South Africa Travellers Guide: Garden Route
Dramatic river cut gorges, beautiful beaches, rocky headlands and deep tangled forests are the quintessential Garden Route images. Stretching from anywhere between Stilbaai and Mossel Bay in the west, to Stormsriver or Port Elizabeth (PE) in the east, it's a gorgeous stretch of coastal paradise strung out along the N2. Purists will squash it up between Mossel Bay and Stormsriver but, as the popularity of the Garden Route grew and small towns at its edge realised the marketing potential, it just seemed to spread. No problem - it spread to some cool places.
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Cape Town
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George
George is the de Facto capital of the Garden Route, its largest town by far, and the only one with an airport of any real significance. It’s not on the coast, but the lovely Victoria. Bay, which is one of the prettiest beaches around, is not far.
As well as being one of the termini for the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a scenic steam train that runs between George and Knysna, George has a railway museum.
Knysna
The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua mountains and the Indian ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. At the heart of Knysna is the 21 ha estuary, protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth".
Knysna
Mossel Bay
Halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth nestles the seaside town of Mossel Bay.
A bustling holiday resort in summer and the ideal retreat in winter, it is situated on a spectacular sunwashed peninsula embraced by the warm Indian Ocean.
Mossel Bay has a fascinating history, much of which is on display at the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex. Of the seven National Monuments on the Museum Grounds, 6 are buildings dating between 1830 and 1902.
The history is reflected by the architectural styles found throughout the town.
Mossel Bay
Oudtshoorn
Situated just 55 km from the large coastal town of George. The town has been blessed with a great variety of tourist attractions including the breathtaking Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders, numerous ostrich farm and majestic mountain ranges.
Oudtshoorn
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South Africa
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Cape Town
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Natures Valley
Natures Valley is situated at the bottom of the Groot River pass 30 km on the east side of Plettenberg Bay next to a beautiful lagoon on the Indian Ocean, enfolded with mountainous forest with rich fauna and flora.
In addition to its beautiful fauna, flora and scenery it offers activities that will suit all and sundry from soul inspiring walks to adrenalin rushing board sailing, bungee jumping, diving and much more.
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is characterised by sweeping, unspoilt golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea.
Plettenberg Bay is renowned for its teeming bird life, vast expanses of Cape flora, its wetlands and lagoons, gigantic trees and a bay large enough to harbour great whales.
Plettenberg Bay
Stilbaai
Stilbaai enjoys a pollution-free, safe and peaceful setting with long stretches of white sandy beach, a temperate climate and a river navigable for some 15 km. The town lies along and around the banks of the Goukou River, with a magnificent estuary and safe and beautiful beaches on either side of the river mouth.
Stormsriver
Storms River is a small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is located in the Garden Route and functions as the gateway to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Only a short drive east of Knysna, Storms River comprises more than just a village – it is a synonym for anything adventurous and daring, mild or wild. Storms River mouth is spanned by a suspension bridge, offering breathtaking views over rocks and coves and crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. The bridge leads to a lookout point from which sweeping views over a verdant forest and the Stormsriver camp reward any hike to this area. A first-class Eco-Destination, ecologically sensitive activities such as Bungee Jumping from the Bloukrans River Bridge, and Canopy Tours, are two of the most popular things to do at Storms River and surrounds!
Storms River
Wilderness
Wilderness is surrounded by many rivers, natural lakes and lagoons. This makes it a great spot for water sports. There are 2500 ha of National Park with rivers, lakes, estuaries and almost 20km of coastline. Wilderness is a birdwatchers paradise as many species of water birds can be seen there.
Wilderness