The Ultimate Guide to the Garden Route

Scenic mountain ranges, pristine forests, calm lakes and endless sandy beaches make the Garden Route one of South Africa’s most spectacular travel destinations.

Despite an abundance of stunning beautiful landscapes, charming seaside towns and world-class hotels and lodges, the Garden Route, it is one of South Africa’s lesser-explored destinations by international travellers but remains a firm local favourite. With plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten track, it is malaria-free and perfect for families seeking fun and adventure, as well as couples looking for romance and privacy.

From the best season to visit, to insider tips on the very best experiences, this is our ultimate guide to the South Africa’s Garden Route in South Africa.

The Garden Route in South Africa stretches across 300km along the Western Cape’s southern coastline from the town of Mossel Bay on one side, to the mouth of the Storms River on the other. In between you will come across a series of laid-back towns, each more delightful than the next, including Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Easily accessible by either road or air, you can reach the Garden Route in about a five-to-six-hour drive from Cape Town. The main airport is in the town of George, with several local airlines flying in from either Cape Town or Johannesburg. You also have the option of flying from Johannesburg straight into a small airport in Plettenberg Bay.

Once in the Garden Route, you are likely to want to travel to multiple destinations as each has a very distinct character. Towns can be quite far apart from one another, so if you are not self-driving, it would be a great idea to book a local guide to take you around and show you the sights.

Much like other coastal areas in the Western Cape, the Garden Route has a ‘Mediterranean Maritime’ climate which sees most of its rainfall in the winter months from June through September. The area is known for its incredibly lush green vegetation, which is a result of the rich rainfall which usually comes down at night.

That said, it is not uncommon to have long stretches of mild weather in winter, as well as in spring and autumn, with the weather only turning colder once the sun goes down, making it a great year-round destination. The winter months also see a number of exciting events, including the start of the whale-watching season and the much-loved Knysna Oyster Festival.

The summer months are blissful, with temperatures ranging from moderate to warm, never really getting much hotter than 30-degrees Celsius and hovering comfortably in the mid-20s between November and April with occasional rain showers. It is important to note that the Garden Route can get very busy between Christmas in New Year, with it being a favourite holiday spot for locals, so if you are looking for a more laid-back and private experience, it’s best to visit outside of the festive season.

The varied landscapes and abundant nature in the Garden Route make it a playground for adventurous travellers who love to pack lots of experiences and activities into their trip. Head deep into the forests for beautiful hikes or an unforgettable mountain bike along the plentiful trails. The Garden Route in South Africa is also one of the premier areas for paragliding with the most spectacular views as far as the eye can see in every direction.

From waterskiing to scuba diving, kite surfing and kayaking, water sports are plentiful on the many fresh- and salt-water lakes and of course, the not-too-old waters of the Indian Ocean. Or perhaps gallop off on an unforgettable horse ride along the beach in the late afternoon watching as the sun sets in the distance.

If you are looking for adventures the whole family can enjoy, there are a number of excellent wildlife attractions in the area around Plettenberg Bay, including Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary and the world’s largest free-flight aviary, Birds of Eden. From July to October, you may be lucky enough to see Southern Right Whales as they migrate from Antarctica back to Southern Africa – catching sight of them from various look-out points or on an exciting whale-watching boat ride from Mossel.

The Garden Route has also been described as the ideal ‘bucket-and-spade’ destination for a truly relaxing beach holiday, where you can while away the hours basking in the sun, enjoying the occasional refreshing dip in the ocean.

Embracing ‘slow tourism’, the Garden Route is home to a number of markets that festivals that celebrate a gentler, more lifestyle-driven approach. The Wild Oats Community Farmers Market in Sedgefield happens every Saturday morning and is an unmissable experience for anyone that enjoys delicious food made with love. Each year in June, Knysna hosts a fabulous Oyster Festival, which combines the town’s most famous shellfish, along with a series of sports and musical events.

Known by the locals simply as ‘Plett’, this coastal paradise is the ideal place to either slow down and enjoy the beautiful selection of blue flag beaches or embark on fun-filled adventures.

From hiking Robberg Nature Reserve to discover spectacular views and crystal-clear rock pools, to boat trips, kayaking and even snorkelling with seals, Plett is an adventurers' playground with plenty to keep you busy. Plettenberg bay also has a vibrant food scene, with local markets selling homemade treats and restaurants serving up the freshest imaginable seafood.

There are some fantastic accommodation options, most with beautiful views of the ocean or forest. A few of our favourites include The Old Rectory, a boutique hotel housed in a tastefully restored heritage building dating back to 1777, along with the enchanting treehouses of Tsala’s Treetop Lodge.

The charming town of Knysna is perched in front of and along the hilltops between pristine indigenous forest and a tranquil lagoon, overlooking two dramatic sea cliffs known as the Knysna Heads which you can explore by taking a trip on the Featherbed boat. The town is filled with boutiques, art galleries and cosy restaurants, you can wander around for hours, browsing the quaint shops all along the way.

A visit to Knysna isn’t complete without spending some time exploring at least a small piece of the 3,000 sqkm of forest all around it. This was once home to herds of elephants, but today just one extremely elusive female remains, spotted only on the rare occasion on a camera trap deep in the woods. The area is still filled with remarkable fauna and flora though, including a birdwatcher’s favourite: the famous and stunning beautiful Knysna turaco with it emerald and sapphire plumage.

One of our favourite accommodation options just 20km outside of Knysna, is Hunter’s Country House, designed with families in mind on a beautiful estate surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

If you love an arty, hippie atmosphere, then you should be sure to include the towns of Wilderness and Sedgefield in your Garden Route itinerary. Filled with fascinating characters and unique attractions, the two areas are just about 15 minutes’ drive apart from one another and easily combined.

Visit the local markets, wander along the stunning beaches that stretch on as far as the eye can see, snorkel in the pristine rock pools marvelling at colourful starfish and eat pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven with your toes in the sand. Both destinations are also popular with anglers.

When it comes to accommodation, you can’t go wrong staying at Simbavati Fynbos on Sea, perched atop the sand dunes on a 600-hectare conservancy near Sedgefield.

Ready to create your own Garden Route adventure? Then get in touch with our expert travel specialists on +44 (0) 20 3821 5994 (UK), +1 (833) 215 9353 (US) or at explore@niarratravel.com.