Why Honeymoon on the Garden Route
The appeal lies in variety and freedom. Each day of a Garden Route trip feels different. One morning you walk through tall yellowwood forest. The next you watch dolphins surf the waves at a beach. Later you might canoe up a quiet river or stand on a cliff while whales blow offshore.
It is also very relaxed. Distances between towns are short, roads are good and there is no need to rush. Small guesthouses, country hotels and treehouse lodges suit couples who want privacy and a personal welcome.
Finally, the Garden Route rounds out a South Africa honeymoon. After the energy of Cape Town and before or after the early starts of safari, it gives you time to slow down together.
When to Go
The Garden Route has a mild climate and rain can fall in any month, so there is no bad time to visit. Summer, from December to February, is warm and the beaches are busy, especially during South African school holidays around Christmas. March and April bring warm, settled weather and fewer crowds.
Winter, from June to August, is cooler, with crisp mornings and occasional storms. It is quieter and cheaper. It is also the start of whale season.
Southern right whales come close to shore to calve from about June to November. Humpbacks pass along the coast in their migrations. Plettenberg Bay is a hot spot for whale and dolphin watching.
Spring, from September to November, brings wildflowers and green landscapes, making it a lovely time for a road trip.
Where to Stay
Most couples base themselves in two or three places. Wilderness has lakes, a long beach and quiet guesthouses. Knysna sits on a large lagoon guarded by two sandstone cliffs called the Heads, with waterfront restaurants and forest trails nearby.
Plettenberg Bay, known as Plett, has the best beaches and the widest choice of upscale stays. The Plettenberg, on a rocky headland above the bay, has sea views from most rooms. Tsala Treetop Lodge, set in forest just outside town, offers suites on stilts among the trees with private plunge pools.
For wildlife, Gondwana Game Reserve, inland from Mossel Bay, offers malaria-free Big Five safaris with luxury lodges. It makes a good first or last stop on the route.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk the Robberg Peninsula near Plettenberg Bay. Trails lead along the cliffs past seal colonies and down to quiet beaches. Allow a few hours for the full loop and check tide times.
In Tsitsikamma, part of the Garden Route National Park, follow the boardwalk to the suspension bridge across the Storms River Mouth. Kayak up the gorge or join a canopy tour through the forest.
Take a boat trip in Plettenberg Bay to watch dolphins, seals and in season whales. In Knysna, cruise the lagoon at sunset or take a boat out through the Heads on a calm day.
For thrills, try the Bloukrans Bridge bungee, one of the highest in the world. For calm, canoe the rivers of Wilderness and picnic on the bank.
Getting There and Around
Most couples drive. The N2 from Cape Town reaches Mossel Bay in about four hours and Plettenberg Bay in about six without stops. Many travelers break the drive with a night in the Winelands or the Overberg, or detour inland via Route 62 and Oudtshoorn.
For a shorter trip, fly to George Airport (GRJ), which has flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Rent a car at the airport. Knysna is about 45 minutes away and Plett about an hour and a half.
Driving is on the left. Roads are generally good, but watch for speed traps, slow trucks and animals. Avoid driving after dark where possible. You can fly home from George or Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha, at the eastern end.
Food and Drink
Knysna is famous for oysters, cultivated in the lagoon and served fresh at waterfront restaurants. Try them with a local sparkling wine, known as Methode Cap Classique.
Seafood features everywhere along the coast, from line fish to calamari. Farm stalls along the N2 sell homemade pies, biltong, rusks and preserves, good for road trip snacks.
Plettenberg Bay has a growing wine region, with cool-climate estates producing sauvignon blanc and sparkling wines. Several have tasting rooms and restaurants with views over the hills.
Try a braai, the South African barbecue, at your lodge or a local restaurant. Inland, Oudtshoorn is known for ostrich dishes. Book popular restaurants in advance during summer holidays.
Honeymoon Tips
Do not rush. The Garden Route rewards slow travel, so plan at least four nights and avoid packing too many stops into one day.
Book ahead in December and January, when South Africans take their summer holidays and accommodation fills up.
Pack layers and rain gear. Weather can change quickly. Evenings are often cool even in summer.
Take care on the road. Keep valuables out of sight in your car and avoid stopping in isolated places at night.
Check safety advice for swimming. Some beaches have strong currents, so swim where lifeguards are present.
Finally, link the Garden Route with Cape Town and a malaria-free safari for a varied honeymoon without long flights.
