South Africa Road Trip: The Garden Route
Why road trip in South Africa
First of all, it is a country on the southernmost tip of Africa. There is something magical and surreal about being located further to the south of the world. Second of all, safaris, lush mountains and stunning coastlines make South Africa one of the most diverse countries in the world. Food, accommodation and activities are relatively cheap when in the country in comparison to other countries in Europe and America.
The scenic drive alongside the coast from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay and going through Cape Agulhas, Mossel Bay and Knysna is so beautiful that you want to stop every 5 minutes to take pictures. There are plenty of activities to do along the way which include swimming, hiking and hundreds of reserves. You can take Route 62 on the way back to Cape Town for a straightforward and enjoyable ride that will remind you of Route 66 in the US.
When is the best time to visit South Africa
Different parts of South Africa have different weather but in general November through to February is a good time to visit. It’s summer time in South Africa around that time so make sure you book your accommodations and activities ahead of travelling. The north of South Africa has summer rains which makes the weather more tropical. The Western Cape and home province are best to visit between November and February.
How many days do you need in South Africa
It depends on how much time you have and where you want to explore. Based on our experience, two weeks is a perfectly good amount of time to see all the important sights along the Garden Route without rushing too much.
How to travel around South Africa
It will be based on your own preferences. Vans are widely available but pretty expensive compared to car hires. Airbnbs and hotels are so cheap and because of a general lack of accessible campsites we found it a much better option to rent a small fun car and stop in Airbnbs along the way. Our hosts were all very friendly and gave us some great tips on what to visit and where to go next.
What to bring
Sat nav
Phone chargers
Passport
Driving license
7 things to know when doing a road trip in South Africa
Petrol and services
When stopping for petrol the attendant will fill you up so give them a small tip. Make sure you plan your petrol stops ahead if you are heading to rural areas.
Most service stations across long roads between towns have farm stalls and specialist shops selling tasty bakery items (venison pies, cheeses, honey, craft beer, biltong, spiced nuts and various South African specialties) so plan your petrol stops with a 20 to 30 minute break for a coffee and a look around. It’s a great way to break up a long drive and you will come away with some great snacks and goodies.
Roads
Main roads are good quality but look out for huge potholes and sudden road surface changes. Diversions might force you onto gravel roads so drive slow to avoid punctures. There are plenty of land slides and difficult windy roads in rural areas and mountain passes so try avoid driving if heavy rain is forecasted.
Parking
Parking is really cheap so just use multi stories when visiting big towns and don’t leave any valuable on display.
Driving
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road and carry their driving license with them at all times since it’s compulsory.
Make sure your car has a spare wheel as diversions and fun roads often end up in gravel. In terms of car rental, it’s best to rent from a reputable car rental company with road-side assistance included.
Drive early morning and during the day for safety, and better to enjoy the stunning views too!
Do not attempt too long drives where there is nothing between towns as there is still a lot of accidents with other cars or people falling asleep at the wheel even though roads are straight.
The only risk you will face whilst driving is other drivers. According to Rough Guide, South Africa has the world’s seventh deadliest roads, placing it between Nigeria and Irak on the list.
The office South African website is a great source of information for everything you need to know about South Africa.
Crime and safety
Visit your government website for advice on crime and safety in South Africa.
Phone signals
Mobile phone signals can be difficult to find outside of established towns or routes. Be sensible when driving as you might not be able to get help as easily as you think. Use sat nav rather than Google Maps for this purpose too.
Accommodation
Make sure your accommodation for the night is booked ahead. Do not rely on pitching up which could look suspicious.
Best South Africa Garden Route road trip itinerary – 10 days
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Cape Town
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Stellenbosch
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Cape Agulhas
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Knysna
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Plattenberg Bay
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Montagu
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George
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Cape Town
