Garden Route Road Trip for Thrill Seekers
The Garden Route is famous for beaches and forests, but this version is for people who prefer their scenery with a little adrenaline. It runs from Mossel Bay to Jeffreys Bay through lagoons, forest canopy and some very high places.
Highlights include:
- Riding the 1,100-metre Mossel Bay Zipline over the ocean
- Taking a guided tour of the Point of Human Origins Cave
- Eating at the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market on a Saturday
- Sailing on Knysna Lagoon
- Staying in a treehouse at Teniqua Treetops
- Bungee jumping from Bloukrans Bridge
- Ziplining through the Tsitsikamma forest canopy
- Eating among the vintage cars at Marilyn’s 60s Diner
- Choosing an activity at Jeffreys Bay Adventures
South Africa road trip from Mossel Bay to Jeffreys Bay (320 km, about 5 hours driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
- Mossel Bay
- The Blue Shed Coffee Roastery: Harbour-view coffee shop on Bland Street — house-roasted coffee, cake, and a shabby-chic Mossel Bay brunch.
- Mossel Bay Zipline: World's longest over-ocean zipline — a 1,100m glide along the Mossel Bay cliffs at speeds up to 80 km/h.
- Point of Human Origins Cave: Pinnacle Point cave complex south of Mossel Bay — Middle Stone Age archaeology and a guided look at early modern humans on the coast.
- Hartenbos
- Great Brak River
- Wilderness
- Sedgefield
- VDM Bistro: From-scratch bistro at Plumtree Trading Post in Sedgefield — dinner that is worth lingering for after the N2.
- In Toto Retreat - Garden Route: Four-star solar guesthouse on The Island in Sedgefield — lagoon kayaks and a 1 km walk to Wild Oats
- Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market: Saturday-only Sedgefield market — farm produce, baking, and the Garden Route’s best slow breakfast.
- PiliPili Beach Restaurant: Myoli Beach restaurant behind the dunes — burgers, seafood, and a weekday breakfast when Wild Oats is closed.
- Timberlake Organic Village: Sedgefield eco-village padstal offering specialty coffee and cheeses
- Knysna
- Ocean Sailing Charters (Knysna): Lagoon sail from Knysna Waterfront — a slower look at the Heads from the water.
- Sirocco: Lagoon-edge dinner on Thesen Island — seafood, sushi, and sunset drinks in Knysna Harbour Town.
- Teniqua Treetops: Eco-friendly treehouses built into the indigenous forest canopy
- East Head Café: Brunch on the Knysna Heads channel — ocean views, a wood fire in winter, and a kids’ play area.
- Plettenberg Bay
- The Lookout: Lookout Beach deck in Plett — seafood, pizza, and a lunch with the bay in front of you.
- Bloukrans Bridge: Massive arch bridge spanning the river gorge; site of world's highest commercial bridge bungee.
- The Fernery Lodge & Spa: Cliff-top lodge and spa on the Tsitsikamma edge — river gorges, forest, and a quiet overnight after Bloukrans
- Storms River
- Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours: Forest canopy zipline through Tsitsikamma yellowwoods above Storms River Village.
- Marilyn’s 60s Diner (Storms River Village): Quirky retro diner serving classic milkshakes and comfort food surrounded by vintage classic cars and neon decor.
- Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant: Dolphin Beach dinner in Jeffreys Bay — waves at Kitchen Windows reef and a grassy lawn for kids.
- The Ark Guesthouse at Marina Martinique: Canal-edge self-catering guesthouse in Marina Martinique — a Jeffreys Bay overnight after Kitchen Windows
- Jeffreys Bay
- Nina's Real Food: Jeffreys Bay favourite for honest plates — a last-morning stop before the surf village.
- Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum: Small coastal museum of shells and beach finds — a quiet last-day stop in the surf town.
- Jeffreys Bay Adventures: Surf-town adventure base in Jeffreys Bay — last-day activity after the N2 run east.
Garden Route South Africa Road Trip