If you’re planning a trip to South Africa, the Garden Route deserves a place on your itinerary. Stretching along the southern coast, it combines dramatic scenery, forests, beaches, lagoons, wildlife and some of the country’s most attractive coastal towns.
Here are 10 reasons why the Garden Route is worth visiting.
1. FREE Cape Peninsula Day Tour
Book your 2027 Garden Route Tour with Convoy Tours and receive a FREE full-day Cape Peninsula Tour. Explore Cape Point, Boulders Beach and spectacular coastal scenery with your private guide.
It doesn’t get better than that, chum!
2. Knysna
Knysna is one of the best-known towns on the Garden Route, sitting around a large natural lagoon surrounded by forest-covered hills.
The famous Knysna Heads provide an impressive viewpoint over the lagoon and Indian Ocean, while the town itself makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area.
3. Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay combines beautiful beaches with a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
It is also ideally positioned for exploring some of the Garden Route’s best attractions, including Robberg Nature Reserve, which is one of the highlights of the area.
4. Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg is much more than a viewpoint. The peninsula has dramatic cliffs, beaches, archaeological sites and walking trails overlooking the ocean.
Depending on the route you take, you can experience spectacular coastal scenery and may encounter Cape fur seals and a variety of birdlife.
5. The forests
The Garden Route is home to some remarkable indigenous forests.
Around Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, the landscape changes dramatically from open coastline to dense forest. Walking beneath the canopy gives you a completely different experience from the coastal sections of the route.
6. Tsitsikamma
Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the great natural attractions of the Garden Route.
The park protects a spectacular section of coastline, with indigenous forest meeting the ocean. The famous suspension bridges over the Storms River mouth are particularly popular and provide one of the area’s most memorable viewpoints.
7. Wildlife
The Garden Route offers plenty of opportunities to experience South Africa’s wildlife.
Depending on your itinerary, you can encounter animals including elephants, monkeys, antelope, seals and numerous bird species. There are also several conservation and wildlife attractions along the route.
8. The beaches
The beaches of the Garden Route range from wide stretches of sand to secluded coves backed by cliffs and forest.
Some are ideal for a quiet walk, while others are popular with surfers and swimmers. Even when you don’t spend the day on the beach, the coastline provides some fantastic places to stop and take in the view.
9. The towns and villages
One of the pleasures of travelling the Garden Route is discovering the different character of its towns.
Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay each offer something different, from historic sites and waterfronts to beaches, restaurants and beautiful viewpoints.
10. The Food and Wine
The Garden Route is a brilliant destination for food lovers, from fresh Knysna oysters and locally caught seafood to excellent restaurants, farm stalls, craft beer, cheese and superb South African wines. After a day exploring, sitting down to a great meal is part of the adventure.
