Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of the most famous road trips in the world, and for good reason. Stretching along the southern coast of South Africa, this ribbon of coastline encompasses ancient forests, turquoise lagoons, dramatic cliff faces, and charming seaside towns. With Mike as your private guide, you will experience the Garden Route at your own pace, stopping where you want and spending as long as you like at each destination.

Your journey begins with a drive from Cape Town over the mountain passes of the Overberg, arriving on the coast at Wilderness, a paradise of river estuaries, lakes, and long sandy beaches backed by indigenous forest. The birdlife here is exceptional, with kingfishers, herons, and the elusive Knysna Lourie among the species you may spot.

Knysna is the jewel of the Garden Route, a bustling waterfront town set on the banks of a vast tidal lagoon guarded by two towering sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. You will have time to explore the Knysna Waterfront, taste locally farmed oysters, and take in the views from the Eastern Head lookout. Nearby, the ancient Knysna Forest is home to towering yellowwood trees and the last remnants of the once-great herds of Knysna elephants.

A highlight for many visitors is the detour inland to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, nestled in the Klein Karoo. Here you can visit a working ostrich farm, explore the spectacular Cango Caves with their vast chambers and delicate dripstone formations, and drive through the dramatic Swartberg Pass, one of the finest mountain passes in South Africa.

The journey reaches its climax at Tsitsikamma National Park, where the famous suspension bridge spans the mouth of the Storms River. The sight of the narrow gorge below, with deep green water churning between ancient rock faces, is genuinely awe-inspiring. Forest walks, coastal hikes, and the sheer tranquillity of this protected wilderness make it a fitting finale to one of the great journeys of the African continent.