The ultimate South African Road Trip itinerary: Scenic Drive through the Garden Route

June 15, 2025

Tarlen

South Africa was made for road trips. This is not hard to consider if you’ve done any travelling and experienced the coast drives, mountains, deserts and diverse wildlife. This means that almost any lengthy trip in South Africa is an adventure, from the most popular ones like Chapman’s Peak in the Cape Peninsula, to fynbos-rich mountains, Karoo plains and forests.

In fact, the Garden Route drive appears on almost every “best road-trip list” in South Africa and the world and has received multiple Sustainable Tourism awards. It checks all the right boxes, the driving conditions are always good and the views are always magnificent. The road is sandwiched between the mountains and the coast, so you get to experience the snow-covered mountain tops in the winter, the summer crowd out surfing in the summer, the whale migration and the very diverse and beautiful wildlife, vegetation and flowers.

South African roads even support 24/7 services; petrol stations are full-service and open day and night to make your experience an easy and remarkable one when taking a road trip in South Africa.

Planning your Road Trip

Planning is a huge part of the trip. The first step is deciding what time of the year you want to take your trip. This of course depends on what you want to do. The summer (Nov – Feb) brings the heat, the bloom and the wildflowers. The winter (Jun – Aug) brings the whales to Hermanus.

When planning, remember to reserve your accommodations in advance and rent a car for your trip in advance, especially if your trip is booked for the peak season.

💡 To rent cars, Tarlen Carshare is a peer to peer car rental platform that allows you rent sustainably from owners. In 2025, we’re looking for ways to be kinder to the earth, and Tarlen is a platform that helps you do that while also supporting the local community that you’re visiting.

Always carry your international driver’s license when renting a car in South Africa, and if it’s not in English, make sure to prepare a certified translated copy.

Pack smart: Besides clothing for sun and some rain, include a road-trip survival kit (see below) with maps or GPS (don’t rely solely on phone signals), snacks and water. Plan your route and daily mileage in advance, leave a little wiggle room for unplanned issues and share your itinerary with someone who’s not on the trip with you.

Schedule regular petrol stops (fuel is sold by the liter in cash or card) and use full-service stations – attendants will check your oil, water and tyres at no extra cost. Avoid driving at night or in bad weather if possible. And don’t forget travel insurance, a local SIM card or Wi-Fi for navigation and emergencies.

Route Overview: Cape Town to Wilderness (Garden Route)

From Cape Town, the best route to Wilderness is the 442 km direct drive. This route takes you through the N2 highway out of Cape Town.

In the first 100km, if you’re not in a rush, you can make a detour to Cape Point and Boulders Beach. The air in Cape Point is said to be the freshest and cleanest in the world due to the South Eastern winds that brings the Arctic air with it.

Boulder Beach offers a public bay where visitors can witness free-roaming African penguins in their natural habitat. You get an up close and personal experience with these charming guys.

300km into the trip, you will arrive at Mossel Bay, a quaint little town that has some interesting seaside trails you can walk in.

Leaving Mossel Bay, the N2 runs along the coast with the most gorgeous ocean view you have ever seen, passing George, Wilderness and then Knysna.

To add more variety to your trip, you can break from the coast at Swellendam or Barrydale and head north on Route 62 through the Little Karoo.

This inland route cuts through mountain passes and wine valleys and takes you to Oudtshoorn (the ostrich capital) before dropping into the Outeniqua Pass into Garden Route.

Whatever route you take, once you reach the border of the Eastern Cape, you’ll have explored some of South Africa’s most beautiful drives.

Day-by-Day Garden Route Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town to Hermanus:

Start your trip in Cape Town with the classic Cape Town road trip – If time allows, spin out onto Chapman’s Peak Drive or Signal Hill to watch the sun rise over the city. Then drive east along the False Bay coast, stopping at Boulders Beach (Simon’s Town) for the penguins and the Cape of Good Hope Reserve.

By afternoon you’ll reach Hermanus, famous among tourists/locals for whale watching (especially between June to December). Walk the cliff path (with pull-off viewpoints) in town, and sample the local seafood. You can do an overnight stay in seaside Hermanus or nearby Villiersdorp.

Day 2: Hermanus to Oudtshoorn (via Route 62):

Head inland to Swellendam, a quiet Cape Dutch town. Here you can join the Route 62 drive (also on our lists of “best road trip in South Africa”). The highway climbs through the mountains to Montagu, where hot springs and rock climbing attacts visitors, then continue through the Klein Karoo villages of Barrydale and Calitzdorp.

In Calitzdorp the red wines are famous, and just past there look for the popular “Ronnie’s Sex Shop” bar. You should arrive in Oudtshoorn by late afternoon, there you could explore the ostrich farms and the Cango Caves (an underground cave with stalactites).

Day 3: Explore Oudtshoorn:

Spend the morning touring an ostrich farm (you can even ride an ostrich!) or exploring the caves. In the afternoon, drive up the Swartberg Pass (a gravel mountain road toward Prince Albert) to experience the Karoo views and catch the sunset glow on the Swartberg Mountains on the way back.

Sample Karoo lamb at a local restaurant or enjoy a “braai” (barbecue). You can also consider a night drive to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Day 4: Oudtshoorn to Wilderness (Outeniqua Pass):

As you leave Oudtshoorn, head south toward George. After Robertson and the Kingna Reservoir, the road goes into the 800m-high Outeniqua Pass. You’ll be tempted and should definitely stop at any of the viewpoints for the beautiful view of George and the Outeniqua Mountains.

On the other side of the road, there’s also a view of George’s botanical gardens. After taking in the view, continue to the small coastal town of Wilderness. Here you relax on the white-sand beach or canoe on the Serpentine or Touws River.

Day 5: Knysna & Plettenberg Bay:

From Wilderness, head to Knysna, famous for its lagoon and the sea cliffs. If you make a stop there, you won’t regret also sampling some oysters at any of the waterside restaurants. Then proceed to Plettenberg Bay (“Plett”), a beach lover’s paradise. Walk the Robberg Nature Reserve peninsula, enjoy the seal colonies and if you’re lucky, you might get to see a whale breach. End the day with sunset drinks at one of Plett’s ocean-view cafés.

Day 6: Tsitsikamma and Storms River.

Your final stretch of the Garden Route trip would be the lush Tsitsikamma. If you follow the N2 east, it leads to Tsitsikamma National Park and the Storms River mouth. Here you can walk the suspension footbridge across the gorge, or even bungee from Bloukrans Bridge (the world’s highest commercial bungee).

For a peaceful hike, try the start of the Otter Trail along the coast. From the Storms River Village, you can either continue to Port Elizabeth or back towards Cape Town.

Hidden Gems & Photo Ops

While the main route has bucket-list sights, some offbeat stops can make the trip extra special. Before leaving Cape Town, swing by Betty’s Bay (about 60 km east of Hermanus).

Here Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to an African penguin colony, similar to Boulders Beach but much quieter. Capture great close-up shots of these tuxedo birds.

Back on the Garden Route, look for Sedgefield – a “slow town” between Wilderness and Knysna. Its Saturday Wild Oats Market is a local favorite: farmers and artisans gather with fresh produce, baked goods and crafts.

Enjoy a coffee on a garden patio under giant milkwood trees. Nearby, Sedgefield Beach is a sheltered, quiet spot with dunes and tidal pools – a perfect sunset photo op.

Further east, just off the N2 near Plettenberg Bay, stop at Thyme & Again farmstall. It’s easy to miss it, but inside you’ll find delicious homemade rusks, fudge and farm cheeses. In Plettenberg itself, explore The Old Nick Village, full of quirky boutiques and a leafy pub garden for a relaxed lunch.

Another offbeat highlight is the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George. (Car lovers will love seeing vintage steam trains and classic cars on display.) And if you have time, spend a night in a basic hut at Robberg Nature Reserve – a secluded way to experience beaches and birds before (or after) the crowds arrive.

Each of these lesser-known stops adds a local flavor to your trip.

Road Trip Survival Kit

A big part of preparation for your road trips is packing all the essentials and planning for extreme situations during your trip, so here’s a list of essentials you should pack in your road trip survival kit:

Navigation and Communication: Bring a GPS unit or download offline maps on Google Maps. The Tracks4Africa offers offline maps and the iOverlander app which is invaluable for finding off-grid campsites and water points. A printed map can also help when cell service is spotty. Always charge your phone and keep a car charger handy.

Food & Water: Stock up on padkos (“road food”) from a local farmstall. Think dried fruit, granola or popcorn – non-messy snackables. South African staples like biltong (cured beef) or droëwors (spiced sausage) give protein and are perfect on long drives. Carry plenty of bottled water, and pack tissues or wet wipes. A cooler box will keep drinks and fresh picnic supplies cold.

Emergency Gear: Even if you rent, bring a basic car kit. This means a flashlight (torch) with spare batteries, a first-aid kit, a multi-tool, jumper cables and a portable tyre pump. Keep an umbrella or rain jacket, breakdowns in the rain can become miserable otherwise. Don’t forget toilet paper and hand sanitizer for rest stops.

Inspect the car before you lead: Before you leave, double-check that oil, coolant and tyre pressures are all good – petrol attendants will gladly top them up, and don’t forget to tip.

Entertainment: A road trip playlist, audiobook or podcast can make the kilometers fly by. Download music or audiobooks from Spotify, Apple or Audible. Bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen – coastal glare and high mountain sun can be intense.

With this kit and a little flexibility, the journey becomes very fun and you can handle any travel incident with a lot of confidence. You’ll be ready for selfies at overlooks, sunset beach walks, or impromptu roadside braais under the starlit sky.

Safety Tips & Responsible Travel

Road-tripping in South Africa is fun but calls for some common sense and calm informed decision making.

Always keep your car doors locked and windows closed, especially at traffic lights or in towns.
Never pick up hitchhikers, if someone seems in need, drive to the next safe village and alert authorities there.
Remove valuables from sight and lock them in the trunk when leaving the car.
Park in well-lit, busy areas at night.
Avoid unpaved backroads and walking alone at dawn or dusk.
If locals warn you certain areas are risky, take their advice.
Drive cautiously. Observe speed limits (120 km/h on highways, 100 km/h on rural roads, 60 km/h in towns) and buckle up (seat belts are mandatory).
Keep headlights on in poor visibility or in game areas, you may encounter sheep, cattle or even antelope on unfenced roads.
Fill up early: petrol stations are abundant on main routes, but may be far apart in remote areas.
If you see unusual debris or stones on the road, carefully drive around them rather than stopping, some scammers lay obstacles to force cars to pull over.
Be a responsible traveler: avoid littering (carry a small trash bag), stay on marked trails (to protect fynbos and wildlife), and don’t feed wild animals or stray pets.
Support local communities when you can: buy souvenirs from township artisans, eat at family-run guesthouses or farm stalls, and consider a tour with local guides.
Platforms like Tarlen Carshare also help the economy by helping you rent cars from local trusted car owners.
In parks, follow rules (no off-road driving or campfires outside marked areas) to safeguard fragile ecosystems.
With respectful behavior and vigilance, you’ll be safe and you’ll leave a positive impact on the places you visit.

In case of emergency, dial the national numbers, 10111 for police or fire, 10117 for ambulanc. For roadside assistance in Gauteng, Cape Town or elsewhere, Emergency Medical Services (ER24) is available at 084-124. Keep these handy in your phone, along with your accommodation’s contact.

Resources & Downloads

To make your planning easier, check out these handy resources and apps:

Offline Maps: Download the specialized Tracks4Africa app. Works without the internet and covers remote backroads.
Packing List: (Downloadable), A quick road trip checklist should include your driver’s license/passport, copies of insurance, and a list of emergency numbers. Write down your route and send it to a friend.
Local Language Aid: Install a simple Afrikaans phrasebook app. Knowing words like padkos (road food), braai(barbecue) or dankie (thank you) can enhance your experience.

Each of these tools will help you hit the road with confidence. With routes planned, hazards avoided and the right kit, your South African road trip is set to be one of the best road trips in South Africa.