The Garden Route is one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa, and here is my one-week itinerary when exploring this area.
The Garden Route stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, all the way to Storms River in the Eastern Cape.
You can do the trip starting either at Mossel Bay or Storms River. Most people start their journey from Cape Town and then make their way to the Garden Route. It is only a 4-hour drive from Cape Town to Mossel Bay. And even though Cape Agulhas does not form part of the Garden Route, it is such a beautiful little village, with great tourist attractions, so I would highly suggest you make a stop there.
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First Day
Cape Town – Cape Agulhas (224km – 2hr30min)
Once you’ve arrived in Cape Town, make your way to the beautiful Cape Agulhas.
Activities to do in Cape Agulhas:
- Buy a ticket to climb to the top of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse.
- Walk along the wooden boardwalk to the southernmost point in Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meets.
- Take a drive to the Meisho Maru Ship Wreck.
- Eat at the most southern point restaurant in Africa.
- Walk around the pristine beaches of Struisbaai.
I suggest staying over in Cape Agulhas for at least one night.
Once you arrive in Struisbaai, grab an early lunch at the southernmost restaurant in Africa – Zuidste Kaap Pub & Restaurant. Their portions are massive!
Start your first activity at the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse where you get to climb to the top of the lighthouse. I would suggest you give this a skip if you are afraid of climbing steep steps. These are more like a three-story of ladders you have to climb.
Then make your way to the most southern point in Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meets. Once you are done exploring, make your way back to the lighthouse and drive to the Meisho Maru Ship Wreck.
Spend the rest of the day at the beach.
It is wildflower season in October and the Agulhas National Park is also a great place to see these wildflowers.
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Recommended stays in Cape Agulhas:
- Budget – Spookdraai B&B
- Luxury – Chasing Daylights
Second Day
Cape Agulhas – Mossel Bay (276km-3h15min)
Activities to do in Mossel Bay and the surrounding area:
- Go sandboarding with Dragon Dune Sandboarding.
- Visit the St Blaize Lighthouse.
- Drink coffee at the St Blaize Lighthouse
- Grab lunch at the Sea Gypsy Café.
- Explore the Bartolomeu Dias Museum.
- Visit the following beaches: Mossel Bay, 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 – also known as the longest zipline in the world that runs over the ocean.
Day two will be the longest drive on the trip.
Hit the road bright and early and go sandboarding with Dragon Dune Sandboarding. Their earliest trip starts at 9 am. From here make your way to the St Blaize lighthouse. First, grab a coffee at St Blaize restaurant and then take a tour to the top of the lighthouse.
Grab lunch at Sea Gypsy Cafè and head to the Bartolomeu Dias Museum.
If you have time, and the tide allows it, take the short hike to the Glentana Shipwreck.
End the day at any one of the beaches.
You can also add another day to do the famous St Blaize hiking trail that starts in Mossel Bay and leads along the coast to Dana Bay.
Recommended stays in Mossel Bay:
- Budget – 3 Colours Blue Guest House
- Luxury – Protea Hotel at Marriot
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Third and Fourth Day
Mossel Bay – Wilderness (58,7km-40min)
Activities to do in the Wilderness:
- Hike the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail.
- Canoe on the Touw River.
- Visit Red Berry Farm.
- Drive to the Voëlklip viewpoint.
- Explore the beautiful George Botanical Garden.
- Visit the ‘Map of Africa’ viewpoint.
- Grab a coffee at Hallo coffee
- 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.
There’s so much to do in and around the Wilderness, that I’ll suggest spending two days in the area. Before making your way to Wilderness, I suggest doing the zipline in Mossel Bay. They open at 8 am, so make sure to be there early and then continue your journey to Wilderness.
On your way to Wilderness, stop at the Dolphin viewpoint which is just before Wilderness.
You can then start your day by hiking the Half-Collared Kingfisher trail. I suggest starting the trail with a canoe ride, where you canoe to the river bend and continue with the hike to the Touw river waterfall.
Make your way to the Map of Africa viewpoint and see how the paragliders soar about the sky. Grab a coffee at Hallo Coffee before heading to the beach.
End the day by watching the sunset at Wilderness beach.
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On day two you can make your way to George Botanical Gardens and wander around before grabbing lunch at the Red Berry farm. Afterward, you can grab ice cream at Herold’s Bay and visit the Voëlklip viewpoint. Then watch the surfers at Victoria Bay while the sun sets.
If you are in the area on a Saturday, I suggest starting it at the Wild Oats Farmers market. If the tide allows it, you can take the short walk to Gerick’s Point.
Recommended stays in Wilderness:
- Budget – Whales Way Ocean Retreat
- Luxury – Views Boutique Hotel & Spa
Fifth Day
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.
Start your day at the Knysna Elephant Park, followed by a short walk through the forest at the Garden of Eden. Make your way to Glen Coney Beach and soak up the sun. Enjoy a boat cruise from Knysna Waterfront, which is also the perfect spot for lunch, and watch the sunset at Knysna Heads. End of the day by exploring Thesen Island and grabbing some dinner there.
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Recommended stays in Knysna:
- Budget – Protea Hotel by Marriot
- Luxury – Simola Hotel
Sixth Day
Knysna – Plettenberg Bay (32.4km-30min)
Activities to do in Plettenberg Bay:
- Go hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve, which can take 30 minutes to 4 hours. The Robberg Peninsula hike (the point) is one of the most famous hikes in South Africa.
- If you are an adventurist, you can go bungee jumping on the world’s largest concrete arch bridge in Africa.
- Visit the famous Arch Rock.
- Watch the sunset at Keurboomstrand.
On your way to Plettenberg Bay, you can stop at Face Adrenaline. If you are a scaredy cat (like me) and you don’t want to bungee jump, you can enjoy the view at the restaurant while watching other people being adventurous.
Then enjoy one of the three hikes at Robberg Nature Reserve, depending on your fitness level and how much time you want to spend hiking.
End the day by visiting Arch Rock and enjoying the sunset at Keurboomstrand.
Recommended stays in Plettenberg Bay:
- Budget – Alkantmooi Nature Reserve
- Luxury – The Plettenberg Hotel
Seventh Day
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.
On your way to the Garden Route National Park stop at Nature’s Valley and tip your toes in the ocean. Then make your way to the Garden Route National Park and choose one of the hikes. My two favourites are the Storms River Mouth and the Waterfall Trail. Both can be done together in one day. You can also stop at the Storms River Bridge and grab a coffee at the petrol station located there.
Recommended stays in Storms River:
- Budget – Mountain Breeze Log Cabins
- Luxury – The Fernery Lodge & Chalets
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You can read more on all these different activities:
From here people either travel to Addo National Park to experience a safari. This is located 2h45min from Storms river and is close to Port Elizabeth. Great stops along the way are Cape St Francis and Jeffreys Bay.
Or they travel back to Cape Town, where they explore Cape Town a bit more.
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