Travel and Experience the Garden Route Like a Local
Picture driving down a 300-kilometre coastline with nothing but time on your hands and the family in the passenger seats. The route overlooks scenic landscapes, from beaches and indigenous forests to rocky shores and charming towns.
Most locals know and appreciate the Garden Route, not only for its attractions but also for its charming towns like Mossel Bay to Storms River. Not to mention passing through the most scenic stops along the way: George, Plett, and Knysna.
It can be a long but very worthwhile journey. Rest assured, everything you need to make a family trip or a holiday from overseas memorable is in this guide. Use it to learn about and experience everything that the Garden Route has to offer.
Garden Route From Johannesburg to Cape Town
Based on Google Maps, the drive should take you approximately 14 hours and 52 minutes without stops via the N1. You’ll start from Johannesburg and travel 935 km to Beaufort West, then peel south via the N12 toward George. From there, you’ll continue on the N2, etc.
Budget for your travels. Be prepared to pay toll fees along the way.
You can find toll gate information in our guide here: SANRAL’s toll fees increase.
Pro tip: Give yourself 2-5 days before reaching your final destination.
Map of the Garden Route
Most getaway sites offer comprehensive maps of the Garden Route, providing travellers with an extensive overview of major towns, outskirts, national parks, and major highways that take you from one main attraction. One of these major attractions includes the Garden Route National Park.
Thankfully for technology, finding a place to stay along the Garden Route has become easier than ever. There’s certainly no shortage of hospitable accommodation for every type of traveller.
Things to do: Highlights and Attractions
These days, most people upload their experiences online and share in detail about how they journeyed to the Garden Route from Johannesburg. Yes, you can use your Google Maps or Garmin to make stops along the way, but it’s a lot more fun and even a good idea to take another’s experience into account in preparation for your trip.
Allow yourself a few days to reach your destination. Secondly, prepare to dive into 3,200 km of pure motoring fun and ultimate landscape views across South Africa.
Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma, also known as ‘place of abundant water’, is one of the most popular highlights of the route, located at the eastern end of the Storms River. Not only is this national park flowing with water, but it's also home to beautiful yellowwood trees and hiking trails. This also includes a marine conservation site right off the coast.
If you’re feeling up to it, don’t forget to experience the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge.
Knysna
Kysna definitely deserves an overnight stay. This one is for the visitors who want to know how to make the most of a trip. Then, when you’ve gathered an appetite, Knysna Quays is the perfect place to grab some seafood, best known for its oysters.
You can also take the family out for a day out on the Knynsa Lagoon or board the Featherbed Nature Reserve Ferry and take in the sights. You’d be lucky to spot some migrating whales, dolphins, and the abundant birdlife and fynbos.
George
Rich in diversity and full of history, this town is another popular area along the Garden Route. With its 10 km plateau positioned along the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, you’ll find some of the oldest timber buildings standing, dating back to the 19th-century colonial era.
George is also home to the Garden Route Botanical Gardens. Established in 1998, this is where some of South Africa’s fauna and flora thrive in the Southern Cape, with over 1,000 species of flowers and plants.
Oudtshoorn
Situated in the Klein Karoo is the town of Oudtshoorn, home to an ostrich population of around 60,000. Its unique “semi-desert” landscapes offer great sightings with plenty to do. You can visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch, tour the local caves and ostrich farm, and drive the infamous Route 62 pass.
If you’re into scenic stops or want to pose for some pictures, you can also drive through the Swartberg Pass, which achieved a 4.7-star rating on TripAdvisor – it’s clearly a winning spot to visit.
Weather and Season
The best time to visit the Route in South Africa is during the warm summer months, from February to April, and in spring, from September to November.
You’ll face mild weather conditions during these periods, with less wind and smaller crowds – perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and whale watching.
Places to Stay Along the Garden Route
More than ever, travel trends and demand have put the Garden Route on the map, and not just for international travellers. Remember, if you’re just passing through one town to the next on a tight schedule, maybe consider Airbnb or self-catering accommodation instead of pricey hotels.
If you’re planning a family-friendly vacation or taking a romantic couples trip, there are over 50 places to choose from if you are driving the Garden Route. Here, you’ll find some of the most recommended spots: Garden Route Accommodation.
Do These Car Safety Checks Before and After Travelling
Whether you’re planning to drive 2,000 km or 200 km, you should never leave anything to chance, even if you think “you know your car”.
Practice responsible motoring by following through this maintenance checklist a few weeks before your trip and soon after your trip:
- Check tyre tread, monitor pressure, and listen out for punctures.
- Check your coolant levels to avoid overheating.
- Test your brakes and lights thoroughly.
- Continue with routine car service and maintenance.
- Top up fluids like windscreen washer fluid.
For more, we’ve also covered the latest practical tips for easy, DIY car maintenance that you can perform safely at home.
If you are travelling with children or pets, or both, please note that some parents have made mistakes when using car seats. To avoid issues while you’re on the road, you can find all the info you need right here for safer motoring:
The Bottom Line
From big family adventures to scenic sights and romantic getaways, the Garden Route is definitely worth doing. If you’re unsure, everything you need to know is right here in this guide, along with other travel tips for you to reference throughout your trip.
From finding the best accommodation to making the most of the stops along the way, no one will be left disappointed, even if you have a lot of miles to cover.
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