The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular road-trip destinations, and thousands of international visitors drive it every year. The main roads are generally in good condition, the route is well signposted and there are plenty of towns, petrol stations and places to stop along the way.

For a confident driver, hiring a car and exploring independently is certainly possible. However, there are a few things tourists should consider before making the journey.

In South Africa, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. This will feel familiar to visitors from the United Kingdom, Australia and several other countries, but it can take some adjustment for travellers from Europe or North America.

Distances are another consideration. Cape Town to Knysna is approximately 490 kilometres and takes around six hours without long stops. Trying to cover too much distance in one day can make the journey tiring, particularly after an international flight.

We recommend travelling during daylight whenever possible. Some roads are poorly lit at night, and animals or pedestrians can occasionally appear near the road. Driving during the day also means you can enjoy the scenery, which is one of the main reasons for visiting the Garden Route.

Visitors should stay on the recognised main routes and avoid blindly following satellite navigation if it suggests an unfamiliar shortcut. Keep your doors locked, do not leave valuables visible inside the vehicle and park in recognised parking areas. These are sensible precautions when travelling anywhere in South Africa.

Weather can also affect driving conditions. Heavy rain, mist and strong winds are possible, particularly around the mountain passes. Slow down, leave enough space between vehicles and do not feel pressured to drive at the maximum speed limit.

The Garden Route itself should not be approached with fear. Towns such as Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are well-established tourist destinations, and the N2 is used by residents, visitors and commercial vehicles every day.

However, not everyone wants to spend their holiday concentrating on directions, traffic and driving times. Some travellers would rather look out of the window, stop for photographs and enjoy a glass of wine with lunch without worrying about getting behind the wheel afterwards.

A private guided tour provides that freedom. At Convoy Tours, we collect our guests from Cape Town, handle the driving and arrange comfortable accommodation along the route. Our tours are private, so there is no crowded coach or rigid group schedule.

We also know which routes to use, where it is sensible to stop and how to structure each day without spending unnecessary hours in the vehicle.

So, is it safe to drive the Garden Route as a tourist? For experienced and well-prepared drivers, it is generally a straightforward journey. But if you would prefer to relax, avoid navigating unfamiliar roads and experience the Garden Route with local knowledge, a private guided tour may be the better choice.