Garden Route

South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini

$26.99

Shop Book

Misty beach in sunset light. Shot on the Otter trail in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Garden Route area, Western Cape, South Africa. ; Shutterstock ID 270602708; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

Shutterstock / PhotoSky

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Garden Route. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Get Inspired

Overview

High on the must-see lists of most visitors to South Africa is the Garden Route, and with good reason: you can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty. The distance from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east is just over 200km, yet the range of topography, vegetation, wildlife and outdoor activities is remarkable.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Dias Museum Complex

Garden Route

This excellent museum offers insight into Mossel Bay's role as an early stomping ground for European sailors. Named for 15th-century Portuguese explorer…

Knysna Lagoon

Knysna

The Knysna Lagoon opens between two sandstone cliffs known as the Heads – once proclaimed by the British Royal Navy to be the most dangerous harbour…

Garden Route National Park (Wilderness Section)

Garden Route

Formerly the Wilderness National Park, this section has now been incorporated into the vast and scattered Garden Route National Park along with the Knysna…

Monkeyland

Plettenberg Bay

This very popular attraction helps rehabilitate wild monkeys that have been in zoos or private homes. The walking safari through a dense forest and across…

Robberg Nature & Marine Reserve

Garden Route

This reserve, 8km southeast of Plettenberg Bay, protects a 4km-long peninsula with a rugged coastline of cliffs and rocks. There are three circular day…

Goukamma Nature Reserve

Garden Route

This reserve is accessible from the Buffalo Bay road, and protects 14km of rocky coastline, sandstone cliffs, dunes covered with coastal fynbos (fine bush…

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Garden Route

This reserve contains a vast range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and giraffes. Day visitors are welcome for a variety of…

Outeniqua Transport Museum

Garden Route

The starting point and terminus for journeys on the Outeniqua Power Van, this museum is worth a visit if you’re even remotely interested in trains. A…

View more attractions

Plan with a local