Of all the scenic drives in the world, South Africa’s Garden Route might be one of the most beautiful. Not only is it geographically exquisite, winding past beaches, lagoons, farms, forests, and mountains, but it’s also home to some of the most exciting outdoor activities, gorgeous accommodations, and friendliest locals in the country. 

There are enough outdoor adventures to attract the wildest adrenaline junkies and elegant hotels and spas to entice the luxury-seekers, making the drive an exceptional location for a family holiday, a romantic honeymoon, or a trip with friends.

Just a few hours away from the iconic Mother City of Cape Town, the Garden Route is the perfect adventure for those who like short driving stints paired with fun activities, unrivaled views, exciting wildlife, and tasty food. It’s a treat for the senses in every way imaginable.

I’ve driven this route every year since I was a child, and I am still blown away by the beauty and charm that every small town along the way has to offer. In this post, I’m going to share all my knowledge about the best things to do on the Garden Route with you, from the best hotel recommendations to some of the most incredible outdoor activities and everything in between:

Wonderful Robberg. Benjamin B/Shutterstock

What to Know Before You Go

If you’re visiting South Africa from abroad, I recommend prioritizing your time in Cape Town over other cities. Luckily for you, Cape Town International Airport makes it easy to travel to this ocean-side metropolis, which is not far from the start of the Garden Route.

If we’re being technical, the Garden Route stretches around 125 miles (200km) along the Indian Ocean in the Western Cape of South Africa, beginning in Mossel Bay and ending at Storms River. It will take you between four to five hours to reach Mossel Bay from Cape Town, which is the most common direction to drive. 

You can find numerous car rental agencies in Cape Town, whether you rent a vehicle on arrival at the airport or once you’re in the city center. Alternatively, if you’d like to end your Garden Route journey in Cape Town, you could fly into Gqeberha (previously known as Port Elizabeth) and work your way down the Garden Route.

From start to finish, the Garden Route drive will take just around two and a half hours to complete. However, packed with endless small towns and villages, gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches, and incredible scenery, I would advise spending a few nights (at least) exploring the area. 

Depending on how much time you have to spare, I recommend spending a night at the three biggest towns along the route; George, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. This way, you’ll be able to explore all the hidden gems between them, without rushing through the drive.

In South Africa, we drive on the left side of the road. While the streets are generally safe and well-maintained throughout the route, do make sure you’re a confident driver with an aptitude for reading maps. 

It’s also essential you purchase additional travel and car insurance in South Africa. Although I haven’t had any bad experiences along this route, we are still in South Africa, and it’s best to take precautions. Rather safe than sorry, I say!

The route is easy to follow and pretty much follows one road (the N2), so you shouldn’t have issues getting lost. Google Maps will work wonders on the trip, which is well marked out. There are some stationary and temporary speed cameras along the road to keep the roads safe. Long story short — don’t speed, especially through small towns where there can be loads of young kids playing along the roads.

If you’re continuing past the Garden Route to Gqeberha, take note that the quality of the roads declines significantly when you leave the Western Cape and enter the Eastern Cape. Watch out for potholes on smaller roads, and always have a spare tire on hand!

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare for your drive, it’s time to plan your itinerary. I’ve written the list in order of distance from Cape Town to make things easier to plan. Here is my list of some of the best places to stay, eat, and have fun along the Garden Route