Wanderlust Movement's 7-Day Garden Route
This seven-day Garden Route itinerary follows a trip by Wanderlust Movement from Cape Town towards George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Storms River. It mixes beaches, forests, old mountain passes and wildlife stops.
Highlights include:
- Stopping at Victoria Bay Beach
- Driving the Seven Passes route between George and Knysna
- Staying in a treehouse at Teniqua Treetops
- Visiting Knysna Heads and Goukamma Nature Reserve
- Hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve
- Visiting Birds of Eden and Monkeyland
- Spending time in Nature’s Valley
- Ziplining through the Tsitsikamma forest canopy
- Crossing the Storms River suspension bridges
South Africa road trip from Cape Town to Storms River (629 km, about 10 hours driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
- Whispering Oaks Guesthouse: Cozy guesthouse with heated floors and romantic gardens
- George
- Victoria Bay Beach: Small gold-sand cove between George and Wilderness — a right-point surf break tucked under the cliffs.
- Swartrivier Pass: The historic "Seven Passes" route between George and Knysna includes the Black River Pass or ' Swartrivier Pass' or in it's original format " Zwartrivierhoogte Pass "- a modern, tar road with smooth, sweeping bends making this pass seem almost effortless…
- Silver River Pass: Silwer River Pass on the Seven Passes Road between Kaaimans and the Touw — a short Bain bridge and forest kloof west of Hoekwil.
- Touw River Pass: Touw River Pass on the Seven Passes Road at Wilderness / Hoekwil — the old road crossing before the route turns east toward Knysna.
- Hoogekraal Pass: Seven Passes Road east of Hoekwil — forested Thomas Bain gravel through the Hoogekraal valley toward Karatara.
- Karatara Pass: Seven Passes Road at Karatara — gold-rush forest country on Thomas Bain’s old George–Knysna road.
- Teniqua Treetops: Eco-friendly treehouses built into the indigenous forest canopy
- Homtini Gorge: Homtini Pass on the Seven Passes Road — a deep forest gorge and the last big climb before Phantom Pass and the Knysna Lagoon.
- Phantom Pass: The mysteriously named Phantom Pass is the final pass on the Garden Route's string of "Seven Passes" between George and Knysna. The 7,4 km of narrow, gravel road descends to the famously picturesque Knysna River Lagoon, and finds its end-point at the N2.…
- Goukamma Nature Reserve: CapeNature stretch of coast and forest between Buffalo Bay and Sedgefield — remote beaches, the Groenvlei lake edge, and trails from 4 to 15 km.
- Knysna
- Knysna Heads: Two massive sandstone cliffs flanking the ocean entrance to the Knysna Lagoon.
- Emily Moon River Lodge: Bitou River lodge and restaurant — wetlands and mountain views for a Plett sundowner and dinner
- Robberg Nature Reserve: An iconic, rugged peninsula hike featuring Cape fur seal colonies, prehistoric caves, and dramatic ocean drop-offs.
- Plettenberg Bay
- Urban Plett: Quirky self-catering chalets in Plettenberg Bay — walk to cafes, a claw-foot tub, and a fireplace
- Roost Cafe (Old Nick Village): Wholesome brunch and strong coffee at Old Nick Village on the N2 east of Plett — then wander the craft shops.
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary: Big-cat rescue sanctuary at The Crags — tigers
- Birds of Eden: World’s largest free-flight aviary at The Crags — walkways through forest canopy with thousands of birds; go at opening for feeding and light.
- Monkeyland: Free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary across the road from Birds of Eden — lemurs, gibbons and monkeys in indigenous forest.
- Wild Spirit Eco Lodge: Rainforest canopy lodge near Tsitsikamma National Park
- Nature's Valley
- Bloukrans Bridge: Massive arch bridge spanning the river gorge; site of world's highest commercial bridge bungee.
- Axe 'n Tubes Boutique Lodge: Storms River village backpacker-lodge with safari tents and private rooms — walking distance of the village
- Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours: Forest canopy zipline through Tsitsikamma yellowwoods above Storms River Village.
- Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth): Cross famous suspension bridges where the roaring Storms River meets the sea, framed by dense coastal rainforest.
- Storms River Suspension Bridge: Dramatic pedestrian suspension bridge hanging over crashing ocean waves.
- Storms River
An Epic One Week Garden Route Itinerary