From Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is one of the world's great road trips. Use Knysna as your base and explore at your own pace.
The Garden Route stretches for approximately 300 kilometres along the southern coast of South Africa, from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east. It is one of the country's most celebrated drives, and for good reason — the scenery is extraordinary, the towns are charming, and the outdoor activities are world-class.
Day 1–2: Arrive in Knysna
Begin your journey in Knysna, the jewel of the Garden Route. Check in to Naxos, settle onto your balcony with a glass of local wine, and let the lagoon views do their work. Spend your first full day exploring the town — the waterfront, the craft market, and the Knysna Heads are all within easy reach.
Day 3: The Tsitsikamma
Drive east to the Tsitsikamma National Park, one of South Africa's most beautiful protected areas. The Storms River Mouth trail is a highlight — a short walk through ancient forest to a suspension bridge over the river gorge. Return to Knysna for the night.
Day 4: Wilderness and the Outeniqua Mountains
Head west to Wilderness, a small town set between the Touw River and the sea. The beaches here are long and wild, and the birdlife in the Wilderness National Park is exceptional. On the way back, consider the Outeniqua Pass for mountain views.
Day 5: Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as it is known locally, is the Garden Route's most glamorous town. The beaches are spectacular, and Robberg Nature Reserve — a peninsula of rock and sea — is one of the finest short hikes in the country. Whale and dolphin sightings are common.
Day 6: Knysna Forest
The Knysna Forest is one of the last remaining patches of indigenous forest in South Africa, and it is home to the famous Knysna elephants. The Big Tree trail is a gentle walk to a 600-year-old yellowwood tree. The forest has a particular quality of light and silence that is deeply restorative.
Day 7: Farewell from the Lagoon
Spend your final morning on your balcony at Naxos, watching the light change over the Heads. A slow breakfast, a last walk along the waterfront, and then the long drive home — carrying the Garden Route with you.
Naxos Knysna
Knysna, South Africa
