Garden Route South Africa | Overview & Travel Guide

Garden Route, South Africa : The Garden Route is one of the top tourism destinations in South Africa, with tons of fantastic things to do and see.  This route provides a coastline of some 300 km between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay.

The Garden Route begins about four hours outside Cape Town and includes one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline, the starting point of which is constantly contested as towns such as Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia join the route that winds its way for some 200 km via Gorge, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna on to Plettenberg Bay culminating in the Tstisikamma Forest – a fairyland of giant trees, ferns and bird life. The mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bay, and vividly colored wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber- colored rivers and golden beaches.

The region provides a stirring study in contrasts. The delightful town of George also known as The Gateway to the Garden Route, graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outenique mountains. Oudtshoorn – The capital of the Klein Karoo, is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale.

The Garden Route stretches on the Southern Coast from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River. It is a nook of the country that offers inspiration to artists and writers whose presence gives the Garden Route a trendy. The route is also a top priority for many international travelers, the coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty.

Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible such scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more.

• The Tsitsikamma National Park, perched on a tumultuous Indian Ocean shore is one of South Africa’s most dramatic forests are a haven of birdlife.
• The Klein Karoo is one of the most geologically interesting parts of South Africa, with its towering mountains and sheer gorges.
• The Congo Caves are another important geological feature on the Garden Route and is among the top ten most visited South African attractions, this series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone is situated outside the city of Oudtshoorn.
• Oudtshoorn itself was The heart of the Ostrich feather industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s when it was in its hey day and it is worth a visit. The grandiose, old feather palaces are still to be seen, while ostrich farms, now involved in commercial production of meat, leather, eggs and feathers can be toured with the possibility of riding an ostrich.

Stretching for 124 miles through the Western Cape between Mossel Bay and Storm River, The Garden Route is set up for seasoned road-trippers as well as first timers. It has countless detours and pit stops showcasing the region’s beauty, culture and hospitality.

Here are attractions along the Garden Route

1. Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is the western gateway to the Garden Route situated less than 249 miles from Cape Town along the N2 Highway. Before the fabled Garden Route even commences, the driving conditions on this route are excellent and the scenery is peerless. You are treated to coastal idylls like Betty’s Bay, and pit stop cafes serving farm – fresh, road trip snacks locally known as Padkos. Mossel Bay offers a chance to stretch your legs on the St Blaize Trail, a rugged, nine-mile (one way) coastal romp from a cave below Cape St Blaize Lighthouse to Dana Bay.

2. George

The historic timber town of George lies down 30 minutes down the coast. Stop at the Botanical Garden for an introduction to the fynbos that characterize the ape Floral Region, recognized by UNESCO for staggering biodiversity. While the region only spans 0.5% of Africa, it contains 20% of the continent’s plant species. From George, exit the main highway to reach nearby Wilderness or head further inland on the Seven Passes, a route that explore the Outeniqua Mountains, stretching through canyons and over high bridges towards Knysna, 44 miles away.

3. Knysna

The town Knysna is one of the highlands of the Garden Route, this town is a culinary hotspot famous for its 10-day Oyster Festival in late June, which overlooks a tranquil lagoon dotted with sailing boats. The ocean lies beyond twin sandstone promontories, the eastern head viewpoint affords beautiful views across the lagoon’s islets at sunset. Stay in Knysna for a day or two, savoring its upmarket restaurants, renting mountain bikes from the friendly folk at Knysna Cycles to explore the stunning surrounding wilderness, and support the local xhose community as well with a township visit.

4. Wilderness National Park

The Wilderness National Park is a favorite for campers, hikers and kayakers. Its wetlands are rich in exotic birds and its forests are threaded with hiking routes that meander between waterfalls. To soak up the park’s beauty, head from the rustic Ebb and go cap with binoculars and a swimming costume on one of the four trails named for local kingfisher species, ranging from two to 6 miles.

5. Plettenberg Bay

Half an hour further east is Plettenberg Bay, a byword throughout the Western Cape for breathtaking beaches. Here, sandy coves popular with surfers sit beneath sheer cliffs, and waters teem year round with migrating whales and dolphins. To the south lies Robberg Nature Reserve, a jutting peninsular home to seal colonies and perfect for a picnic, the reserve is best explored on the 5-6 mile round-trip trip trail to The Point. Moving on eastwards. Have a stop at Birds of Eden – the world’s largest free-flight aviary, a verdant sanctuary for over 3,000 exotic birds rescued from cages and stop by Enrico Restaurant for seafood and Italian fare within meters of the waves.

6. Storms River

The eastern terminus of the Garden Route is Storms River Village, 50 minutes from Plettenberg Bag. Its evocative name speaks to the rugged, indomitable landscape that surrounds it. Inland to the north lies the dense, mountainous Tsitsikamma Forest, haven to zip-lining experiences, kayaking expenditions through gorges and the world’s highest bungee jump (709ft) at Blouskrans Bridge. To its south, through the coastline lies the maritime Tsistikamma National Park.

The oldest hiking route in the country, the five-day Otter Trail starts off at Storms River Mouth and runs through the park’s gallery forests and along the clifftops to Nature Valley and offers a suitably epic and energetic end to a Garden Route Road Trip.