Garden Route, South Africa

South Africa's Garden Route runs 300km between Mossel Bay and Storms River with the Tsitsikamma forest's Otter Trail, Knysna's lagoon and oysters, Plettenberg Bay's whale watching, and Wilderness's lakes and beaches.

Highlights

When to Visit

Sep-Nov

Spring shoulder with whales (southern right and humpback) calving in Plettenberg and Hermanus bays, fynbos blooming across the Tsitsikamma, and forest hiking comfortable.

Dec-Feb

South African summer holidays pack Plettenberg and Knysna December 15-January 15, but the Wilderness lake district and Storms River stay accessible.

Mar-May

Autumn shoulder with the Knysna Oyster Festival in early July aside, autumn brings warm sea, low crowd density, and the forest paths at peak photogenic.

Jun-Aug

Whale season at peak around Hermanus and Plettenberg with shore-based sightings reliable, and Cape Town's winter rains making the Garden Route a drier alternative.