Garden Route
300 kilometres of coast between lagoons, primary forest and beaches: Africa's most famous coastal road is savoured slowly, over four or five nights.
Suggested stay — 4 to 5 nights
From Mossel Bay to Storms River, the N2 strings together the seaside towns (Wilderness and its endless beach, Knysna and its lagoon closed by two cliffs, Plettenberg Bay) and the afromontane forests where the country's last great yellowwoods survive.
The high point is Tsitsikamma national park (Storms River section): coastal trails above the waves, the suspension bridge over the river mouth, and the start of the Otter Trail for the lucky hikers who booked months ahead. Allow four to five nights for the whole, more with the detours (Route 62 on the way out, the Robberg reserve).
Don't miss
- The Robberg peninsula at Plettenberg Bay: the route's finest coastal hike (2 to 4 h)
- The suspension bridge and trails of Storms River (Tsitsikamma)
- The Knysna lagoon from the Knysna Heads at sunset
- The beaches and forest of Wilderness, ideal for two calm nights
Our tips on the ground
- Recommended direction: from Cape Town towards Port Elizabeth, the ocean on your side and the sun at your back in the afternoon.
- Book early for December-January: this is the coast of South African holidays and everything fills up.
- Combine with Route 62 (the semi-desert interior of the Little Karoo) outbound or return, making a loop without repeating the N2.
On our publishing schedule
Coming soon“South Africa on your own”, the complete edition, is in preparation
Same method as our Namibia guide: day-by-day itineraries, driving, a costed budget and checklists. Leave us your address and you'll hear about the launch — at the launch price.
In the meantime, our reference
The “Namibia on your own” guide — €29
- The same method, already applied to Africa's easiest self-drive country
- 3 day-by-day itineraries, 4x4 insurance decoded, costed budget
- Instant download, 14-day guarantee — currently in French, English edition coming
Before you go
Readers' questions about Garden Route
How many days does the Garden Route need?
Four to five nights to enjoy it without racing: two bases (say Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay or Storms River) beat four one-night stops. In two days you'd do nothing but drive — better to skip it than rush it.
Can you see whales on this coast?
Yes, from June to November: southern right whales come to calve in the bays. Hermanus (before the Garden Route proper) is the world's most famous land-based watching spot; Plettenberg Bay offers fine boat trips.