Garden route South Africa
Travel the coast of South-Africa
The South-African garden route, one of the most popular costal drives to take. Stop at the little villages amongst the beaches and enjoy South-Africa’s nature. a guide about the best places to stop, and things to do.
‘ from hiking to whale watching tours and sandy beaches ‘
How long is the garden route, and where does the garden route start?
the official garden route stretches for about 300kms long, along the coast from Storms river to Mossel bay. But because there are a lot more beautiful spots between Port Elizabeth and Capetown these route between these big city’s is now called the Garden route and has in total 12 stops.
How much time do you need to travel the garden route & where to start?
If you travel from Port Elizabeth to Capetown, or from Capetown to Port Elizabeth doesn’t really matter. For a lot of international flights it’s easier to fly straight to Capetown instead of catching an extra flight to Port Elizabeth.
You can rent a car straight at the airport or, for the backpackers book a ticket for the bazbus, this is a company that drives backpackers trough whole South-Africa without a time limit, with as many stops as you want.
* click here for more information about the bazbus
If you want to travel the whole garden route properly, it will take you about minimum a week, my advise is to take your time, and try to stretch it to a minimum of two to three weeks if you want to stop at as many spots you want and get a real vision about these incredible coastal towns. Also it will cost a lot of less stress and driving everyday, and you will enjoy your trip more.
*Also read my blog about the most beautiful beaches in South-Africa
First stop, Capetown
(because most of the people will travel from Capetown to Port Elizabeth, i will do it in that order)
Capetown, after the world cup of 2010 this city became one of the world famous hot spots, loved by many people for her beaches and luxurious lifestyle, and not to forget restaurants and incredible cocktailbars. Capetown has some of worlds best cocktail bars in her possession.
A city worth to spend at least a couple of days of your trip, to see the famous Table mountain and the Cape pinguïns. Cape town has a lot to offer, to many things to put in here, but from the best surf beaches to bars, this city is by far one of my most favorite places to be.
click here for my blog about the best surfspots in Capetown.
Stellenbosch
This one is for the wine lovers! Stellenbosch is one of the best spots for wine tastings and to learn about the whole experience of wine making. You can visit lot’s of beautiful winery’s and taste some of their best wines. A great spot to have some lunch, and it’s only an 40 min drive from Capetown.
Hermanus
Hermanus has each year from June till December the largest amount of Southern right whales nursing their cubs in her bay. At this time Hermanus is the best place to go out on a boat trip and spot these beautiful gentle giants. You will also find some good surf beaches near this coast and beautiful spots for hiking. If your staying at Hermanus take a day trip to Gansbaai where you can take different boat trips to spot seals, pinguins, sharks and whales.
Mosselbay
Mosselbay has one of the biggest populations of great white sharks, and is known for their seafood.
a real fisherman’s town. Also close to Botlierskop, a good nature reserve that brings in ‘damaged’ animals that were used as a circus animal, or have been wounded so bad that they couldn’t go back to real nature. At this nature reserve they let the animals as free as they can to give them a better and protected life.
*click here for more information
Wilderness
This place really does it’s name honor, the nature surroundings of Wilderness is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. From incredible beaches, to visiting a cave man (yes a real cave man, this man made a house out of a cave next to the ocean that you can visit by donation, he takes in homeless people and provides them food and a place to sleep) to exploring in the forests , and swim in waterfalls, this place is just magical and definitely a must stop on the garden route. A small town with so many secret little places that will leave you speechless, every time you discover something new.
Sedgefield
A small town with it’s own pure beauty. Wild oceans and long beaches. A good place to unwind and relax, and take a day off from the driving. Lots of nature hikes and bird species to be found here.
Knysna
Knysna is known for it’s lagoon and big yachts, and of course the beautiful Knysna heads that will provide you an incredible view over the lagoon. Take a boat ride trough the lagoon and enjoy the nature. Knysna has a lot of beautiful hikes trough South-African nature, with special trees and flowers. Also a good place to go shopping for some souvenirs and eat daily fresh sushi.
Plettenberg bay
Or ‘plett’ is how the locals call it, A resort town with white sand and crystal clear water, beautiful long stretched beaches. It Can get quit busy because it’s very loved by tourist and also the locals but, still has a relaxed and friendly vibe. Also known for one of the most incredible hikes of the garden route at Robberg nature reserve where you can spot a lot of wild life, Like monkeys specials birds and lots of seals.
Also close to one of the highest bundgeejumps of the world at Bloukrans bridge. whether you are making the jump or not, it’s spectacular to see.
here more about Robberg Nature reserve
Natures Valley
Not one of the most visited spot of the garden route but definitely worth a visit if you’ve got some more time. Only a 20 minute drive from Plettenberg bay, and isn’t been called Natures valley without a reason. Take a hike trough the beautiful forest and look for the special bird species called Louries also known as the Knysna Louries, these beautiful green birds with there red wings are incredible to see and only to be found in South-Africa in the Knysna surroundings.
The crags
This small village In the heart of the garden route and close to Plettenberg bay and Natures valley has a lot of hiking tracks for the real nature lovers, this pure wild nature will amaze you, with it’s beaches and forests, you will be able to spot a big amount of wildlife in these forest and special bird species. A perfect spot for nature and animal lovers.
Storms River
The little town next to the Tsitsikamma National park, the key attraction for tourist from all over the world that want to experience the adventure and beautiful nature of this national park. Go kayaking trough the Tsitsikamma waters or go mountain biking trough the breath taking forests. Beautiful views over an incredible wild ocean, for the real adventurous there is an opportunity to go zip lining above series of flowing waterfalls, or take a canopy tour 30 meters above the ground trough the forest. A place that is to beautiful to miss out on.
click here for more information
Jeffreys bay
‘Best waves of South-Africa, Jeffreys bay‘
The world famous surfers town Jeffreys bay, home of the yearly world surf competitions, and one of the most famous waves in the world. A very loved spot by surfers, with also for people who don’t surf beautiful beaches and nature to enjoy. A good place to take a surf lesson or bring your surf skills to an higher level. One of the most relaxed towns of South-Africa.
Port Elizabeth & ADDO elephant park
The 3rd biggest city after Johannesburg and Capetown, known as the ‘friendly’ city, and close to the famous ADDO elephant park, as the name gives away this park has a big population of elephants 550 to be precisely. ADDO elephant park is also one of the only national parks where you can spot the ‘big 7’ as they call it. The lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, the southern right whale and the great white shark, as this national park connects to the ocean. Also is ADDO the home of the endangered flight less beetle that only lives here. A perfect spot to experience the real South-African safari.
click here for more information about ADDO elephant park.
Take your time if your traveling the garden route of South-Africa as this country is incredible and unique. Stop at as many places as you can and get in to the South-African culture, I can ensure you that it won’t let you down!
Before you know it you are as much in love with this wonderful country as we are.
Thank you for reading, and if you are planning to visit South-Africa, i hope you will have a wonderful time.
