Cape Town To Port Elizabeth Road Trip Itinerary

09 Jun 2026Updated last time

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Road Trip Overview

This scenic road trip along South Africa’s southern coastline is a journey through dramatic landscapes, charming seaside towns, and unforgettable natural experiences. Begin in Cape Town with the iconic Table Mountain, where sweeping views of the city and ocean set the tone for the adventure ahead. Continue to Hermanus, a world-famous whale-watching destination where the cliffs and coastal paths offer incredible opportunities to see marine life up close, especially in season.

From there, head toward Mossel Bay, a historic harbor town with beautiful beaches and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. As you travel deeper into the Garden Route, stop in Knysna for its famous lagoon, forest scenery, and the striking Knysna Heads. Nearby Plettenberg Bay adds golden beaches, ocean views, and a laid-back holiday feel, while Tsitsikamma National Park brings rugged cliffs, indigenous forests, and thrilling outdoor activities like hiking and canopy adventures.

The final stretch leads to Jeffrey’s Bay, a surfing hotspot with a lively beach culture, before arriving in Port Elizabeth, also known as Gqeberha, where friendly city vibes, coastal beauty, and nearby wildlife reserves provide a fitting conclusion. This road trip is ideal for travelers who love nature, coastal drives, and a mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture.


Recommended Activities

  • 1

    Table Mountain

    Table Mountain is Cape Town's iconic landmark with panoramic views of the city and coastline, a rich biodiversity, and thrilling cable car rides.
  • Hermanus offers some of the world's best land-based whale watching opportunities, especially during the Southern Right Whale migration season, and features scenic cliff paths.
  • Mossel Bay is steeped in history with the famous Post Office Tree, beautiful beaches, and it forms part of the scenic Garden Route, offering numerous outdoor activities.
  • Knysna is known for its lush forests, the Knysna Heads - two dramatic sea cliffs, and a beautiful lagoon, ideal for boating and fishing.
  • 5

    Plettenberg Bay

    Plettenberg Bay, or 'Plett', is renowned for its pristine golden beaches, a mild climate, and a range of marine life including dolphins, seals, and whales.
  • 6

    Tsitsikamma National Park

    Tsitsikamma National Park is an area of extraordinary natural beauty with rugged cliffs, indigenous forests, and offers activities like hiking along the Otter Trail and bungee jumping from Bloukrans Bridge.
  • 7

    Jeffrey's Bay

    Jeffrey's Bay is famous for its consistent, high-quality surf waves, and is considered one of the best surfing locations in the world.
  • 8

    Port Elizabeth

    Port Elizabeth, known as the 'Friendly City,' offers a diverse range of attractions from beautiful beaches, historical heritage sites to game reserves nearby.

Restaurants

  • Picture for Truth Coffee Roasting

    Truth Coffee Roasting

    Dubbed as one of the world's best coffee shops, its Steampunk-inspired interiors offer a unique dining experience in Cape Town
  • Picture for Die Strandloper

    Die Strandloper

    Die Strandloper, Langebaan, 7357, South Africa
    An open-air beach restaurant near Langebaan that offers a 10-course seafood feast cooked over open fires
  • Picture for Bientang's Cave

    Bientang's Cave

    In a cave below Marine Drive 100m from Old Harbour, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
    A restaurant in Hermanus set within a cave on the ocean's edge, famous for seafood and whale watching opportunities
  • Picture for Bramon Wine Estate

    Bramon Wine Estate

    N2, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602, South Africa
    A vineyard near Plettenberg Bay that offers wine tasting with tapas in the middle of the vineyards
  • Picture for The Anchorage

    The Anchorage

    11 Gray St, Knysna Central, Knysna, 6571, South Africa
    A cozy Knysna establishment recognized for its excellent seafood and local cuisine
  • Picture for The Heads Restaurant

    The Heads Restaurant

    25 George Rex Dr, The Heads, Knysna, 6571, South Africa
    Located on the edge of Knysna's famous Heads, this restaurant offers spectacular views and a menu to match
  • Picture for Storms River Mouth Restaurant

    Storms River Mouth Restaurant

    Garden Route National Park, Humansdorp, 6308, South Africa
    Situated within the Tsitsikamma National Park, it offers breathtaking views and dining in the heart of nature
  • Picture for The Blue Shed Coffee Roastery

    The Blue Shed Coffee Roastery

    33 Bland St, Mossel Bay, 6500, South Africa
    A trendy coffee shop in Mossel Bay with quirky decor, known for its artisanal coffee and sea views

Hotels

  • The Silo Hotel

    Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

    This luxury hotel in Cape Town is built in an historic grain silo complex above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
  • Turbine Hotel & Spa

    36 Sawtooth Ln, Thesen Island, Knysna, 6570, South Africa

    A boutique 5-star hotel in Knysna that was converted from an old power station while preserving its industrial architecture.
  • Tsala Treetop Lodge

    Unique lodgings in Plettenberg Bay offering luxury suites high in the trees of an indigenous forest.
  • The Old Jail

    Blignaut Street, Willowmore, 6445, South Africa

    This quirky Willowmore hotel is a converted Victorian-era jail that promises a comfortable stay in a historical setting.
  • Gorah Elephant Camp

    ADDO HEIGHTS RD, Addo, 6600, South Africa

    An exclusive safari lodge in the heart of the Addo Elephant National Park, famous for up-close wildlife viewing.
  • Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

    R303, Koue Bokkeveld, Cederberg, 6836, South Africa

    An extraordinary retreat in the Cederberg Mountains offering unique cave suites, beautifully integrated with the natural sandstone formations.

Local Events & Happenings

  • Picture for James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour

    James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour

    Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)12 Sep 2024
    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for Atlantic Starr Live

    Atlantic Starr Live

    Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)28 Sep 2024
    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for The Magic of Rob Lake

    The Magic of Rob Lake

    Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)5 Oct 2024
    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour

    Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour

    Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)21 Nov 2024
    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for Kool & The Gang - special guest Al Mckay's Earth,Wind &Fire Experience

    Kool & The Gang - special guest Al Mckay's Earth,Wind &Fire Experience

    Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)28 Nov 2024
    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for Cigarettes After Sex

    Cigarettes After Sex

    Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (231.53 mi)5 Mar 2025
    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
  • Picture for Calabash South Africa 2025 | Robbie Williams

    Calabash South Africa 2025 | Robbie Williams

    DHL Stadium in Cape Town (239.45 mi)22 Jan 2025
    The event will take place at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Travel Gems from Reddit

  • Is there anything worth stopping for between Port Elizabeth and Knysna ...

    /r/capetown

    Doing a road trip from PE to CT and staying overnight in Knysna 2 nights - wondering if theres anything worth seeing between PE and Knysna (restaurants, small shops, cute area...

  • Is there much to do between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth?

    /r/southafrica

    If Cape Town is our biggest attraction, then the Garden Route probably takes a very close second - and it should. It's an awesome road trip, and the scenery is great as well. ...

  • Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

    /r/capetown

    Nothing beats the Garden Route. And yes, those are really great places to stay overnight, consider Tsitsikamma as well if driving that route. I see theyve closed the roads goi...

  • Driving from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth - advice please

    /r/capetown

    I want to drive (or perhaps uber or train) from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth mainly to enjoy the Garden Route that falls in between. However, google maps say that the driving t...

  • Round Trip from Cape Town on the Garden Route over 6 Days

    /r/capetown

    I would drive the R62 up to Oudsthoorn, overnight there and then move onto one of Knysna, Sedgefield or Wilderness for a 3 nights. Lots to explore in that area and nice to hav...

  • Seeking Advice for South Africa Solo Road Trip

    /r/askSouthAfrica

    Kruger to sodwana and sodwana to Durban . And the Port Alfred to Capetown your GPS should be fine .

  • Itinerary on Cape Town and Garden Route

    /r/travel

    Day 4: See Robben Island for 3-4 hours. First boat leaves at 9:00. Once back in Cape Town, take an UBER to district 6 museum to learn more about the history of Apartheid. Gard...

  • Female traveler from the US taking the N62 from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town over 3 days/3 nights.

    /r/southafrica

    It's beautiful! We had a little more time but here are my top 5 places to stop: -Jeffrey's Bay -George -Mossel Bay -Knysna -Stellenbosch (not technically on the way,...

  • Planning a trip to south-Africa! Any tips on which route or ...

    /r/geography

    I did the coast trip in late 1995. I hitchhiked (it was safe then) from Cape Town to Knysna, then on to Port Elizabeth. I wish I had stopped at Cape Agulhas. From Port Elizabe...

  • Visiting Cape Town, I'd like to drive the Garden Route to Botlierskop and hit Mossel Bay as well. I've 3-4 nights to spare. Any recommendations on routes or must-see stops along the way?

    /r/capetown

    Mossel Bay is really at the start of the Garden Route. What I would do is drive up the R62 to Oudsthoorn (1 night). Then either go up to Tsitsikamma (adrenaline activities in ...