Garden Route Adventure Trail

On the first day driving the Garden Route, you'll travel from Port Elizabeth to Knysna. There are plenty of beach towns you can stop at along the way, such as Francis Bay or Jeffrey’s Bay. Eventually you'll reach the Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can go hiking along one of many trails set out through the area. At the end of the day you'll reach Knysna, your home base for the next couple of days. It's a vibrant seaside town at the hub for the Garden Route. You'll spend the night in a small centrally located hotel with swimming pool near a variety of fun restaurants and near the waterfront overlooking Lake Knysna. In the evening you can dine on fresh oysters or a ostrich steak if you prefer, however the local seafood is sure to be a highlight of your South Africa tour.

Today you'll spend the day in Knysna and the surrounding area. Knysna is one of the most important towns on our Garden Route drive. Everything you could possibly need is nearby, including a lovely lagoon. The town itself isn't very large; however there are a couple of fun bars, pubs and restaurants that have live-music until late at night. There's plenty to do during the day as well: hiking, dolphin-spotting, whale-watching, kayaking on the Knysna lagoon, diving, snorkelling, mountain biking, rock climbing or you could visit Tsitsikamma or the Robberg reserve.

If you wish to stay somewhere a little quieter and more relaxed than Knysna, please ask our travel specialists about the option of Plettenberg Bay- perfect for a quieter South Africa holiday. 

Day three of your Drive the Garden Route tour will take you from Knysna lagoon to George, through the arid region of the Small Karoo. This is where you'll find the ostrich-feather capital of the world, Oudtshoorn; a spacious town with broad lanes, lovely old buildings and a hospitable atmosphere. You'll spend the night just outside of town, in a cosy little guest house with swimming pool surrounded by ostrich farms. Breakfast is included.

There are several different things you can do during the afternoon. You could have an ostrich egg omelette at an ostrich farm, where you'll learn all about these large birds. If you're feeling a bit like a dare-devil you could even try to ride an ostrich which is sure to be a great memory of your South Africa holiday. Another option would be to visit the nearby Cango limestone caves. If you rather stay outdoors, drive on a little further until you reach the beautiful 'Rust en Vrede' ('Rest and Peace') waterfall. It's located in a small natural park that closes at 16.30. You could also visit the Cango wildlife ranch; a small zoo where you not only can look at animals, but you can also pet a cheetah, hold a snake and go cage diving with crocodiles. Please note: If you want to see the ostriches, the caves and the Prince Albert pass, you'll need to book an extra night Oudtshoorn.

After breakfast you'll drive along the N2 from Caledon to Hermanus through peacefully flowing fields flush with colour. Keep a close eye on the coast; you may spot a few dolphins leaping out of the water. If the season is right you may even catch a glimpse of a whale. While driving along the coast you'll head onto the Cape Peninsula and eventually reach Cape Town where your Drive the Garden Route trip will finish.

If you're running late today, skip the peninsula and Visit Cape Town. You'll have plenty of time to drive along the coastline trail tomorrow. If you're planning on driving along the peninsula, you can also combine this with a visit to the wine territories Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl by booking one of our Cape wine tours, Cape and Wine, Drive-n-Dine.