The Garden Route – A Spectacular Scenic Adventure!

The route stretches from the beautiful resort of Storms River and the lovely Tsitsikamma forest on the South Eastern coast of South Africa’s ‘Cape’ provinces to Mossel Bay, close to the ‘Mother City’ at the southernmost point of Africa – Cape Town. It is a renowned scenic drive, one of the finest in the World.

Along the way you experience lush green forests and miles of beautiful beaches along a coastline that offers the best of everything – beauty, entertainment, amazing sightings, wonderful wildlife and still more to see and do just off the beaten track.

Best visited in the summer season between September and March, there are many reasons to ensure this is part of your South African self-guided or guided tour experience. Whether you a golfer, a surfer, an adrenaline junkie, a wildlife lover, or someone who just wants to chill, take in sublime scenery, eat the Cape’s finest foods and have endless fun – the Garden Route has it all!

So let’s take a look at just a few of the things that can be seen and experienced as you take the drive of your dreams along the Garden route – a spectacular motoring adventure!

Vibrant, Beautiful Coastal Towns

All along the way you are tempted to pull in and take in the sights and great tourist attractions in each of many coastal resort towns. Just a few of the favourites are:

Knysna – right at the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna boasts the famed Knysna forests, Knysna Heads, the annual Oyster festival and the vibrant fun filled waterfront. What makes this place all the more mysterious is the mystery of the seldom seen, but present Knysna forest elephants.

George – one of the largest towns along the Garden Route, with the Outeniqua Mountains forming a perfect backdrop to this urban settlement. Do drop in for some shopping at the local Garden Route Mall or botanical beauty at the local Botanical Garden. This is also the departure point for domestic flights to the rest of South Africa.

Plettenberg Bay – miles of stunning beaches, hikes, great restaurants and lively entertainment venues, ‘Plett’ as the locals call it is both a local and international favourite hangout for the jet setters.

Wilderness – with its lovely laid-back village and forests abuzz with abundant birdlife, this is a favourite for those seeking peace and tranquility, right on the Touws River Lagoon and in close proximity to all the activities that the Wilderness National Park has to offer.

St Francis Bay – an even quieter part of the route – a sublimely beautiful retreat with white-washed cottages, teeming rock pools and fantastic surf!

Extreme And Leisure Activities Not To Be Missed

There is so much to see and do along this short 200 kilometre stretch of scenic drive that it’s hard to decide where to stop, but a few suggestions are these favourites:

A Bungee Jump Off The Bloukrans Bridge – the highest in Africa at 216 metres!

The Tsitsikamma Forest – beautiful forestry that stretches for miles – a walk to remember

Wilderness Lagoon and Touws River – Surrounded by the Wilderness village and nearby beaches, this lagoon and river offers tourists the perfect place to canoe, swim and hike along its shoreline. The nearby Wilderness rest camp is also situated on the river.

Knysna Lagoon – an array of water sports and activities and a visit to the Knysna Heads

Kaaimans Gorge – in the Wilderness National Park – An abseiler’s dream flight, along an amazing waterfall, only to land in a canoe below!

Garden Route National Park and crossing the Storms River Bridge – from hiking to boat cruises and kayaking, there’s so much to see and do here

The Otter Trail – a world renowned hiking experience, along 43 kilometers of beautiful beaches and rivers over 4 days

Oudtshoorn – a little off the beaten track, but the famed Ostrich races and the spectacular Cango Caves nearby, are worth taking this diversion from the main Garden Route!

We hope this article on the Garden route – a spectacular motoring adventure has convinced you to tour our beautiful land of diversity and amazing experiences. We at Jewel of Africa safaris, as always, can design a package to cater for your specific needs and we offer this garden route adventure as part of our many standard packages to the Cape.

Contact us or visit our website to find out more about our personalised, tailor made Southern African luxury safari and guided tour experiences.