How to drive the scenic Garden Route in South Africa?
The Garden Route (Afrikaans: Tuinroete) is a 300-kilometer (190 mi) scenic drive along the south-eastern coast of South Africa. The route follows the N2 road, running through a green landscape of coastal forests, estuaries, and lakes sandwiched between the mountains and the Indian Ocean.
| Road facts: Garden Route | |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern Coast (Western Cape to Eastern Cape), South Africa |
| Length | 300 km (190 miles) |
| Primary Road | N2 highway |
| Surface | Fully paved |
Where does the Garden Route start and end?
The Garden Route is commonly accepted to start in Mossel Bay in South Africa’s Western Cape and to run as far as Storms River in the Eastern Cape, covering a distance of around 190 miles (300 kilometers). Some wider definitions extend the starting point further west to Witsand, while the broader road trip corridor connects the city of Cape Town to Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth).
Why is it called the Garden Route?
The name comes from the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered along the coastline, as well as the numerous estuaries and lakes. The route is named for the lush coastal forests that line the wide sandy beaches, such as those in Tsitsikamma (pronounced ‘Titzee-car-mah') National Park, where rare forest elephants are rumoured to still walk among the huge old trees.
Is the Garden Route paved?
The road is fully paved and in very good condition. The route runs along a coast-hugging highway sandwiched between the mountains and the Indian Ocean. Mountain passes, including the Outeniqua Pass and Garcia's Pass, link the coastal area with the arid Little Karoo region.
Is it safe to self drive the Garden Route in South Africa?
The Garden Route is known as one of the safest regions in South Africa. This popular route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth is traveled by thousands of tourists each year, which has led to a good infrastructure with safe accommodations and secured parking.
Is it worth doing the Garden Route in South Africa?
The drive consistently ranks highly among the world's best road trips, offering a mix of mountains, beaches, forests, and wildlife. The route winds past world-class beaches, colourful seaside towns, and untouched natural forests like Tsitsikamma National Park, which is rumoured to still have rare forest elephants walking among the old trees.
When is the best time to drive the Garden Route?
December to February is summer, bringing warm days ideal for watersports, coastal hiking, and beach hopping. The forests are at their greenest, but summer is peak season, so accommodations book up in advance at spots like Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. In autumn (March to May), evenings cool down, popular areas are quieter, and the weather is suitable for outdoor adventures and wine tasting.
Winter (June to August) can present blustery conditions, but, like spring (September to November), it is the best time of year for whale-watching, with humpback whale sightings peaking between July and October. Additionally, July and August are ideal for safaris because the drier vegetation makes animals easier to spot.