A 14-Day Adventure Along South Africa’s Garden Route
QUICK OVERVIEW: Embark on a 14-day adventure along South Africa’s Garden Route, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. This picturesque route will take you through stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and captivating beaches. You’ll explore the Cape of Good Hope, get up close with wildlife in Addo Elephant National Park, and indulge in the local flavors of Knysna. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1:
- Arrive in Cape Town
-Explore the City Bowl area of Cape Town, including the Company’s Garden and Bo-Kaap neighborhood
-Visit the iconic Table Mountain and take the cable car to the top for breathtaking views
-Take a sunset cruise on the V&A Waterfront
Day 2:
- Explore the Winelands
-Visit Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest towns, and explore its cobblestone streets and wine estates
-Explore Franschhoek Valley, known as the “Gourmet Capital of South Africa”
-Taste some of the region’s best wines at one of the many wine estates
-Enjoy a traditional South African braai (BBQ) for dinner
Day 3:
- Drive to Hermanus
-Drive along the scenic coastal route from Stellenbosch to Hermanus
-Stop at Betty’s Bay to visit the Penguin Colony
-Visit the Hermanus Cliff Path for spectacular views of Walker Bay
-Go whale watching (in season)
-Enjoy dinner at one of Hermanus’s many seafood restaurants
Day 4:
- Drive to Mossel Bay
-Drive along the scenic coastal route from Hermanus to Mossel Bay
-Visit the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse and Cave for spectacular views of Mossel Bay
-Visit Diaz Beach and explore its tidal pools
-Explore Mossel Bay’s waterfront area, including its harbor and shopping center
-Enjoy dinner at one of Mossel Bay’s seafood restaurants
Day 5:
- Drive to Oudtshoorn
-Drive along the scenic route from Mossel Bay to Oudtshoorn
-Visit Cango Wildlife Ranch to get up close with cheetahs and other animals
-Visit Cango Caves for an underground exploration of some of the world’s most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites
-Enjoy dinner at one of Oudtshoorn’s restaurants
Day 6:
- Drive to Knysna
-Drive along the scenic route from Oudtshoorn to Knysna
-Visit Knysna Heads for spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and Lagoon
-Explore Knysna Waterfront with its shops, restaurants, and activities
-Take a sunset cruise on Knysna Lagoon for stunning views of Knysna Heads
Day 7:
- Explore Knysna
-Visit Featherbed Nature Reserve for stunning views of Knysna Heads and lagoon
-Explore Thesen Island by foot or bike for spectacular views of Knysna Lagoon
-Visit Leisure Island for a peaceful beach experience with crystal clear waters
Day 8:
- Drive to Plettenberg Bay
-Drive along the scenic route from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay
-Visit Robberg Nature Reserve for a peaceful hike with stunning views of Robberg Peninsula
-Explore Plettenberg Bay with its shops, restaurants, and activities
Day 9:
- Explore Nature’s Valley
-Drive along the scenic route from Plettenberg Bay to Nature’s Valley
-Explore Nature’s Valley Beach with its crystal clear waters
Day 10:
- Drive to Tsitsikamma National Park
-Drive along the scenic route from Nature’s Valley to Tsitsikamma National Park
-Explore Tsitsikamma National Park with its incredible hikes and stunning views
Day 11:
- Explore Addo Elephant National Park
-Drive along the scenic route from Tsitsikamma National Park to Addo Elephant National Park
-Go on a game drive in Addo Elephant National Park to get up close with elephants, lions, zebras, antelopes, and more!
Day 12:
- Drive to Port Elizabeth
-Drive along the scenic route from Addo Elephant National Park to Port Elizabeth
Day 13:
- Explore Port Elizabeth
-Explore Donkin Reserve for stunning views of Port Elizabeth’s coastline
-Visit Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for a tour of this iconic venue
Day 14:
- Departure Day
-Depart from Port Elizabeth Airport for your onward journey.
SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS:
Cape Town: The Pot Luck Club (try their tasting menu), The Roundhouse (try their famous fish tacos)
Stellenbosch: Thelema Mountain Vineyards (try their wood fired pizzas), Jordan Restaurant (try their tasting menu)
Hermanus: Harbour Rock Restaurant (try their seafood platter), La Pentola (try their wood fired pizzas)
Mossel Bay: The Point Restaurant (try their seafood platter), Fisherman’s Wharf (try their mussels)
Oudtshoorn: De Oude Meul Country Restaurant (try their traditional South African dishes), De Kombuys Restaurant (try their ostrich steaks)
Knysna: 34 South (try their signature burgers), The Fat Fish Restaurant (try their seafood platter)
Plettenberg Bay: Lookout Deck Restaurant (try their seafood platter), The Blue Shed Coffee Company (try their homemade pies)
Nature’s Valley: The Village Cafe & Bakery (try their homemade cakes), The Lemon Grass Cafe & Deli (try their salads)
Tsitsikamma National Park: Storms River Mouth Rest Camp Restaurant (try their burgers), Woodcutters Arms Pub & Grill (try their ribs)
Addo Elephant National Park: Main Camp Restaurant & Bar (try their traditional South African dishes), Addo Elephant Backpackers & Adventures Restaurant (try their pizzas)
Port Elizabeth: Baakens Food Truck Park (various food trucks serving delicious street food), The Bayside Pantry (try their sandwiches)
WHERE TO STAY:
Cape Town: Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel (luxury hotel in City Bowl area), Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point (budget friendly hotel near Sea Point Promenade)
Stellenbosch: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Stellenbosch wineries), Andros Luxury Suites Stellenbosch (budget friendly hotel in city center)
Hermanus: Marine Hermanus Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Walker Bay), Whale Watchers Hermanus B&B & Self Catering Accommodation (budget friendly accommodation near Whale Watching spot)
Mossel Bay: Mosselberg on Grotto Beach Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Diaz Beach), Diaz Beach Resort Apartments & Villas (budget friendly accommodation near Diaz Beach)
Oudtshoorn: De Zeekoe Guest Farm (luxury farm stay near Cango Wildlife Ranch), Cango Caves Guest House & Backpackers Lodge (budget friendly accommodation near Cango Caves)
Knysna: Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Knysna Waterfront), Areena Riverside Resort & Caravan Park (budget friendly accommodation near Knysna Lagoon)
Plettenberg Bay: The Plettenberg Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Robberg Nature Reserve), Beacon Isle Resort Apartments & Villas (budget friendly accommodation near Robberg Beach)
Nature’s Valley: Nature’s Valley Lodge & Chalets Resort (luxury resort near Nature’s Valley Beach), Nature’s Valley Rest Camp Cabins & Chalets Accommodation (budget friendly accommodation near Nature’s Valley Beach)
Tsitsikamma National Park: Tsitsikamma Village Inn Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel near Tsitsikamma National Park), Storms River Mouth Rest Camp Cabins Accommodation & Camping Site(budget friendly accommodation near Storms River Mouth hiking trails)
Addo Elephant National Park : Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Gondwana Lodges(luxury lodges in Addo Elephant National Park), Addo Elephant Backpackers & Adventures Cabins Accommodation( budget friendly accommodation in Addo Elephant National Park )
Port Elizabeth : Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth(luxury hotel in city center ), Hippo Backpackers Hostel( budget friendly hostel near Donkin Reserve )