South Africa travel guide
What to see on the Garden Route
The coastal road through forests, lagoons and beaches, from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma.
Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides
- 4 must-see places
- Stay in Knysna
Garden Route highlights
The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.
- Knysna Heads
Two cliffs guarding the Knysna lagoon; from the eastern viewpoint you can see the passage to the sea.
- Tsitsikamma
Forest and wild coastline with a suspension bridge over the mouth of the Storms River.
- Plettenberg
A bay of long beaches; in season you can see whales and dolphins from the shore.
- Oudtshoorn
The ostrich capital, in the Karoo, with the Cango Caves nearby.
Where to stay on the Garden Route
The handiest areas for getting around and going out.
- Recommended areas
Knysna
Day trips from the Garden Route
We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.
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When to travel to the Garden Route
Any time of year is good to travel to the Garden Route: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.
- Jan no warnings
- Feb no warnings
- Mar no warnings
- Apr no warnings
- May no warnings
- Jun no warnings
- Jul no warnings
- Aug no warnings
- Sep no warnings
- Oct no warnings
- Nov no warnings
- Dec no warnings
Where and what to eat
To eat like a local: a bunny chow spot. The dishes you can’t miss are in the South Africa guide.
- The Drydock
Knysna
Recommended in Knysna.
- Emily Moon
Plettenberg
Recommended in Plettenberg.
Frequently asked questions about the Garden Route
What to see on the Garden Route?
Knysna Heads, Tsitsikamma, Plettenberg and Oudtshoorn.
What to see on the Garden Route in one day?
Don’t miss Knysna Heads, Tsitsikamma, Plettenberg and Oudtshoorn. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.
Where to stay on the Garden Route?
The handiest areas to stay are Knysna.
What’s the best time to travel to the Garden Route?
Any time of year is good to travel to the Garden Route: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.
What day trips can you take from the Garden Route?
Garden Route.
Bagintravel · We travel together
Shall we plan your trip to the Garden Route?
Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.
The app is currently available in Spanish.
More in South Africa
Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.