Unmissable Garden Route Experiences
South Africa- Garden Route
Garden Route
A magical road trip with rich botanical treasures
Stretching just over 180 miles between Mossel Bay and Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth), the Garden Route’ s ocean-hugging highway is interspersed with iridescent lagoons, lush forests, majestic mountains, stunning sandy beaches and welcoming towns, all of which make for the ultimate road trip. In order to see multiple destinations and enjoy the myriad of unique activities on offer, we recommend allowing four to five days to explore the region. Picturesque Mossel Bay, which is a great starting point for the Garden Route, is a holiday favourite thanks to its wide bay, enticing beaches and mountain backdrop. The town centre boasts historically-significant buildings, plus it’ s a great place for adrenalin sports, including ziplining over the ocean, or boat trips in search of seals, sharks and whales. Easy-going George, the region’ s biggest town, lies in a fertile valley backed by the Outeniqua Mountains with the Indian Ocean on its doorstep. Enjoy year-round outdoor activities, great golf and fascinating museums nearby. Inland is Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Little Karoo region and ostrich capital of the world. Close by are the spectacular Cango Caves, Africa’ s largest show cave system and one of the great Natural Wonders of the World. Naturally magnificent Knysna is known for its million dollar views and exciting array of land and water based experiences. Don’ t miss a boat trip on Knysna’ s huge lagoon which is connected to the ocean by a narrow gap( The Heads) between a pair of sandstone cliffs. Other possibilities include hiking or cycling in the enigmatic Knysna Forest, visiting the popular Featherbed Nature Reserve or lounging at one of the many lagoonside restaurants where you can savour haute cuisine or renowned Knysna oysters washed down with locally brewed beer. Upmarket Plettenberg Bay boasts sweeping vistas of pristine lagoons and beaches, activities aplenty along with walking trails at nearby Robberg Nature Reserve. In close proximity to both Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are the thickly forested hillsides and deep canyons of Tsitsikamma National Park. Here, dizzying bridges cross the canyons, there are hiking trails through the woods, and watery fun on the Storms River. The tranquil little town of Cape St Francis is all about the white sandy beaches and historic Seal Point Lighthouse. It’ s also an eco-lover’ s destination with nature reserves and watersport opportunities. Many visitors opt to finish their journey in Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth) whose attractions include wide sandy beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean, heritage buildings, an impressive promenade, nature trails and fascinating suburbs brimming with artisanal restaurants. Or, why not travel on to one of the many game reserves in the Eastern Cape?
GARDEN ROUTE
• Cape Town
Oudtshoorn •
To Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth)
George •• Wilderness • Cape St Francis
• Knysna NP Plettenberg Bay •
Robberg Nature Reserve
Mossel Bay •
• Jongensfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
Cango Caves •
GARDEN ROUTE
EASTERN CAPE
Outeniqua Mountains
• Tsitsikamma NP
Getting there: The Garden Route is half a day’ s drive from Cape Town. Alternatively, George and Gqeberha( Port Elizabeth) have airports with internal flights available from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Best time to go: This region typically enjoys moderately hot summers( November to March) and mild to chilly winters( June to August), which is when most rainfall can be expected. Coastal cities have a subtropical and Mediterranean climate while inland the conditions are usually drier and hotter with lower levels of rainfall.
Mossel Bay
Unmissable Garden Route Experiences
Get more out of your stay. Prices are per person. Tours and attractions may not operate year-round.
Addo Elephant Park from £ 39
Make your own way to Addo Elephant Park to join a two hour game drive. Wildlife here also includes rhino, buffalo, antelope and lion, as well as numerous birds. From bee eaters to buffalo, this is what Africa does best, wildlife wonderfully! Private half & full day tours also available.
26 South Africa
Featherbed Eco-Experience from £ 59
This half day tour begins with a cruise on Knysna’ s lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Here, take a 4x4 drive to the top of Western Head. On the optional downhill guided walk pass through milkwood forests onto the steep sandstone cliffs, into ancient sea caves and along a scenic coastal path, whilst your guide informs you on the reserve’ s fauna and flora.
Plettenberg & Tsitsikamma from £ 129
On this full day tour from Knysna, stroll through Tsitsikamma Forest and soak up the sensational views of the adjacent Tsitsikamma Coastal Nature Reserve. Maybe test your nerves at the world’ s highest bungee jump( at extra expense) before visiting Monkeyland and Plettenberg Bay.
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