in the forests near Storm’s River, where award-winning cheesemaker Alje van Deemter lays on generous platters. In Plettenberg Bay, head for The Fat Fish or The Lookout Deck for fine views and fresh seafood.
Your days on the Garden Route will be spent exploring coastal towns, wandering in forests and admiring empty beaches, so opt for comfortable, casual clothing. If you’ve forgotten anything the towns of George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay offer a wide range of local boutiques and department stores.
In summer, you’ll want a swimsuit to enjoy the region’s warm seas. The harsh African sun often catches travelers unawares, so be sure to pack a wide-brimmed hat for lazy days by the pool.
The Garden Route is a year-round destination, with a temperate climate of warm summers and mild winters. Temperatures peak in summer (December to February), but remain warm into autumn (March-May), regarded as the best time to visit. Rain can be expected throughout the year, although December to March are the driest months.
The Garden Route, and all of the Western Cape, is malaria-free.
Plan your Garden Route road-trip with these handy maps of the region.
Domestic airlines and private charter flights link the Garden Route town of George with both Cape Town (0h55m flying time) and Johannesburg (1h40m). From Cape Town, it’s a scenic four-hour drive to the Garden Route along the N2 highway.
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