Garden Route Road Trip

Day 1 - George + Wilderness

I flew into George Airport, however, you could do the drive up from Cape Town if you don't want to miss out on exploring some of the South-West Coastline and beautiful wine and fruit farms of the Cape.

George

@northofhannah

We didn't spend too long in George, so I can't recommend much there, but it is one of the biggest cities in the area, so you may want to stay longer and check it out.

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Elvis Brew Co

@northofhannah

A little farmstall on the road out from the airport owned by a local singer, Elvis Blue. Great service, super coffee and cute trinkets for sale.

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Victoria Bay

@northofhannah

Such a quaint, picturesque little town with clear blue water but not much to do. You probably won't spend more than 15 minutes walking around; unless you're a fisherman.

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Dolphin Point

@northofhannah

Stunning viewpoint over the river and old railway bridge. If you end up going down onto the beach, you can climb up the bridge and walk along it. Go in a group as there may be some stragglers.

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Garden Route National Park - Wilderness Section

@northofhannah

We only saw this park while completing the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail hike but we saw loads of people camping or kayaking along the river, so it would also be a great accommodation option if you're looking to go more rustic.

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Laughing Loerie Cottage

abnb.me

We highly recommend staying at the Laughing Loerie Cottage. It is tucked away in the trees and was in the perfect spot for us to get up early the next morning for our hike. It's also quite close to the centre of town with a few restaurants you can check out for dinner or drinks in the evening.

Day 2 - Wilderness

Half Collared Kingfisher Trail Gate (permit required)

@northofhannah

One of my favourite parts of the trip. I would do it every weekend if I lived in the area. The walk is far but not too tough, until you get to the waterfall (it's just a bit steeper with some stairs). But it was so worth it. You can picnic on the rocks and swim in the naturally orange and freezing water (from tannins). The scenery is incredibly beautiful, I could have lay on those warm rocks in the sun all day. Pack a hat, loads of water, some snacks (but leave no trace), your swim stuff and a hat; even though the walk is mostly shaded, the hot African sun will find a way to get you.

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Map of Africa

@northofhannah

The perfect touristy thing to do in the area. The river carves out the land to look like the continent of Africa. There isn't much else to see or do here, but the view and the sticker-covered signboard make for a great photo op!

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Wilderness Beach House Backpackers Lodge

@northofhannah

If you enjoy meeting cool locals and even some international travellers over a few drinks, live music and fantastic food, I recommend booking yourself in for at least 1 night here or even just pop in for a meal. The vibes are unmatched, the place is clean and run by such friendly, cool people. Definitely try their mediterranean platter, it is to DIE for. The beach is just below the backpackers so amble along for sunset or stop by for a mid-afternoon ice cream cone from the food truck.

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Day 3 - Sedgefield to Knysna

Sedgefield lies just between Wilderness and Knysna so you'll drive through it on your way. It is quiet and quite small so I wouldn't recommend staying over, but DEFINITELY try to time your trip so that you can stop in at Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market - they're only open on Saturday mornings so your window is a small one.

Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market

@northofhannah

I've been to my fair share of markets all over the world, they are my weakness. I can safely say that Wild Oats is the best one I have ever been to. The vibes, variety, people and even the smells of hot food, soaps and fresh flowers make it seem magical. Grab some delicious goods for the road or some souvenirs for home and support local at the same time!

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The Heads

@northofhannah

When in Knysna, stopping by the Heads Viewpoint is a non-negotiable. No matter how many times Ive seen them, I could go up and stare at them all day. They are breathtaking and great photos to send home.

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East Head Café Knysna

@northofhannah

If you're too hungry to make it all the way up to the top of the heads, stop in at East Head Cafe for panoramic views of the heads and bay. There's also a little hike along the beach and in the cliff face with some old caves and indigenous cave paintings that you can do to burn off the calories from all the yummy food.

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Tapas & Oysters

@northofhannah

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The Leisure Collective

@northofhannah

Another INCREDIBLE Airbnb find. Probably our best accommodation the entire trip. To be fair, we were on a budget, and I did splurge slightly on this one (still very cheap for all that comes with it though). If you don't feel like going out for dinner, grab some wine, a bit of meat and have a little braai. You can also use kayaks and bicycles (with baskets on the front eek!!!) for free! We rode around the island in the morning, stopping for coffee, going through Steenbok Nature Reserve and it was so much fun. They've since added a pool if you don't want to get salty and sandy in the ocean water - which is right on their doorstep too by the way.

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Day 4 - Knysna

Nadines Corner on Leisure Island

@northofhannah

On our free bikes from the Airbnb, we stopped in at Nadine's for coffee in the cold mornings and it very quickly became our favourite spot for a pick-me-up. They let us park our bikes there while we walked around the nature reserve. Such a great place with even better people!

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Steenbok Nature Reserve

@northofhannah

Recommendation: go at sunrise (or just after if you like sleep) or at sunset. It is beautiful to meander through, coffees in hand and people watch or snap some pics.

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île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery

@northofhannah

Comes highly recommended and is quite fancy but definitely worth it. Such a cool space and great for all the foodies out there.

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Ocean Sailing Charters - Boat Cruises Knysna - Sunset Cruises, Catamaran Yacht Charters

@northofhannah

A must-do on your visit to South Africa. Whether you hop on a catamaran in Cape Town or do it here, it's something you need to experience. You'll see beautiful wildlife and stunning views with a glass of bubbly in your hand. Certain charters and packages will let you swim in the clear blue water and even jump off the boat.

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Sirocco

@northofhannah

My dad took me out for dinner at Sirocco in Kalk Bay, Cape Town, and it was amazing so I highly recommend popping in for a nice dinner here after an afternoon on the catamaran - it is right at the dock too.

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Day 5 - Knysna to Plettenberg Bay

Coney Glen Beach Knysna

@northofhannah

This beach can be seen from the Eastern Head and has a wooden bridge that connects two rocks above the crashing waves. Great for pictures or even a picnic if you have time. It's also on the outskirts of Knysna, so a good stop on your way out and onto the next town.

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Noetzie

@northofhannah

This hidden gem beach has a coastline dotted with castles. They make for beautiful photos and the hike is a great workout too - there are a ton of stairs to get to and from the beach, so make sure you are wearing appropriate clothes and can manage a steep gradient.

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Whale Tail Lookout Point

@northofhannah

A typical spot for tourists to get a view of the Bay and maybe see a few whales in the distance. You can sit in the whale tail chair for a cute picture but in my opinion, the best view of the bay is from Robberg Nature Reserve.

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Plett On The Go

@northofhannah

Another popular spot for tourists, a tiny little takeaway seafood shop in the centre of town. A little bit more expensive than other places but the food is great and can be eaten at a viewpoint close by.

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Signal Hill View Point

@northofhannah

We took our Plett-On-The-Go fish and chips and ate a picnic lunch at this viewpoint. The seagulls circled around us and got brave enough to hover above our heads and sit on the railing hoping for some food. it was a lot of fun watching them. We felt safe but make sure there's more than one of you.

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The Wreck Beach

@northofhannah

At sunset, we took a scenic drive along the beach road, got out at a few lookout points and walked along this beach for a bit, but it was a chilly day and the water was not open to the public for swimming anyway due to a few recent shark attacks in the bay.

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We opted for a quiet night as we were waking up early the next morning for our highly-anticipated hike through Robberg Nature Reserve. The off-season in Plett is quiet anyway, so if you are looking for the vibrant nightlife of the town, opt to go in the peak of summer around December and New Years.

Day 6 - Plettenberg Bay

Robberg Nature Reserve

@northofhannah

This hike was quite gruelling but again, one of my favourite parts of the entire holiday. You don't have to hike the long route like we did and if you take enough water it would make it much more bearable, so I highly recommend this activity to anyone up for a moderate hike. Make sure you take a hat, loads of sunscreen, more water than you think you need and a fully charged camera with a zoom lens. You'll see hoards of seals, pods of dolphins, whales jumping and maybe even a shark or two circling below. It was indescribable and I would move to Plett just to go to Robberg every day. If you are travelling with a group, try to book the Fountain Shack in the reserve. It is so cute and sleeps 1-4 people (but up to 8 at an additional cost). It is well maintained, but the route to get there is not suitable for young children or those who struggle climbing. They have cooking utensils, solar powered lighting and limited hot water. This place is on my bucket list for sure!

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Old Nick Village

@northofhannah

No surprise here: it's another market! Definitely not as big as the Wild Oats market but a worthwhile visit. There is a textile-making factory that you can walk through while they are running the machinery - they supply earmuffs for the noise. There's also a chocolate shop where you have to try their chocolate shots and grab a few gifts to take home.

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There are a ton of places to stay here depending on your preference to location and your budget. You can get some really beautiful places that have stunning views of the ocean. My favourite site to find unique stays is Perfect Hideaways.

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route | Perfect Hideaways

www.perfecthideaways.co.za

Day 7 - Keurboomstrand, Tsitsikamma + Jeffrey's Bay

Keurboomstrand

@northofhannah

A great stop on your way out of town. A walk along the beach to get to a beautiful Arch Rock. Take a camera that has self timer, you don't want to miss out on snapping a picture of it. This is definitely a hidden gem as there is no real trail to get there, so please be careful, go in a group and ensure you time it right - only go at low tide, the link below explains the trouble we found ourselves in.

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Natures Valley

@northofhannah

If you have some time to waste and if you're not too tired from all the hiking I've been taking you on, stop in at Nature's Valley for a super cool experience. Now, this is such a local secret that there is hardly any information about it online. However, if you can, try and find a local to show you where the estuary is. You can hike to see it from above or even go for a swim, but be warned, you may bump into a few sharks. Don't worry, they're not human-biting ones from what I hear, but make sure you do your research first. I am putting this at the TOP of my bucket list so when I do, I'll update you on it. The link below is the only real information I have found on the idea. *Disclaimer: exploring this area and swimming in the water is at your own risk. Please be careful, take someone trusted with you and talk to the locals!

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Tsitsikamma National Park

@northofhannah

A truly mesmerising place that should be a requirement on this trip. More hiking is involved but it's worth it, I promise. We are hopefully going back soon to do the waterfall trail, but I recommend starting off with the rope bridge hike over the river mouth. Once you get to the rocky beach, the sound of the tumbling stones will put you in a trance; it is loud but so soothing. We continued the hike up the mountain and even though I complained the whole way, the view made it all worthwhile. We saw more whales but be sure to pack a war jersey, the wind is freezing at the top.

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Marilyn's 60's Diner

@northofhannah

You're bound to be hungry by the time you're done with all this exploring, so pop into this themed diner for lunch before or after exploring Tsitsikamma. The food is great but the best part is the decor, old cars and gaming consoles.

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Salted Surf School

@northofhannah

After a very long and busy day, head over for a coffee at Salted Surf School + Coffee. If you're up for it, go for a surf lesson with them as well.

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Like Plett, Jeffrey's Bay is a tourist town that peaks in the summer season so there are tons of rental options to choose from. It also means that if you want the renowned nightlife, December is the time to go. Prices also hit a peak over this time so off-season is better for a more budget-friendly trip.

Day 8 - Jeffrey’s Bay

Milkwood Market

@northofhannah

Unfortunately, this market is also only open on Saturday mornings, so try to take a full week to get from Sedgefield to J-Bay if you can afford to extend by a couple of days haha. You have to try a local favourite: Melkkos. It is warm and topped with cinnamon-sugar and you can eat it for breakfast. It's not very big but it's a cute morning outing of you're an early riser like me.

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Vismandjie

@northofhannah

My boyfriend's family regularly visit their beach house in J-Bay and no trip is complete without a takeaway from Vismandjie. It's relatively cheap but the food is amazing. Take your meal to the world-famous Supertubes surf spot for dinner and a view.

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Supertubes

@northofhannah

A must if you're a surfer. This sport hosts the annual J-Bay Open where professional surfers from all over the world come out to compete. Catch the sunset, maybe a few dolphins or a shark, all while eating your takeaway dinner. It gets chilly so make sure you're bundled up.

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Day 9 - Jeffrey’s Bay

Jan se Gat Waterfall

@northofhannah

Every time I have been in J-Bay, I have begged to go to this natural swimming hole but the weather or the timing just hasn't been on our side. Next time I'm there, come rain or shine, I'll make my way to Jan Se Gat. There's apparently a zipline and sometimes a small entrance fee depending on the time of year so be sure to have some cash on you.

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J-Bay Bru Co

@northofhannah

Another place I have yet to visit. You can do beer tastings, have yummy food or just take a pic in their converted vintage VW kombi. They are kid and dog friendly and even support a local dog charity through their house lager.

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Die Walskipper

@northofhannah

A seafood restaurant right on the beach, literally. The tables are on the sand and food is served hot off the braai (South African grill). I'll also be stopping here on my next trip to town.

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Day 10 - On past Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

Should you want to continue on past Port Elizabeth, here are a few recommendations further up towards the East Coast.

Nanaga Farmstall

@northofhannah

I spent years travelling the route from PE to Port Alfred for university and no drive was complete without a stop at this farmstall. It is a perfect place to stop for lunch or even a snack but you have to get one of their famous pies - bacon and cheese is my favourite. There are so many things to see and buy. Make sure to get some local fruit from the vendors in the parking lot, they cut you free samples as you walk in - the sweetest fruits you'll ever eat and some exotic varieties to try.

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Kenton-on-Sea

@northofhannah

A beautiful little seaside town, great for exploring or just meandering. Stop in at local favourites like M+m Coffee Shop or Pizzarella (a pizza place hidden in the trees with a great view of the river mouth if you get lucky to snatch that table).

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Shelly Bay

@northofhannah

Our favourite spot to visit on weekends as university students. It is a little bit of a hike to get there and is not very clearly marked, so do some research before you go or ask a local to show you the way, but it isn't too hard to find. My advice is not to go over the weekend as it is quite popular and the little enclave can get busy. Please be careful of the riptide and don't swim out too far in rough conditions. Even if the water is too cold for you, the place is beautiful for exploring and a picnic. Take a soccer or rugby ball too if you're in a group.

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Port Alfred

@northofhannah

I could make a whole new itinerary just for Port Alfred because we got so familiar with the quiet town over our four years of studying. There isn't much to do and you have to make your own fun but there are some beautiful views, nice restaurants (Tash's, Kenny's, Saloon, Cest la Vie, Kong Coffee, The Penny Farthing, etc). Be sure to stop in for ice creams and sea views at Waffle Zone and if you're looking for a little bit of a party, Guido's Bear Bar gets pumping on Wednesdays and Fridays or you could just go for the pool tables and slot machines.

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Hogsback

@northofhannah

If you're on your way up to Gauteng and have a few days to spare, stop in at Hogsback. It literally stepped out of a fantasy novel because it's where Lord of the Rings was inspired. The town is filled with great little shops, hikes and waterfalls, myths, legends and a lodge with a bathtub overlooking the valley (Away with the Fairies - Nature Lodge).

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If you want to continue up towards Durban, I have another itinerary dedicated to the East Coast, so check that out!

For a more personal description of this trip, you can head over to my website:

Garden Route | North of Hannah

northofhannah.wixsite.com

Or if you'd like a breakdown of the budget, our plans and exact route, check out the exact itinerary we created on Wanderlog:

Cape to Capital Road Trip | Wanderlog

wanderlog.com