Garden Route Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
The Garden Route in the Western Cape is one of South Africa's main tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland.
Contents |
Regions
The central part of the Garden Route is formed by the coastline of the Indian ocean. To the north it is bordered by the little (Klein) Karoo, a semi-desert region.
Cities
- George: the largest town along the Route.
- Knysna: one of the most popular tourist destinations
- Storms River: the Gate to the Tsitsikamma National Park
- Plettenberg Bay:
- Jeffrey's Bay: Surfers Paradise
- Oudtshoorn: the capital of the little (Klein) Karoo and once South Africa`s Ostrich capital
- Mossel Bay: this is where Bartolomeu Dias set foot ashore in 1488 and South Africa`s first post office was founded in 1500
- Swellendam: one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa
- The De Hoop Nature Reserve near Swellendam for whale spotting
- Montagu: houses more national monuments per capita than every other South African town and offers a relaxed atmosphere
Other destinations
- Tsitsikamma National Park: encloses one of the most beautiful coasts in South Africa between Storms River and Natures Valley
- Cango Caves: near Oudtshoorn
- Bontebok National Park: near Swellendam; not as spectacular as Krüger or Addo it offers enough for a nice day out.
- De Hoop Nature Reserve: Beautiful little reserve, perfect for spotting whales and hiking.
Understand
Get in
By plane:
South African Airways has regular flights to George. The nearest international airport is in Cape Town
By Road:
The Garden Route is easily reached from Cape Town in the West and Port Elizabeth in the East. The N2 is the main highway that passes through the Garden Route, connecting Cape Town with Port Elizabeth.
By bus:
The main companies offer regular services along the Garden Route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The region is also on the Baz Bus route.
Get around
As local public transport between the towns is rare (except minibus services), the best way to tour the Route is by car. You can hire a car all along the Garden Route, be aware though that there is a fee if you drop the car off somewhere else from where you have picked it up.
Do
- Visit Tsitsikamma National Park and hike the Otter trail
- Ride an ostrich in Oudtshoorn or visit the nearby Cango caves
- Surf in Plettenberg Bay or Vic Bay
- Do the world's highest commercial bungee jump[1] at Bloukrans Bridge
- Go on a ride with the famous Outeniqua Choo-tjoe Train [2], the last steam train in Southern Africa, from George to Knysna or back and enjoy the coastal scenery.
- Enjoy Nature and Historic Trail Rides with Environmentally Friendly Motorcycle and Quad Bikes
- Experience the Historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route (National Monument)
- Ride on a Private Eco Game Reserve
- Explore the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains (Nature Conservation Area) and ride where few are privileged to venture
- Or just join 22º South for guided tours of the Garden Route. Tours range from 3 hour to 7 day tours. 22º South also has a variety of Environmentally Friendly Motorcycles and Quads for hire.
Eat
As a main tourist destination there are many restaurant for every taste. Enjoy superb fish from the ocean and Knysna is the place to taste some oysters.
Sleep
There is no shortage of all kinds of accommodation but book ahead on weekends / holiday. Especially during the summer the Garden Route is a populair holiday destination, not only for foreign tourists but also for South Africans.
Stay safe
Compared with the larger cities the towns along the Garden Route are quiet safe. As always use your common senses. Driving at night is never considered safe in South Africa so plan ahead.
Get out
- Go ahead for Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
- Jeffrey's Bay is a well-known for its surfing grounds.
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