Garden Route
Indigenous forest, lagoon towns, and elephant reserves along the N2 between Mossel Bay and Storms River. Add a Cape Town start for the perfect 5–7 day Western Cape loop.
The Garden Route is a 300 km highway in Western Cape, South Africa. It runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River in about 10 hours of driving. Highlights include Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma. Best driven October – April; rated easy difficulty.
- Road length
- 300 km
- Duration
- 10 hrs
- Vehicle
- Car
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best season
- October – April
- Likes
- 8,200
Road length is the scenic route itself — your actual door-to-door driving distance depends on where you start and which stops you take.
Best time to drive
October – April
Expect more visitors over December–February; shoulder months are usually quieter and often offer better light.
General guidance only — always confirm local road and weather conditions before departure.
How many days for Garden Route?
Plan around 2 days for this route.
At ~5 hours of driving a day, you'll want 1 overnight stop along the way. The route has 4 recommended stops to help you break it up.
Estimate based on total driving time — actual pace depends on stops, traffic, and breaks.
The route at a glance
Stops along the way
- ●
- 01Open in MapsMossel Bay
Diaz Museum and dolphin spotting.
- 02Open in MapsWilderness
Lagoon kayaks and rail trail.
- 03Open in MapsKnysna
Oysters at the Heads.
- 04Open in MapsTsitsikamma
Suspension bridge and forest hikes.
- ◆
Travel tips
- ★Add 2 days for Cape Town start.
- ★Self-drive elephant park near Plettenberg Bay.
- ★Greater Addo NP at the end for big game.
Music for the road
AI-curated mood for this route — open in your favorite player.
Community comments
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Frequently asked
How long does it take to drive the Garden Route?
The Garden Route takes about 10 hours of driving non-stop to cover its 300 km. Actual trip length depends on how often you stop at viewpoints and towns along the way.
How long is the Garden Route?
The Garden Route is 300 km long, running from Mossel Bay to Storms River.
When is the best time to drive the Garden Route?
Best driven October – April. Expect more visitors over December–February; shoulder months are usually quieter and often offer better light.
Is the Garden Route hard to drive?
The Garden Route is rated easy difficulty. It is classified as a highway.
What are the main stops on the Garden Route?
The route runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River, with key stops including Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma.
Where is the Garden Route?
The Garden Route is located in Western Cape, South Africa. It runs between Mossel Bay and Storms River.