We spent five weeks traveling across South Africa in our tiny Chevy Spark, and it was an incredible experience. The best part of our trip was the freedom to stop wherever we wanted. One of our favorite parts of the journey was the Garden Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River near the Eastern Cape.
We thought it’d be helpful to share our favorite stops along the famous N2 Garden Route highway. We traveled south to north, starting from Cape Town and heading towards Pretoria, so our recommendations follow that route.
Our first stop, about 400 km east of Cape Town, was Mossel Bay. This port town of around 60,000 people is where the first Europeans landed in South Africa, an event commemorated at the Da Gama Museum Complex. Mossel Bay offers sandy shores and a laid-back vibe, making it a great place to relax. The climate is mild, second only to Hawaii, so it’s pleasant year-round. Check out the market at Hartenbos Beach or take a boat trip to Seal Island to see seals basking in the sun.
Next on our route was George, positioned halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Known as “The Gateway to the Garden Route,” George is the largest city in the area with a population of about 157,000. It’s an excellent place to restock supplies for the journey ahead. But George is more than just a pit stop; you can visit the Outeniqua Railway Museum or enjoy hiking in the Outeniqua Mountains for stunning views. There are also trails to George Peak and Cradock Peak for more adventurous hikes.
We then made a brief stop at Victoria Bay, an excellent spot for surfers. Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth visiting during a surf competition. Wilderness was our next main stop and one of our favorites. Located between the Kaaimans River and the Goukama Nature Reserve, this area is a haven of natural beauty with smooth seas, long beaches, natural lakes, and pristine lagoons. You can enjoy activities like long treks, hang-gliding, paragliding, horse-riding, and some incredibly scenic drives.
Knysna was another highlight on our route. This small town, home to around 50,000 people, rose to prominence when a gold nugget was found nearby in 1878. Here, you can explore the Knysna Lagoon, which hosts over 200 species of fish and numerous birds. The lagoon connects to the Indian Ocean through a turbulent channel bordered by two massive sandstone cliffs known as “The Heads.” Try to visit during the Oyster Festival from late June to early July.
Plettenberg Bay, or “Plet”, was our second last stop. This beautiful bay, named Bahia Formosa by early Portuguese explorers, offers both land and sea safaris. The Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is a perfect place to see lions, rhinos, buffalo, and hippos. Here, having your own car makes a “self-drive safari” a memorable experience. For ocean adventures, check out Ocean Safaris, which offer whale watching tours during the whale season (around June-July).
Our final stop was Nature’s Valley, a breathtaking holiday retreat between the Soutrivier and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. It became accessible only after the Grootrivier Pass was completed in 1880. Known for activities like the world’s highest commercial natural bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (206 meters high), Nature’s Valley also offers numerous walking and hiking trails like the Otter Trail and the Kalanderkloof Trail. There’s also the chance to see the rainforest from above on a zip line tour, which we highly recommend.
The Garden Route is a stunning coastal road well worth exploring, but South Africa has so much more to offer. Whether you head north through the diverse Wild Coast or south to the tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas, South Africa is perfect for a road trip.
If you need more information on traveling through South Africa, be sure to check out some articles on safety tips, backpacking guides, and affordable national park safaris. Have you traveled the Garden Route? Does it sound like a trip you’d enjoy? Let us know!