THE ULTIMATE SOUTH AFRICAN ROAD TRIP:
BEST STOPS ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE
The scenic Garden Route in South Africa is a premier road trip destination, filled with quaint towns, beautiful coastlines, unique wildlife and lots of adventure! This guide will cover all the best stops along the Garden Route.
There’s a huge variety of stops and detours you can make along the 200+ kilometre route, so I will take you through my favourite places to visit and things to do along the Garden Route.
These are all the best stops to make along the Garden Route in South Africa!
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SLIGHT ROUTE TECHNICALITY...
OK, OK, technically speaking, when referring to the Garden Route it constitutes the stretch of road between Mossel Bay and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)… But if you are not a local to the area a road trip along the Garden Route will almost surely include more than what is between Mossel Bay and Gqeberha.
Odds are you will be starting your road trip from the hugely popular destination of Cape Town, which means you have to drive almost 400 KM just to get to the first town on the route. That is why, IMO, when talking about a full Garden Route itinerary, really should include other destinations along the way.
If you only want destination recommendations for spots along the Garden Route you can skip ahead →
Renting a Car
To do such a unique road trip with the freedom and flexibility it deserves you will really need to rent a car! Rentalcars.com always has the best rates and choices of reputable, international car rental companies.
Most of the stops along the Garden Route will be accessible on asphalt roads, but occasionally you will need to drive on some dirt/gravel roads. An all-terrain vehicle could serve you well, but a full-on 4×4 is not necessary – a regular, modern sedan can take you where you want to go on the Garden Route. The roads are nicely paved and the signage is intuitive like back home in Canada. The most challenging element for those from countries that drive on the right will be swapping to the left side. You’ll adjust quickly as you follow traffic, and repeat the mantra “Stay. Left. Stay. Left”. Just don’t get cocky – even if you know how to drive standard just pay a few extra dollars to rent an automatic car.
Check the best rates and book your rental car with Rentalcars.com
safety
There is a risk of crime in South Africa, as there is in many parts of the world. It’s important to be aware of potential risks but it’s also good to understand these warning stories can get a bit inflated. As soon as you get there and actually see how typical the driving is in South Africa you will realize how extreme the warnings from back home seem saying that people never stop at red lights…
You can help protect yourself from the risk by keeping your doors locked when you are driving, not stopping for strangers on the road, not leaving valuables visible in your car, and sticking to main routes. Let’s also be realistic – driving on the popular Garden Route is generally not where you’re going to get yourself into trouble. The key to keeping yourself safe is to be mindful of where you are and what or who is around you.
- Remember to get your International Driving Permit before leaving home!
STOPS BEFORE THE OFFICIAL GARDEN ROUTE
These are the stops I recommend making as you make your way to the Garden Route – starting in Cape Town and progressively heading towards Mossel Bay.
skip ahead to the best spots along the Garden Route →
CHAPMANS PEAK DRIVE
A drive along the windy road carved into the mountainside is an absolute must as you leave Cape Town. Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world, with striking views out to the Atlantic Ocean and the Table Mountain range. There is a small toll (R64 / 3.50 USD) to access the road, but the views as you wind your way along the coastline are worth every penny.
From Cape Town, to get to the start of the drive you’ll make your way through the seaside suburb of Hout Bay. Take a quick stop at Houtbay Coffee for a delicious cup of coffee and grab a few pastries to enjoy at one of the many viewpoints along the drive.
Cape of Good Hope
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a Peninsula day trip down to the rocky headland of the Cape of Good Hope. There is a lot to see and do on the Cape Peninsula, and you are going to want to do it all!
Once you are in the National Park, make your way up to the Cape Point old lighthouse (on foot or by funicular). This is your highest vantage of the Cape of Good Hope, but for a wilder view of the rocky headland be sure to walk down the little path that detours towards the new lighthouse.
After visiting the Cape Point lighthouses you can do the boardwalk hike past Dias Beach to the top of the Cape of Good Hope or you can take your car down to sea level. This is where you’ll find the infamous sign marking the southwesternmost point of the continent – don’t miss it!
The Cape of Good Hope is a National Park which means you will need to pay a daily conservation entrance fee. It is covered by the SAN Parks Wild Card. If you are curious about becoming a Wild Card member you can check out my blogpost about deciding if getting a Wild Card membership is worth it.
Boulders Beach
While on the Cape Peninsula, you absolutely must pay a visit to the Boulders Beach penguin colony in Simon’s Town. At Boulders Beach you can watch these adorable little creatures paddle and waddle around from a raised boardwalk. You seriously don’t know how delightful a group of lil penguins is until you’re there watching them just do their thing and giggling at their every move.
The National Park Service manages the beach and surrounding coast to protect the penguins and their natural habitat. In 2024 the African penguin species was recognized as critically endangered, as their breeding pairs dipped to a new low below 10,000.
Boulders Beach is a National Park which means you will need to pay a daily conservation entrance fee. It is covered by the SAN Parks Wild Card. If you are curious about becoming a Wild Card member you can check out my blogpost about deciding if getting a Wild Card membership is worth it.
Salty Sea Dog – Simon's Town
Any visit to Boulders Beach will involve passing through the cute little community of Simon’s Town.
Spending the night in Simon’s Town gives you first access to the little penguins in the morning (before the bus crowds arrive) and the opportunity to stay in such a quaint seaside town. The Hake and Chips at The Salty Sea Dog are 100% worth sticking around for!
Where to stay in Simon’s Town
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe + Curio Shop
Tintswalo Boulders
Muizenberg beach huts
Muizenberg is known to be the main surf spot out of Cape Town. With gentle rolling waves, it is a great place for beginners to take a surf lesson, or to rent a board to get some practice hours in.
If you’re uninclined to dive into the chilly ocean (like me), you can enjoy the busy beach and the photogenic beach huts.
hermanus
Between July and November, the Southern Right Whales migrate from the Antarctic sea to have and raise their babies and play in the shallow waters around Hermanus.
Hermanus is a quaint, town filled with great pride about their giant ocean neighbours. In season, there are whale-watching boat tours daily. Uniquely though, in Hermanus, you can get incredible sightings from land. The whales come in very close to shore and you can watch them play from the cliff path which hugs 12km of coastline around Hermanus.
If your road trip is anytime between July and November you absolutely must join in on the buzz and spend the day spotting whales in Hermanus! If you’re not there during whale season then the town is still a lovely place to pause for a bite to eat and to stretch your legs with a walk along the coastal path.
Hermanus is a special place – I loved watching for whales and could not imagine driving the Garden Route and not stopping in Hermanus… although I also couldn’t imagine being in Hermanus not during whale season. I guess that is to say – I would make a point to drive the Garden Route between July and November. It is one of the most magical stops along the Garden Route during that season.
Cape Algulhas
Any visit to the Southernmost country in Africa surely should include a visit to the actual Southern tip of the continent!
Cape Agulhas is where you reach the end of the road… Next stop, Antarctica! This is also the point where two of the world’s oceans meet – the Indian Ocean converges with the Atlantic Ocean.
Check visiting the southernmost tip of Africa off your bucket list and have a look out into the vast, open oceans. This is also a great place to get your legs moving again and walk the Two Oceans hiking trail.
Cape Algulhas is a National Park which means you will need to pay a daily conservation entrance fee. It is covered by the SAN Parks Wild Card. If you are curious about becoming a Wild Card member you can check out my blogpost about deciding if getting a Wild Card membership is worth it.
Although this isn’t technically a stop along the Garden Route (it’s before the official section that is considered the Garden Route) it felt like a big deal destination. It was so cool getting to the absolute southern tip of Africa knowing you were at the end of the road… This was definitely one of my favourite road trip stops.
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The soft dunes of the De Hoop Nature Reserve are another unique pitstop for your South African road trip.
There is a cozy cafe to grab an afternoon coffee pick-me-up or a light meal. Park your car at Koppie Alleen, and walk down to the Bites Beach Cafe. While you’re here be sure to watch for the migrating Southern Right Whales who call these waters home between July and November.
The secluded De Hoop Nature Reserve is also home to the most significant population of the elusive and endangered bontebok… There were once only 17 bonteboks left, and thanks to meaningful conservation efforts there are now 3500 globally. Keep an eye out for these rare antelopes grazing on the fynbos.
De Hoop Nature Reserve is a National Park which means you will need to pay a daily conservation entrance fee. It is covered by the SAN Parks Wild Card. If you are curious about becoming a Wild Card member you can check out my blogpost about deciding if getting a Wild Card membership is worth it.
STOPS ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE
This is where the official Garden Route actually starts – so these are all the stops along the Garden Route that I recommend visiting during your incredible South African road trip.
MOSSEL BAY
You’ve gotta start the official Garden Route somewhere, and Mossel Bay is a great launch point!
Where to Stay in Mossel Bay
The Point Hotel + Spa
Mosselcove
St Blaize Hiking Trail
Without a doubt, you will want to spend an afternoon hiking the St Blaize trail. It is a beautiful coastal hike along stunning cliffs. The full hike is more than 25 km, but as it’s an out-and-back hike so you can turn around at any point to fit your schedule. The hike is well maintained but can get close to unguarded cliff edges so is not for the faint of heart.
Don’t get mistaken, the trailhead starts at sea level here, not at the St.Blaize Lighthouse Complex.
watch for dolphins
We were parking the car when I looked out my window and saw this group of fins curving up out of the water – it was a pod of dolphins playing in the waves. I threw open my door and ran to the water’s edge to watch the dolphins play in the waves!
The Point is a great place to spot dolphins who play in the waves year-round. You can fuel up before your St Blaize hike or reward yourself afterwards with a delicious meal at Delfinos Seaside Restaurant
ZIPLINE
For adrenaline junkies, Mossel Bay has the longest over-ocean zipline in the world, stretching over 1km above the huge waves crashing against the cliff edge. The waves were BIG while I was in Mossel Bay and still, there were brave, brave people zipping by. It’s not for me, but it did look like a THRILLING adventure.
Wild Oats Community Farmers Market
This cutie cute Saturday farmers market was inspired by the old style country markets where farmers gathered to sell their goods to community. The Wild Oats Community Farmers Market is clearly beloved by the community. You’ll find locals from George to Knysna stop and shop while visitors make the rounds sampling all the delicious and homemade goodies.
Knysna
Knysna is a top holiday destination, with chic neighbourhoods to stay, like out on Thesen Island or near the Heads.
Rather than constantly changing accommodations, we chose to make Knysna as far as we would go to sleep but did a few day trips to hit other stops further along the Garden Route.
Where to Stay in Knysna
The Lofts Boutique Hotel
The Rex Studio Apartment
Sunset at the Heads
Watch the sunset from The Heads.
The Heads are two rocky headlands rising up out of the ocean, separating the crashing ocean waters from the calm lagoon at the heart of Knysna. The East Head is accessible by car and has viewing decks from which you can soak up the stunning views – or you can access it’s rocky beach down at sea level.
Brunch at Ile de Pain
One of the best meals I had along the Garden Route was at the artisan bakery île de païn.
Their hand pies make the PERFECT road trip snack. Pick up one (or a few) of the hand pies to go before driving Prince Alfred’s Pass or if you have a driving day. They are perfect for a remote, mid-day, meal. I literally went back the next day to buy more for the day of driving back to Cape Town but it closes Sunday and Monday.
Prince Alfred's Pass
Prince Alfred’s Pass is the longest mountain pass in South Africa (nearly 70KM) and the second-oldest unaltered pass still in use. It is a thrilling and unique drive, that connects Uniondale in the Klein Karoo valley to coastal Knysna.
This mountain pass is not a quick drive – there are lots of blind corners, hairpin turns, cliff dropoffs, sections only wide enough for one vehicle, and it’s entirely gravel… Sounds fun! The internet will tell you a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is recommended, but we did this drive in our little sedan with no problem. Just take it carefully.
There is no phone reception or gas stations, so plan ahead before setting out on the pass – there is a little general store midway through where you can stop for a coffee or a light bite, and pick up a souvenir to support the business.
This isn’t something I saw mentioned much (if at all) while researching the various stops along the Garden Route but honestly, it was one of my favourite things we did along the Garden Route
Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park is an absolute must-visit destination along the Garden Route. This beautiful national park stretches along the coastline, with multiple famous hiking trails as well as watersports like kayaking.
Tsitsikamma is a National Park which means you will need to pay a daily conservation entrance fee. It is covered by the SAN Parks Wild Card. If you are curious about becoming a Wild Card member you can check out my blogpost about deciding if getting a Wild Card membership is worth it.
Storms River suspension bridges
The Storms River Suspension Bridge is a favourite stop among folks road-tripping the Garden Route. It is a nice and easy 2km hike out to these incredibly unique and picturesque suspension bridges hanging over the Storms River. The longest bridge is 77m long!
The hike winds through the forest, with different vantages and views out to the ocean before opening up at the mouth of the Storms River.
This is one of the most popular hikes, which is generally accessible to most people, so it can get quite busy. For a more personal experience, be sure to head to Tsitsikamma early in the day to avoid the crowds.
At the trailhead for the Storms River Mouth Trail hike you can also join a kayaking expedition to paddle up the river, which launches from the small dock below the suspension bridges.
This is one of the classic stops along the Garden Route – definitely a must visit while roadtripping in South Africa!
Otter Trail (Day 1 Section / waterfall hike)
The Otter Trail is one of the most popular hikes in South Africa, but it is a multi-day trek stretching 40km along the coast – not for everybody. However, the first section is a nice day hike to a waterfall and back.
The Otter Trail Waterfall Hike follows the rocky coast of Tsitsikamma National Park and is moderately challenging. Not as easy as the suspension bridge hike, especially as there are a lot of crossing rocks and boulders, which can get especially slippery if wet. Be sure to check the tides before doing this trail, and give yourself enough time to make your way carefully and intentionally.
Visit Ostriches
The Klein Karoo Valley is known for its ostrich farms, especially the charming little town of Oudtshoorn.
I did not go as far as visiting Oudtshoorn, but given the region is filled with ostrich farms, I pulled off on the side of the road on my way to Uniondale before driving the Prince Albert Pass to say hi to a few feathered friends. It wasn’t quite a full farm tour and I didn’t get to sample any ostrich delicacies, but it was still real enough to have a hundred giant feathered birds move in unison towards me… In fact, I was kind of glad to have the small fence separating us.
Plett
Plettenberg Bay is a chic little seaside town with trendy cafes, boutique shops, and great white sharks… It is a nice place to grab your morning brew while driving the Garden Route.
Stop at Platō Coffee or Dough & Co. to pick up a coffee and a pastry, and then head up to the Whale Tale lookout to enjoy them, with a pristine ocean view. You can often spot marine life from the lookout. When we were there, a community shark patrol was keeping watch on 3 great white sharks that had recently been spotted circling the area.
Where to stay in Plettenberg Bay
Milkwood Manor on Sea
Plett Beachfront Accommodation
How far to go along the garden route
Based on my experience, Tsitsikamma National Park is as far as I recommend driving along the Garden Route if you are driving from Cape Town.
Our furthest accommodation along the Garden Route was in Knysna. We spent a couple of nights there so that we could do a few day trips around and beyond, without having to continuously pack and change accommodations.
We did drive as far as Jeffrey’s Bay (beyond Tsitsikamma), but it didn’t excite me very much. J-Bay didn’t have the same comfortable and contemporary vibe as other places along the Garden Route, like Plett, Knysna, or Mossel Bay.
If it weren’t for the significant 9-hour drive back to Cape Town, we would have liked to get as far as Gqeberha. It is said to have some stunning beaches and some of the friendliest people in South Africa! Sounds like a lovely place to visit – my mum always says “it’s good to leave something on the table for next time”.
Happy trip planning!
From one traveller to another, I hope this guide was helpful for you as you make your plans and set out on your next adventure!
If you read through this guide and still have questions about the experience or have other questions… fear not because I can still help! I have a personalized trip planning and advice service available to all Everywhere Travel Club readers. I’d love to chat for an hour with you and help answer any questions you’re working through, share fun ideas, and help bring your big trip into reality! For more info about the one one-on-one call for advice check out the details of my Personalized Travel Planning Sesh.
Let me know what you think about this guide or if it helped you – I’d love to hear from you! You can find me everywhere on the Everywhere Travel Club Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest!