DAY 1 – GEORGE & OUDTSHOORN

Take a 55-minute flight from Cape Town to George in the morning. With its laid-back charm, tree-lined avenues and sprawling golf courses, the city makes an ideal base to explore the region. The Protea Hotel King George, an Emirates Holidays partner property, is a short drive from the airport, with spacious rooms, comfy beds and balconies overlooking manicured fairways where deer roam, framed by mountain backdrops.

Before hitting the beaches, head north to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo – under an hour’s drive – to visit the working Cango Ostrich Show Farm (cangoostrich.co.za) for an educational tour and close encounters with these giant birds. A short drive further north takes you to the 20-million-year-old Cango Caves (cango-caves.co.za), the country’s longest cave system, where guided tours reveal impressive limestone formations.

Back in George, The Fat Fish (thefatfish.co.za) is one of the region’s top eateries, led by chef Christo Nortier, who trained with Jamie Oliver. Seafood is the star here, though dishes like Karoo lamb bredie and beef fillet also shine. Highlights include fish and mussels in red tom yum broth, or Thai lime and garlic steamed fish with sticky rice. Save room for dessert – from milk tart and malva pudding to baked citrus brûlée cheesecake.

DAY 2 – WILDERNESS & KNYSNA

Fynbos, meaning ‘fine bush’, only grows in the Cape Floral Kingdom. This hardy shrub with yellow, pink and lavender blooms runs along the green sweep of the N2. About 15km east of George lies Wilderness, a quiet town where The Commonage (@the.commonage) serves excellent coffee and indulgent treats (the millionaire shortbread is a winner) in a cosy, art-filled space. Stroll down to Wilderness Beach, a 9km stretch of silky blonde sand kissed by the Indian Ocean.

From here, beaches roll one into the next – the rocky drama of Gericke’s Point, windswept Swartvlei and tranquil Groenvlei – before reaching Goukamma Nature Reserve, home to rare bird species, bushbuck, honey badgers and Cape grysbok. Just beyond lies Buffles Bay, perfect for swimming, surfing, dolphin sightings and hikes through coastal forest.

Further along the N2, Knysna’s shimmering lagoon runs alongside the road into town, where colourful boats bob at the waterfront and restaurants spill onto the deck. Famous for its oysters – celebrated each July at its annual festival – Knysna is also a sailing hub. Ocean Sailing Charters (oceansailingcharters.co.za) runs daily cruises, sometimes slipping past the Knysna Heads, two towering sandstone cliffs that stand like wizened old sentinels guarding the lagoon’s entrance. Keep your eyes on the water and you might spot seals lying on their backs, flippers raised to the sun.

For a late lunch, Sirocco (sirocco.co.za) offers sweeping lagoon views and a menu featuring fresh oysters, sushi and generous seafood platters.

DAY 3 – TSITSIKAMMA FOREST

Set out from George by 7am to beat traffic and other tourists heading to Tsitsikamma Forest. Alternatively, make life easier for yourself and book into a nearby five-star Emirates Holidays partner hotel, in Plettenberg Bay the evening before.

Break your journey in Knysna to pick up breakfast from The Sourloaf Bakery (@thesourloaf). Although it specialises in sourdough breads, the display case is filled with tempting baked goods and you’re likely to come away with bags loaded with cinnamon rolls, the flakiest savoury Danish with beef Bolognese, almond and blueberry scones, giant chocolate muffins and more. What is it about road trips that makes everyone extra hungry?

Tsitsikamma is believed to be the remainder of an ancient jungle that once covered most of the Southern Cape. A temperate forest with a dense canopy, it is home to centuries-old Outeniqua yellowwoods, stinkwoods and ironwood trees, as well as leopards, vervet monkeys and rare bird species such as the African oystercatcher and Knysna turaco.

This section of the Garden Route is made for adrenalin junkies. Begin with the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour® (canopytour.co.za), ziplining through the canopy somewhere between 20–30 metres above the forest floor. By the end of the two-hour tour, you’ll be a ‘certified monkey’.

Tackle Storms River Suspension Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park next. Here, the forest stretches along a dramatic, rocky coastline pounded by powerful waves. The well-marked, two-kilometre-long Mouth Trail starts at a sandy stretch of beach, gradually ascending to a boardwalk, winding through a montane forest. Look out for wild waterlilies growing on cliffsides, groups of dassies (also known as rock hyraxes) sunning themselves on fallen logs and rocky outcrops, and orange-breasted sunbirds drinking nectar from wildflowers. Suspended seven metres above the river, the 70-metre-long bridge extends across the mouth of Storms River offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and wild coastline. Not far from Storms River is Bloukrans Bridge (bloukransbungy.com) where ultimate thrill seekers can test their nerves with the 709ft bungee jump.

On longer trips, it’s definitely worth exploring serene Nature’s Valley at the mouth of the Groot River within Tsitsikamma National Park, where canoeing, sailing and swimming are popular activities; and Keurboomstrand, a resort town near Plettenberg Bay, with pristine beaches and the Keurboom River Nature Reserve, a 1,830-acre area known for its unspoiled river gorge, coastal fynbos and scenic hiking trails along the river.

On the way back, stop by Wilderness for dinner at Ilali Restaurant (ilalirestaurant.co.za) where the menu offers a fusion of flavours. You won’t be disappointed by a fragrant bowl of punch phoron seafood linguine with juicy prawns, squid, mussels and line fish cooked in a sauce with earthy, warm and peppery notes. A gremolata topping gives it a bright, zesty finish. Other dishes of note are the Spanish paella, Karoo lamb chops with a side of chimichurri roast potatoes, and grilled ostrich fillet with roast winter vegetables, garlic potatoes and mushroom-thyme sauce.

Get in touch

Plan your Garden Route itinerary with Emirates Holidays, combining flights, private transfer and comfortable stays at a number of partner hotels along the route. emiratesholidays.com