The Garden Route is a 200 km coastal drive in the Western Cape Province which links a dozen charming little towns in a rich tapestry of tall indigenous forests, Fynbos and brilliantly coloured wildflowers, lakes, lagoons and rivers. Washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean the climate is mild all year round.
Mossel Bay is generally seen as the start of the Garden Route. From there it winds its way between mountains and rugged coastline and magnificent beaches past George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley to Cape St Francis and Jeffrey’s Bay. The spectacular scenic beauty, moderate temperatures and wide range of leisure options make the Garden Route a particularly popular tourist destination.
Activities include a leisurely ride on the last passenger steam train in Africa, or the death-defying thrill of the world’s highest bungee jump (216 m) at Bloukrans Bridge. Then there are endless surfing hotspots, of course, and hiking trails such as the famous Otter Trail from the Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley, or the Outeniqua Hike between George and Knysna. Large herds of elephants roamed Knysna Forest less than a century ago; apparently one solitary pachyderm still remains. The country’s last stands of hardwood are found in the forests of Knysna and Tsitsikamma: giant Yellow Woods for example, which are several hundred years old. Ten nature reserves and unique marine reserves line the Garden Route. Southern Right Whales visit the various bays during winter and spring.
George, situated in lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, is the largest town on the Garden Route and the main administrative centre. Straight north is Oudtshoorn, not only known for its ostrich industry but also for the Cango Caves, a vast system of stalactite caverns and chambers.
