Most visitors are introduced to South Africa either through the lens of its two largest cities—Johannesburg and Cape Town—or through a safari. But as a road-trip aficionado who has completed long, multi-day drives around the world, I can say with absolute confidence that driving the iconic Garden Route is not only one of the best ways to get to know South Africa—it’s one of the best road trips you’ll find anywhere. The scenery is dramatic, the roads are (generally) smooth and free from traffic, and you really get a taste of how South Africans live outside of the major cities. Technically, the Garden Route begins in Witsand in the Western Cape, but with so many flights and rental cars to be found in Cape Town, it makes sense to start your journey just a little further west. I drove from west to east, starting in Cape Town and finishing in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). As you’ll find out, there really are no right or wrong ways to do the Garden Route. Here, I’ve broken it down into a four-day itinerary—paced so that you feel like you’re covering a lot of ground, but still enjoying unhurried stretches of time in the car to take in the unbelievable landscapes and make the most of what road trips are all about.

MORNING: Calling all green thumbs

You could spend weeks exploring all the history, restaurants, beaches, and culture of Cape Town, but if I had to choose one thing to see before heading out to the Garden Route, it would be the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the east side of Table Mountain, away from downtown’s main hubbub. I loved the serene morning atmosphere at the garden and it was also enormously educational, tackling all of the unique plant life you’ll see in this southern part of South Africa. You can grab a quick breakfast at the Fynkos Tea Room, too, and then it’s on to the N1 for a drive to the winelands.

AFTERNOON: A picture-perfect farm

The city of Cape Town quickly disappears in the rearview mirror and idyllic farmlands and vineyards start to crop up on this route. Again, South Africa’s winelands are a place where you could spend days exploring—but if you want a quick taste before heading further east, a stop at Babylonstoren is essential. It’s one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the country, and has been turned into a stunning hotel and wine farm. Squeeze in a tour and a farm-fresh lunch at the Greenhouse restaurant—even if you aren’t an oenophile, the experience here is super emblematic of this region’s rich agricultural history.

EVENING: Where the locals go for a beach weekend

EVENING: Where the locals go for a beach weekend It’s not much farther on to the beach enclave of Hermanus, a holiday town where the mountains meet the sea. This region is known for its floral diversity, so if you arrive before sunset, make sure to pull off the road at some point and admire some of the wildflowers during golden hour—the Cape Floral Kingdom is home to some of the most biodiverse and beautiful plants in the world. I relished in the laid-back vibe in Hermanus, a town known for its retirees and family weekenders. I started the evening with a dinner of small plates paired with local wines at Pear Tree, then walked over to The Gecko for a nightcap, and found an energetic local atmosphere with live music and gorgeous water views. There isn’t a ton going on in Hermanus—but for a single night, it’s perfect.

MORNING: The southernmost point of Africa

I ordered some delicious eggs and bacon, then took a strong cup of coffee to go from Groves Cafe. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday morning, check out the Hermanus Country Market before you leave—I wasn’t there on the right day, but the baked treats and artisan goods make for fantastic road-trip snacks. Once you’re ready to hit the road, hop on the R43 down to the Cape l’Agulhas Lighthouse, Africa’s southernmost point. It sounds like an overhyped, underwhelming spot, but I promise, there’s something really momentous about looking out across the horizon and knowing that the next closest landmass is Antarctica.