The Garden Route in South Africa is one of the most iconic and scenic stretches of coastline in the world and features in many South African road trip itineraries.
This guide to the Garden Route with kids will give families all the information you need to know about driving it.
It includes details on more than 30 things to do on the Garden Route with kids so you can create your own family-friendly Garden Route itinerary.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and book or buy something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.
By the way, we book all of our African travel through Go2Africa who are a leading and award-winning tour operator in Africa. They are so helpful and all of their advisors are specialists in their chosen destination. If you need any help pulling an itinerary together, they are the people to speak to!
Background information on the Garden Route
The Garden Route stretches for about 200 kilometers (125 miles) along the southern coast of South Africa, connecting the towns of Mossel Bay and Storms River in the Eastern Cape province.
It lies within the Garden Route National Park which was established in 2009 by combining the Tsitsikamma and Wilderness National Parks and the Knysna National Lake Area. The national park now encompasses an area of 1,210km2 (470 sq mi).
It is one of the most scenic areas of South Africa, incorporating beautiful sandy beaches, dramatic coastline and indigenous forests.
It is a well-loved destination due to its temperate climate, beautiful scenery, and the wide variety of activities that are available for all kinds of travelers.
Where does the Garden Route start and end?
I’ve heard people talk about driving the Garden Route during their South Africa holiday and mistakenly label their entire trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth ‘the Garden Route’.
In fact, the Garden Route is only 200km (125 miles) long. If you drove straight through, it would take around 2 hours. But there’s so much to see on the Garden Route that we recommend taking at least 5 days to drive it.
Most people drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and so for this post we say that the start of the Garden Route is Mossel Bay.
IF you are visiting Cape Town, check out our huge post on things to do with kids in Cape Town including where to stay and eat.
Starting Point of the Garden Route: Mossel Bay is located just over 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the east of Cape Town.
Historically, it is famous for being the site where Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias first landed in 1488 (and you can learn all about it in the museum in Mossel Bay).
Today, it is a bustling seaside town that serves as the starting point for many Garden Route adventures.
Ending Point of the Garden Route: At the opposite end of the route, Storms River marks the conclusion of the Garden Route. Nestled in the Tsitsikamma National Park, Storms River is known for its dramatic cliffs and beautiful, pristine environment.
It’s a quieter, more peaceful area, perfect for hiking, water activities, and enjoying nature’s raw beauty.
If you are driving from Cape Town, how about a small detour to Hermanus for some whale watching? Read all about the things to do in Hermanus with kids.
Places to visit on the Garden Route with kids
Driving the 125-mile Garden Route is very easy. Virtually everything you will want to see and do is located just off the N2 which is a paved road in great condition.
The Garden Route is renowned for its incredible biodiversity (hence the name), charming towns and is one of the most family-friendly regions in South Africa.
The variety of family-friendly activities along the Garden Route ensures that there’s something for everyone – whether you’re traveling with young children, teenagers, or multi-generational families.
Here are some of the best things for families to do on the Garden Route. We have listed them in location order from where the Garden Route starts (Mossel Bay):
George: George is often referred to as the “Capital of the Garden Route” due to its central location and blend of urban amenities and natural attractions. See more here.
The Outeniqua Transport Museum: This is an excellent stop in George for train enthusiasts and families with children interested in the history of South Africa’s railways. The museum showcases old trains, including the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, once the last remaining steam-powered train in South Africa. See more here.
The Garden Route Botanical Garden: Located in George, this is a fantastic place for families to stretch their legs and explore indigenous plant species. The gardens offer easy walking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and picnic spots. See more here.
Seal Island: A boat trip to Seal Island from Mossel Bay offers a chance to spot a large colony of Cape fur seals. The boat ride also provides a great view of the rugged coastline.
Botlierskop or Gondwana Private Game Reserve: Both safari lodges are located close to Mossel Bay and are best visited at the start of the Garden Route drive. See here for a guided game drive at Botlierskop (not suitable for kids under 3). See also our guide to Garden Route safaris for families. Check our safari packing list for families and what kids should wear on safari.
Victoria Bay: A small, sheltered beach perfect for swimming and picnics. It’s great for families with younger children because the waters are typically calm, and the surrounding area is peaceful.
Wilderness: Wilderness is a small but picturesque town located on the N2 highway between Mossel Bay and George. It’s known for its tranquil atmosphere, sandy beaches, and forests. A great place to stop in for lunch (we ate at Blue Olive).
Wilderness National Park: Just outside the town of Wilderness, this park is located at the heart of the Garden Route and offers a blend of coastal, wetland, and forest ecosystems. Families can take a guided canoe trip along the Touws River, go birdwatching, or embark on short hikes like the Dune Trail, which leads to sweeping views of the coastline.
Wilderness Beach: If your family enjoys a day at the beach, Wilderness Beach is the ideal spot to relax. It has a huge expanse of sand and generally the water is safe for swimming at designated points. Lifeguards are on duty during peak holiday season.
Knysna: Knysna is a beautiful coastal town nestled between lush forests and lagoons. It’s famous for its oysters and natural beauty, and it offers a variety of family-oriented activities. See more about Kynsna here.
Knysna Lagoon: Families can hire a boat or join a guided tour to explore the Knysna Lagoon. There are also kayaking and paddleboarding options as well as whale watching tours. Don’t miss this Lagoon Cruise for breathtaking views.
Pledge Nature Reserve: This small reserve in the heart of Knysna offers easy walks among indigenous forests, ideal for younger children or those who enjoy nature without too much exertion. See more here.
Featherbed Nature Reserve: Accessible only by ferry, this beautiful nature reserve offers a range of family-friendly activities, including guided walks and bird watching. The highlight is the stunning view from the top of the cliffs, which can be reached by a short hike. See more here.
Knysna Elephant Park: This is one of the best places to see elephants up close and personal. Families can participate in feeding the elephants, and children can ride on the elephants or simply learn more about these majestic creatures. See more here.
Robberg Nature Reserve: For families who enjoy outdoor adventure, Robberg Nature Reserve offers a variety of hiking trails with incredible views of the ocean and the chance to spot seals and dolphins. See more here.
Plettenberg Bay: Known for its long, sandy beaches, Plettenberg Bay is one of the most popular beach destinations on the Garden Route. Don’t miss Robberg Beach which is a bit more secluded than Plett Bay. See more here.
Plettenberg Game Reserve: View 3 of the Big 5 animals at Plettenberg Game Reserve on a day visit. See here for guided game drive tickets.
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary: Just west of Plettenberg Bay you can learn all about big cats at Jukani.
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary: A little further along from Jukani is Monkeyland, a free roaming primate sanctuary. Families can take a guided tour to learn about the various species of monkeys and apes in their natural habitat.
Birds of Eden: Right next door to Monkeyland is Birds of Eden, a free flight sanctuary for a huge variety of birds.
Note that a combined ticket for all three of the above attractions can work out cheaper. See here.
Bloukrans Bridge: Famous for being the site of the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee jump. You may not want to bungee jump but families can stop and watch those that do. See here for more info.
Tsitsikamma National Park: Finally you’ll come to Tsitsikamma National Park. There are so many things to do in the Tsitiskamma National Park. It is a haven for adrenaline junkies. See here for a full day tour of Tsitsikamma. Alternatively, pick from these family-friendly activities:
- Tree Top Canopy Tours: The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours is an exciting, family-friendly activity that takes visitors on a zipline tour through the 70 year old forest canopy. It’s suitable for children over the age of 5, and the whole family can enjoy the thrills of flying through the trees while learning about the local flora and fauna. See here to book.
- Storms River Mouth: The Storms River Mouth is one of the most picturesque spots on the Garden Route. The coastline here is rugged and dramatic, and families can enjoy short walks along the cliffs or take a boat trip to explore the nearby caves.
- Stormsriver Suspension Bridge: reached by taking the Stormsriver Mouth Trail from Cattle Baron and following a 2km boardwalk through forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Note there are a lot of steps down from the boardwalk to the suspension bridge.
- The Big Tree: an 800 year old Yellowwood that can be visited by taking a 500m boardwalk trail through the forest. See more here.
- The Waterfall Trail: a 6km loop taking along the rugged coastline to a beautiful waterfall spot. It is fairly challenging and suitable for kids aged at least 8+. See our Tsitsikamma Waterfall hike guide for more info. Shorter walks are available. See here.
We stayed at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn in Stormsriver which is a great place for families with a pool and family-friendly accommodation. Breakfast was excellent. We spent a couple of days here because there was so much to do.
Other Garden Route safari options for families
If you don’t fancy going on safari at any of the options listed above, we can recommend driving just a little further past the end of the Garden Route and trying one of these options.
We have stayed at all of them and each of them offer an excellent safari experience.
- Kariega Game Reserve – see our review of Kariega for families. Book fmaily accommodation here.
- Shamwari – luxury game reserve near Port Elizabeth. Book family accommodation here.
- Addo Elephant National Park: (one of the top South African self-drive safari destinations). See here for our guide to self-drive safaris as well as our animal spotting tips. You can do fantastic safaris on a budget if you self-drive.
If you love this safari experience, make sure to check out our safari section which has lots more safari inspiration. Find out how to book a cheap family safari and who to book a family safari with.
