Our People
  • Our Team

    Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.

  • Our Tour Experts

    We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.

  • Heroes and Heroines

    The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.

Garden Route, South Africa

Garden Route

Spanning from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route is an incredibly scenic part of South Africa, so-called because of its abundant vegetation.

Pretty seaside towns, beautiful beaches, the semi-desert Karoo and lush Tsisitakama Forest all form an area which boasts a dizzying array of things to do and see.

The Whale Route runs from Cape Town to Hermanus, a small fishing town which boasts some of the best land-based whale watching in the world from July to November. Further north you will find the coastal towns of Knysna, on the shores of a peaceful estuary, and Plettenberg Bay, a vibrant holiday town with great restaurants and fabulous sandy beaches.

Coast, Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
Humpback Whale, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
Humpback Whale in Hermanus, South Africa
Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa
Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa
Aerial Shot, Knysna, South Africa
Knysna Heads, Garden Route, South Africa

Why visit the Garden Route

  • Self-drive along the scenic coastline with its breath-taking scenery
  • Experience some of the best land-based whale watching in the world in Hermanus
  • Visit bird, monkey and elephant sanctuaries
  • Sail through the Knysna heads on a Featherbed cruise
  • Go hiking in the Tsitsikamma National Park with its excellent forest trails
  • Take a detour through the mountainous Outeniqua range, via Prince Albert’s Pass with views into the Langkloof Valley some 1000 kilometres below
  • Explore the holiday town of Plettenberg Bay with its beautiful beaches

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Rovis Rail, South Africa

Rovos Rail Journey

Board the historical and luxurious Rovos Rail train for a three night journey through the heart of Southern Africa, from Cape Town to Pretoria.

Group of ostriches, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Ostriches, Caves & Meerkats

Head to Oudtshoorn on the Garden Route and visit a working ostrich farm to learn more about these incredible flightless birds, explore the tunnels and passages of the Cango caves and spend time with wild meerkats.

Suggested Reading: Blog

Route 62 near Oudtshoorn, South Africa

Drive Route 62

Drive the Garden Route along Route 62 – meandering from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn, through mountains, vineyards and the arid landscapes of Karoo, stopping to visit some of the many towns enroute.

Humpback Whale, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa

Whale Watching

Experience some of the best land-based whale watching in the world from the South African coastal town of Hermanus.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Outeniqua Mountains, South Africa

The Outeniqua Range

Head through South Africa’s mountainous Outeniqua Range, via Prince Albert’s Pass, with views into the Langkloof Valley, some 1000 metres below.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Famous bridge on the garden route, Garden Route, South Africa

Self-Drive the Garden Route

Self-drive along the scenic coastline of South Africa’s Garden Route, with its breath-taking scenery.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Coast, Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa

Tsitsikamma National Park Hiking

Hike some of the excellent trails within the Garden Routes Tsitsikamma National Park, taking in dramatic coastal scenery and lush forests.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Plettenberg Bay

Explore the holiday town of Plettenberg Bay with its beautiful beaches.

Suggested Holiday Idea

KZN Vervet monkeys

Garden Route Wildlife Sanctuaries

Visit bird, wolf, monkey and elephant sanctuaries, all along the Garden Route.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Aerial Shot, Knysna, South Africa

Take a Featherbed Cruise

Sail through the Knysna Heads on a cruise to the private Featherbed Nature Reserve, home to diminutive blue duiker antelope.

Suggested Read: Blog

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

The Old Rectory £££££

  • Africa
  • Boutique

In the heart of Plettenberg Bay you will find The Old Rectory, a small boutique hotel with centuries of history, direct beach access and gourmet dining experiences.

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Grootbos £££££

  • South Africa
  • Wilderness

Set in the picturesque mountain and sea landscape of the Hermanus area along the Cape South Coast, Grootbos is a beacon of style and sustainability.

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Birkenhead House £££££

  • South Africa
  • Boutique

A privately owned, world-class, luxurious boutique hotel, Birkenhead House has an exhilarating cliff-top position overlooking the rugged and scenic Walker Bay in Hermanus.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?


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