Cape Town and Garden Route
South Africa · 9–12 days · Standard car
Cities, vineyards, mountains and the coast on South Africa's most approachable road trip.
Best season: September–April — Warmer coastal days; the route remains viable year-round.
Ordered route stops
- 1. Cape Town — City, Table Mountain and Cape Peninsula base.
- 2. Cape Winelands — Food, heritage and mountain scenery.
- 3. Oudtshoorn — Dry interior landscapes, caves and passes.
- 4. Wilderness and Knysna — Lagoons, forests and an easy multi-night base.
- 5. Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma — Coastal forest, trails and marine viewpoints.
- 6. Gqeberha — Airport endpoint and optional wildlife extension.
Suggested pacing
- Day 1: Arrive and settle into Cape Town — Collect the car only when you need it, keep the first day light and avoid leaving luggage visible in the vehicle.
- Day 2: Table Mountain and the city — Use the clearest weather window for the mountain and keep an indoor city alternative ready.
- Day 3: Cape Peninsula day — Make this a full daylight loop and choose fewer stops so the return to Cape Town is not rushed.
- Day 4: Cape Winelands — Choose one or two towns; arrange a driver or transfer if anyone in the group will be tasting wine.
- Day 5: Route 62 to Oudtshoorn — Cross into the Klein Karoo in daylight, confirm pass conditions and leave time for an afternoon activity.
- Day 6: Wilderness lakes and coast — Enter the Garden Route slowly with a lagoon, beach or short SANParks walk rather than stacking activities.
- Day 7: Knysna forests and lagoon — Use Knysna as a low-driving day for the lagoon, viewpoints and an established forest excursion.
- Day 8: Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma — Choose a coastal walk suited to the weather and check the relevant SANParks section, gate and access notice.
- Day 9: Continue to Gqeberha — Finish at the airport or add a separately booked Eastern Cape wildlife stay without forcing it into the same driving day.
Check before travel
- Do not leave belongings visible in parked vehicles.
- Allow for Cape Town traffic and avoid consecutive long driving days.
Official planning sources
Planning templates only. Verify road conditions, borders, park access, weather and safety with the linked official sources before travel.
Open the interactive Cape Town and Garden Route route planner
