Cape Town to Knysna: The Garden Route with Kids

Last updated on November 7th, 2024 at 03:53 pm

Planning a trip along the Garden Route with kids? Here’s all you need to know about where to stop and what to see from Cape Town to Knysna.

The Garden Route is one of the most popular road trips for families and for good reason. The road from Cape Town to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay is packed with things to see and do – and all kid-friendly!

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If you’re starting in Cape Town, as we did, take a look at my Cape Town itinerary 5 Days in Cape Town – The Perfect Family Cape Town Itinerary and my Cape Town safety tips.

You might also want to spend a few days in the Winelands – or take a day trip there. If that’s the case, The Best Wine Farms in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for Families will help you plan which vineyards are your best bets.

Cape Town to Knysna

How To Get to Knysna From Cape Town: From Cape Town, there are several routes you can take to head east and onto the Garden Route:

Route 62: This is the route we took and I’ll be talking more about it below. It’s a scenic route which takes you through the Little Karoo. This road will take you through towns such as Robertson, Barrydale, Calitizdorp and Oudtshoorn.

N2 Route: This route is a popular one if you’re short on time as it’s the most direct. It heads through Somerset West and Caledon and culminates in Mossel Bay and George before joining the Garden Route.

Coastal Route: If you like coastal drives, this is the route to take. Take the R44 from Cape Town to Hermanus, followed by the R43 to Gansbaai. Join the N2 at Mossel Bay and you’ll be heading towards the Garden Route.

✅ Book a rental car for your Knysna from Cape Town road trip HERE with rentalcars.com

Cape Town to Garden Route Distance

The distance from Cape Town to Knysna is over 480 kilometres and the Cape Town to Knysna driving time is almost six hours. So, you’re bound to want to break up your journey, especially if you’re travelling the Garden Route with kids.

Here are some of my favourite stops travelling from Cape Town to Knysna or Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route with kids (check out my garden route map below):

Oudtshoorn

Travelling from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn takes at least 4 hours. While we drove it in one go, there are some places worth stopping off at on the way. These include:

• Montagu: known for its hot springs and Protea Farm
• Barrydale: quirky restaurants and small art galleries
• Calitzdorp: some good wineries specialising in dessert wines, such as Boplaas.

Oudtshoorn is in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape. It’s most famous for its ostrich farms and bears the title of the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. Here’s what to see there:

Cango Wildlife Ranch

At Cango Wildlife Ranch, you’ll get to see big cats such as cheetahs, lions, and tigers as well as crocodiles, snakes, lemurs and vultures.  There are regular tours around the park and the guides are really knowledgeable about all the animals here. 

You have several options available to you when you purchase tickets.  Choose from standard tickets, premium tickets (which include one animal encounter) or VIP tour tickets.

Animal encounters can also be booked separately once inside the park.  They include feeding the lions, tigers and cheetahs, the first and only croc cage diving experience and snake and lemur experiences. 

We were lucky enough to visit when the ranch’s cheetah cubs were just under 6 months old, and arranged a cheetah cub experience. As this is a cheetah conservation centre, we felt confident that the animal encounters were organised with the animal’s welfare at the centre.

The experience felt ethical and safe and I’d recommend the ranch as a good place to plan any animal encounters you might want to have.

Address: 191 Baron Van Reede St, Oudtshoorn, 6620

✅ Book Tickets For your Full Day Oudtshoorn Tour (including Cango Wildlife Ranch Here

Highgate Ostrich Farm

Highgate Ostrich Farm is so-called because, until 2012, it was owned by a family from Highgate, London.  They sold the farm after a bad case of bird flu and it now has a German owner. 

There are regular tours around the farm – no need to book ahead. These include a look at the farm’s three different breeds of ostrich (local, Kenyan and Zimbabwean).

You’ll also get to learn about the feathers and eggs the ostriches produce, have a chance to hold a baby ostrich and check out the incubators.

Lastly, there’s an opportunity to feed some of the ostriches. 

We found it really interesting – particularly learning about how ostriches regularly gobble down stones to break up their food.  There’s a nice place to eat here called The Pepper Tree Restaurant – the outdoor tables sit underneath a giant pepper tree.

Address: R328, Oudtshoorn, 6620

✅ Book Tickets For Highgate Ostrich Farm Here

Meerkat Adventures

Meerkat Adventures is organised by De Zeekoe Guest Farm. Tours take place daily, weather permitting. They don’t go if it’s raining as the meerkats won’t want to come out. Tours start early (before sunrise) and need to be booked in advance. This is a wonderful opportunity to see meerkats up close and in their natural environment. 

Guides ensure that you get to see the meerkats’ morning routines as much as possible whilst adhering to strict guidelines ensuring the preservation of their natural environment.

Address: R62, Oudtshoorn, 6625

Book Tickets: Phone +27 (0)84 772 9678 or Email [email protected]

Cango Caves

Book ahead for popular Cango Caves, located just outside of Oudtshoorn in the Swartberg Mountains.  You can choose between the Heritage tour and the Adventure tour. 

The Adventure tour consists of several narrow sections of the cave which you’ll need to squeeze through. Not for the claustrophobic.  The Heritage tour takes an hour, while the Adventure tour is 90 minutes long.  Our guide on the Heritage tour was informative and knowledgeable about the cave system. It’s undoubtedly one of the most impressive I’ve seen.

You’ll be taken through a number of chambers to see lots of beautiful formations, such as Cleopatra’s Needle, The Organ Pipes and The Rainbow Room. 

First used by the indigenous people, the Khoi San, the caves were later used as a concert venue (until visitors started venturing further into the cave and breaking off bits of rock as mementoes).

Address: Cango Caves R328 Cango Valley, Oudtshoorn, 6625

Book Tickets: Phone: +27 (0)82 303 0029 or Email: [email protected]

✅ Book Tickets For your Full Day Oudtshoorn Tour (including Cango Caves Here

George

We travelled from Oudtshoorn to George (less than an hour’s drive) where we stayed at the Fancourt Hotel (a large golfing resort). Since the weather took a turn for the worse at this point (Garden Route weather can be unpredictable in the Autumn), we made the most of what was on offer there.

The Fancourt has some fantastic facilities (golf, a kids club, pool, bike hire) and also made my husband’s birthday extra special. Whether you decide to stay here or not, do yourself a favour and order one of their club sandwiches at The Club Lounge!

✅ Book HERE for the best rates for the Fancourt Hotel via Booking.com

George is a fairly large town on the Garden Route, often used as a rest point on the way from Cape Town to Knysna, and sometimes as a base to explore other towns nearby.

Travelling from George to Mossel Bay and from George to Kynsna (both popular locations on the Garden Route) is easy and quick.

If you have more time than we did in George, think about checking out the following places which are good for families:

Redberry Farm

There’s strawberry picking, miniature train rides, a maze and lots of other fun activities for the family at Redberry Farm. Don’t miss a visit to the Giant Strawberry (climb to the top for amazing views of the Outeniqua Mountains).

Address: Geelhoutboom Road, Blanco, George, 6530

Outeniqua Transport Museum

If your kids (or you) are into vintage cars and steam trains, the Outeniqua Transport Museum is worth checking out. It shares a lot about the history of transport in this part of the world.

Address: 2 Mission Rd, Levallia, George, 6530

Mossel Bay

Driving from George to Mossel Bay will take you 45 minutes to 1 hour. Take the N2 (due west). Mossel Bay to Oudtshoorn is also just over an hour’s drive.

If you’re travelling to South Africa in its warmer months, you should definitely explore the beaches Mossel Bay has to offer (Santos Beach is particularly popular and good for families). Whale watching in Mossel Bay is also worth putting on your itinerary if you’re visiting between July and October (winter in South Africa).

✅ Book HERE for Mossel Bay Day Tour

You could also consider the following places:

Seal Island

Just off the coast of Mossel Bay, take a boat trip to Seal Island to see the colony of Cape Fur Seals. For a well-organised trip around the bay by speedboat, book with the link below:

✅ Book HERE for your Seal Island Tour in Mossel Bay

Shark Cage Diving

While this definitely isn’t my thing, Mossel Bay is one of the best places in South Africa to take part in shark cage diving. If you’re passing through Mossel Bay on your way from Cape Town to Knysna and are interested in giving it a try, book with the link below:

✅ Book HERE for your Shark Cage Diving Experience in Mossel Bay

Knysna

From George, it makes sense to head straight down to the coast via the N2 (the Garden Route) for some fantastic coastal views.

It takes about an hour to travel from George to Knysna; famous for its oysters, great restaurants and the Knysna Lagoon. 

You deserve a well-earned rest following your road trip from Cape Town to Knysna and this is just the place. Knysna has some fantastic seafood restaurants (we liked Sirocco).

Take a look below for suggestions for Knysna activities and adventures:

Knysna Boat Trip

One of the best adventures in Knysna is a boat trip out to see the Knysna Heads, or a sunset trip across the bay. Oyster tours are also a popular option (wine included).

We went with Knysna Charters, a company I’d highly recommend. They also offer other activities such as tours via Segway and Scooter.

The boat will take you around the Lagoon to see the wildlife and hear a bit about Kysna’s history, then it’ll take you close to the Knysna Heads.

Knysna Charters Address: 23 Sawtooth Ln, Thesen Island, Knysna, 6570

✅ Book Tickets For your Knysna Boat Trip HERE

Knysna Heads

Knysna is unusual in that it has two headlands rather than one.  Its sandstone cliffs are 120 million years old – formed when the supercontinent known as Gondwana broke apart.

Knysna Lagoon is also known for the Cape seahorse, a species which is endemic to Knysna Lagoon. As it is vulnerable, wild oyster farming in the lagoon area is tightly regulated and many of the oysters are now brought into the area from elsewhere in South Africa. 

Make sure you leave time to head up to the Knysna Heads’ viewpoint. Follow the N2 through Knysna – the viewpoint is on the eastern side of the lagoon at the end of George Rex Drive. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the centre of town.

Knysna Elephant Sanctuary

Located in the centre of town, Knysna Elephant Sanctuary has been home to orphaned or injured elephants since 1994.

You can learn about the conservation work the sanctuary does and you’ll even be able to feed the elephants (under supervision). One of the best things to do with kids in Knysna.

Address: Just off the N2 between Knysna and, Plettenberg Bay, 6600

For a guided full-day tour of Knysna, including Knysna Elephant Sanctuary, book using the link below:

✅ Book HERE for Knysna Tour – Full Day (including Knysna Elephant Sanctuary)

Plettenberg Bay

It’s worth venturing further on and travelling from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay.  This is a great stop on the Garden Route, with lots of beaches and activities for families.  We stayed a little further away in The Crags, near a lot of the attractions below. If you’re wondering what to do in Plettenberg Bay, read on:

MonkeyLand   

We loved Monkeyland – it’s probably top of our list when it comes to Plettenberg Bay activities.  The free-roaming monkeys are well looked after in this 12-hectare slice of indigenous forest.

You can only walk around with a tour guide (the tour lasts around an hour).  However, this is really helpful as the guide is able to help identify all the different monkeys and share lots of information too.

There are 15 different species here. The most common sight will be the lemurs (they number over 100 at Monkeyland).

Although this is Monkeyland, we were reminded that lemurs aren’t actually monkeys, but prosimians! You’ll also find one species of ape here (the gibbon) although you may or may not see these as there are only 2 or 3 in the forests of Monkeyland.

Address: Portion 11 & 12 of Kirbywood Farm The Crags, 6602

Book HERE for Combo Ticket for Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani

Birds of Eden

Birds of Eden is across the car park from MonkeyLand, so it is well worth seeing both at the same time.  In fact, you can buy a combo ticket for MonkeyLand and Birds of Eden, or a triple ticket to include Jukani as well (see below).

All three are part of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA). It’s definitely worth putting all of them on your list of Plettenberg Bay ‘things to do’!

Amazingly, Birds of Eden is the world’s largest free-flight bird aviary, home to over 3,500 birds from 220 different species. It’s a peaceful place to spend some time. You can explore the canopy walkways and boardwalks of Birds of Eden independently.

Most of the birds tend to congregate around the feeding stations around two-thirds of the way around.

Address: Portion 11 & 12 of Kirbywood Farm Animal Alley The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602

✅ Book HERE for Combo Ticket for Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani

Jukani

Jukani is a big cat sanctuary (home to tigers, lions, cheetahs, jaguars and leopards). Founded in 2005, Jukani is a popular pick for families looking for things to do in Plettenberg Bay.

You’ll be part of a group taken around the sanctuary by a guide, which will allow you to learn all about the animals here: their personalities, their backstories and the kind of care they need here at Jukani.

We were particularly struck by the sad story of one of the tigers at Jukani. Her short legs were caused by the fact she had consistently been kept in a small cage in a marketplace before being rescued and brought to live at Jukani.

Address: N2, The Crags, 6600

✅ Book HERE for Combo Ticket for Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Jukani

Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary

I stayed at the lodge for this one; I’m afraid I can’t even bring myself to add a picture! The kids (particularly my son), loved the experience though.

They were given a guided tour and lots of opportunities to handle the snakes. They returned having learnt lots of interesting facts and were really impressed with the quality of the tour.

Address: Just off the N, 2 the crags, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602

Robberg Nature Reserve

Robberg Nature Reserve is around 8 kilometres south of Plettenberg Bay, on a narrow peninsula. It’s known for its fabulous hiking trails and biodiversity.

There’s a seal colony here; you can follow markers which will take you in the direction of the bay they inhabit. It’s a fairly easy hike to reach this point, and very doable with kids. It’s a truly magical sight to see them swimming and jumping through the water.

There are decent visitor facilities here, such as toilets and picnic tables/ sites. Robberg Nature Reserve is protected by CapeNature which works to support the conservation of the area and sustainable tourism.

✅ Book HERE for a guided tour of Robberg Nature Reserve Hiking Trail

Address: Robberg, Plettenberg Bay

Tsitsikamma National Park

If you decide to move even further east along the Garden Route, from Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma, consider stopping off at Tsitsikamma National Park.

There’s a marine reserve there which stretches for 5 kilometres and is home to dolphins and seals. It’s also famous for Storms River Mouth – where the Storms River meets the Indian Ocean. There’s a ‘hanging bridge’ which you can cross, as well as lots of hiking trails.

You can choose to partake in a number of other activities at Tsitsikamma (from kayaking to snorkelling or scuba diving) but its most famous (and terrifying) activity has to be at nearby Bloukrans Bridge. This is where you can take on the world’s highest bungee jump – if you so wish!

I hope this post has helped you plan your Garden Route with kids’ adventure and given you some ideas for where to stop along the way from Cape Town to Knysna or Plettenberg Bay. Drop me a message and let me know how you get on!