Episode: The Garden Route, South Africa

Today's episode is an FAQ on what the Garden Route is, a bit about the route, and my mistakes on it.

The FAQ is: What is the Garden Route? It sounds lovely, but what is it actually?

Answer:

The Garden Route is a re-branded name for a region in Africa. It's a 190-mile stretch of South Africa's southeastern coast, stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storms River. It is a popular tourist road trip known for lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery, lakes, and sandy beaches. The area features a mild, year-round temperate climate, making it a premier, safe destination for outdoor activities. I drove it in 2025, all on the left side of the road, in a rental car, and there were almost no traffic lights or even traffic. Listen to the full episode to learn how I got a traffic ticket and what happened later.

60-second confidence challenge

Your challenge today is the Confidence Challenge on the Garden Route

Driving on the left side of the road was a huge challenge for me. To do it well, think of big right turns and small left turns. Follow the car in front of you if you get mixed up.

It should be practiced on local streets before you enter a busy city, like Cape Town, South Africa.

If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into getting around in Step 4 travel, while moving through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips.

Find Books A, and B and soon C, on the website at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series.

Today's destination is the Garden Route, South Africa.

Today we're heading to one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world — The Garden Route in South Africa, just about six to seven hours from Cape Town. I was inspired by Rose from our Bucket List Travel Series and had to visit for my own experience.

Six hours of driving sounds long. But here's the question: when was the last time you permitted yourself to take the scenic road? And I split it into two days of driving.

You can drive it yourself as I did, or take a Greyhound bus, which is comfortable and reliable. If you prefer less stress, the bus is a solid option. But driving gives you flexibility — and plenty of lessons. And the buses weren't flexible with their pickup times, like one am, which isn't my idea of a convenient pickup at a bus stop.

I left Fish Hoek in the Cape Town area at 8 a.m. on a Sunday. Within thirty minutes, the coast was visible — waves crashing, sand drifting across the road, endless sky. And yes, you'll also see contrasts. There are informal settlements along the way. Women carrying water jugs. Shacks near beaches. South Africa is breathtaking — and complex.

Once I found the N2 — after missing a turn and driving nearly an hour too far — the journey truly began. Note to self: don't rely only on instinct. Download your maps offline. And don't speed. Tickets are expensive.

My first major stop was Knysna (NICE-nuh) Heads — two dramatic cliffs guarding a lagoon entrance. I is spelled: K N Y S N A.

Knysna means NICE-nuh (/ˈnaɪznə/), with a silent 'K'. It is a Khoikhoi word meaning "place of wood" or "fern leaves," and it is located in the Western Cape of South Africa.

The views from above the cliffs are unforgettable. It's hard to describe, but picture what Robinson Curuso (spelling) may have seen from his travels.

Then on to Plettenberg Bay, where I walked Lookout Beach. Here you will see Volleyball games, rustic beach restaurants, and wide open space. If you swim, check the tides — and yes, the water is cold, but refreshing. Around 17°C in some areas, and slightly warmer than Fish Hoek.

For nature lovers, Robberg Nature Reserve is worth the small entrance fee — about 65 Rand or 4 dollars. I hiked partway. It's rocky and slippery, so take care. I saw seals — hundreds of them — birds soaring, and even a whale in the distance. I walked over 16,000 steps that day. Alone. Strong. Capable.

And here's something beautiful: I stayed at a simple hostel in Sedgefield — about $25 a night. The owner made us dinner. My roommate, Mary, from Germany, had been traveling solo for 12 months. She quit her corporate logistics job and became, as she said, "the package." She left for Kazakhstan the next morning. Inspiring, isn't it?

On the drive back toward Cape Town, I saw baboons crossing the road — mothers with babies on their backs: cows, sheep, rolling hills. One truck had spilled cement across the highway. Life happens. Stay alert. Top speed is 120 kilometers per hour. You pass on the right. Big sweeping turns. It's not a casual drive; it requires focus.

Now, while you're near Cape Town, consider booking a private taxi driver for a full-day tour if you don't want to drive on the left side of the road as I did. Include Chapman's Peak Drive, Boulders Beach to see penguins, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and sunset atop Table Mountain. You can hike up via Platteklip Gorge or Skeleton Gorge (which includes ladders) and take the cable car down if your knees prefer that option. There is no shame in the cable car.

Add a visit to Stellenbosch wine country, Blaauwklippen for its weekend market, Guardian Peak for views, or Ernie Els for something more upscale. And don't miss the (oh-RUN-yuh-zicht) Oranjezicht City Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.

Here's the mistake some first-time visitors make: they rush the Garden Route. This is not a checklist destination. It's a rhythm. It's Youth Day celebrations on June 16th. It's cheering runners at a 10K before you can drive out because your house sits on the course. It's dinner with strangers who become friends.

The Garden Route reminds you that solo does not mean alone.

If you are 50-plus and wondering whether the Garden Route drive is "too much," I would gently challenge that thought. With preparation, awareness, and pacing, it's absolutely doable. And unforgettable.

AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.

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