Road tripping: The best stops between Cape Town and Knysna

Beautiful white sandy beaches, picturesque lakes and lagoons, undulating hills, and majestic mountains make up the glorious scenery of the Western Cape’s famous Garden Route, and there is a range of charming towns to stop at along the way.

Here is our pick of the best places to stop en route.

The best stops between Cape Town and Knysna

Grabouw

As you pass through the spectacular natural landscapes of the Elgin Valley, make the charming farming town of Grabouw your first stop.

Home to the famous “Appletiser” apple orchards, this lovely little town has breathtaking scenery and is peaceful and quiet – a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll find warm guesthouses, cozy family-owned eateries, and elegant wineries where you can sample some of the Elgin Valley’s finest wines.

Swellendam

On to the picturesque town of Swellendam, the third oldest settlement in South Africa and the largest youngberry growing area in the world. The town has some gorgeous examples of traditional Cape Dutch architecture and 50 provincial heritage sites to explore.

Bursting with beautiful architecture, rich heritage and culture and a burgeoning farming community, this little alluring little town at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain is well worth a visit.

Tsitsikamma

Known as the Garden of the Garden Route, Tsitsikamma (meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water” in the Khoi language) is sandwiched between the majestic Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean.

Stretching from Wilderness to Knysna, the coastal region is home to ancient indigenous forests of yellowwood trees, some of which are over six-hundred years old.

This is a great place to stop if you want to get out into nature and enjoy hiking and mountain biking, canoeing, birdwatching, and sliding through the tree canopy on zipline adventures. Brave the towering Bloukrans Bridge and bungee-jump the world’s highest bridge from a heart-stopping 216 metres.

Halfway between Cape Town and Knysna is Mossel Bay

Follow the rugged coastline to the seaside town of Mossel Bay, which lies exactly halfway between Cape Town and Knysna and is an ideal place to stop and rest.

The friendly town has plenty of places to spend the night and take a welcome break from driving. You could also make it a multi-day stop and enjoy some of the town’s top attractions like horse riding along the long, white sandy beaches, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean waters, or taking a boat trip to Seal Island.

This is also one of the best places in South Africa to brave the cage and go diving with great white sharks.

George

The last stop before getting to Knysna is the sleepy farming town of George. Resting in the shadow of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, George is best known for its world-class golf courses, so treat yourself to a game on your way through.

Knysna

One of South Africa’s favourite holiday towns is nestled on the shores of a shallow lagoon and known for its laid-back ambiance, cool art galleries and craft shops, and fantastic seafood restaurants. It’s year-round temperate climate and breathtaking natural scenery make it a popular spot for outdoor recreation.

Miles of pristine beaches, ancient indigenous forests, acres of unique fynbos, and shimmering lakes offer world-class hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, sailing, and wildlife watching.

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