The Amazing Garden Route - South Africa's Western Cape - from Cape Town

Destinations > Africa > South Africa > Western Cape: The Amazing Garden Route

Seeing it all in Southern Africa

If you landed on this page but want to see all of the highlights of Southern Africa by starting in Cape Town - including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and ending in Zimbabwe - then you could simply skip this article and go straight to booking the 20-Day Africa on a Shoestring tour instead. You can thank us later! However, if you’re putting together your own trip and sticking to the Cape Town and Western Cape area, you have come to the right place!

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Cape Town & The Western Cape

While most people think about Cape Town when they think about the Western Cape, this is not the only place worth exploring. As you can see from the map below, you could drive for quite a few hours north or east and still be within the Western Cape. This is a list of some of the best places to see along the Garden Route. However, you will need to rent a car first as it is not advisable to take the public transportation in Cape Town and it is not possible to travel effectively outside of the Cape Town area without a car, so a car or a tour - like the Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park 5-Day Safari or the is absolutely necessary!

Renting a Car in South Africa

Renting a car in South Africa is the best way to explore the country and the Garden Route, plus driving is relatively easy in the country. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace a see place that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport. We used Sixt Car Rental to rent our car.

Areas of the Western Cape: The Garden Route

If you are looking to explore a bit more of South Africa on your trip to Cape Town, it is imperative that you check out the Garden Route to make your experience much better! From Hermanus to Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn - the Capital of the Klein Karoo - to Plettenberg Bay. Here are a few of the best places to see along your journey: Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn - the Klein Karoo, and Plettenberg Bay.

Mossel Bay Area

1. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Fine Luxury Lodges & an Explorer Camp. Reserve the Dwyka Tented Lodge, the Gondwana Family Lodge, the Tilney Manor, or the Sanbona Explorer. This one is sold as a VIP fully pampered experience. Booking in advance is essential - there are no walk-ins here.

2. Garden Route Game Lodge & Safari Tours

Big game safaris are available for guests at the Game Lodge - including an “Overnight Safari and an “Overnight Safari Self Drive”). They have the Ayana Spa for wellness and relaxation, a few chalets (2 bedroom family units), standard 1 room units, and five luxury free standing rooms that are perched atop a small ridge and offer 180 degree views of the game reserve with magical sunsets.

3. Indalu Game Reserve & Elephant Experience

Get up close and personal with elephants while in their natural environment. They have guided walks with elephants, elephant interactions, and elephant feeding. They do not have elephant rides.

4. Botlierskop Day Safaris

Fine Luxury tented suites on private wooden decks which have “breathtaking views”, as well as 7 bedroom Manor house suites that have a view of the plains where game animals roam. The Bush Villas are 3 bedroom self-catering villas which overlook the waterhole - some also have a pool. The resort also has a full spa and even Horseback Safaris as well.

5. Point of Human Origins

Take a 90 minute guided visit to Pinnacle Point cave and experience a journey of space, time, and even within yourself to a world renowned archaeological site with early evidence for modern human behavior. “175 steps to discover 162,000 years of our origins”.

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Oudtshoorn Area - The Capital of the Klein Karoo

1. Swartberg Pass

Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this pass runs between Prince Albert in the north and Oudtshoorn in the south. If you are taking Highway 1 through Paarl to start your Garden Route trip, this would be a great place to make your way into the Oudtshoorn / Klein Karoo area. However, keep in mind that this pass is not paved - it is a gravel road and we recommended that you use a 4-wheel drive vehicle as some parts can really make you feel uneasy while driving the cliff-sides. It can also be dangerous after rainfall. The views from the top are incredibly amazing, as is the pass itself. We also managed to see a group of baboons near the northern entrance!

2. Cango Wildlife Ranch

A 100% wheelchair friendly accredited zoological facility with over 90 species of animals, the Cango Wildlife Ranch is open 365 days a year from 08:30 until 16:30/17:00. Home to Cheetahs, white lions, pygmy hippos, and radiated tortoises. Guided tours are included in the entrance fees, however children 4 and under are free (also free on your birthday - ID required). VIP tours, including cheetah walks and “behind-the-scenes” tours are also available. Check out the World’s 1st Croc-Cage Diving experience! There is also a KidZone, a snake park & aviary, and restaurants in the facilities.

3. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Find Luxury Air-Conditioned En-Suite Tented accommodations here at Buffelsdrift. You can see rhino, zebra, elephants, cape buffalo, eland, springbok, giraffe, and hippo - as well as over 200 bird species at this location. They also do Safari Game Drives, Meerkat Safaris, and Elephant Feedings, Elephant Interactions, and Elephant Walks.

4. Cango Caves

The most amazing caves that we have ever seen! And we only did the 60 minute Heritage tour, which is an easy walk through the first six largest and most spectacular halls with a few stairways. There is also a 90 minute Adventure tour that visits the deepest sections of the cave with exciting passages and narrow tunnels (lean people only). The cave system is also a fascinating pilgrimage through time. One of South Africa’s most frequently visited tourist attractions.

5. Highgate Ostrich Show Farm

Take an Ostrich Tour to learn the story of ostriches, ostrich farming, and ostrich breeding. Meet ostriches face to face, feed them by hand, and visit the hatching room. See how crafts are made using their feathers, eggs, and leather. The curios shop has genuine South African made products using resources produced on the farm. They also have a Pepper Tree restaurant, which specializes in local cuisine in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

Plettenberg Bay Area

1. Knysna Heads

One of the most amazing sights along the Garden Route - without question - is the beauty of the Knysna Heads. Standing like sentries guarding the Knysna lagoon and town, these two formidable cliffs stand guard and stop the amazing power of the ocean ocean waters which surge and crash through the passage between them. The Eastern Head offers spectacular panoramic views of Leisure Isle and the lagoon. The Western Head is home to the Knysna Featherbed Nature Reserve, which you can visit by catching a ferry from the Knysna waterfront - which depart every 4 hours. Additionally, not far away is Knoetzi Beach and Castles, which are absolutely gorgeous! If you’re looking for great value, check out the Under Milkwood Resort. Alternatively, check out The Alexander Botique Suites, Knysna for a 5-star experience!

2. Knysna Elephant Park

Literally sleep in the same facility as the elephants in the Elephant Lodge: Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest Lodge. Additionally, you can volunteer, go on elephant walks, have a breakfast picnic walk, have a tailor made package, eat at their Indlovu Cafe, have weddings and other functions, and take daily tours - where you can interact with, feed, and walk amongst their herd of elephants.

3. Eden Adventures

Experienced guides provided by Fairy Knowe Hotel that specialize in half-day Abseiling, Kloofing/Canyoning, Canoeing, and Team Building experiences. The canoes are similar to large sized 2-seater kayaks with waterproof buckets. The Canyoning experience is a 4-5 hour adventure through Cappuccino Canyon’s forest atmosphere with a number of optional jumps making it perfect for beginners or experienced canyoneers - with a forest walk, boulder hopping, and swimming. Abseiling is at the Kaaimans Gorge waterfall. No experience necessary. Not for the faint-hearted. Combine tours for a full day excursion.

4. AfriCanyon & AfriAbseil

Similar to the Eden Adventures, AfriCanyon offers Canyoning/Kloofing, and Abseiling experiences. Canyoning experiences can be 2 or 4 hour trips with professionally trained guides to navigate the river shallows, slide down natural waterslides, swim through rock pools and abseil waterfalls. Wetsuits are provided. Optional abseils, zip-line, and cliff jumps to make it perfect for all experience levels. Abseil Adventure is a DRY experience that requires climbing via Ferrata, the ladder-like system of steps, to then descend a 50 meter rock-face to the banks of an ancient river - near the waterfall. Minimum age of 8 for canyoning and 10 for abseiling.

5. Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

A 2 ½ to 3 hour zip-line adventure as high as 30 meters above the ground, in the giant trees. Learn about the majestic forest while you glide from one platform to the other. Get an amazing view of the forest from 10 different platforms with excellent views. You may even sight Knysna Loeries or the Narina Trogon! This facility has high safety standards and participates in responsible tourism initiatives as well as community projects. Pregnant ladies not permitted to participate. Physically challenged can be accommodated on merit. Maximum weight is 120 kg. Bookings are essential.

6. Tsitsikamma National Park

Forming the top section of the magnificent Garden Route National Park, this is one of the most multi-dimensional National Parks in the world, with just about everything that you can imagine. You can go diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, swimming, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, sailing, wale watching, and bungee jumping along the dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers, lush forests and delicate Fynbos. The Otter Trail, one of the best trails in the world, is among the many nature walks in this National Park - as well as the fully inclusive Dolphin Trail that includes portage. “It’s a hiking and water sports paradise”.

7. Kayak and Lilo Adventures

Untouched Adventures from Storms River Mouth, in Tsitsikamma National Park - known for its indigenous forests, Otter Trail, and dramatic coastline, where you’ll kayak under the suspension bridge and up the Storms River Gorge. You’ll then explore deeper into the gorge with uniquely designed lilos and even have the choice of leaping from the cliffs into deep pools if you desire.

8. Woodcutters Journey

One of the most pristine and sensitive areas in the world. See “The Human Tree” that has a face among over 100 different tree species including the giant Outeniqua yellowwoods. Enjoy a 2 course meal while searching for the Narina Trogon bird. Easy drive and walk, 2 to 2 1/2 hours in duration, all weather conditions. Bookings essential.

An Amazing Adventure that takes you through the Garden Route!

Check out this guide for more information!

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