Garden Route Explorer Self-Drive
8 nights, 7 stops, from US$2,650 pps — indicative pricing. Full itinerary →
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The GardenRoute.
Indigenous forests, lagoons and seaside towns along one of South Africa's most beautiful coastal drives.
Overview
A coastal drive through forest, lagoon and cliff.
The Garden Route runs along South Africa's southern coast between the Western and Eastern Cape, taking in Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma forests around Storms River. It is named for its lush, green scenery — a contrast to the drier Karoo just inland — and is usually explored as a self-drive, stopping at a different town every night or two.
The route combines beaches, lagoons, indigenous forest and dramatic coastline, with activities ranging from whale watching and golf to canopy tours, hiking and the Garden Route's well-known adventure offerings around Tsitsikamma. It connects naturally to Cape Town and the Winelands to the west, and to the Eastern Cape further east.
Mossel Bay & George
The start of the drive.
Mossel Bay is usually the first stop heading east from Cape Town, a harbour town with beaches and a well-known maritime history. George, a little further on, is the Garden Route's largest town and transport hub, with an airport serving the region and the Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop.
We do not yet carry contracted guesthouses in Mossel Bay or George on this page — ask your consultant for current recommendations, or treat them as a drive-through stop on the way to Knysna. Request a quote →
Where to stay
Knysna.
Built around the Knysna Lagoon and its famous sandstone "Heads," with the Knysna forest inland — known for oysters, houseboats, and as a base for exploring the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Knysna
Villa Afrikana Guest Suites
On Watsonia Drive, part of the Knysna Paradise Collection.
KnysnaCandlewood Lodge
An established property in Upper Old Place, Knysna.
KnysnaSouth Villa Guest House
Owner-run in Paradise, Knysna, by Christa and Hentie.
KnysnaOne on Bollard
On Leisure Isle, Knysna, hosted by Diane and Rob.
Where to stay
Plettenberg Bay.
Known locally as "Plett," a beach town with long stretches of sand, the Robberg Nature Reserve, and some of the Garden Route's best-regarded guesthouses.
Plettenberg Bay
Bayside Lodge Garden Route B&B
Owner-managed by Bernie and Adrienne since 2014.
Plettenberg BayOcean Watch Guest House
A good mid-market coastal option in Plettenberg Bay.
Plettenberg BayPlettenberg View Guest House
On Robberg Road, hosted by Cherry and Andrew.
Plettenberg BayCornerway House
A long-established host on booking platforms in Plettenberg Bay.
Where to stay
Storms River & Tsitsikamma.
The easternmost stretch of the classic Garden Route, where the road winds through the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest, past the Storms River mouth suspension bridge and some of the region's best-known canopy tours and bungee jumping.
Storms River Village
Storms River Guest Lodge
On Gamassi Street, a well-regarded all-round Tsitsikamma property.
Storms River VillageAt The Woods Guest House
Owner-run on Formosa Street by Bev and Marco.
Storms River VillageThe Village Lodge
A strong-value option for a one-night Garden Route stop.
Storms River VillageAndelomi Nature's Rest
A boutique alternative on Formosa Street.
Combine it
The Garden Route as part of a longer trip.
The Garden Route combines naturally with Cape Town and the Winelands to the west, and with the Little Karoo inland via Oudtshoorn.
Garden Route Active Escape
7 nights, from US$2,250 pps — indicative pricing. Full itinerary →
The Little Karoo
Head inland to Oudtshoorn via the Outeniqua or Robinson Pass. Discover the Little Karoo →
Forests, lagoons & the open road.
Tell us how many nights you have, and a consultant will put together the right Garden Route route and stops.