Garden Route

A roughly 300 km coastal self-drive along the N2 from Mossel Bay to the Storms River mouth in Tsitsikamma, linking lagoons, primeval forest, and beach towns.

The Garden Route is South Africa's most famous self-drive road. It mainly follows the N2 highway eastward from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. It crosses the Bloukrans River into the Eastern Cape and reaches Tsitsikamma and the Storms River mouth. The total length is about 300 km, on a two-lane paved road in good condition. Highlights include the Bartolomeu Dias Museum and Cape St. Blaize at Mossel Bay; the Map of Africa viewpoint and the lagoon at Wilderness; Knysna Lagoon and its two headlands, The Heads; the Robberg Peninsula hikes and whale watching at Plettenberg Bay; the 216-metre bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge; and the Storms River suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park. A common route starts in Cape Town, taking Route 62 on the outbound leg through Montagu and Oudtshoorn, then crossing the Outeniqua Pass and descending to George to join the Garden Route. Stay 2–3 nights in Knysna or Plettenberg Bay, then return the car in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The Garden Route itself takes 3–7 days. Fuel and accommodation are easy to find along the way. South Africa drives on the left. Rural roads often have animals crossing at night, so avoid night driving, and do not leave valuables in the car when you park.

Garden Route

Along the route