The Garden Route & A Malaria-Free Safari

Kwandwe (malaria-free), about a 2-hour drive from Port Elizabeth, is a great place for an introduction to safaris and also for more experienced safari goers. I’d been on many safaris before going to Kwandwe and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has amazing game viewing, is home to a diverse array of wildlife including the ‘Big Five’, and it’s one of the best places to see rhinos (black and white) in South Africa. It’s also great to spot cheetahs. Guests can participate in day and night game drives, and nature walks with experienced rangers and trackers. All this in beautiful landscape and settings. Peak time for wildlife is June to September, but it’s really a year-round destination, and the shoulder season (March/April and September/October) would probably work best to pair with the Garden Route

From here, drive approximately two hours to Addo Elephant National Park. As the third-largest national park in South Africa, Addo is the country’s premier destination for close-range elephant encounters, with a population of more than 700 that frequently gather at waterholes—an extraordinary sight to witness.

The park offers an accessible and flexible safari experience, including the option to self-drive through its diverse landscapes. However, during peak holiday periods, it can feel busier than a private reserve such as Kwandwe, where exclusivity and privacy are part of the appeal.

My personal preference within Addo is Gorah Elephant Camp, the only private concession located within the heart of the National Park. It offers a wonderfully atmospheric stay overlooking a legendary waterhole and provides a more immersive, exclusive bush experience.

For families with younger children, River Bend Lodge is often the better option, thanks to its fenced setting and dedicated “mini-ranger” programs.

While Addo is sometimes viewed as a day-trip destination by seasoned safari-goers, the sheer volume of elephants—along with the opportunity to see the Big Five—makes it a rewarding and easily accessible addition to any Garden Route itinerary.

Drive approximately three hours from Addo to Tsitsikamma National Park, a spectacular coastal reserve along the Garden Route that stretches for around 80 kilometers between Plettenberg Bay and Jeffreys Bay. This is a dramatic meeting point where ancient forest meets the Indian Ocean.

There are countless ways to experience the landscape, from hiking—including the famous multi-day Otter Trail—to kayaking along the rugged coastline. The Paul Sauer Bridge offers breathtaking views over the Storms River Gorge and is well worth a stop.

Be sure to walk the iconic Storms River Mouth suspension bridge, which leads to incredible views of the dramatic, wave-carved cliffs. On the far side, you’ll find a small sheltered cove with a beach—perfect for a moment of pause or even a refreshing swim.

For more serious thrill-seekers, the nearby Bloukrans Bridge is home to the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee jump at 216 meters—not for me!

Plettenberg Bay is a quintessential escape on the South African Riviera, offering a slower pace of life where pristine white-sand beaches meet world-class nature activities. To truly immerse yourself in the local rhythm, an ocean safari is a must-do; beyond the thrill of marine life, it provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire bay, allowing you to appreciate the coastline’s scale and beauty from the water. For architecture amateurs, this vantage point also reveals the “Millionaire’s Row” along the beachfront, home to award-winning, one-of-a-kind villas that showcase cutting-edge contemporary design.

The guided boat tours offer encounters with the bay’s playful Cape fur seal colony and frequent sightings of dolphins and seasonal whales. For those who prefer to stay on land, the Robberg Nature Reserve is a crown jewel of the Garden Route, featuring dramatic cliffside hiking trails with 360-degree ocean views and unique Stone Age archaeological sites. A short 30-minute drive away lies Knysna, where you can explore the famous Knysna Heads-imposing sandstone cliffs guarding a tranquil lagoon.

The town’s vibrant culinary scene perfectly complements its natural beauty, with a great selection of restaurants ranging from high-end seafood at Amelia’s at The Plettenberg to the celebrated Nguni Restaurant, known for its creative take on traditional South African flavors, or craft beer and farm-to-table plates at Barrington’s.

The short drive from Plettenberg Bay to Wilderness is one of the most scenic stretches of the Garden Route, winding through lush mountain passes and over dramatic river bridges. As you descend into the village, you are greeted by the sight of a vast, seemingly endless coastline where the wild Indian Ocean meets miles of pristine white sand. This open expanse is a paradise for long walks and sunset photography, but the true magic lies in the variety of activities tucked ,between the ocean and the mountains. You can spend your morning paddling a canoe up the Touw River into the heart of the indigenous forest, hiking to hidden waterfalls on the Kingfisher Trail, or—for the more adventurous—taking to the skies on a tandem paraglider to view the famous “Map of Africa” from above. Wilderness offers a perfect balance of raw nature and coastal charm.

To round off your Garden Route journey, a stay at Fancourt in nearby George offers a shift into refined relaxation and world-class sport. Nestled at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, this historic estate is a golfer’s paradise, boasting three of South Africa’s finest courses, including the prestigious Links. Beyond the fairways, the atmosphere is one of understated luxury. Days can be spent unwinding at the award-winning spa, playing tennis, or cycling through the manicured trails of the estate. It is the ultimate slow-down destination, where sweeping greenery and old-world elegance provide a sophisticated contrast to the wild coastline—ensuring you end your journey feeling completely rejuvenated.