Garden Route holiday destinations

You don’t have to look far to find paradise on your own doorstep. The Garden Route is a sublime stretch of forest and shore on the south-eastern coast of South Africa. The Garden Route stretches about 300 kilometres in length, starting around the Witsand area and ending with the magnificent Tstisikamma Forest, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations for South Africans.

The Garden Route is just a few hours drive from the vibrant city of Cape Town, in the Western Cape, from where you can also enjoy the incredible food, wine, and scenery of the Cape Winelands.

Coming from Johannesburg and not keen for the long self-drive journey? Check out our affordable George flights page and get great flight deals from Johannesburg to George flights.

Travel to the Garden Route

Stay in popular holiday towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or the Wilderness where you’ll find holiday accommodation to suit every budget. Book a Knysna holiday package, which is quite a central point on the Garden Route and spend your days exploring in all directions.

You and your family will be spoiled for choice with the beautiful beaches and bays dotted along the coastline, or head into the indigenous forests along one of the many hiking trails through an incredible mix of vegetation. There are so many activities on offer on the Garden Route: from zipline tours in Tstisikamma to paragliding onto Wilderness beach and enjoying ostrich tours in Oudtshoorn. Be sure to keep an eye out for Sunday markets where local artisans display their wide range of crafts and delicacies.

Browse through our selection of Garden Route holiday packages and start planning all the activities and fun things to do when you visit the gorgeous Garden Route.

Looking for more travel inspiration on the Garden Route - we've got just the blog for you:
Our Most Romantic Getaways on the Garden Route

Things to do in the Garden Route

Featherbed Ferry – one of the most popular things to do in Knysna is take a cruise along the lagoon to the Knysna Heads.

Treetop Canopy Tours – The original canopy tour in South Africa. Glide 30m above the ground in the Tstisikamma forest.

Bungee Jumping – Get your adrenaline pumping with the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge.

Robberg Hiking Trail – Go hiking in the Robberg nature reserve where you might be lucky enough to spot a Great White shark from your high vantage point.

Animal Sanctuaries – Animal lovers can enjoy a wildlife experience at 3 sanctuaries just outside of Plett: Birds of Eden, Monkeyland and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Swartberg Pass – one of the most scenic mountain passes in the world.

The Cango Caves – Located in the foothills of the Swartberg range near Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves is one of the world’s great natural wonders.

Garden Route Travel Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip to the Garden Route:

Plan your trip in advance: The Garden Route is a popular destination, so be sure to book your accommodation and activities well in advance.

Pack for all weather: The weather in the Garden Route can be quite changeable, so be sure to pack for both warm and cold weather.

Get out and explore: There is so much to see and do in the Garden Route, so make sure to get out and explore! Hiking, biking, and kayaking are just some of the activities on offer.

Don't forget your camera: The Garden Route is home to some truly stunning scenery, so make sure you have your camera ready to capture it all!

Enjoy your trip: The Garden Route is an amazing place, so relax and enjoy your time there!

Here are some Garden Route travel facts that you may not know:

The Garden Route is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. It is home to over 8,500 species of plants and animals.
The Garden Route is one of the few places in the world where you can see whales, dolphins, penguins and seals all in one place.
There are over 100 different hiking trails to explore in the Garden Route, including the famous Otter Trail and Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay.
The Garden Route is a popular destination for mountain biking, with over 200km of dedicated mountain bike trails.
The Garden Route is home to South Africa's largest forest, the Tsitsikamma National Park.
There are over 30 different golf courses to choose from in the Garden Route.
The Garden Route is home to the highest commercial bungee jumping experience in the world, Bloukrans Bridge.