Enjoy wide sandy beaches, lovely lakes and lagoons, shady evergreen forests and protea-studded slopes.
Visit the World Famous Garden Route
High on the must-see lists of most visitors to South Africa is the Garden Route, and with good reason: you can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty. The distance from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east is just over 200km, yet the range of topography, vegetation, wildlife and outdoor activities is remarkable.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch of coastal road on the south west tip of South Africa regarded as the most beautiful region in the country. The road trip gets its name from the Garden Route National Park that it covers, and the diverse vegetation and wildlife, and abundance of lagoons, lakes, mountains, forests, and beaches along its winding roads. Home to almost a dozen nature and marine reserves, a road trip on the Garden Route offers plenty of opportunities for activities along the way, from hiking to eco and whale watching tours, to exploring caves and deserted sandy beaches.
Plettenberg Bay – Knysna
Top Things To Do
Storms River Mouth Garden Route
Activities
Along the Garden Route, travellers can sail on sparkling lagoons, hike through lush coastal forests sliced by rivers, explore caves and panoramic mountain passes, and bungee jump into a plunging gorge. Animal lovers will find plenty of attractions, from elephant experiences, cheetah encounters, and bird sanctuaries to ostrich farms and whale-watching trips. The most popular towns along the route are Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, but Mossel Bay is home to a fascinating museum complex, and George is the largest town and transport hub.
Ostrich Farm, Oudtshoorn
Infinite Blu, Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay, is a resort town through and through, with mountains, white sand and crystal-blue water making it one of the country’s top local tourist spots. As a result, things can get very busy, but the town retains a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The scenery to the east in particular is superb, with some of the best coast and indigenous forest in South Africa.
Knysna
Embracing an exquisitely beautiful lagoon and surrounded by ancient forests, Knysna is probably the most famous town on the Garden Route. Formerly the centre of the timber industry, supplying yellowwood and stinkwood for railway lines, shipping and house-building, it still has several shops specialising in woodwork and traditional furniture. The lagoon is popular with sailing enthusiasts, and there are plenty of boat trips on offer.
Hop aboard a ferry for a ride through the scenic highlights. See the Millwood Mines at Jubilee Creek, the site of a major gold rush in 1885 which also provides a picturesque spot for a picnic. Be sure to also try some local oysters during the renowned local oyster festival.
Knysna Catamaran Cruise, The Garden Route
Storms River Mouth, Humansdorp
Storms River Mouth
Storms River Mouth is one of the most amazing sights along the Garden Route. Cross the small beach and then follow a boardwalk as it meanders up and down through coastal forest, allowing views of the sea, coast and river mouth. The highlight is the 77m long suspension bridge crossing the Storms River Mouth, taking you to a pebble beach, before ascending steeply to a viewpoint over the coast – well worth the effort! One does not have to go to the viewpoint, but can return immediately via a circular route that takes one over 2 smaller suspension bridges before rejoining the boardwalk.
Eco-Boat Trips
Discover and learn more about the unsurpassable beauty and prolific marine life of Knysna and its surrounds on this informative boat trip that takes you from the calm, sheltered waters of the lagoon, through the world-renowned Knysna Heads to the open ocean to see the breathtaking coastline.
Surrounded by natural beauty, the skipper and crew of will reveal the stories and facts of this unusual and valuable marine environment, and explain why it should be treasured forever. This eco boat trip for the nature-lover is available year round in good weather conditions.
John Benn Boat Trip, Knysna
Elephant Sanctuary, Knysna
Knysna Elephant Sanctuary
The Knysna Elephant Park was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs.
Get up close and personal with these gentle giants, with a once in a lifetime experience at Knysna Elephant Sanctuary.
Old Nick Village
Shops, workshops and various events take place in a rambling 19th century Cape Farm complex surrounded by tall trees and over grown indigenous gardens. Expect the unexpected – a musical afternoon on the lawns, a special exhibition, an encounter with birds or the occasional Vervet monkey – gardens exploding with seasonal colour.
Children can run free on broad lawns and in the magical gardens where resident master crafters may be on hand to show how it’s done. We also love your well behaved dogs on leads! There are restrooms for the disabled with most stores and the restaurant accessible for wheelchairs.
Old Nick Village, Plettenburg Bay
When to visit
The best times to travel on the Garden Route is between January and May when the weather is relatively warm and dry.
Getting here
The nearest airport to Garden-Route is Plettenberg Bay (PBZ) Airport which is 28 km away. Other nearby airports include George (GRJ) (58.7 km), Port Elizabeth (PLZ) (239.2 km) and Capetown (CPT) (407.6 km)
How to get around
Transfers and tours on the Garden Route are conducted in modern mini buses or sedan cars, but with such easy roads, great scenery and dozens of places to stay, it’s a popular self-drive destination. Hire a car and tour the Garden Route at your own pace – if you’re including the Eastern Cape’s game reserves on your itinerary then you’ll join other guests on guided 4X4 game drives.
