| South Africa's Garden Route is one of the country's | | | | With mountains hugging the shoreline closely, perfect |
| most popular holiday destinations. This scenic region | | | | beaches and crystal bays punctuate the embrace of |
| finds itself nestled between the Tsitsikamma and | | | | coastal and mountainous terrain. Trendy coastal |
| Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Stretching | | | | resorts abound, drawing jet-setters and from around |
| along the charming south eastern coast, the Garden | | | | the world who enjoy the variety of leisure activities |
| Route is a montage of mysterious forests, | | | | and accommodation options available. And between |
| picture-perfect lakes, pristine wetlands and | | | | these trendy resorts, for those who seek something |
| immaculate beaches. It is a fascinatingly diverse | | | | a little more low-key, there are a multitude of |
| landscape, blessed with a temperate climate, making | | | | unspoiled, tranquil little spots. Here rest, relaxation and |
| it a great place to explore all year round. | | | | the appreciation of natural beauty are top of the |
| As its name might suggest, the Garden Route is an | | | | agenda. |
| indubitable utopia of nature, with richness of flora and | | | | Mossel Bay |
| fauna unlike anywhere else in the world. This little | | | | One such place is the Garden Route holiday town of |
| corner of Africa is so magical in its diversity, that it's | | | | Mossel Bay [ Located along the N2 highway between |
| sometimes known as “nature's garden” | | | | Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, it overlooks the warm |
| and place names like “garden of Eden” | | | | Indian Ocean waters. It is a town that appears to |
| and the 'Wilderness” reflect as much. | | | | bask on the sun-drenched peninsula much like a |
| The route offers plenty of highlights for visitors, | | | | tourist would on one of the Bay's pristine, |
| from the whale-watching haven of Hermanus to the | | | | north-facing beaches. |
| pristine lagoon and indigenous forests of Knysna, not | | | | Its no wonder the people of Mossel bay are so |
| to mention the pristine beaches of Plettenberg Bay | | | | laidback and peaceful, how could you not be living in |
| and the unspoilt beauty of the Tsitsikamma National | | | | an area as beautiful as this. Its character is in keeping |
| Park. For these visitors, the wealth of wetlands, | | | | with that of a big-hearted small harbour town; |
| fauna, flora and fantastic natural geography offer | | | | unhurried hospitality, friendliness and complement its |
| something of interest all year round. | | | | natural splendour. |
| Getting there and getting around | | | | Knysna |
| By air | | | | Knysna, as famous for its oysters as it is for its |
| With daily flights to and from Port Elizabeth from all | | | | elephants, is the epitome the Garden Route's |
| major South African cities, including Cape Town and | | | | diversity. It lies on the banks of an impressive lagoon |
| Johannesburg, travel by airline is a popular choice for | | | | and neighbours one of the most famous indigenous |
| visitors. Depending on the intended activity and | | | | forests in the country. |
| where along the route one wishes to be based, | | | | The town offers an astounding variety of leisure |
| there are numerous options for getting around and | | | | activities, including forest mountain biking, snorkelling, |
| exploring further, including car-hire options and the | | | | boat trips, hikes, golf, fishing opportunities from game |
| magnificent Outeniqua “Choo-tjoe”, | | | | fish to fly fishing to fresh-water, horse-rides, |
| Africa's last remaining passenger steam locomotive. | | | | helicopter trips, paragliding, hang-gliding - there are |
| Self-drive holiday | | | | simply too many options to list here. |
| Arguably, the best way to discover the Garden | | | | The town becomes a hive of activity mid-year, with |
| Route is by driving there yourself. It's way more | | | | the Oyster festival in full swing, so it's worth a look if |
| flexible and opens up an infinite number of exploration | | | | you are planning a trip around that time of year. |
| opportunities. Check out the area at your own pace, | | | | Plettenberg Bay |
| and visit some of the more out of the way places. | | | | With a backdrop of gorgeous mountains, this |
| Roads are well signposted and in pretty good | | | | beautiful Bay is astonishing. The town lies among lush |
| condition. The local mobile networks' coverage means | | | | green forests and fynbos fields, and the expanse of |
| that you're seldom out of touch with the | | | | beautiful beach that separates it from the blue Indian |
| “civilized” world…unless you want | | | | Ocean glistens under sunny skies, like the |
| to be. | | | | white-toothed smile of a landscape pleased with the |
| For the off-road enthusiasts, hiring a 4x4 might also | | | | gods. |
| be an attractive option, since that mode of transport | | | | In Plettenberg Bay, it always feels like springtime. |
| affords even greater flexibility, allowing you to | | | | The days are warm and relaxed and the evenings |
| explore places way off the beaten track and get a | | | | mellow and restful. Don't be fooled into thinking |
| true taste of Africa. | | | | Plettenberg bay is dull place though, there's certainly |
| Of course, for many people, time constraints and | | | | no shortage of things to do. |
| other factors make a combination of transport | | | | With various species of whales and dolphins visiting |
| alternatives the best option. Drive the route in one | | | | the bay, there are great opportunities to observe |
| direction, perhaps do some travel on the steam train | | | | these majestic marine mammals by boat or make |
| along the way, and fly back. | | | | your way up to the elevated look-out points for a |
| Must-see sights | | | | great land-based viewing experience. |
| Depending on how much time you've got at your | | | | The Robberg Nature Reserve is not to be missed by |
| disposal and what kind of leisure activities you prefer, | | | | the nature lover. Sweeping views, bird and whale |
| there are a wide variety of places along the route | | | | watching opportunities, hiking trails and an |
| that might be considered “must-see”. In | | | | archaeological site, dated more than 120 000 old, |
| an ideal world, with no constraints on your travel, you | | | | which gives some interesting insight to the lives of |
| could classify the entire length of the route as a | | | | our distant ancestors. |
| Must-See! | | | | There are also plenty of other activities in the area, |
| But of course, this is not the reality for most of us, | | | | like polo, golf, forest trails, bungee jumping…the |
| so it's important to have some idea of what the | | | | list goes on. |
| priorities are when exploring and to have a clear idea | | | | Still Bay |
| of the type of experience to expect from the | | | | Still Bay, sometimes called “the Bay of Sleeping |
| various destinations. | | | | Beauty”, is spectacularly unspoilt. Its natural |
| Sea-side Splendour - 5 top destinations | | | | beauty and peaceful lifestyle make it a perfect |
| All along the Garden Route, small seaside towns and | | | | year-round destination for relaxation. |
| villages lie scattered, like hidden jewels waiting to | | | | Rich in history, the little 'White House' serves as a |
| delight whoever will unearth them. If what you seek | | | | local museum and information centre, historical sights |
| is a relatively unstructured, an outdoor-focussed | | | | show off stone-age artefacts and tours are provided |
| holiday of adventure and discovery, then there are | | | | to give visitors an up-close look at the ancient |
| few places on this earth better suited to meet your | | | | fish-traps. |
| needs. | | | | |