How long is the Cape Town to Gqeberha: The Garden Route route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Year-round; beaches Nov to Mar, whales June to November.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Cape Town to Gqeberha: The Garden Route

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The route · 7 stops

Cape Town

2 nights

Start in South Africa’s mother city, with Table Mountain as your anchor point. Take the cable car for sweeping views across the Cape Peninsula, then explore the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island or Boulders Beach for African penguins. Pick up the hire car, stock up and get ready to head east.Start in South Africa’s mother city, with Table Mountain as your anchor point. Take the cable car for sweeping views across the Cape Peninsula, then explore the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island or Boulders Beach for African penguins. Pick up the hire car, stock up and get ready to head east.

Recommendations

1h 50m · 119 km drive to Hermanus

Hermanus

1 night

Drive east to Hermanus, one of the world’s best land-based whale-watching towns. Southern right whales gather in Walker Bay from June to November, with the cliff path giving easy views without a boat. Outside whale season, the wine route, seafood restaurants and coastal scenery still make this a strong overnight stop.Drive east to Hermanus, one of the world’s best land-based whale-watching towns. Southern right whales gather in Walker Bay from June to November, with the cliff path giving easy views without a boat. Outside whale season, the wine route, seafood restaurants and coastal scenery still make this a strong overnight stop.

Recommendations

3h 51m · 331 km drive to Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay

1 night

Mossel Bay marks the western gateway to the Garden Route. Visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, walk to Cape St Blaize Lighthouse, or follow the cliff trail for Indian Ocean views. It works well as a single-night stop before the coast becomes more dramatic further east.Mossel Bay marks the western gateway to the Garden Route. Visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, walk to Cape St Blaize Lighthouse, or follow the cliff trail for Indian Ocean views. It works well as a single-night stop before the coast becomes more dramatic further east.

Recommendations

1h 35m · 115 km drive to Knysna

Knysna

2 nights

Knysna sits around a sheltered lagoon framed by the dramatic sandstone cliffs of The Heads. Visit the Eastern Head for the best views, eat oysters by the waterfront, or take a boat to Featherbed Nature Reserve. The nearby Knysna Forest adds ancient yellowwood trees and peaceful walking trails.Knysna sits around a sheltered lagoon framed by the dramatic sandstone cliffs of The Heads. Visit the Eastern Head for the best views, eat oysters by the waterfront, or take a boat to Featherbed Nature Reserve. The nearby Knysna Forest adds ancient yellowwood trees and peaceful walking trails.

Recommendations

34m · 33 km drive to Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay

2 nights

Plettenberg Bay, or Plett, is the Garden Route’s beach stop. Expect wide beaches, surf lessons, dolphins and a relaxed coastal feel. Robberg Nature Reserve is the standout, with a rugged peninsula walk past seal colonies, cliff views and strong whale-spotting chances in season.Plettenberg Bay, or Plett, is the Garden Route’s beach stop. Expect wide beaches, surf lessons, dolphins and a relaxed coastal feel. Robberg Nature Reserve is the standout, with a rugged peninsula walk past seal colonies, cliff views and strong whale-spotting chances in season.

Recommendations

56m · 62 km drive to Storms River

Storms River

1 night

Stop at Bloukrans Bridge for dramatic gorge views and the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Nearby Tsitsikamma National Park protects forest, cliffs and wild coastline. The short suspension bridge walk at Storms River Mouth is one of the route’s most memorable coastal stops.Stop at Bloukrans Bridge for dramatic gorge views and the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Nearby Tsitsikamma National Park protects forest, cliffs and wild coastline. The short suspension bridge walk at Storms River Mouth is one of the route’s most memorable coastal stops.

Recommendations

1h 57m · 172 km drive to Gqeberha

Gqeberha

1 night

Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, is a practical endpoint for the Garden Route. The main draw is nearby Addo Elephant National Park, home to large elephant herds plus lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. Most travellers fly out from here or continue towards the Karoo or Eastern Cape reserves.Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, is a practical endpoint for the Garden Route. The main draw is nearby Addo Elephant National Park, home to large elephant herds plus lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. Most travellers fly out from here or continue towards the Karoo or Eastern Cape reserves.

Recommendations

Cape Town to Gqeberha: The Garden Route