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 Hotels

Hotels offer guests a reliable, and comfortable place to stay while on holiday. All the basic amenities and facilities are provided, making your stay there simple and hassle-free. While hotels are the more expensive option, guests are sure to find one in the location they wish to visit and explore, making them an ideal option for those wanting basic accommodation and basecamp for their holiday. Guests wanting a little more than the basics, they should consider staying at themed or or 5 starred hotel. Choose from the wide variety of hotels across South Africa on AccommoDirect.

Garden Route Hotels Accommodation

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38 Hotels in Garden Route. Enter dates to see full pricing and availability:

Diaz Hotel & Resort

Apartments, Self Catering, Hotels in Diaz Beach , Mossel Bay

R1,210

The Point Hotel and Spa

Bed And Breakfast, Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Mossel Bay

R1,155

ArendsRus Country Lodge

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses, Self Catering, Caravan Parks, Hotels, Glamping in Geelhoutboom, George

R600

Tsitsikamma Village Inn

Guest Lodge, Hotels in Storms River

R1,340

Wilderness Beach Hotel

Guest Houses, Hotels in Wilderness

R1,450

Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous

Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Plettenberg Bay

R2,470

Fairy Knowe Hotel

Guest Lodge, Hotels in Wilderness

R960

Hotel Portao Diaz

Hotels in Mossel Bay

R250

The Lofts Boutique Hotel

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

R3,590

Village Room Type Two - Tsitsikamma Village Inn

Guest Lodge, Hotels in Storms River

R1,605

17onWellington Suites

Self Catering, Hotels in George

R1,000

French Lodge International

Bed And Breakfast, Hotels in George

R799

Premier Resort The Moorings Knysna

Bed And Breakfast, Hotels, Pets By Arrangement in Knysna

Betty's Boutique Hotel

Bed And Breakfast, Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Mossel Bay

R1,650

The Wilderness Hotel

Bed And Breakfast, Hotels in Wilderness

R1,260

Oakhurst Hotel

Bed And Breakfast, Boutique Hotels, Hotels in George

R940

Hunter's Country House

Cottages, Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay

R2,760

Bayview Hotel

Bed And Breakfast, Hotels in Plettenberg Bay Central, Plettenberg Bay

R1,819

Milkwood Manor on Sea

Bed And Breakfast, Hotels in Plettenberg Bay

R1,800

Oceans Hotel

Bed And Breakfast, Cottages, Chalets, Self Catering, Hotels, Villas in Mossel Bay

R855

Golf & Tides

Hotels, Golf Lodges in Mossel Bay

R650

The Russel Hotel

Self Catering, Hotels in Knysna Central , Knysna

R650

Turbine Hotel

Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Thesen Islands, Knysna

R3,795

Knysna Inn

Self Catering, Boutique Hotels, Hotels in Knysna

R690

George Lodge International

Bed And Breakfast, Guest Houses, Self Catering, Hotels in George