Driving down the Garden Route
When we hear the word “Africa”, we often get transported to a lush, green land. One that’s full of flora and fauna. Dressed in whites and khakis, blending in the nature, we imagine being on a ride that will introduce us to the beasts of the jungle along with the little cuties that inhabit the land. But, did you know, there’s so much more to it! Readers, welcome to South Africa’s Garden Route.
Posh cities, ghettos that awaken curiosities, hard-hitting history, pristine golden sand beaches, mountains, rivers, and wildlife you can never get enough of! If there’s one place where you can immerse into all of this, it’s South Africa. What can be better than exploring it all from the comfort of your car, driving down with breathtaking views? Garden Route has it all for you!
The Garden Route stretches over 300 kilometres on the South Coast of the country. It is one of the most mesmerising road trips in the world. Whether you’re seeking adventure or want to be a laid-back traveller, this journey has something for each wandering soul. As you pack your bags and begin driving through the route, the landscapes will change at every turn.
At one moment, you’ll be surrounded by gigantic mountains and next, you will be around the ocean. At all stretches and turns, trust me, your heart will remain full. Oh, and how can we forget the adventure activities that will surely leave you gushing with adrenaline? So, are you ready to go down a road that will leave you with a lifetime of memories?
Before we start, here are a few pointers you must know about:
What’s the currency
The South African currency is Rand and you can carry the same. However, most resorts, restaurants, and tourist spots will be more than happy to take US Dollars and will easily accept credit cards.
What to pack
The Garden Route involves a lot of hiking, beaches, and trails. Make sure you pack a good pair of sports shoes, waterproof footwear, comfortable clothes, and a jacket.
What’s the best way to go around the Garden Route
You must drive down the route to soak in its beauty to the fullest. Self-drive is popular here. You will easily get rental cars at airports and can return them to the same company at your endpoint. So, don’t worry, you won’t have to go to the starting point to return the rented vehicle. We drove down, halting each night at a new location. From personal experience, I recommend driving 10/10.
However, if you’re not comfortable with the idea of driving around a new country for over a week, you can take a bus. For instance, the Baz Bus is a great idea and it covers most of the places on the route. It’s safe and you’ll surely make a few pals on the way.
How many days are needed for the Garden Route
Honestly, there is so much that this journey has to offer. I spent 10 days on this route. If I could go back in time, I would give myself at least 15 days. But, even if you have a week, you’ll get a taste of most flavours here. Be sure to take good breaks, be well-rested before each new drive, and have a clear plan in mind.
Day 1: Johannesburg — the starting point
Taking a flight into the South African land, we started our journey in the economic hub of the country: Johannesburg. Bustling with posh neighbourhoods at one end and ghettos at another, the vibe of this city is nothing less than eclectic.
As we only had a day in Johannesburg, the aim was to cover as much as we humanly could. So, we decided to get on a HOHO bus (that’s a Hop On-Hop Off bus). Starting our journey at the Melrose Arch, we had the opportunity to witness classy art museums. Full of both cultural references and coming-of-age works, the galleries here will awaken the hidden artist in you.
Additionally, this street is lined with several abstract and cultural statues, making it the perfect spot for your photo ops. Next, we visited the much-revered Apartheid Museum and you can only visit this place to come a step closer to understanding the ordeals of the slaves across the nation. With hard hitting pictures, presentations, stories, and arts, the museum really makes you feel the pain of the colonisation deep within. That followed by a visit to the Nelson Mandela House makes you really appreciate each tiny step that led to a free Africa.
We had a flight to Port Elizabeth the next afternoon so we had some time on our hands. So, we decided to engage in the fun culture of the city with a visit to Melville Street. It’s a street with a number of cute, Pinterest-y cafés serving chilled beer and scrumptious meals. Making it an unmissable breakfast spot. And, if you turn out as lucky as we were, you can witness some ongoing fair or the other. It’s a colourful affair where the locals come together exhibiting and selling home-made candles, soaps, skincare products, beaded jewellery, scarves, and so much more. Believe me, it’s all so pretty, you wouldn’t want to miss a stall!
Day 2: Port Elizabeth — sand, ocean, and a lighthouse
From Johannesburg, we packed our bags and headed straight for Port Elizabeth, the ‘Friendly City’. It is at this airport that we rented our car and prepped ourselves for driving across the South African coasts for the next eight days.
First spot: Of course, our first Airbnb. We dumped our bags, freshened up, sipped some coffee, and headed straight to Sardinia Bay Beach. A serene paradise, this golden sand beach is just a few kilometres away from the city centre. After spending some time here, we drove along the ocean and reached the Cape Recife Lighthouse to wind up the day with a beautiful sunset in front and a chilled drink in our hands.
Day 3: Plettenberg Bay — a day full of wildlife
Starting our day soon after the break of dawn, we gulped some amazing fruit cream, eggs, and cheese and tomato sandwiches, prior to bidding goodbye to our host. Now we had ahead of us nearly 230 kilometres before touching down at our BnB at Plettenberg Bay and a list of viewpoints to cover on the way.
On the way to Plettenberg Bay, our first stop was the Kragga Kamma Game Park. Honestly, I lost count of the animals that we saw at the wildlife safari here. Right from Africa’s Big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and African buffalo to many other amazing animals, such as giraffe, nyala, lechwe, bontebok, zebras, and so much more.
The best part: Kragga Kamma allows you to take a self-drive! They allow three-hour tours, and with their well-maintained roads and clear directions, you can easily go around spotting the vast fauna.
Next, after a refreshing trip to the Game Park, we went to the Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary. It was my first time seeing wolves and my excitement was through the roof when I saw they look exactly like dogs. Big dogs that you should be scared of, but I swear, they were cute. The sanctuary is home to numerous abused wolves and a few wolf dogs.
Super-friendly and well-informed guides will take you around, introducing you to each wolf and their story. The experience and the stories truly left me wondering where is the humanity in the human race?
Wrapping that up, we left for our next stop: The Big Tree. Before you get to the location, you can make a pit stop at the Paul Sauer Bridge aka Storms River Bridge. They are literally nearly five kilometres apart. The Storms River Bridge was actually one of the first arch bridges in South Africa. At a height of 123 metres above the river, it will give you some breathtaking views of the river and gorge. Then, the Big Tree.
You would be stunned to know that this yellowwood tree is one of the largest and oldest trees in the country. With a height of 120 feet, the 800-year-old tree will fill you with awe. Just imagine the test of time this big boy has passed and gracefully continues to do so!
From here, we got ready for one of the most revered stops at the Garden Route: The Storms River Suspension Bridge at the Tsitsikamma National Park. It’s a fairly comfortable hike of two kilometres which shouldn’t take you more than two hours to complete. However, if you are a photo junkie like me, then brace yourself for a longer journey.
The hike through the forests will offer you enchanting views: one minute you’ll see the beautiful ocean, next you’ll be standing in a cave, and at the end of it all, you will witness the suspension bridge over the river. If you have time, you can engage in many fun activities here, like kayaking or bungee jumping. With this tiring yet fulfilling walk, we ended our day and drove straight to our second BnB in Plettenberg Bay. After all, we were on the road all day, almost every day.
Day 4: Knysna — elephants, gin, and beauty at every turn
Knysna, the jewel of the Garden Route, stole my heart the moment we arrived. Known for its lush forests and pristine beaches, this charming town felt like a dream come true. We started our day with some thrill at the Bloukrans Bridge. It is an arch bridge located near Nature’s Valley. The bridge stands at a height of 216 metres above the river and houses the highest bungee jump in the world from a bridge. Would you give it a try or like us, you would rather prefer a walk at the edge of the bridge?
From the bridge, we made our way to the real gem. Knysna Elephant Park, home to elephants that have been rescued and rehabilitated. Watching these majestic animals up close and feeding them fruits and vegetables was an unforgettable experience. Their gentle presence, combined with their immense size left me brimming with unmatched joy.
Next, we went to the Knysna Gin Distillery, where we got familiarised with the art of gin-making. Knysna Gin is an award-winning gin known for its vast variety of flavours. They have some really unique flavours such as honey, blueberry, ginger, and plum, and to top it all, they release seasonal editions. It all comes packed in very cute bottles, so don’t forget to grab one!
After our gin adventure, we reached Bollards Bay Beach, where we took a moment to simply sit by the water. The soft sand under my feet, the breeze in my hair, and the sound of seagulls in the distance created a sense of pure tranquillity.
The last spot before heading to our third BnB was the Margaret’s Viewpoint, which offered panoramic views that I had never seen before. From this vantage point, we could see the vast ocean, the never-ending coastline, and the hills that formed the backdrop. It was like a painting came to life.
Day 5: Redberry Farm, Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farm and the Southernmost Tip
Our journey continued with the next destination being the Redberry Farm, a charming farm with fields of strawberries and other fresh produce. Our time there was spent picking strawberries and exploring their products. You’ll have a variety of products like jams, salad splash, parfaits, crackers, and much more. The jam, trust me, tastes like real strawberries! From the Redberry Farm, we moved on to the Oudtshoorn Ostrich Farm, where we spent our time between the ostriches and emus. The long-necked creatures with curious eyes, were both comical and captivating. The farm is an informational extravaganza where you learn about ostrich farming as it is a significant part of local culture for generations.
Our next stop and the most awaited of all was the Southernmost Tip of Africa, where the waters of Indian and Atlantic Oceans unite, leaving behind a playful mix of colours, waves, and beauty! Standing at the edge of the continent, you get a feeling of being on the brink of something much larger than yourself. It reminded me that no matter how long or short a journey is, it’s always a part of something grandeur.
Finally, we ended the day with a visit to the Klipgat Caves where the Stone Age men once resided. The hike here has an unparalleled view of the sea. Some of the caves here take you back in time, millions of years. We finally closed the day with a relaxing sleep at the fourth BnB of the trip.
Day 6-10: Cape Town — the grand finale
Our final destination was Cape Town, and this city has a vibe of its own. We spent two days in the city centre, exploring its urban life and two days at Simon’s Town, soaking in the beauty of the coasts.
While we were in the city centre, we hiked up the Table Mountain for stellar panoramic views of the city and the ocean. Next, was a visit to the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap. This city is a lovely mix of urban life and diversity. From buildings, streets, to food, cultural beauty is omnipresent. Apart from this, we also toured the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden which houses over 7,000 species of plants. Also on the list was Two Oceans Aquarium to get a glimpse at the vast ocean life. Viewing over 300 species, such as starfish, sharks, jellyfish, eels, and corals among others, opens up your mind to the vastness of the ocean life; some of which is still secret.
Our two-day stay at the city centre concluded with a visit to the V&A Waterfront. The oldest working harbour in the southern hemisphere is also home to a gigantic shopping centre and the Cape Wheel.
After riding the Cape Wheel, we spent the evening shopping to our heart’s content.
If you’re wondering what you must pick while in South Africa, I’d suggest get yourself some spices, silk scarves, handmade beaded jewellery, wooden artefacts, and plenty of lotions, bath salts, and body care. You get a lot of artisanal skincare and candles here that will make you want to pick up everything.
The final leg of our Garden Route journey took us to Simon’s Town. It’s a charming coastal town near Cape Town and is well-known for its naval history, serene beauty, and penguins. Simon’s Town is home to one of the most iconic attractions in South Africa — Boulders Beach, inhabited by a colony of endangered African penguins. Watching them in their natural environment was an absolute delight and the actual highlight of the trip.
Later, we covered Groot Constantia. The oldest wine farm in South Africa boasts a variety of wines that have won over 100 awards in the past few years. A favourite amongst the celebrities, these wines are so good, you’ll surely end up taking a few bottles. Don’t doubt anything and take a guided vinery tour for the best experience.
The journey concluded at the legendary Cape of Good Hope. With its dramatic cliffs, the hike to the top felt like a challenge, at least to me! However, the endless views of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the sky was totally worth it.
As I sit here reflecting on our extraordinary journey down the Garden Route, I am filled with nothing but gratitude. The landscapes we encountered, the wildlife we met, the people we connected with — all of these came together to create experiences that will be etched in my memory forever. South Africa’s Garden Route is more than just a drive, it’s a gorgeous way to learn from the past, connect with our planet, and embrace every turn in life’s journey.
