Search results
Aug 29, 2024 · The Garden Route is a 300-kilometer (about 186 miles) road along South Africa’s southern coast, officially starting in Witsand in the west and ending at Tsitsikamma Storms River in the east. Map of the Garden Route (image credit: Google Maps)
- What Is The Garden route?
- Mossel Bay
- George
- Oudtshoorn
- Wilderness and Wilderness National Park
- Knysna
- Garden Route National Park and The Tsitsikamma Forests
- Plettenberg Bay
- Explore and Stay
In truth, neither “garden” nor “route” are particularly accurate descriptors, though the moniker has proved such an effective marketing tool that nearby towns clamour for (or simply claim) inclusion. Although the exact boundaries differ depending on the source, the Garden Route generally refers to an area that extends from Mossel Bay in the Western...
Mossel Bay is a town steeped in history and marks the spot where the very first European set foot in South Africa. Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias stopped here in 1488, searching for fresh water to replenish his ship’s supplies. As he was to discover, the land was already occupied. In a sad portent of this region’s future race relations, one of...
One of South Africa’s oldest towns and once a historic timber hub, George is nestled in the sublime Outeniqua Mountains, just eight kilometres from the ocean. As one of the Garden Route’s largest towns, it is sometimes nicknamed the “Gateway to the Garden Route” and sports a curious mixture of big city vibrance and small-town atmosphere. There are ...
To the north and inland from George, the town of Oudtshoorn marks the northern boundary of the Garden Route region. Here the vegetation has changed from the iconic fynbos of the Cape coastlines to the sparse Klein Karoo, at the meeting point of the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountain ranges. Offering the usual rural town charm so characteristic of the...
In keeping with Garden Route naming tradition, Wilderness is less “wilderness” and a more tranquil seaside town, situated on the banks of the Touw River Lagoon. It is, however, surrounded by true wilderness in the form of the nearby Wilderness National Park, which protects over 2,500 hectares and encompasses forests, five rivers, five lakes, two es...
The original route between George and Knysna is the historic Seven Passes Road which crosses over ten rivers and seven gorges and provides a taster of the exquisite scenery awaiting keen explorers. As beautiful Southern African towns go, Knysna is near the top of a very long and competitive list. Situated on the banks of a picturesque lagoon that i...
Her ancestors, which experts estimate probably numbered around 3,000 individuals in the 18th century, would have wandered far and wide through the dark and mysterious forests and surrounding habitats. Though the elephants are long gone, parts of their historic range are protected by the Garden Route National Park: a disconnected amalgamation of the...
The town of “Plett” is known for its expanses of white sandy beaches and glorious cerulean sea, making it one of the best choices as a base to explore the rest of the Garden Route. Nature lovers will find themselves enthralled by a circuit of the Robberg peninsula at the Robberg Nature Reserve or watching the Cape fur seals navigating the surf. Sou...
Want to head to the Garden Route? To find lodges, search for our ready-made packages or get in touch with our travel team to arrange your safari, scroll down to after this story. The weather along the Garden Route is temperate and idyllic, with temperatures seldom dropping below 10˚C or rising too far above 29 ˚C on the coast. Unusually for South A...
- Mossely Bay & the sea. Most people use Mossel Bay as a leg-stretching stop en route from Cape Town to the heart of the Garden Route, but if you can spare an afternoon, there’s really quite a lot to keep you occupied.
- Wilderness & Garden Route National Park. Head back to the main highway and take the short but scenic drive to Wilderness. Pull over at Dolphin Point for a peek at the decommissioned train line below and for photos of the wild and blissfully undeveloped Wilderness Beach.
- Knysna & the lagoon. The road dips and climbs slightly for 23km until you pass through Sedgefield, largely known for its busy Saturday morning market.
- Plettenberg Bay & Robberg Nature Reserve. Once you crest the hill that houses the townships, you find the road soon flanked by dense forest. It’s a pleasant and pretty 35km drive to Plettenberg Bay, with plenty of curiosities along the way.
- Cape Town (Garden Route Days 1 – 3) Cape Town is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. It’s also naturally beautiful, nestled between mountains and ocean.
- Detour to Stellenbosch (Garden Route Day 4) Stellenbosch isn’t technically on the Garden Route, but it’s such a great stop, you’ll want to make the detour.
- Mossel Bay (Garden Route Days 5 – 6) A charismatic little harbour town with lovely views and a famous tree, Mossel Bay has more to offer than you’d think at first glance and is a must for any Garden Route South Africa self-drive itinerary.
- Wilderness (Garden Route Days 7 – 8) Wilderness is another incredibly beautiful stop. Perhaps the most forested destination of them all, nature lovers will adore this seaside town.
Nov 22, 2017 · This is our guide to the Garden Route and includes things to do, where to stay and where to stop along the way. It’s the route we used when we visit South Africa and is the perfect guide for planning your Garden Route Itinerary.
Jan 16, 2020 · There’s something magical about riding along the 300km stretch from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa on the Garden Route in South Africa. Lush green nature abounds as you traverse through forest, shorelines, quaint villages and epic viewpoints.
Aug 28, 2024 · This post will help you to plan your Garden Route self-drive adventure in South Africa. It starts with all the essential South Africa travel tips you will need to know, followed by a day-to-day 2-week South Africa travel itinerary outlining where to go and what to do in Cape Town and along the Garden Route.
