Travel advisory · South AfricaSome governments advise against travel to parts of South Africa.The warnings cover only these areas: Alexandra (Johannesburg), Berea, Cape Flats, Hillbrow, Pretoria Central, Sunnyside (Pretoria), Yeoville.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Alexandra (Johannesburg) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Berea · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Cape Flats · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Hillbrow · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Pretoria Central · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Sunnyside (Pretoria) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Yeoville · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
Also named by one government: Arcadia (Pretoria) (Spain), Area near Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate (Hazyview) (France), Atteridgville (Pretoria) (Italy), City centres (general) (Spain), Durban CBD (Germany), Durban marginal neighbourhoods (Spain), Johannesburg CBD (Germany), Mamelodi (Pretoria) (Italy), Marabstad (Pretoria) (Spain), Old city centre (France), Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) CBD (Germany), Pretoria CBD (Germany), Rotunda bus terminal (Johannesburg) (Spain)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No specific advice against travel; general precautions only | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | May 27, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Keine generelle Warnung für das gesamte Land (regional advisories) | Oct 28, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to violent crime | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (zone de vigilance renforcée pour l'ensemble du pays) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a 300 km coast in South Africa's south-east, where forest trails, lagoons and lakes lie between the mountains and the Indian Ocean. Most people come to drive it on the N2.
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The Garden Route runs for about 300 km along South Africa's south-east coast, with the Indian Ocean to the south and the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains to the north. Its name, Tuinroete, refers to the green, ecologically varied vegetation and the estuaries and lakes along the shore. George is the largest city and main administrative centre, and towns such as Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn and Wilderness line the route. Archaeological finds near Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay and Stilbaai tie the coast to the early history of humankind.
Most visitors drive the route on the N2, which runs through it. Along the way you can walk trails in the Outeniqua, Grootvadersbosch and Tsitsikamma forests, see the Knysna lagoon and Lake Swartvlei at Sedgefield, and look for nearly 300 bird species. Southern right whales calve in the bays from July to December. The climate is oceanic, with mild to warm summers and mild to cool winters, and rain falls throughout the year.
Garden Route in five
- Rent a carPublic transport is thin along the N2. A car lets you stop at beaches, forests and viewpoints on your own time.
- Book the Otter Trail far aheadThe five-day hike in Tsitsikamma is run by SANParks and has limited places, often gone many months ahead.
- Add Oudtshoorn inlandCross the Outeniqua Pass to the Klein Karoo for the Cango Caves and a drier landscape.
- Split the drive from Cape TownIt is about four hours to Mossel Bay. Many travelers drive the coast one way and fly home from George or Port Elizabeth.
Things to do in Garden Route
See all attractions in Garden Route
Need to know
- Airport
- George (GRJ); Chief Dawid Stuurman (PLZ) at the east end
- Getting there
- About 4 hours by car from Cape Town to Mossel Bay
- Getting around
- Rental car on the N2
- Best base
- Knysna or Wilderness for the middle, Plettenberg Bay for beaches
- Time needed
- 4–7 days
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryWarm, busy
- FebruaryWarm
- MarchWarm, calm
- AprilMild
- MayMild
- JuneCool
- JulyCool
- AugustCool, whales
- SeptemberWhales, flowers
- OctoberMild
- NovemberWarm
- DecemberHolidays, busy
Right now in Garden Route
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 18%
Garden Route
10:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°13°18%Monday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Tue28°12°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed33°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°16°22%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri26°13°22%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat19°9°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sun22°8°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 07:03 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tsitsikammaabout 1 hour by car from Plettenberg BayStorms River Mouth suspension bridge and coastal trails.
- Oudtshoornabout 1 hour by car from GeorgeCango Caves and the Klein Karoo.
- Cape Townabout 5–6 hours by car from KnysnaThe mountain and the Cape Peninsula.Read the guide
Before you go to Garden Route
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Rules for Garden Route, checked
- Check entry rules with the Department of Home Affairs (dha.gov.za) before you fly, including passport validity and whether you need a visa.
- Traffic drives on the left in South Africa. Check your licence and the rental insurance terms before you collect a rental car.
- Check entry fees and rules for Garden Route National Park with SANParks (sanparks.org) before you visit.
- Southern right whales are endangered. On boat trips, follow the skipper's instructions and keep the distance they set.
- Dial 10111 for police and 112 for emergency services from a mobile phone.
Plan around Garden Route
Safari, cities and the road routes
Read the guideCape Town travel guideThe usual start or end of the road trip
Read the guideCape Winelands guideA wine detour before the N2 coast
Read the guideTransport planningOne-way car hire and domestic flights
Read the guideTravel insuranceRoad-trip delays and rental car damage
Read the guideGarden Route FAQ
How many days do I need for the Garden Route?
Four days is the minimum for the main stops. A week lets you add hikes, Oudtshoorn and beach days.
Do I need a car on the Garden Route?
Yes, for most trips. Buses run along the N2 but do not reach trailheads, beaches or viewpoints.
When is the best time to drive the Garden Route?
Late summer and autumn, February to April, and spring in November. It rains in any season, so plan flexible days.
How far is the Garden Route from Cape Town?
Mossel Bay, the western end, is about four hours by car. Knysna is roughly five to six hours, so most travelers break the drive with a night in the Winelands or Hermanus.
Is Storms River Mouth worth the detour?
Yes, for the suspension bridge and coastal trail, if you have a full day. It adds about an hour each way from Plettenberg Bay, so it suits a four-day trip or longer.