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Garden Route Reviews

Glynn Straton

02 May 2019

Serendipity in the Garden Route

Superb. 5 out of 5

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More info about Garden Route

The dramatically beautiful Garden Route on the southeast coast of South Africa, is a coastal strip along the Indian Ocean. It is considered the most scenic part of the country, with exquisite beaches, forests, lakes, lagoons, rivers and mountains. It is one of the most popular great travel destinations, attracting both local and international visitors.

The Garden Route begins at the elegant historical town of Swellendam in the west and extends east to Humansdorp near Port Elizabeth. It crosses the border of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. The most gorgeous part of the Garden Route is along the sea, starting at Mossel Bay and continuing to Storms River in the the Tsitsikamma National Park.

The coastal strip has astonishingly beautiful beaches and is situated between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mountain ranges.The rich vegetation is diverse, including fynbos, wetlands and forests. Every trip to the Garden Route leaves one hoping to... Show more

Climate

The climate is oceanic, and according to the Guinness Book of Records the second mildest in the world after Hawaii. The temperature is never under 10 degrees or above 28. Summers are mild to warm and winters warm to cool, and there is light rain throughout the year.

There are 21 small towns and villages along the Route.

Mossel Bay, both a gorgeous holiday town and a busy port, has 60 kms of sandy white beach, including two beautiful Blue Flag beaches.

George is the Garden Route’s biggest city and the administrative centre, situated slightly inland in a rich fertile valley.

The Wilderness is a magical little village on the Touws River Estuary overlooking a stunningly gorgeous beach situated in a nature reserve.

Sedgefield is another small coastal town, between George and Knysna, in the midst of indigenous forest, fynbos and mountains.

Brenton-on-Sea, another small seaside resort town, 15 kms out of Knysna, also has a wonderful beach.

Knysna is a charming little town situated on an amazing warm water lagoon, and is a favourite retirement and tourist destination.

Plettenberg Bay is perhaps the most popular holiday destination on the Garden Route, a town of great beauty at the Keurbooms River mouth.

Nature’s Valley, 30 kms past Plett, is a paradise of lush forests, lakes and beaches in the Tsitsikamma nature reserve.

Storms River, also in the protected nature reserve, has a wild coastline overlooking the restless sea, with forest, rivers, streams and waterfalls.

Slightly inland is the Klein Karoo, with the intriguing interesting towns of Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp, and the Cango caves.

What to Do

The Garden Route has 10 nature reserves with nature trails like the famous Otter Trail, and also marine reserves with dolphins and seals. Apart from the beaches and fascinating scenic drives, there are fabulous restaurants, art galleries, health resorts and spas. There is abseiling, bungee jumping, deep sea fishing, elephant parks and quad biking as well as several world class golf courses.

Birdlife is rich with over 300 species in different habitats from fynbos, forests and wetlands.

Where to Stay

Accommodation varies from luxury hotels, guest houses, b&b’s,holiday apartments, cottages, chalets and villas. There are SanParks cottages and camping in the actual nature reserves.

Transport

The main airport is in George.

The N2 highway follows the coastline through the main Garden Route towns. George is 430 kms from Cape Town, either a pleasant drive through the Western Cape, or a short flight less than an hour.

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About Garden Route

Garden Route Reviews

Glynn Straton

1000+ accommodation listings in Garden Route. Enter dates to see full pricing and availability:

Self Catering in Leisure Isle, Knysna

R900

Bed and Breakfast, Hotels in Mossel Bay

R500

Chalets, Self Catering in The Island, Sedgefield

R750

Bed and Breakfast, Game Lodges, Guest Lodge in Mossel Bay

R1600

Bed and Breakfast, Cottages, Guest Houses, Self Catering in Rheenendal, Knysna

R799

Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Mossel Bay

R3500

Guest Lodge, Resorts in George

R920

Bed and Breakfast, Guest Houses in Mossel Bay

R995

Chalets, Self Catering in Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay

R800

Bed and Breakfast, Guest Houses in Wilderness

R1000

Bed and Breakfast, Guest Houses in Mossel Bay

R3875

Self Catering, Villas in Great Brak River

R4700

Bed and Breakfast, Guest Houses in Hunters Home, Knysna

R910

Cottages, Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Old Place, Knysna

R375

Chalets, Guest Farms, Self Catering in Plettenberg Bay

R750

Resorts in The Heads, Knysna

R750

Bed and Breakfast, Guest Houses in Blanco, George

Chalets, Self Catering in George

R700

Cottages, Self Catering in George

R470

Cottages, Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Wilderness

R1450

Hotels in Storms River

R1070

Apartments, Backpacker, Bed and Breakfast, Chalets, Self Catering in George

R130

Chalets, Guest Houses, Self Catering in Paradise, Knysna

R390

Bed and Breakfast, Hotels in George

R849

Apartments, Guest Houses, Self Catering in Blanco, George

R550

Apartments, Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Herold's Bay

R1680

Backpacker in Mossel Bay Central, Mossel Bay

R300

Apartments, Bed and Breakfast, Boutique Hotels, Guest Houses, Hotels, Self Catering in Thesen Islands, Knysna

R1380

Self Catering in Plettenberg Bay

R2000

Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Great Brak River

R820

Guest Lodge, Self Catering in Heatherlands, George

R650

Chalets, Holiday Homes, Resorts in Costa Sarda, Knysna

R1300

Apartments, Holiday Homes, Self Catering in Mossel Bay

R1400

Apartments, Bed and Breakfast, Cottages, Self Catering in Wilderness

R750

Guest Houses in Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay

R1000

Guest Lodge in Mossel Bay

R1334