---
type: "Article"
title: "Amazing Garden Route – St. Francis to Port Elizabeth"
description: "After having spent a few days in Knysna, our journey along the amazing Garden Route continues towards St. Francis and Port Elizabeth."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/south-africa/garden-route-southafrica-st-francis-port-elizabeth"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 4
tags: ["Beach", "Garden Route", "Museum", "Rental Car", "South Africa"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/south-africa"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/vehicle-rental"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/golf"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:08:19+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2009-11-26T02:20:53+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: garden-route-southafrica-st-francis-port-elizabeth.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:08:19+00:00
---

# Amazing Garden Route – St. Francis to Port Elizabeth

> A road trip along South Africa's Garden Route from St. Francis Bay to Port Elizabeth, taking in coastal national parks, canal-lined holiday towns, and apartheid history.

## What to see
- **Tsitsikamma National Park** — A coastal strip between Nature's Valley and the Storms River mouth, offering largely untouched scenery and several hiking trails.
- **Suspension Bridge and Lookout Trail** — An easy stroll with a steep climb on the far side of the bridge rewarded by spectacular views.
- **St. Francis Bay Canals** — Numerous canals lined with luxury holiday homes, navigable by boat to the Kromme River.
- **Cape St. Francis Lighthouse** — An impressive lighthouse about 10 km south of St. Francis Bay, with scenic walks and renowned sunsets.
- **Red Location Museum, Port Elizabeth** — A multi-award-winning museum documenting the history of apartheid and the struggle for freedom.

## What to do
- **Otter Trail hike** — A well-known trail starting at the Storms River camp in Tsitsikamma National Park.
- **Surfing at St. Francis Bay** — White sandy beaches and ideal wave conditions make it a paradise for watersports enthusiasts.
- **Boat trip on the canals** — Explore St. Francis Bay's canal network by boat, with access to the Kromme River.
- **Golf at St. Francis Links** — A world-class Jack Nicklaus-designed course with undulating terrain and challenging play set in spectacular scenery.
- **Dining at Chokka Block** — A fish restaurant in Port St. Francis famed for its calamari and fresh-off-the-boat fish; the local Kingklip is recommended.

## Good to know
Port Elizabeth is South Africa's second oldest city and the commercial capital of the Eastern Cape. The Windermere boutique hotel is a recommended place to stay there.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Tsitsikamma_expansion-bridge-300x198.jpg"
    caption: "Expansion Bridge Tsitsikamma National Park"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Kitesurfer-stfrancis-bay.jpg"
    caption: "Kite Surfer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DSC02785.jpg"
    caption: "The Windemere"
```