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Garden Route, South Africa
Home Destinations Africa South Africa Garden Route

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.

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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.

Rovos Rail, South Africa
 

Rovos Rail Journey

Board the historical and luxurious Rovos Rail train on journeys that offer game drives, city tours, conservation visits, cultural experiences and multi-country routes through southern Africa.

See related content

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.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
 

Plettenberg Bay

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

Suggested Hotel

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

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

Collared sunbird sitting on aloe flower, Kruger National Park, South Africa
 

Cape Floral Kingdom Safari

Take an alternative 4×4 safari to explore the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, home to over 9,500 species of plants and flowers, of which over 6,200 are endemic.

Suggested Reading: Blog

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

Where to stay

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

The Old Rectory £££££

  • South 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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More luxury accommodation

Namaqualand, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Namaqualand daisies, South Africa
Western Cape, Whales & Wine

Holiday Idea

This holiday idea to South Africa can easily be extended or adapted to include a self drive itinerary along the Garden Route.

11 days

from £3,295 pp

UN SDG - 4 Quality education logo UN SDG - 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions logo UN SDG - 17 partnerships for the goals logo

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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 in Madagascar
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Illona Cross

Born in South Africa, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager in the African bush. That experience taught me the value of well-paced itineraries, trusted local partners and the power of small details – what turns a good trip into a great one. I ask the right questions, listen closely and bring a level of insight that only comes from years in the field.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980
Chris with Skull
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Chris Johnston

I have spent nearly 30 years exploring Africa, from leading trips across the continent to crafting tailor made journeys backed by deep local insight. Named a Condé Nast Traveller Specialist for Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, I’ve worked with the BBC and National Geographic throughout Eastern, Southern and Central Africa.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Why Choose Steppes?

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