Guide To The Garden Route in South Africa

Quick answer: The Garden Route in South Africa is the scenic coastal drive linking the Western and Eastern Cape, running from Mossel Bay to the Storms River. This guide to the Garden Route follows the N2 from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, stop by stop, with what to see and where to stay in each town.

The route’s name comes from its ecologically varied vegetation and the many lagoons and lakes dotted along the coast. The beauty begins as soon as you leave Cape Town on the N2 highway and will delight you all the way.

Garden Route Stops at a Glance

Stop	Known for
Gordon’s Bay	Scenic coastal drive
Hermanus	Whale watching
Caledon	Hot mineral springs, flower show
Heidelberg	Langeberg mountains, Duivenhoks River
Riversdale	Indigenous flora, outdoor activities
Mossel Bay	Calm bay, skydiving, dune riding
Glentana	Shipwreck on the beach
George	Outeniqua Railway Museum, Khulani Xhosa Village
Victoria Bay	Surfing
Wilderness	National park, birdlife
Oudtshoorn	Ostriches, Cango Caves, crocodile cage diving
Sedgefield	Saturday farmers’ market
Knysna	Forests, lakes and coastline
Plettenberg Bay	Golden beaches
Tsitsikamma National Park	Otter Trail, Bloukrans bungee
Port Elizabeth	Route 67, game reserves

Gordon’s Bay

Gordon’s Bay is a harbour town in the Western Cape, about 50 km from Cape Town. The road that runs along the bay, Faure Marine Drive and Clarence Drive, is known locally as a scenic route for its enchanting beauty.

Where to stay: Sleepy Backpackers offers affordable beds just 200 m from Gordon’s Bay’s main beach, surrounded by cosy restaurants, taverns and pubs.

Hermanus

Hermanus, 121 km southeast of Cape Town, is a popular retirement town and the perfect place to relax and unwind. It is famous for whale watching in winter and spring.

• Old Harbour Museum: Exhibits explaining the whaling industry.
• De Wetshuis Photo Museum: Photos by T D Ravenscroft depicting the history of Hermanus.
• Whale Museum: A whale skeleton and an audio-visual presentation on dolphins and whales twice daily.

Where to stay: Zoete Inval traveller’s lodge organises tours in and around Hermanus. “Zoete Inval” means “sweet drop-in” in Dutch. It has 2 TV lounges, a fireside library, balconies, a sun deck with outdoor Jacuzzi and a shady courtyard.

Caledon

Caledon lies 113 km east of Cape Town on the N2, north of Hermanus. It is known for its hot mineral springs, and South Africa’s largest flower show, the Caledon Flower Show, is held every September in the Victoria Hall.

Where to stay: Caledon can be explored as a day trip while staying in Hermanus.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is 274 km from Cape Town and is often referred to as the beginning of the Garden Route. It sits on the banks of the Duivenhoks River between the stunning Langeberg mountains and the warm Indian Ocean, in one of the most scenically preserved regions of the Western Cape.

Where to stay: Lemon-tree cottage offers free horse riding. The traditionally decorated cottage has a double bed, TV and a private bathroom with bath and shower.

Riversdale

Riversdale is known as “the floral paradise of the Garden Route” thanks to its abundance of indigenous flora. Located 304 km from Cape Town, it offers historical buildings, wine tasting and traditional food. The Langeberg Mountains provide plenty of activities, including hiking, fynbos trails, birdwatching, horseback safaris, paragliding and rock climbing.

Where to stay: Kweekkraal Guest Farm is 8.5 km from the centre of Riversdale, with a patio, seating area, outdoor pool and free parking. Activities such as fishing and hiking can be enjoyed on site or nearby.

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay, or Mosselbaai as locals call it, lies roughly halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, about 400 km from each. The calm waters of the bay make it an ideal place to relax, and there is a wealth of activities such as skydiving and dune riding.

Where to stay: Bay Vista Guesthouse is 1 km from Santos Beach, 1.5 km from Mossel Bay Golf Club and a 10-minute drive from the Garden Route Casino. It offers a free shuttle to the Langeberg Mall and nearby restaurants, and most rooms have a seating area with stunning mountain and sea views.

Glentana

Glentana lies between George and Mossel Bay. This remarkable seaside village has beaches backed by fynbos-covered cliffs that plunge into the Indian Ocean, and the shipwreck on the beach is its most popular attraction.

Where to stay: Glentana is 17 km from George and can be visited as a day trip.

George

George lies 420 km from Cape Town and 320 km from Port Elizabeth, in a fertile valley surrounded by the Outeniqua Mountains, forests, rivers and prosperous farmland. Things to do include:

• Khulani Xhosa Village
• Outeniqua Railway Museum
• The Garden Route Dam and Botanical Gardens
• The Outeniqua Country Hop
• The Dutch Reformed Church

Where to stay: De Plaashuis is 4.1 km from the Outeniqua Pass and offers free WiFi, free private parking and an outdoor pool.

Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay has earned a reputation as “The Gem of the Garden Route”. This charming bay is tucked between George and Wilderness, and the waves on its gently sloping beach make it ideal for surfing.

Where to stay: Victoria Bay is close to George and can be visited on a day trip from there.

Wilderness

Located 15 km east of George, Wilderness is a peaceful village surrounded by sea, lakes, lagoons, rivers and pristine forests. Wilderness National Park is a rare ecosystem of lakes, estuaries and an 18 km stretch of coastline, and a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 262 bird species.

Where to stay: Wilderness on the Sea offers comfortable, spacious B&B rooms in elegant surroundings, with a golden sandy beach just 30 metres away. It is a few minutes’ walk to Wilderness village, with shops and a choice of 8 outstanding restaurants, and Milkwood’s open market sells unique gifts and rare finds every Friday evening.

Oudtshoorn

The ostrich capital of the world is the place to get your adrenaline pumping with a crocodile cage dive. Oudtshoorn is also home to the world-famous Cango Caves, often described as one of the largest cave systems in Africa. It is a little off the Garden Route but can be reached in roughly 2 hours from Mossel Bay via the R328.

Where to stay: De Oude Meul Country Lodge is a working ostrich farm in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, about 14 km outside Oudtshoorn on the way to the Cango Caves. At night, look out for fallow deer walking in front of the self-catering units and restaurant beside the Grobbelaars River.

Sedgefield

Its natural beauty and peaceful pace have earned Sedgefield the nickname “slow town” of the route. The farmers’ market every Saturday morning is a popular way to experience the local atmosphere, and Scarab Village offers a wide range of arts and crafts.

Where to stay: Tiffany’s B&B is in Sedgefield, 10 km from the Lakes Area National Park, an area popular for golf, and has free WiFi throughout.

Knysna

Knysna is one of the best destinations on the Garden Route, recognised by TripAdvisor in 2014 as a Travellers’ Choice destination. Indigenous forests, fynbos, mountains and lakes combined with a stunning coastline make it a natural Eden.

Where to stay: Laguna Grove Holiday Rentals is a great base for exploring this vibrant town, with facilities such as a golf course and water sports.

Plettenberg Bay

This “Jewel of the Garden Route” is best known for its tranquil, charming surroundings. Miles of sweeping, unspoilt golden beaches, intriguing lagoons and stunning views over the Indian Ocean make Plettenberg Bay perfect for lazing.

Where to stay: Bayview Hotel is a great base with easy access to all of Plettenberg Bay’s attractions. Recreational facilities include fishing and non-motorised water sports, and bicycle rental is available.

Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma is a paradise for water lovers, with sea, rivers and waterfalls cascading towards the Indian Ocean. Tsitsikamma National Park was South Africa’s first marine reserve and includes Storms River and Nature’s Valley, where one of the country’s most beautiful hikes, the Otter Trail, runs.

Storms River is a hub for adventure seekers, and one of the biggest thrills is jumping off the world’s tallest bungee bridge at 216 metres.

Where to stay: Serenity Retreat is a calm, relaxed escape from everyday bustle, ideally placed for exploring Storms River and close to the Bloukrans Bungee Bridge, Nature’s Valley and the national park.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth (now officially Gqeberha), known as “The Windy City”, is one of South Africa’s largest cities. It is home to Route 67, a collection of 67 artworks celebrating the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life. Locals proudly claim that everything is within a 15-minute drive of the airport.

It is an adventurer’s paradise, with diving, boat cruises, Bayworld and the Seaview Predator Park, plus the Kragga Kamma Game Reserve, where buffalo, white rhino, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, bontebok, lechwe, nyala and other animals roam freely.

Where to stay: Lungile backpackers is one of the most recommended places to stay by locals. It is an 8-minute walk from the beach, has an outdoor pool and a campsite, and is just 3 km from Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), making it the perfect place to end the Garden Route drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Garden Route start and end?

Strictly it runs from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape, but many travellers drive the N2 all the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

Why is it called the Garden Route?

The name comes from the ecologically varied vegetation and the many lagoons and lakes along the coast.

Is Oudtshoorn on the Garden Route?

It is a little off the route, but it can be reached in roughly 2 hours from Mossel Bay via the R328.

Where can you go whale watching on the Garden Route drive?

Hermanus is famous for whale watching in winter and spring.

Conclusion

From the whales of Hermanus to the forests of Knysna and the bungee jump at Bloukrans, the Garden Route is one of South Africa’s great road trips. Take your time, mix beach towns with mountain detours, and end your drive in Port Elizabeth.