The Garden Route in South Africa

One of the most iconic journeys in South Africa, the Garden Route is a picturesque stretch of coastline that takes travellers through lush forests, stunning beaches, and charming towns. While there are many gems along this route, don’t miss out on spending some time at Knysna Lagoon, exploring the pristine wilderness of Tsitsikamma National Park, and at least one or two beach days in Plett.

Must-Visit Areas Along the Garden Route

The coastal towns and wildernesses along this famous route have so much to offer travellers, including ideal watersports locations and Blue Flag beaches:

Knysna: Watersports Galore

Set between two cliffs known as the Knysna Heads lies the Knysna Lagoon, a famous spot in this picturesque town. Here, besides just enjoying the stunning views, you’re able to go fishing and sailing, as well as participate in watersports.

From kitesurfing and wakeboarding to stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming, you can easily while away a day at Knysna Lagoon.

Tsitsikamma National Park: Magical Forest Escape

Tsitsikamma National Park is a magical spot along the Garden Route with its diverse landscapes (from rugged coastlines and reefs to lush forests, rivers, and fynbos), spectacular hiking trails, and opportunities for watersports.

Go kayaking in Storms River, get a whole different perspective of the landscape from a canopy tour, hike the world-famous Otter Trail, and spend a day birdwatching – there’s so much to do in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Plettenberg Bay: Perfect Beach Destination

This seaside town, also known as Plett, is renowned for its beaches and marine life.

Stop at Robberg, Central, and Lookout beaches for their perfect white sand, and watch dolphins in the distance. Go on boat tours to not only get closer to the pods of dolphins in this area but also the whales.

Plett is earning its stripes as a wine region. South Africa’s smallest wine-growing region, tour the wine farms here to taste unique vintages and bubbly.

Best Time to Visit the Garden Route

If lying on the beach and participating in watersports is what you’re looking forward to the most on your Garden Route holiday, plan your trip during the hotter months, from November to March.

However, the winter months don’t disappoint. In July, the Knysna Oyster Festival takes place. This multi-day event includes live music performances, cooking competitions, wine festivals, arts and crafts, markets, and, of course, a ton of oysters! The cooler months also see fewer visitors and whale season kicking off.

Wildlife Found in the Garden Route

Birdwatchers will enjoy Tsitsikamma National Park for its bird population, which includes the Knysna turaco, emerald cuckoo, olive woodpecker, narina trogon, and sharp-billed honeyguide, to name a few.

Along the Garden Route, you’ll also be able to spot pods of dolphins and whales on their migration. Take a boat tour to see these incredible animals up close.

If you go snorkelling in Knysna, among the various marine life, you may be able to spot the Knysna seahorse, a species endemic to the area.

How to Get to the Garden Route

The Garden Route is accessible from Cape Town. To start your journey closer to the route, you can fly to George Airport, a regional airport in the Western Cape.