GARDEN ROUTE
An ideal destination for any adrenaline junkie, adventure seeker or nature lover, the Garden Route is a scenic stretch of Southern African coastline in the southeast of the country
Why Visit
The Garden Route is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque parts of Southern Africa, with pristine beaches, lush forests, rivers, valleys and rolling mountains.
It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, all the way up to Storms River in the extreme Western region of the Eastern Cape. The route also includes the towns of George, Knysna, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay.
Only 4-5 hour’s drive from Cape Town it is the perfect self-drive destination with two different route options from Cape Town – the quicker N2 highway or the more scenic Route 62, also known as the World’s Longest Wine Route.
The Garden Route is an obvious choice for an adventure holiday for the whole family!
What To See
- The indigenous forests, home to forest elephants and 700-year-old yellowwood trees
- Meandering hiking trails and Mountain biking tracks
- Tsitsikamma Forest, home to a canopy tour and zip lining adventure
- Lagoons, bays and beaches, playing host to water sports, surfing, boating, fishing and scuba diving
- Wildlife sactuaries –Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Tenikwe Wildlife Centre, Knysna Elephant Park, Elephant Sanctuary, Tsitsikamma and Noah’s Park Wolf Sanctuaries, Radical Raptors and Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary
- Knysna Heads and Estuary – boats trips, dinner cruises, sunset sails, marine eco tours and boat-based whale watching
- Featherbed Nature Reserve, an awesome scenic eco-experience
- The world’s highest commercial bungee jump at Bloukrans
- Adventure activities – paragliding, hang gliding, Scootours, canyoning, cliff jumping, kloofing, rappelling, abseiling, sandboarding, sailing, kayaking, shark cage diving, SUP-ing, horse riding, quad biking, kiteboarding, sky-diving, tubing… there are very few adventure activities not available!
- Safaris at Buffeldrift in Oudtshoorn, Botlierskop near Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route Game Lodge and Gondwana Game Reserve near Mossel Bay
- Oudtshoorn, the heart of the ostrich feather industry and home to the Cango Caves, a series of caverns and chambers naturally hewn out of limestone
FEATURED GARDEN ROUTE TOURS
8 Day Friendly to Mother City
Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay, Franschhoek & Cape Town
Endulge your sense with this friendly 7 night trip starting in the Eastern Cape and driving through the beautiful scenic route to Plett and then onto the rolling vineyards and magnificent Cape Fold mountains of Franschhoek. Experience, beautiful beaches, cutting edge cuisine, and some of the worlds most renowned wines and respected winemakers. So if you thinking of taking a road trip check out this breath-taking adventure.
5 Day Garden Route Bush & Beach
Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Garden Route
Escape the four walls of home and head out on an awesome road trip on one of South Africa's favourite road trip - the Garden Route! Visit the ostriches and Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, enjoy some time at the ocean in Plettenberg Bay and a mini-safari at the lovely Garden Route Safari Camp near Mossel Bay. A 4-night round trip starting from the beautiful Cape Town and ending in Cape Town as well.
5 Day Garden Route Glamping
Oudsthoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness
This 4-night glamping road trip offers quality time with family in South Africa’s most beautiful and isolated locations. It is in nature where one can recharge, restore and rejuvenate while doing the things you love with the people you love most. Stay in custom-designed boutique glamping tents, which are spacious and fully furnished with excellent kitchens, comfortable bedrooms and large showers.
14 Day Fair Trade Highlights of the Cape
Cape Town, Whale Coast, Garden Route & Safari
Enjoy some of the highlights of South Africa's Western and Eastern Capes on this responsible travel itinerary, offered as either a self-drive or private guided tour. Start with time in Cape Town, a vibrant city with an abundance of culture and nature on offer. Travel the beautiful Whale Coast and Garden Route which offer an abundance of activities for everyone. End with a luxurious Big Five safari in the Amakhala Private Game Reserve. During this journey all your accommodation are Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) accredited.
14 Day Cape Town & Garden Route Circular
Cape Town, Hermanus, Knysna & Franschhoek
A relaxed paced self-drive tour starting and ending in Cape Town, with all accommodation apartment style. Discover this scenic part of South Africa in your own time, doing as little or as much as you choose. Discover what makes Cape Town one of the World's favourite destinations, explore the natural beauty of Hermanus on the Whale Coast and Knysna on the Garden Route and lastly sample some of the country's best wines in Franschhoek.
14 Day Cape Town, Garden Route & Wildlife
The best of the Cape with a Big Five Safari
A circular tour offered as either self-drive or private guided that includes Cape Town, Hermanus (known as the Whale Watching Capital), a safari at Gondwana Game Reserve (the only free-roaming Big Five option on the Garden Route), time in a peaceful natural setting near Knysna and time to explore the Cape Winelands from the popular town of Franschhoek. Owner run accommodation offering a personal touch are included in the towns.
12 Day Cape Town & Garden Route Adventure
Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus & Cape Town
An action and adrenaline packed itinerary for those looking to be more active while on holiday. The Garden Route and Cape Town have an endless choice when it comes to adventure and outdoor activity options, there is very little that you cannot do here! The ocean, mountains, forests and beautiful varied natural environments all provide the perfect settings for these activities.
13 Day Cape Town, Garden Route & Whale Coast Glamping
Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg and Whale Coast
A two week round trip starting and ending in Cape Town. Your holiday kicks off in the vibrant Mother City where you will have 4 nights to explore all the different options on offer in and around the city, followed by a glamping trip to the beautiful Klein Karoo and Garden Route, ending with time to explore the Whale Coast. This trip is the perfect to switch off from busy daily routine and recharge.
14 Day Glamping Adventure
Cape Town, Breede River Valley, Garden Route & Wellington
A two week circular tour, starting with 3 nights in the Mother City to explore the wealth of nature and fun outdoor activities on offer, followed by a glamping trip to the beautiful Klein Karoo and Garden Route, ending with time to explore the Whale Coast and all the seaside towns along it. This trip offers you the chance to reconnect with nature and loved ones.
13 Day Exclusive Safari, Golf & Cape Getaway
Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Cape Winelands & George
See some of South Africa's highlight destinations and play 4 of the top 10 golf courses in the country. Experience a luxury stay at the Kruger National Park. Play golf at the Leopard Creek Country Club, one of the top ranked golf courses in South Africa. Travel to Cape Town where you will see the highlights and play golf on a popular course. Stay on a Golf Estate in the Winelands and play on another top ranked course - Pearl Valley. Continue to the Garden Route where you will play at the Links course, No.1 in SA.
8 Day Garden Route Beach Break
Wilderness, Plettenberg Bay & St Francis Bay
Enjoy three different beach spots on the scenic Garden Route. The Wilderness is renowned for its vast stretches of beach and its tranquil beauty surrounded by nature reserves, rivers and lakes. Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with endless beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Last stop - St Francis Bay is a picturesque holiday village known for its excellent surfing and pristine stretches of white-sand beach.
17 Day Cape Cycling & Hiking Holiday
Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay & Samara Private Game Reserve
An awesome itinerary for those wanting to stay active while exploring the beautiful and varied landscapes of the Cape while indulging in luxurious accommodation. Explore the cycling and hiking routes from Cape Town, through the Winelands, along the Whale Coast and Garden Route and through both the Little and Great Karoo. This trip takes in both the well-trodden paths and off the beaten tracks at a pace that allows enough time for discovery.
FEATURED GARDEN ROUTE ACCOMMODATION
Robberg Beach Lodge
Plettenberg Bay
Robberg Beach Lodge in Plettenberg Bay offers a tranquil beach escape at a haven overlooking Robberg Beach and only 5 minutes from the bustling Plett Main street.
La Plume Boutique Guest House
Oudtshoorn
La Plume Boutique Guesthouse in Oudyshoorn. Perfectly situated to explore the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn, and its surroundings. Breakfast included.
Oubaai Hotel Golf & Spa
George
Oubaai Hotel Golf & Spa in George along the scenic Garden Route and have some of the best golfing, beaches and attractions at a stones throw away. Breakfast included.
Fancourt Hotel & Estate
George
Fancourt Hotel, situated in the heart of The Garden Route. The resort is superbly landscaped on 613 hectares of lush countryside with the majestic Outeniqua Mountains.
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
Knysna
Pezula Resort, Hotel & Spa located on the Eastern Head of Knysna, surrounded by a lush paradise of indigenous forests, mountains, lakes and pristine beaches.
Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Knysna
Knysna Hollow Country Estate in Knysna, a Stylish and Contemporary Country Retreat on the Outskirts of Knysna. Breakfast included daily.
Garden Route Safari Camp
Mossel Bay
Garden Route Safari Camp situtated in Mossel Bay is a great stay from the hustle and bustle. Includes breakfast daily and a game drive.
Cape St Francis Resort
Cape St Francis
Cape St Francis Resort and discover this unique and exclusive paradise on the Eastern Cape coast which draws holiday makers from all over the world. Breakfast included.
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve
Port Alfred
Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve, Port Alfred. Where Heaven, Earth and Ocean meet to create the splendid experience. All Meals and selected beverages, 2 game drives included.
AfriCamps at Ingwe
Plettenberg Bay
AfriCamps at Ingwe, Plettenberg Bay. Bang in the middle of the uber-popular Garden Route. The high elevated tents boast views of rolling green hill tops surrounded by deep indigenous forested valleys and the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range.
AfriCamps at Oakhurst
Wilderness
Africamps Oakhurst in Wilderness, where the breathtaking Wilderness meets the Garden Route’s lesser-known farm lifestyle. Grazing cows and horses create a truly authentic farm experience.
AfriCamps Klein Karoo
Oudtshoorn
Africamps Klein Karoo, Located only a 10 minutes’ drive from Oudtshoorn centre, in the middle of a pristine Karoo landscape with direct views of the Swartberg Mountains, AfriCamps Klein Karoo offers you the perfect backdrop to relax.