South Africa's Iconic Garden Route

This 4-day itinerary offers a perfect balance of scenic drives, outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences along the Garden Route, ensuring an unforgettable journey through this coastal paradise.

Day 1: Mossel Bay to Wilderness 

• Morning: Explore the historic town of Mossel Bay, visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex and the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse. If you have more time in Mossel Bay, we highly recommend the Botlierskop Game Reserve!

• Afternoon: Drive to Wilderness and check into your accommodation at either The Views Boutique Hotel & Spa or The Beach Villa Wilderness. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful Wilderness Beach or take a hike in the Wilderness National Park.

• Evening: Enjoy dinner at the Serendipity Restaurant located within The Views Boutique Hotel & Spa.

             Accommodation Options: - The Views Boutique Hotel & Spa

                                                           - Beach Villa Wilderness

Day 2: Wilderness to Knysna

• Morning: Drive to Knysna, stopping at the Map of Africa viewpoint along the way for stunning panoramic views (feel free to stop along the way!)

• Afternoon: Explore Knysna's waterfront area, take a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, and visit the Knysna Heads for breathtaking scenery.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa, a unique hotel set within a converted power station. Dine at the on-site Island Café for a delicious dinner.

             Accommodation: - The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa in Knysna.

Day 3: Knysna to Plettenberg Bay

• Morning: Drive to Plettenberg Bay and spend the morning exploring the town's pristine beaches and charming coastal villages. We especially like Central Beach.

• Afternoon: Visit the Birds of Eden sanctuary, Monkeyland, or the Elephant Sanctuary for a unique wildlife experience. We also had a blast as a young family with a boat hire up the Keurbooms River.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at The Plettenberg Hotel, a luxury hotel perched atop a cliff overlooking the ocean. Enjoy dinner at the hotel's renowned SeaFood at The Plettenberg restaurant.

             Accommodation: - Luxurious option:: The Plettenberg Hotel

                                             - Budget-friendly option: : Eleven

Day 4: Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth

• Morning: Drive to Port Elizabeth, stopping at Tsitsikamma National Park (more info) along the way for a hike on the famous Otter Trail or a walk across the Suspension Bridge.

• Afternoon: Arrive in Port Elizabeth and explore the city's cultural attractions, including the Donkin Reserve and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Or, for the more adventures you can check out the sandboarding & boat trip.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at The Boardwalk Hotel, a stylish hotel located within The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment Complex. Enjoy dinner at one of the complex's restaurants, such as Kipling's Brasserie. Or, another highly unique & great option for a memorable experience in a lighthouse (!) is: Lighthouse Villa.

             Accommodation: - The Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth

                                            - Lighthouse Villa

                                            - Budget-friendly option: Brookes Hill Suites

This comprehensive 7-day itinerary offers a diverse range of activities and accommodation options along the Garden Route, catering to different budgets and preferences while ensuring an unforgettable journey through this South African coastal paradise.

Day 1: Cape Town to Hermanus

• Morning: Depart from Cape Town and drive to Hermanus.

• Afternoon: Enjoy whale watching in Hermanus. You can either take a boat tour or watch from the cliffs along the coast. (June-November)

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Beautiful Abalone for a budget-friendly option or The Marine Hermanus for a luxurious stay. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant like Pear Tree.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Beautiful Abalone

             - Luxurious option: The Marine Hermanus

Day 2: Hermanus to Mossel Bay

• Morning: Drive to Mossel Bay, stopping at Cape Agulhas (southern tip of Africa

• Afternoon: Explore Mossel Bay's attractions. Visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, where you can learn about the region's maritime history, or hike the St. Blaize Trail for stunning coastal views. Likewise, should you want a safari option, Botlierskop is one of our favorites coutry-wide!

• Evening: Check into your accommodation (unless you have chosen an option at Botlierskop) at Point Village Hotel for a budget-friendly option or Diaz Hotel & Resort for a luxurious stay. Enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Point Village Hotel

             - Luxurious option: Diaz Hotel & Resort

Day 3: Mossel Bay to Wilderness

• Morning: Drive to Wilderness, stopping at the Map of Africa viewpoint (map here)

• Afternoon: Explore Wilderness National Park. Take a hike to the waterfalls or rent a canoe to paddle on the Touw River.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Whales Way Ocean Retreat for a budget-friendly option or The Views Boutique Hotel & Spa for a luxurious stay. Enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

             Accommodation

             - Budget-friendly option: Whales Way Ocean Retreat

             - Luxurious option: The Views Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 4: Wilderness to Knysna

• Morning: Drive to Knysna and explore the Knysna Heads.

• Afternoon: Enjoy a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, visit the Knysna Elephant Park for an up-close encounter with elephants or take a leisurely stroll in the indigenous forest.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Knysna Inn for a budget-friendly option or The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa for a luxurious stay. Dine at one of the waterfront restaurants.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Knysna Inn

             - Luxurious option: The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 5: Knysna to Plettenberg Bay

• Morning: Drive to Plettenberg Bay and visit the Birds of Eden sanctuary, Monkeyland, or the Elephant Sanctuary.

• Afternoon: Relax on the pristine beaches of Plettenberg Bay or hike in the Robberg Nature Reserve for stunning coastal views.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Plett Beachfront Accommodation for a budget-friendly option or The Plettenberg Hotel for a luxurious stay. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Plett Beachfront Accommodation

             - Luxurious option: The Plettenberg Hotel

Day 6: Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma

• Morning: Drive to Tsitsikamma and explore Tsitsikamma National Park. Hike the Storms River Mouth Trail or take a zipline canopy tour.

• Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn and explore the nearby Storms River Village. You can also go kayaking or snorkeling in the ocean, or tubing and paddleboarding!

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Tube 'n Axe Backpackers Lodge for a budget-friendly option or Tsitsikamma Village Inn for a luxurious stay. Dine at the hotel's restaurant.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Tube 'n Axe Backpackers Lodge

             - Luxurious option: Tsitsikamma Village Inn

Day 7: Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth

• Morning: Drive to Port Elizabeth and visit the Donkin Reserve, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, or the Bayworld Oceanarium.

• Afternoon: Relax on the beaches of Port Elizabeth or go on a safari at Addo Elephant National Park.

• Evening: Check into your accommodation at Island Vibe Backpackers for a budget-friendly option or The Boardwalk Hotel for a luxurious stay. Enjoy dinner at one of the complex's restaurants.

             Accommodation:

             - Budget-friendly option: Island Vibe Backpackers

             - Luxurious option: The Boardwalk Hotel coastal paradise.