Garden Route (tuinroute)

This impressive and popular route owes its name to the beautiful, almost enchanting nature. It has nothing to do with cultivated gardens, but everything with majestic mountains, rushing rivers, wonderful lagoons, golden beaches and fairy-tale native forests. Two beautiful nature reserves fall within the Garden Route: the Wilderness National Park and the Tsitsikamma National Park. Previously two separate parks, but nowadays they form the Garden Route National Park. The route is enclosed between mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean and while driving on the N2 highway there are numerous glimpses of the rugged waves of the ocean and high cliffs.

The Garden Route starts in Mossel Bay and ends in Storms River and includes the Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma and Langkloof mountain ranges. From the car very admirable, but how about making a few stops and staying in the many nice and cozy coastal towns and actively going into nature. Depending on where you are, whales can be seen along this coastal route from July to November. Sometimes just watch from the quay, but you have more certainty when you book a boat trip in one of the many coastal towns that offer these sea safaris.

It is an impressive area for comfortable walks of a few hours to beautiful spectacular tours of a few days. A place where you can see lots of different Fynbos vegetation and there is always something blooming on this approximately 200 km long route. Are you planning to go for a walk, then bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes.

The Garden Route is unique and beautiful throughout. The mild to warm summers and the mild to cool winters ensure that there is always something to admire and with a temperature of 10 ° in winter and about 30 ° max in summer it is pleasant to actively go through the day bring.

On the Garden Route the golfer finds more than 10 very good golf courses, some of which are part of the Top 10 of South Africa’s Golf courses. This is therefore also a beautiful area for a golf trip.

You can stay in 5 star locations with spa, but also wonderfully uncomplicated self-catering cottages or campsites in the middle of nature, there is really suitable accommodation for every taste.

Numerous nature and wildlife reserves are on this route, some of which also have lodges, allowing you to stay among African wildlife. Not only small game, but also the Big 5 can be seen on the Garden Route of South Africa.

Places on the Garden Route:
– Mossel Bay, where besides all kinds of outdoor sports activities, the Bartelomeu Dias museum is also worth a visit.

– George, drive here the beautiful pass through the Outeniqua Mountains and also get to know the ‘hinterland’ like the little Karoo. Golfers will find it a true paradise here.
– Wilderness, the heart of the garden route with a string of connected lakes and a beautiful vantage point from which it is good to spot dolphins. Also read our information about the Wilderness National Park located here.
–Knysna, Hours of long walks on the beach, boat trips on the lagoon, cozy terraces and rolling golf hills are characteristics for a stay in this picturesque fishing village. Oh and then I almost forget to mention the delicious oysters that Knysna is so famous for!– –Plettenberg Bay, here on the Riviera of South Africa, water sports, sunbathing, shopping and lounging on a terrace are a wonderful day activity. Keurbooms nature reserve and nature reserve The Crags are ‘just around the corner’. There is an Aquapark, an Adventure land, Monkeyland and a Bird paradise; Birds of Eden. You see, lots of entertainment for adults, but also for the children to experience everything!
– Storms River, kayaking, going through the river in large ‘car tires’, mountain biking or starting the 5 day Ottertrail walk that can be done from here.