Garden Route
The Garden Route road trip: a 7-day itinerary from Cape Town to Tsitsikamma
Most itineraries try to cram the Garden Route into three days and a new bed every night. This one uses two bases, slows down in the middle and still covers the highlights.
Our cottages are the natural stop for nights 1 to 4: right in the middle of the route.
The short answer
A good 7-day Garden Route road trip starts in Cape Town and drives about 440 km east on the N2 (or inland via Route 62) to a central base like Wilderness for four nights, then moves to Plettenberg Bay or Nature's Valley for two nights before Tsitsikamma. Highlights include the Map of Africa, the Touw River kayak, Knysna, the Cango Caves over the Outeniqua Pass, Robberg, whale watching in season and the Storms River Mouth. The trip can end in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) or continue to a safari via George–Hoedspruit flights.
- Total distance
- About 750 km Cape Town to Gqeberha
- Bases
- Wilderness (4 nights), Plett or Nature's Valley (2 nights)
- Car
- Essential; one-way rental Cape Town to Gqeberha is common
- Best season
- Oct to Apr; whales Jun to Nov
- Alternative
- Route 62 inland via Montagu and Oudtshoorn
In this guide
The Garden Route is short on a map and long in real life. On paper you could drive from Mossel Bay to Storms River in three hours. In practice you will want to stop every twenty minutes, and the best things, a morning in a canoe, a walk on Robberg, a long lunch, need time. The classic mistake is to sleep in a different town every night and spend the trip packing.
This itinerary uses two bases: four nights in the middle of the route and two at the eastern end.
At a glance
| Day | Route | Drive | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Town to Wilderness | about 5 h | Wilderness |
| 2 | Wilderness: river, beach, Map of Africa | minimal | Wilderness |
| 3 | Over the mountains: Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn | about 3 h return | Wilderness |
| 4 | Knysna and Sedgefield | about 1.5 h return | Wilderness |
| 5 | Wilderness to Plettenberg Bay via Robberg | about 1 h 15 | Plett |
| 6 | Tsitsikamma | about 1 h 30 return | Plett |
| 7 | Plett to Gqeberha, or back to George | 2.5 h / 1.5 h | Onward |
Day 1: Cape Town to Wilderness
About 440 km, five hours without stops
Leave Cape Town early. The N2 climbs over Sir Lowry's Pass and crosses the Overberg wheat country. Good stops: Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa, for coffee; and Mossel Bay for a late lunch of seafood at Café Gannet next to the Dias Museum.
From George, the N2 drops down the Kaaimans River Pass, crosses the gorge and swings around the headland to Wilderness. Stop at Dolphin Point for the first view of the coast. If you arrive in time, drive up to the Map of Africa for sunset.
Alternative: Route 62. Instead of the N2, take the inland route through Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale and Oudtshoorn, then drop to the coast over the Outeniqua Pass. It adds about an hour or two, and takes you through wine valleys and the Klein Karoo. Many travellers go inland one way and along the coast the other.
Day 2: Wilderness
A slow day to recover from the drive.
- Morning: kayak up the Touw River to the waterfall.
- Afternoon: walk Wilderness Beach, or book a tandem paragliding flight from the Map of Africa if the sea breeze is blowing.
- Evening: dinner at Serendipity, or a braai at home with the sun going down over the sea.
Day 3: Over the mountains to the Klein Karoo
Drive north over the Outeniqua Pass and watch the landscape change from forest to semi-desert in half an hour. Book a morning tour of the Cango Caves, have lunch in Oudtshoorn, visit an ostrich farm, and return over the gravel Montagu Pass, the oldest unaltered pass in South Africa. Details in day trips from Wilderness and the mountain passes.
Day 4: Knysna and Sedgefield
On a Saturday, start at the Wild Oats market in Sedgefield. Continue to Knysna: the Heads, oysters on Thesen Island, a walk in the forest at Diepwalle or a community-run tour. On the way home, stop at the Rondevlei bird hide or walk to Gericke's Point.
Stay where this story happensNights 1 to 4 of this road trip: our cottages on the Map of Africa ridge.Three self-catering places on 21 hectares above Wilderness. Book direct for the best rate.Check dates →
Day 5: To Plettenberg Bay, via Robberg
Check out and drive east. Arrive in Plett by mid-morning and walk the Robberg peninsula (about 9 km for the full circuit, or shorter loops). In the afternoon, a Plett wine farm for a late lunch, or the Keurbooms lagoon for a paddle.
Whale season (June to November): swap the wine for a licensed whale watching trip from Central Beach. See whale watching on the Garden Route.
Day 6: Tsitsikamma
Drive to the Bloukrans Bridge (216 m bungee, or just watch), then to Storms River Mouth: boardwalk, suspension bridge and, if you have energy, the first stretch of the Otter Trail to a waterfall on the beach. On the way back, swim in the lagoon at Nature's Valley. With children, spend the morning at Birds of Eden and Monkeyland instead.
Day 7: Onward
- To Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): about 2.5 hours from Plett. Fly home from there, or continue to Addo Elephant National Park, about an hour north of the city, for elephants and the Big Five.
- Back to George: about 1.5 hours. Return the car and fly out, or connect to Hoedspruit for a safari on CemAir's direct flight, launched in May 2026.
With more time
- Ten days: add a night in Nature's Valley and a day hiking; add a Big Five reserve near Mossel Bay; add Route 62 with a night in Montagu or Barrydale.
- Two weeks: book the Otter Trail (five days, 45 km) well in advance, or combine the Garden Route with Addo and the Eastern Cape.
Practical notes
- Car hire: one-way rental from Cape Town to Gqeberha (or George) is common, but carries a drop-off fee. Compare. See getting to Wilderness.
- Driving: stick to daylight on unfamiliar rural roads. Roadworks on the N2 can add delays.
- Park fees: the Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma sections of the national park charge daily conservation fees. A SANParks Wild Card pays off if you visit many parks.
- Booking: in December and January, book accommodation, the Otter Trail and popular restaurants well ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Garden Route?
Seven days is a good minimum for the main highlights without rushing. Five is possible; ten is better.
Where should I stay on the Garden Route?
Two bases work best: a central one like Wilderness or Sedgefield for Mossel Bay to Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay or Nature's Valley for Tsitsikamma.
Is Route 62 better than the N2?
They are different. The N2 is faster and coastal; Route 62 is slower and passes through wine valleys and the Klein Karoo. Take one each way if you can.
Can I combine the Garden Route with a safari?
Yes. Add Addo Elephant National Park near Gqeberha, a private Big Five reserve near Mossel Bay, or fly from George to Hoedspruit for the Kruger area.
What is the best time of year for a Garden Route road trip?
October to April for the best weather; June to November if whales are a priority.
We live on the Garden Route and update this guide every season. Something changed? Tell us.
