Rent a motorhome in the Garden Route

South Africa’s greatest road trip is also one of its best campervan destinations. Taking in 200 kilometres of coastline, forests and national parks, the Garden Route is a wildlife watcher's dream that’s centred on the unmissable Garden Route National Park. The region's breathtaking sandy beaches are dotted by spellbinding campsites and pitches with immediate access to the sparkling sea. Choose the perfect campervan to discover this jewel of South Africa at motorhomebookers.com.

The Garden Route benefits from an excellent network of roads from Cape Town, including the N2 to Plettenberg Bay. While the beaches draw serious attention with prized surfing and lounging spots, the route is also dotted with rich nature and wildlife parks. Get close to the yellowwood forests of Tsitsikamma, where bush pigs roam, or head inland to Oudtshoorn, the world's ostrich capital. The Garden Route rewards long stays with big skies and morning ocean vistas.

This guide will inform you why the Garden Route should be your next motorhome holiday destination in South Africa. Discover the highlights of its natural parks and coastline that you can explore with an RV rental.

Top 5 facts about the Garden Route

1. Dias Museum Complex: Mossel Bay’s historic museum tells the story of the port town’s seafaring heritage and includes a replica of the 15th-century Portuguese ship that signalled the arrival of the Europeans.
2. Knysna Lagoon: Renowned for its deep blue waters and rugged limestone headlands, Knysna Lagoon is a highlight best seen by boat.
3. For safety reasons, wild camping is not recommended. Opt for a designated campsite that feels just as in touch with nature.
4. The meandering Swartberg Pass is among the most scenic non-coastal roads and takes in the Wall of Fire, a 700-metre flame-red cliff face.
5. Tsitsikamma: The eastern section of the Garden Route is a scene-stealing section that’s renowned for its coast-hugging bridges.

These highlights await you when you visit the Garden Route with a motorhome

The Garden Route is one of South Africa's most popular campervan routes for a reason: it takes in stunningly beautiful coastlines and natural parks while remaining connected to historic settlements. The first highlight of the region is Mossel Bay, too often overlooked by those rushing into nature. Visit the Dias Museum to learn of the town’s 500-year history and dine on seafood at the waterfront. The city of George and nearby Victoria Bay and Herolds Bay are also promising stop-off points for surfing and lunch.

Heading into the coastal Garden Route National Park, highlights include Dolphin Point, Wilderness Beach and the Garden Route lakes, best explored by kayak rental. Further east, Knysna is home to idyllic sandy shores and a lagoon surrounded by forests. Plettenberg Bay is home to the Robberg Nature Reserve, known for its seabirds, fur seals and dolphins. At the edge of the Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park is aptly taken from the Khoi word for “abundant sparkling water”.

These camper routes through the Garden Route are a must

The Garden Route provides one complete coastal route from Cape Town to Nature’s Valley with plenty of off-shoots, rural roads and extensions. Many locals even consider the east-extending elephant sanctuary of Addo National Park as an ideal endpoint. The standard route can be explored via the well-maintained N2 national highway. You can take this coast-hugging road east before returning by the same road or meandering through northern rural roads.

Route 62 is a scenic road between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn that’s lined with vineyards and wineries. It takes in the northern area of the Garden Route region away from the coast. It’s particularly recommended for those returning to Cape Town as it spreads west from the Garden Route via Montagu, home to impressive rock formations, herb gardens and mineral springs. Simply follow the R62 provincial road to take in the highlights.

Camper van hire: Useful information for a trip through the Garden Route

South Africa and the Garden Route are some of the continent's best locations for RV rentals. Mountains, rivers, lakes and seaside provide perfect backdrops at well-provisioned campsites. The summer holidays from December to January are the busiest times to visit. While booking campsites in advance is not usually required, it’s recommended during these popular months. In particular, government-run national parks campsites are among the region’s most beautiful.

When driving around the Garden Route, watch out for wildlife and allow animals to pass. There are few special requirements for vehicles on the Garden Route. Just ensure your vehicle is small enough to navigate rural mountain roads if that’s your destination. Sticking to major campsites on the main highway will allow you to travel in more comfort. You’ll need to be over 21 years old to rent an RV in South Africa and must provide a credit or debit card.

Rent a motorhome now and discover the Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most scenic and well-connected routes, boasting surf-friendly towns, spectacular food and a wealth of natural beauty. Choose from motorhome pick-up locations with our partners across the region, starting in Cape Town to the west or Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, to the east. Set off on a campervan tour across South Africa’s bejewelled Cape coast with a motorhome rental on the Garden Route.

Get in touch with motorhomebookers.com today!