The Garden Route Travel Guide
The Garden Route Travel Guide
The Garden Route is the coastal area between Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth along the southern Cape coast of South Africa. It is known for its beautiful scenery, mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and beaches. A number of interesting, laid-back coastal towns add character to the Garden Route, including Knysna, Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay, Nature's Valley, Sedgefield and, of course, George with its regional airport.
Highlights
- Easy to access from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth
- Safe and easy to visit as a self-drive tourist
- Interesting towns to see, like Knysna
- Tsitsikamma Forest and Big Tree
- Outeniqua Mountains
- Adventure activities including the highest bungee jump in the world
- Canopy tours
- Cango Caves
- Scenery includes beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers
For a longer trip to South Africa, the Garden Route can be an excellent addition to your itinerary. It is not known so much as a safari area, but the beautiful towns and villages, stunning scenery and variety of activities on offer make the Garden Route a popular place to live, and an interesting area to visit.
Garden Route attractions
Attractions in the Garden Route area include shopping and dining in Knysna, the Garden Route's waterfront village, the forests and huge yellowwood trees in Tsitsikamma, sun and surf at Plettenberg Bay, tranquil beaches and nature-walks at Nature's Valley, the Cango Caves and ostrich farms near Oudtshoorn, and the scenic lakes and rivers near Sedgefield and Wilderness. There is also a traditional Bushman village for a unique cultural experience, close to Stormsriver.
The Garden Route is South Africa's golfing capital, with several world-class golf courses such as Fancourt, Oubaai, Pinnacle Point, Pezula, Simola, Goose Valley, and many more.
Adventure activities galore
Adventure activities include paragliding, bungee jumping (the highest bungee in the world), canoeing, rafting, tubing, snorkelling, horseback riding, beach cycling, canopy tours (a zip-lining course among the treetops in the forest), quad biking (ATV trails), shark cage diving at Mossel Bay, whale watching boat trips, ocean sailing trips, scenic helicopter flights, deep-sea fishing, and much more.
De Zeekoe Guest Farm
Situated in the heart of ostrich country and close to the Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, lies the beautiful De Zeekoe Guest Farm. Boasting 14 stylishly furnished luxury rooms and suites, as well as 4 rustic waterside cabins, De Zeekoe is a popular accommodation choice in the Oudtshoorn area. The famous Cango Caves are nearby, and other activities on offer include Meerkat safaris as well as horse riding and canoeing.
The Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest Lodge
The Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest Lodge is a luxury bed & breakfast guest house situated in an upmarket residential area of Knysna. Perched on top of the Welbedaght Cliff Tops, it offers spectacular views over the Knysna estuary. The lodge offers 5 beautifully-furnished suites and outstanding personal service.
Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages
Situated in the beautiful Schoemanshoek Valley in the Little Karoo, Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages is in the heart of ostrich country. It's close to the attractions of Oudtshoorn and the spectacular Cango Caves. With seven beautifully decorated suites and eight self-catering cottages, swimming pools and air conditioning, this family-run farm is the perfect spot to stay. Encounters with Berluda's meerkat family, tours of the family's working ostrich farm, hiking, biking, abseiling and 4x4-ing are just some of the activities offered on, or near, Berluda Farmhouse & Cottages.
Kanonkop House
Kanonkop is a 5-star boutique guest house situated in Knysna, one of South Africa's favourite coastal resort towns. The individually appointed five bedrooms are all tastefully furnished, focussing on natural light and texture. The Paradise room is rated the 'best room in Knysna' by Frommers.
Knysna Hollow
Completely rebuilt after the devastating fires of 2017, Knysna Hollow is superbly located on a secluded 3-hectare country estate, just 5 minutes from Knysna town and its expansive lagoon on South Africa’s famous Garden Route. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the many attractions and activities this beautiful area has to offer.
Head Over Hills
Set on the dramatic cliffs of the Knysna Heads on South Africa's renowned Garden Route, Head Over Hills offers a serene and luxurious retreat with stunning views of the ocean and the Knysna Lagoon. Ideal for travellers seeking a blend of comfort and natural beauty, the boutique property is perfectly situated for easy access to the town's attractions and outdoor activities, making it an excellent base for exploring the region.
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5 or 6 Day Garden Route & Addo Elephant Park
This 5-day Garden Route Safari is an exciting way to explore the Garden Route, Little Karoo, the Whale Route, Addo Elephant National Park and Route 62, the world's longest wine route! An active tour with a good mix of culture, adventure and wildlife. Departs on Mondays from Cape Town, ends in Port Elizabeth. (A 6-day option starts and ends in Cape Town. May go in reverse itinerary order as a private tour option, availability permitting).
15 Day Southern Africa Signature Safari
Our 15-Day Southern Africa Signature Safari is what we consider to be an ideal safari itinerary on a mid-range budget to see the best of Southern Africa within a limited time frame. Take in some of Southern Africa's top destinations – the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe; Chobe National Park in Botswana; picturesque Cape Town and the Garden Route; the Kruger National Park and the famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa.
