Garden Route Africa - Tsitsikamma National Park

Garden Route Adventure Trail

Route: Hermanus, Swellendam, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Port Elizabeth

The Garden Route is a highlight of any South Africa holiday. It's a stunning coastal drive that takes you past windswept beaches, thickly forested National Parks, Big Five safari game reserves and whale-watching hotspots. You can try canopy tours, follow trekking routes to waterfalls and canyons, see dolphins play in the surf and even visit working ostrich farms.

From Swellendam, a traditional Karoo region town, you can go kayaking on the Breede River, as well as mountain biking, trekking and rafting. Oudtshoorn is famous for it's ostriches, caves, and the spectacular Swartberg Pass. Knysna is a starting point for visits to Tsitiskamma National Park and a great place to take a whale-watching cruise.

It's possible to drive the South Africa Garden Route in 5 days. However, we definitely suggest adding 1 or 2 additional nights to at least one of the destinations. You can also take this module in reverse, driving from Port Elizabeth back to Cape Town. Alternatively, check out our other Cape Garden Route tours or South Africa by road itineraries which piece together the highlights of South Africa into suggested routes.

Duration	5 days - 4 nights	Accommodation	Charming guest houses and homesteads. Accommodation category 3 (see pictures below).
Price	Please see our Contact Us page for further details	Includes	4 nights in a double occupancy room, breakfast and board, trail information
Transport	Rental car	Excludes	Car rental and entrance fees for several parks

Day 1: Cape Town - Hermanus - Swellendam

Travel time: approximately 2.5 hours, distance approximately 225km

Day one of your South Africa Garden Route takes you out of Cape Town or Stellenbosch along the N2. You'll drive through sloping hills along the spectacular coastal road to Hermanus. You may see dolphins during your drive and from June through November you could even see whales- sure to be a highlight of your South Africa trip. Afterwards you'll travel from the coast towards Swellendam: South Africa's third oldest town. Once you reach the broad, oak-lined streets and historic houses of Swellendam, it will feel as if you've taken a step back in time. You could also drive straight through to Oudtshoorn, however that would keep you on the road for some time and you wouldn't be able to stop off in Hermanus or get a taste of the historic atmosphere in Swellendam.

Day 2: Swellendam - Oudtshoorn

Travel time: approximately 2.5 hours, distance approximately 230km

After breakfast you'll continue your Garden Route road trip through the Tradouw pass, along the famous Route 62. You'll notice a dramatic change in the landscape; from lush green fields and hills to the arid semi-desert Little Karoo. The road is lined with rugged mountains, quaint villages, vineyards and fields of ostriches. Your Garden Route journey ends today in the ostrich capital of the world: Oudtshoorn with its broad lanes and lovely old buildings.

There are several different activities to explore this afternoon. You could try an ostrich omelette during lunch at an ostrich farm, learn all about the world's largest bird and if you're feeling adventurous you could even saddle up one of these enormous birds for a ride. You could also visit the nearby Cango limestone caves or, if you prefer to remain outdoors, you could drive a little further out to the beautiful 'Rust en Vrede' ('Rest and Peace') waterfall.
Please note: If you want to see the ostriches, the caves and the Prince Albert Pass, you'll probably need to add an additional night in Oudtshoorn onto your South Africa trip.

Day 3: Oudtshoorn - Knysna/Plettenberg Bay

Travel time: approximately 2 hours, distance approximately 175km

After you've packed your bags and had breakfast, it's time to hit the road again to explore more of South Africa's Garden Route. Before leaving Oudtshoorn you can visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch. This is a small zoo where you can not only look at animals, but you can also pet a cheetah, hold a snake and go cage diving with crocodiles.

After a short, yet scenic drive through the mountains on your way to the coast you'll reach Knysna. Your small hotel with swimming pool is located near a variety of fun restaurants and the waterfront overlooking Knysna Lake. Seafood lovers can treat themselves to a fresh oyster dinner and for meat lovers, how about a steak dinner!

Day 4: Knysna/Plettenberg Bay

Today you'll spend the day in Knysna and the surrounding area. Knysna is one of the most important towns along the Garden Route, and well worth a stop off on your South Africa holiday due to all of the attractions in this area and the town's lovely lagoon. The town itself isn't that large, but it's anything but dull. There are plenty of fun bars, pubs and restaurants, many with live bands performing regularly. There's plenty to choose from during the day as well: hiking, a dolphin or whale-spotting trip, kayaking on the Knysna Lagoon, diving, snorkelling, mountain biking, abseiling and visits to Tsitsikamma, Robberg Reserve and other places.

If you wish to stay somewhere a little quieter and more relaxed than Knysna on your Garden Route Africa tour please ask our travel specialists about the option of Plettenberg Bay.

Day 5: Knysna - Port Elizabeth

Travel time: approximately 3 hours, distance 290km

After a last look at Knysna's lovely lagoon, you'll continue along the Garden Route towards Port Elizabeth. Along the way you'll pass by Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can stop off for a hike along one of the park's many trails. For instance, you could do the 1-hour hike past the rugged coastline towards the wobbling Suspension Bridge. The beach towns St. Francis Bay or Jeffrey’s Bay are perfect for a lunch break on route to Port Elizabeth. So what's next on your South Africa trip? How about a safari in your own rental car amidst giant elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, a guided safari by boat and a guided 4x4 Big 5 safari in a unique private safari park? It's all possible with our Eastern Cape Safari module.