Driving the Garden Route: Road Tips for Visitors

The Garden Route is one of the most rewarding road trips in South Africa, and the stretch between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay is the jewel in the crown. If you’re hiring a car and doing it yourself, a few local tips will make the drive safer, easier and far more enjoyable.

Know the Route

The Garden Route runs roughly from Mossel Bay through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay to Storms River. Most visitors fly into George Airport and pick up a rental car there, which puts you about 45 minutes from Knysna. The N2 is the main artery and is generally in good condition, but it is a single carriageway in places with plenty of trucks, so allow more time than the map suggests.

Driving Tips That Matter

• Drive on the left. If you’re not used to it, take it slowly for the first day.
• Watch for animals — baboons, monkeys, dogs and the occasional cow wander onto roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Avoid driving after dark outside towns. Unlit pedestrians and livestock are a real risk on the N2.
• Fill up in George, Knysna or Plettenberg Bay. Fuel stations are sparse on the quieter stretches.
• Keep small change handy for the toll plazas near Tsitsikamma.
• Speed limits drop sharply through towns and villages. Cameras are common.

The Best Stops Along the Way

Don’t rush the drive. Pull off at Wilderness for the lakes and beaches, stop at Sedgefield for the Wild Oats farmers’ market on a Saturday, and take the short detour to Buffalo Bay. Between Knysna and Plett, the Bloukrans Bridge bungy and the Tsitsikamma forest walks are worth an hour or two each.

If you’re basing yourself in Knysna, our Knysna guesthouse is a comfortable stop with easy parking and quick access to the N2. We’re part of a small family of properties, so if your route takes you further, ask us about our sister guesthouses in Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield.

When to Drive

Summer (December to February) is busy and hot — book accommodation early and expect heavy traffic. Autumn and spring offer the best driving weather, with quieter roads and mild days. Winter can bring rain, so take it easy on wet bends, particularly through the passes.

Take your time, stop often, and let the Garden Route unfold at its own pace. That’s the whole point.

Knysna Paradise Guesthouse — 2026-10-02