Garden Route Self-Drive Classic
Knysna lagoon, Tsitsikamma forests and coastal hikes at your own pace.
Duration
5 nights / 6 days
Group size
Private self-drive
Best months
September – April
Why you'll love it
Safari highlights
Self-drive route with a detailed day-by-day guide
Stay in a converted power station on Thesen Island
Storms River suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma
Knysna Heads, oyster tasting and lagoon cruise
Independent travellers and couples who enjoy road trips, nature and good food.
6 days in detail
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Collect your rental car at George Airport and drive about an hour to Knysna along the coastal N2. Check in to the Turbine Hotel, a former power station turned stylish boutique hotel on Thesen Island. Spend the evening at the waterfront with fresh local oysters.
Visit the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the Knysna Heads, where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean. In the afternoon, take a sunset cruise across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Dinner is at a waterside restaurant.
Allow around two hours each way from Knysna to the Storms River Mouth area, depending on traffic and stops. Walk the Mouth Trail and cross the suspension bridges when open. Kayaking or a canopy tour can be arranged separately, but choose activities realistically rather than trying to fit everything into one day. Return to Knysna before the evening becomes rushed.
Explore the Knysna forest on the Millwood gold-mining trail, or visit the elephant sanctuary at Plettenberg Bay. Spend the afternoon on Robberg Nature Reserve's coastal hike, where seals bask on the rocks. Return to the hotel for a spa treatment.
Spend the day at Plettenberg Bay's beaches, or join a dolphin and whale-watching cruise (whales are seen from July to November). In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in Knysna.
After breakfast, drive back to George Airport to return your car, or continue your journey along Route 62.
Where you'll be
Your Safari Route
Thesen Island, Knysna
Where you'll stay
Your Lodge
Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa
Thesen Island, Knysna
The fine print
What's Included
Included
5 nights bed-and-breakfast accommodation
Rental car with comprehensive insurance
Detailed self-drive route guide
Knysna lagoon sunset cruise
Tsitsikamma park entry fees
Not included
Flights
Fuel
Lunches and dinners
Optional activities
Travel insurance
From USD
$1,450
per person · all-inclusive
Duration
5 nights / 6 days
Group size
Private self-drive
Best months
September – April
What's included
5 nights bed-and-breakfast accommodation
Rental car with comprehensive insurance
Detailed self-drive route guide
No payment required · Our specialists will contact you within 24 hours
Flexible private departures
Check availability for your dates below
Plan your dates
Check Availability & Select Dates
Available
Limited spaces
Full
Your journey starts here
Ready for your African adventure?
Speak to a dedicated safari specialist who will tailor the Garden Route Self-Drive Classic around your dates, pace and budget. No commitment, no payment upfront.
Start Planning My Safari