Is It Safe to Drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route? Our Knysna & Plettenberg Bay Road -Where to Stay
In late August, we did a self-drive road trip from Cape Town to the Garden Route, starting with Knysna and continuing on to Plettenberg Bay. During our travel across South Africa, we were repeatedly asked the same question by other tourists: is it safe to drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route?
We’ll also share below where we stayed in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay and why these locations worked perfectly for a Garden Route road trip.
Why Travellers Ask If It’s Safe to Drive from Cape Town
This concern comes up often, especially among first-time visitors planning a Garden Route self-drive. Based on our experience, I wanted to share what the drive was really like, including safety concerns, road conditions, and what helped us feel more confident on the road.
Renting a Car in Cape Town City Vs Airport – for the Garden Route
When planning a Cape Town to Garden Route drive, renting a car is essential. We found that while rental cars are available both within Cape Town city and at Cape Town Airport, the cost difference was significant. Renting from the city was considerably more expensive, which made airport pickup the most practical option for us.
Cape Town Airport is roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the city, depending on where you stay, and it is a common starting point for travellers driving the Garden Route.
Safety Warnings Before Leaving Cape Town
Before starting our road trip, almost every tour guide and taxi driver in Cape Town offered advice about driving out of the airport. What stood out was how consistent their warnings were.
We were repeatedly told that the first 30 minutes after leaving Cape Town Airport is the most sensitive part of the drive. According to them, once you reach the mountains, the journey becomes much safer. This advice stuck in our minds, even though we later realized that on this route, there are no major mountain passes that you actually drive through.
They advised us not to leave valuables in sight, to act confident even if lost, and to avoid stopping at all costs, especially on the highway. We were also warned to stay on the N2 and avoid inner or local roads if we missed a turn. Several people also mentioned a past incident involving a tourist who stopped on the highway, which added to our anxiety.
We were also advised by locals to be cautious with navigation. Built-in car GPS units can signal that you are a tourist, so to stay discreet, we used our phone GPS instead, keeping it low and out of view from the windows. This allowed us to follow the route safely without drawing attention, just as the tour guides and taxi drivers had suggested.
Picking Up Our Rental Car at Cape Town Airport
Despite the concerns, we decided to go ahead with the drive. We had pre-booked our rental car online and planned to pick it up at Cape Town Airport. After spending a week in the city, we took an Uber to the airport to begin our Garden Route road trip.
At the rental counter, we were required to provide an emergency contact name, phone number, and address. While we knew the phone number by heart, we didn’t have the address. The rental company waited nearly 45 minutes while we contacted family back home to get the
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details. Their insistence on having the full information before proceeding added to our nervousness.
Driving from Cape Town: Adjusting to Left-Hand Driving
Driving in South Africa means driving on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. If you are not used to left-hand driving, it takes a bit of mental adjustment. We found it helpful for one person to focus solely on driving while the other navigated and gave constant reminders, especially at intersections. We followed the N2 highway throughout the journey, where the speed limit is 120 km/h (approximately 75 miles per hour), and avoided any detours through local areas.
Areas to Stay Alert Near Cape Town Airport
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Warning sign on the highway out of Cape Town
Shortly after leaving the airport, the road passes alongside several poorer neighborhoods where crime levels are known to be higher. These areas are frequently mentioned in safety warnings given to tourists, which heightened our awareness during this part of the drive. There was also steady traffic around the airport, which actually made the drive feel safer with more people on the road.
About 20 minutes into the journey, we saw a sign that read: “High Crime Area. Do Not Stop On Freeway.” We continued driving without stopping. The roads themselves were well maintained, but our focus was on getting through this section. We kept the music off and limited distractions, staying alert while waiting to reach what we had been told would be the “mountain” stretch.
When we are 45 minutes into the drive, we realized that there were no real mountains to pass through on this route. Apart from a small hill that lasted barely a few minutes, the road remained mostly flat. This was an unexpected realization, especially after being told repeatedly that reaching the mountains meant safety.
When the Landscape Changes and the Fear Fades
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Canola Fields across the Garden Route
Not long after that, the scenery began to open up. The road led into wide plains, with rolling green fields, cultivated farmland, and expansive canola fields glowing in bright yellow. As the surroundings changed, the tension slowly eased.
Traffic was minimal, the roads looked almost empty, with only an occasional
vehicle passing by. The highways were smooth, and it felt as though we were driving through a quiet, open countryside.
Scenic Countryside on the Way to Knysna
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The Garden Route with vibrant greenery and a mountain range
The South African countryside was captivating. Gentle hills and distant mountain ranges framed vast grassy plains, with flocks of sheep scattered across the landscape. Although this section of the route runs near the coast, the ocean isn’t visible from the highway for most of the drive.
The combination of wide open land and distant mountains made this stretch unexpectedly peaceful and scenic.
Stopping for Fuel and Coffee at Riversdale
About three hours into the drive, we stopped for fuel at a Shell station in Riversdale. We also took a break at vida e caffè, where we were pleasantly surprised by the freshly made sandwiches and coffee options. It was a welcome and refreshing stop before continuing toward Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
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Hot coffee from vida e caffè
Entering the Garden Route via Mossel Bay
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Garden Route – Green meadows dotted with sheep
The Garden Route officially begins at Mossel Bay, although the landscapes leading up to it already feel lush and green. After passing Mossel Bay, the road moves closer to the ocean, though it remains mostly out of sight from the highway.
Near Knysna, we caught brief glimpses of the ocean before entering city limits, where stopping was not possible.
Knysna to Plettenberg Bay: A Drive Best Done in Daylight
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Catching glimpses of the ocean while driving
Our original plan was to stop in Knysna for dinner before heading to Plettenberg Bay. Since it was already late evening, we decided to drive straight to Plettenberg Bay and visit Knysna on our return.
This turned out to be the right choice. The drive from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay winds through mountainous terrain with sharp curves, limited lighting, and in some sections,
no reflectors at all. Driving this stretch during daylight is strongly recommended, as visibility drops quickly after sunset, making the sharp bends and elevation changes harder to anticipate.
Returning to Cape Town
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Knysna
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Plettenberg Bay
We spent three days in Plettenberg Bay and one day in Knysna before driving back to Cape Town. The return journey was just as scenic, with sweeping landscapes and endless fields dotted with sheep.
As we approached the airport area again, we followed the same safety habits – music off, confident driving, car GPS turned off, and mobile GPS kept discreet and out of sight.
This was our personal experience driving from Cape Town to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. While experiences can vary, this self-drive route offered some of the most memorable landscapes we saw in South Africa.
So, is it safe to drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route?
From our experience, yes, and if you follow the safety tips we’ve shared below, you’re likely to have a smooth and memorable self-drive trip. Driving through the Garden Route offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in South Africa, and with a little planning and awareness, this road trip can be one of your most rewarding travel experiences.
Where we stayed
Plettenberg Bay – Best View @ No 2
Best View @ No 2 was perfectly located near Robberg Beach with amazing beach views, walkable to Robberg Beach and just a 5-minute drive to the Robberg Peninsula trail and on the main street with great restaurants. This apartment (acrtually extemely large three bedroom with kitchen and huge living area) can easily hold 5 to 6 people and if you are a large group this place is a deal. It felt like home.
Knysna – Falcons View Manor
Falcons View Manor offered stunning views, incredible staff, and a flawless stay, everything was perfect!
Safety Tips and Best Time to Drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route
Best time to visit The Garden route
The best time to travel the Garden Route is from March to May and again between late August and November. August may bring a few light showers, but rainfall tapers off toward the end of the month, when temperatures are pleasantly cool rather than hot. September is one of the best months to visit South Africa overall, especially if you’re combining the Garden Route with a trip to Kruger National Park, where wildlife viewing, particularly of the big cats, is excellent.
Staying on the N2 Highway
Avoid stopping on the highway, especially near Cape Town and the airport.
Avoiding Local Roads
If you miss a turn, stay on the N2 and keep driving rather than entering local roads.
Managing Cash and Valuables
Split cash and cards and store them in different places instead of carrying everything together.
Using Phone GPS Discreetly
Many locals recommend using your phone GPS for navigation rather than the car’s built-in system, since it’s less obvious from outside the vehicle. Keep your device low and out of view, and use it simply to stay on the main highway, especially in urban areas with higher crime.
Blending In While Driving
Within city limits, keep music low or off and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Stay Alert And Keep Windows Rolled Up
When driving, it’s a good idea to keep your windows rolled up, especially in neighborhoods around the airport. This simple precaution can help you feel safer on the road.
Driving the Garden Route, including Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, is a must-do if you are visiting South Africa. The scenery is enriching, calming, and unforgettable. With awareness, preparation, and sensible precautions, this road trip can be one of the most rewarding experiences the country has to offer.
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