Cape Town & Garden Route
South Africa
South Africa's most celebrated road trip, from Cape Town's two-ocean peninsula along the Garden Route's coastal forest to Storms River. Chapman's Peak Drive, the whale nursery of Hermanus, the lagoon town of Knysna, the Tsitsikamma forest's 800-year-old yellowwood trees, and the Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump (the world's highest) are strung along a coast of extraordinary biodiversity.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Cape Town
Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and Bo-Kaap's pastel Cape Malay houses. The Cape of Good Hope crowns the peninsula's southern tip.
- Chapman's Peak Drive
One of the world's great coastal drives, 9 km of road carved into a sheer cliff above the Atlantic with 114 curves.
- Hermanus
The world's top land-based whale watching site. Southern right whales breed in Walker Bay from June to December, visible from the cliff path.
- Knysna
Two sandstone headlands frame the tidal lagoon's ocean entrance. Lagoon oysters, forest elephants, and a waterfront market define this Garden Route gem.
- Plettenberg Bay
A crescent of white sand between two rivers. Robberg Nature Reserve's peninsula walk circles a Cape fur seal colony above the Indian Ocean.
- Bloukrans Bridge
At 216 m above the gorge, the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. Even non-jumpers can walk the arch for vertiginous views.
- Storms River
Suspension bridges cross the Storms River mouth gorge. 800-year-old yellowwood trees and the start of the Otter Trail complete this wild finale.
Where to Eat
- The Test KitchenContemporary
An award-winning restaurant in Cape Town offering innovative dishes blending global flavors with local ingredients.
- La ColombeFrench
Nestled in Constantia, this fine dining spot serves exquisite French-Asian fusion cuisine amidst serene vineyard views.
- Fyn RestaurantJapanese
A chic eatery in Cape Town's city center, offering a unique Japanese-African fusion menu in a stylish setting.
- The Fat FishSeafood
Located in Plettenberg Bay, this restaurant offers fresh seafood dishes with stunning ocean views.
Things to Do
- Table Mountain Aerial CablewayScenic Viewpoint
Ride to the summit of Table Mountain for panoramic views of Cape Town and the surrounding coastline.
- Robben Island MuseumHistoric Site
Tour the former prison island where Nelson Mandela was held, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Knysna Elephant ParkNature
Experience close encounters with rescued elephants in a safe and educational environment.
- Tsitsikamma National ParkNational Park
Explore lush forests, dramatic coastlines, and the famous Storms River Mouth suspension bridge.