Garden Route Tours
Luxury Tours of the Garden Route
The Garden Route is South Africa’s great road trip: 300 kilometres of coastline, ancient forest, lagoons and mountain passes running east from Cape Town to the Port Elizabeth.
Hermanus is a top destination for whale watching, and the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, renowned for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Discover the tranquil beauty of Wilderness, golden beaches and marine life in Plettenberg Bay, and Knysna, famous for its oysters, lagoon, and dramatic cliffs, before the ancient forests of Tsitsikamma.
Wine, whales, coastal scenery, and the option of a Big Five safari, all along one unforgettable route.
Popular Garden Route Itineraries
These are simply handpicked suggestions for the kind of Garden Route tour you might have. Yours will be tailored and refined until it matches you completely.
Why Choose SmoothRed for Your Garden Route Holiday
For over 20 years, SmoothRed has specialised in tailormade wine travel. We craft itineraries along the Garden Route tours with depth, authenticity and seamless luxury.
We bring together first-hand knowledge of the region with professional wine expertise, ensuring every itinerary is genuinely curated, from the coastal drives and whale watching to the forest trails, fresh Knysna oysters and the moments in between.
With 24/7 support, a dedicated concierge service and our bespoke travel app, every detail is effortlessly managed, while ABTA and ATOL protection offers complete peace of mind.
Highlights of the Garden Route
Get started planning your perfect Garden Route itinerary with our travel guides. From food and wine to when and where to go, our inspirational articles are the perfect starting point.
Wines of the Garden Route
Most people drive the Garden Route for the scenery, the whales, and the forests. Wine is the unexpected dimension. The western gateway is the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, with emerging producers toward the eastern end in Plettenberg Bay.
Read our full wine guide for more information about the wines of the Garden Route and Eastern Cape.
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What to do along the Garden Route
The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most beloved road trips, earning its name and reputation at every scenic turn. It works as a destination in its own right or as the natural continuation of a Cape Town and Winelands trip.
Read our guide of what to do along the Garden Route for itinerary inspiration.
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When to Visit the Garden Route
The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most consistent destinations. Temperate conditions, moderate rainfall and mild temperatures make this a solid year-round choice.
We’re here to help you plan the perfect time to combine the Garden Route with the Cape Winelands calendar.
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Where to Eat Along the Garden Route
The Garden Route isn’t a concentrated food destination in the same way as Cape Town or Franschhoek. But it has exceptional dining experiences if you know where to look.
Following the region’s 300km coast, our guide gives you an overview of some of the top foods to try and restaurant suggestions along the way.
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We craft each itinerary just for you. Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable Garden Route journey.
Start PlanningFAQs About Tours Along the Garden Route
What are the top things to do along the Garden Route?
The top things to do along the Garden Route will vary based on your interests, but these are some of our Travel Designers’ favourites:
- Whale watching in Hermanus — from June to November, southern right whales migrate to the warmer waters to calve and can be seen from the cliffs
- Outdoor adventures in Wilderness — intrepid travellers are spoiled for choice in this charming village with the Wilderness National Park and hiking trails, river canoeing, beaches, and even paragliding
- Explore Tsitsikamma National Park — full of verdant cliffs and plunging gorges, this is a nature lover’s paradise. And for the brave, even bungee jumps off suspension bridges!
- Take a detour to Oudtshoorn — it’s well worth the journey, with subterranean limestone caves and an ostrich farm.
- Big Five safaris without flying — if you only have a couple days and don’t fancy internal flights to the Kruger region or Eastern Cape, a stay on Gondwana Private Game Reserve offers Big Five safaris and luxury lodges, just four hours from Cape Town.
- World-class golf courses — From Pinnacle Point and Fancourt to Pezula and Fynbos, there are a number of incredible courses along the Garden Route with stunning scenery.
How long does it take to drive the Garden Route?
If you drive the Garden Route straight through from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, it would take about 10 hours. With that said, we definitely recommend taking your time and spreading this over 5-7 days to enjoy the journey!
Is Plettenberg Bay worth visiting?
For wine lovers interested in an under-the-radar region, Plettenberg Bay is definitely worth visiting to try South Africa’s renowned Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines, which the small but mighty region is known for. Beyond the bubbly though, the town of Plettenberg Bay itself is charming with expansive sea views and coastal hiking trails. It’s also near the Addo Elephant Park, a well-loved Big Five reserve.
What is the best time to visit the Garden Route?
From November to April, is the best window to visit the Garden Route, when the scenery bursts into bloom and flowers across South Africa’s summer season. Weather stays balmy, rarely under 18°C and the perfect respite from the northern hemisphere’s winter.
This also coincides with the perfect time to visit Cape Town and the Winelands, so you can enjoy a well-rounded South African holiday experience.
How many days do I need for the Garden Route?
How many days you need for the Garden Route depends entirely on how much you’d like to do (and trust us, there’s a lot). We recommend a minimum of four nights, but for more in-depth tours along this diverse coastline, you could spend up to two weeks!
Combine with 2-3 nights each in Cape Town and Winelands for a nice 8-12 day South African itinerary.
What wines are grown on the Garden Route?
While the Garden Route is less well-known for wine than the Western Cape, you can find pockets of wine estates around Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. With cooling maritime breezes, you’ll find grape varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
Have more questions?
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