1 Week itinerary for the Garden Route
1 Week itinerary for the Garden Route

1 Week itinerary for the Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa. Where nature’s bounty unfolds in breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and unforgettable experiences. The Garden Route is nestled along the southern coast of South Africa and is a haven for adventurers, nature lovers, and seekers of tranquillity alike. With diverse attractions, from pristine beaches to ancient forests, here is the perfect one-week itinerary that can be both exhilarating and rewarding.

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The Garden Route stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, all the way to Storms River in the Eastern Cape.

You can make the trip starting either at Mossel Bay or Storms River. Most people start their journey from Cape Town and then travel to the Garden Route. It is only a 4-hour drive from Cape Town to Mossel Bay. There are some really cute villages or stops you can make along the way, which I will add under the section – Extend Your Trip!

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Day 1 & 2 | Mossel Bay

Cape Town – Mossel Bay (387km – 4hr8min)

Activities to do in Mossel Bay and the surrounding area:

  • Go sandboarding with Dragon Dune Sandboarding.
  • Visit the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse.
  • Drink coffee at the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse Restaurant.
  • Grab lunch at the Sea Gypsy Café.
  • Explore the Bartolomeu Dias Museum.
  • Grab coffee at the rustic Blue Shed Coffee Roastery.
  • Visit the following beaches: Mossel Bay Point, Diaz Beach, and Hartenbos Beach.
  • Visit the Glentana Shipwreck.
  • Visit the cave at the start of the St Blaize Trail.
  • Hike the St Blaize Trail.
  • Zipline over the ocean.

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Things to do in Mossel Bay

mossel-bay-garden-route

Recommended stays in Mossel Bay:

DAY 1

This will be the longest drive on the trip if you travel from Cape Town. If you’ve decided to fly straight to George, then it will be a short 38-minute drive. So the choice is yours.

If driving from Cape Town, I suggest hitting the road quite early. Once you’ve arrived in Mossel Bay, start with an adventure and do the longest zipline over the ocean. Grab a photo at the cave at Mossel Bay Point and head to the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse. Here you can take the tour to the top of the lighthouse for some spectacular views, and then grab lunch at the restaurant located at the lighthouse.

Settle into your accommodation before you hit the beach for a relaxing sunset. Finish your first day with some dinner at the Sea Gypsy Café which is located at the harbour. 

DAY 2

You can start early with some sandboarding with Dragon Dune. Their earliest trip starts at 9 am. You can also stop at the Fransmanshoek Conservancy before heading to the Blue Shed Coffee Roastery for some great coffee and lunch with a rustic aesthetic. 

Learn about the history of Mossel Bay at the Bartlomeu Dias Museum and end the day at the beach. Delfinos is a great option for dinner and is located right on the beach.

Add an extra day: Do the St Blaize hiking trail.

Day 3 & 4 | Wilderness

Mossel Bay – Wilderness (58,7km – 40min)

Activities to do in the Wilderness:

  • Hike the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail.
  • Canoe on the Touw River.
  • Visit the Red Berry Farm.
  • Drive to the Voëlklip viewpoint.
  • Explore the beautiful Garden Route Botanical Garden.
  • Visit the ‘Map of Africa’ viewpoint.
  • Stop at the Dolphin viewpoint overlooking the Kaaimans River Bridge.
  • Visit Gericke’s Point in Sedgefield.
  • Feast at the Wild Olive Farmers market (Saturday).
  • Beaches worth exploring in and around Wilderness: Wilderness Beach, Herold’s Bay, and Victoria Bay.

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Things to do in Wilderness

wilderness-garden-route

Recommended stays in Wilderness:

DAY 3

While making your way to Wilderness, I suggest grabbing breakfast at Seeplaas and then doing the short walk to the Glentana Shipwreck. Then hit the road towards Wilderness. If you need some coffee, then head to Elvis Brew Padstal. Do a quick stop at the Dolphin Viewpoint to admire the view of Wilderness stretched out before you and head to the Map of Africa Viewpoint. 

Grab some lunch at Salinas Beach Restaurant where you’ll have a stunning view of the ocean and then head to the beach for a swim or some sunbathing.

Settle into your accommodation and then grab dinner in the village. My favourite restaurants are: Blue Olive, Pomodoro or The Girls on the Square.

DAY 4

Start the morning early with the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail. My suggestion would be to combine this with a canoe trip, where you canoe the first section of the hike and complete the rest by foot.

Head to George where you can grab some lunch at the Redberry Farm. Wander through the Garden Route Botanical Gardens and head to Victoria Bay to watch the surfers enjoy the waves.

Grab dinner at any of the other restaurants in the village.

If you are in the area over a weekend, definitely make sure to head to the Wild Oats Farmers Marker in Sedgefield, and then enjoy the ocean views at Gericke’s Point. 

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Day 5 | Knysna

Wilderness – Knysna (46.8km – 35min)

Activities to do in Knysna:

  • Go shopping at the Knysna Waterfront & go on a boat cruise.
  • Visit the Knysna Elephant Park.
  • Explore Thesen Island.
  • See the spectacular Knysna Heads.
  • Enjoy the beach. You can either soak up the sun at Glen Coney Beach or Brenton on Sea.
  • Explore the Garden of Eden which is situated in the beautiful Knysna Forest.

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Things to do in Knysna

knysna-south-africa

Recommended stays in Knysna:

Hit the road early so that you have enough time in Knysna. First head to Knysna Elephant Park where you can enjoy these majestic creatures while eating breakfast. Next, head to Knysna Heads and enjoy the views. Enjoy the sun at Glen Coney Beach and make your way to Thesen Island. Grab lunch at Ile de Pain and explore the little island on foot.

Check into your accommodation and head to the Knysna Waterfront for a sunset cruise.  Enjoy dinner at Drydock, located at the Waterfront, with a spectacular view of the harbour.

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Day 6 | Plettenberg Bay

Knysna – Plettenberg Bay (32.4km – 30min)

Activities to do in Plettenberg Bay:

plettenberg bay garden route

Recommended stays in Plettenberg Bay:

On your way to Plettenberg Bay, stop at the Garden of Eden and enjoy a short stroll through the forest. Then start your time in Plettenberg Bay with a hike at Robberg Nature Reserve. There are three hikes to choose from, ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours. The Robberg Peninsula hike (aka the Point) is one of the most famous hikes in South Africa.

Grab lunch at the Lookout Deck before checking into your accommodation. 

Head to Keurboomstrand to enjoy the short walk to the Arch/ Cathedral Rock followed by dinner at Ristorante Enrico.

Day 7 | Storms River

Plettenberg Bay – Storms River (65.7km – 50min)

Activities to do in Tsitsikamma:

  • Visit Nature’s Valley.
  • Visit the Garden Route National Park and do one (or more) of their hikes.
  • Stop at the Storms River Bridge.
  • Tsitsikamma hiking trail.
  • Bungy Jump at the Bloukrans Bridge.
  • Kayaking with Untouched Adventures.

Recommended stays in Storms River:

Head to Nature’s Valley to enjoy the beautiful beach – also known to be the end of the famous Otter trail. Grab breakfast at Blue Rocks Café which is the only restaurant in the area. Take a short walk along the wooden trail at the Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail – here you can experience the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest.

If you are an adrenaline junkie, then definitely head to the Bloukrans Bridge to enjoy bungy jumping down the largest concrete Arch bridge in Africa. If you are not keen on this, then you can watch other people do adventurous stuff from their viewing deck.

Head to the Garden Route National Park where you can first grab lunch at the Tsitsikamma Cattle Baron. Make your way to the Storms River Suspension Bridge, and if you feel like you have enough energy for another hike, I highly suggest the Tsitsikamma Waterfall Hike. Another great activity to do here is the kayaking with Untouched Adventures.

Extend your Trip

If you have some extra days to add to your trip, I would highly recommend you add a day or two for the following places:

Hermanus

Hermanus would be ideal to add right at the start of your trip. This charming coastal town is especially known for its great whale-watching spotting.

Activities to do in Hermanus:

  • Grab something to eat at the famous Ficks Restaurant located on the rugged cliff overlooking the ocean.
  • Go on a whale-watching boat trip.
  • Enjoy the Cliff Path walkway along the coast.
  • Shop at the Old Harbour Market.
  • Explore the town on foot while taking in the sculptures and artwork scattered around town.
  • Do some shopping at the Hermanus Waterfront.
  • Take a photo of the yellow frame situated right in front of Hermanus Waterfront.
  • Enjoy some waffles at The Belgium Waffle, Beer & Burgers.
  • Go hiking at Fernkloof Nature Reserve.
  • Stop at the Klipgat Caves located at Walker Bay Nature Reserve just outside of Hermanus.

Recommended stays in Hermanus:

Cape Agulhas

Known for its rugged shoreline, the most southern point of Africa and where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet – Cape Agulhas is definitely worth adding to your list. 

One night should be more than enough to explore what this beautiful area in South Africa has to offer.

Activities to do in Cape Agulhas:

  • Climb to the top of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse.
  • Walk to a wooden boardwalk to the southernmost point of Africa.
  • See where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.
  • Take a drive to the Meisho Maru Shipwreck.
  • Eat at the most southern point restaurant in Africa – Zuidste Kaap Pub & Restaurant.
  • Walk along the pristine beaches of Struisbaai.

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Things to do in Cape Agulhas

cape-agulhas

Recommended stays in Cape Agulhas:

Cape St Francis

Situated along the Eastern Cape coast is Cape St Francis, a hidden gem with a laid-back atmosphere. Add this after you’ve explored the Storms River area.

Activities to do in Cape St Francis:

  • Take the tour to the top of the Cape St Francis Lighthouse. Also the most southeastern tip of Africa.
  • Grab a bite to eat at Nevermind – located at the lighthouse.
  • Go beer tasting at St Francis Brewing Company.
  • Grab dinner at the Quays.
  • Explore the hiking trails at Cape St Francis Nature Reserve.
  • Enjoy the dunes at Shark Point.
  • Enjoy the walks along the coast at Seal Point Nature Reserve.
  • Grab Coffee at Bruce’s Ocean Museum and Cafe.
  • Enjoy the Two Harbour Walk.
  • Go to the nearby town of Jeffreys and explore the small shops and grab lunch at Die Walskipper.

Recommended stays in Cape Agulhas:

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