Gateway to the Garden Route
The actual Garden Route officially begins at Mossel Bay and stretches over 300 kilometers to Storms River — but many travelers start in Cape Town and turn the drive into a multi-day road trip. The initial stages already offer world-class experiences:
Recommended Stages from Cape Town
- Day 1: Cape Town → Hermanus (120 km, 1.5h) — Over Sir Lowry's Pass and Clarence Drive to Hermanus. Afternoon: whale watching from the Cliff Path, dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.
- Day 2: Hermanus → Swellendam (165 km, 2h) — Through the Overberg landscape to the historic town of Swellendam (1745) at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Visit the Bontebok National Park and the Drostdy Museum.
- Day 3: Swellendam → Mossel Bay / Knysna — Official start of the Garden Route. Mossel Bay with surf beach and Dias Museum, or continue to Knysna with its famous lagoon and the Knysna Heads.
Road Trip Tips
The N2 is the main route — well-developed and easy to drive. For the Garden Route, you need at least 3–5 days from Cape Town and back. A rental car is essential — public transport is sparse on this route. Gas stations are regularly available, accommodations range from budget to luxury all along the route.
Alternatively: If you don't have time for the complete Garden Route, you can make Hermanus a day trip from Cape Town (120 km, about 1.5 hours each way) — especially during whale season, it's absolutely worthwhile.
