Luxury Garden Route Tours made for you
Start Planning
South Africa's most scenic stretch of coastline
This exquisitely pretty, pleasant and popular strip of South Africa’s Western Cape and coastline is a nature lover’s paradise and a horticulturist’s dream.
Lush indigenous forests cascade down picturesque mountain sides, serene lagoons and salt lakes, wild sandy bays and beaches, green valleys cradling quaint towns and exotic birdlife are all what characterise the suitably titled ‘Garden Route’.
Stretching almost 300km from Heidelburg to Storms River in the Eastern Cape this coast’s mild climate (the second mildest in the world after Hawaii) has cultivated a landscape of ecologically diverse flora, laid heavy with the spectacular kaleidoscope of colours when its flowers bloom. This has in turn brought an equally broad collection of fascinating fauna and marine life seen in its reserves and off its shores.
Amongst all these alluring attributes, its proximity to Cape Town and position en route to the popular safari spots in the north-west have cemented the appeal of luxury Garden Route tours to travellers.
This scenic stretch includes the towns of Heidelberg, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenburg Bay, George and Nature’s Valley, as well as 10 nature and marine reserves such as the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness national parks.
Experiences picked by our Garden Route safari specialists
A word from one of our experts
Why do I love South Africa so much? Apart from the fact that I called it home for a number of years, I think it’s also the friendliest, most beautiful and diverse country in Africa. Where else can you enjoy international food and wine pairing one day, and a safari in Big Five territory the next?
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in The Garden Route
There are many incredible places to stay in The Garden Route. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our The Garden Route example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
10-Day Trip
A Romantic Honeymoon to South Africa
10-Day Trip
A Romantic Honeymoon to South Africa
10-Day Trip
Safari, Wine and Waterfalls
10-Day Trip
Safari, Wine and Waterfalls
10-Day Trip
Introducing South Africa
10-Day Trip
Introducing South Africa
Where else to go in South Africa
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.
Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.
Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.
Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.
KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.
Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, boarding Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there’s no malaria-free area.
Northern Kruger National Park
The Makuleke is the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its remoteness and community run concession status.
Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.
Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Meet your Africa experts
When to visit the Garden Route
Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. If you’re visiting for safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals.
Wildflowers
August–September
Safari
May–October
Cape Town
October–April
Winelands
February –March
South Africa travel guides
Plan your trip to The Garden Route
Whatever you want from your adventure in The Garden Route, our team of safari experts are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
