The Garden Route

Name: The Garden Route
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (160 reviews)

Top 5 Places to Discover on the Garden Route

Storms River

The mouth of Storms River, where the waterway meets the Indian Ocean, is generally considered the start (or end) of the Garden Route. See the ocean break across the rocky shore whilst staying in a chalet overlooking the coastline. The area is a great place for bird enthusiasts with a variety of sea, forest and fynbos (scrubland) species present. Other resident animals include vervet monkeys, chacma baboons and clawless otters.

Hike in Tsitsikamma National Park

Getting its name from a local word meaning ‘place of abundant water’ and encompassing land and sea, Tsitsikamma National Park is a diverse wilderness of lush forest, epic canyons and magnificent coastal views. One of the most challenging hikes is the Otter Trail, a well-marked hike with some small ladders and boulder hopping. This is the only walk that has rocky shoreline sections to it, taking us through the forest, past the Strandloper Cave and ending at a waterfall dropping into the ocean.

Visit Kynsna Heads and Mossel Bay

One of the most picturesque sights on the Garden Route is Knysna Heads – a pair of sandstone cliffs that form a channel separating the calm waters of Knysna Lagoon from the turbulent Indian Ocean. Also worth a visit is Mossel Bay, a quaint coastal town home to The Post Office Tree, a landmark where seafarers once left letters to be taken home by Portuguese sailors.

Discover Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves

The Little Karoo is a dry, hot region, located inland but still considered a great stop as part of the classic Garden Route. Oudtshoorn itself became renowned for its trade in ostrich feathers and is still regarded as the ostrich capital of the world. The Cango Caves are an extensive complex of caverns with stalactites and stalagmites. Discover these fascinating limestone caves with a local guide who will take you on a journey through the ages.

Whale Watching in Hermanus

Travel to Hermanus between June and November for a chance to spot migratory southern right whales as you stand on the shore. Whales visit the area each year to mate and calf in the secluded waters and can be seen frolicking in Walker Bay. A whale crier will sound his kelp horn when he spots whales off the coast. As well as land-based whale watching you can join a boat trip or visit the Whale Museum to discover more.

Garden Route Trips

The stunning scenery makes this stretch of coastline one of the world’s great drives, and Garden Route trips are widely regarded as a highlight of any holiday to South Africa.

The wine region of Stellenbosch enjoys world-wide fame, and aside from great wines, the rolling vineyards set out below rising peaks are a photographer’s delight. From the coast there’s also excellent land-based whale watching from August to early November. This area can be explored on foot or bicycle, and there’s the opportunity to try abseiling, black-water tubing or even bungee jumping too.

The Garden Route Adventure Holidays

12 Days from 2 095 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Experience icons of South Africa: safari animals, dramatic coastal roads, electric cities and unforgettable landscapes

Culture

12 Days from 3 240 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Vineyards, mountain passes and South Africa's coastline

Cycling

20 Days from 4 920 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Overland adventure through three countries

Culture

12 Days from 5 640 €

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Dramatic coastal scenery and world-class wine

Culture

See All Trips

An excellent trip with a great group and group leader. The itinerary enabled a real mix of cycling in the countryside and by the sea. It was a bit windy for a couple of days and there were a couple of testing climbs but it was all very manageable.

Wayne Moore Cycling the Cape & Winelands

If you are after a trip that is more than just cycling, this is for you! The first 3 days are tough, but you get challenging mountain pass’s followed by exhilarating downhills. You cycling through a variety of landscapes, from coastal roads and paths, to the arid desert of the little Karoo, vast countryside and plush mountainous roads. No day is the same which is nice! The food and wine is also a big bonus.

oren blindell Cycling the Cape & Winelands

This was an amazing trip on so many levels.
I have come back feeling energised, invigorated and really sad to leave…testament to a great hol!
I was travelling on my own and apprehensive. I needn’t have been. My group were so welcoming and friendly. We got to know each other quite quickly and had such a laugh together. We are hoping to meet up again in the New Year.
The itinerary was so varied, there was never a dull moment. Ideally 14 days would be preferable as you are packing so much in.
Animals and birds- so much to see, recommend doing Schotia game drive and whale watching. Penguins at boulders beach were brilliant.
Flora-beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees and a chance to visit the botanical gardens in Cape Town.
Food-Wow…such a variety , huge portions and cheap. Recommend the ostrich, but so many other dishes to choose from( meat or veg)
Wine-fabulous and cheap. I loved the chenin blanc. I enjoyed the afternoon in Stellenbosch too.
Landscape-absolutely stunning..Tsitsikamma, Cape of Good Hope, ocean drives and more!
Activities- so varied and you have the opportunity to choose the activities you want to do at various locations.
Guide- Marco was great on every level. He was informative, professional, catered to everyone’s needs and kept us safe.
Accommodation – I particularly liked Tsitsikamma oceanette as right by the ocean. Got woken up at 5.30am by baboons jumping on the bin outside:-). Loved House Martin and the Windsor Hotel.
Cape Town-beautiful. I visited Robben Island, 2nd half of this tour was particular good as we were shown around by an ex inmate. I didn’t get the chance to go up Table Mountain as I had to leave early. There is so much to see and experience that I will definitely return.

Anne Parkins Cape Town & the Garden Route