The Garden Route, running along the South African coast near Cape Town, begins in the west at Swellendam and ends at Humansdorp.
Garden route
is particularly renowned for its beaches, lush dense forests, nature reserves, botanical gardens, lakes, mountains, villages and many other spots. each of these has played part in maintaining the Garden route Cape Town tours as one of the most visited places on
south African safaris
.
Garden route Tours
The town of
Knysna
boasts a variety of shops & restaurants as well as a small waterfront district situated on the
Knysna Lagoon
. The Lagoon, which is surrounded by two impressive rocks called the Knysna Heads, is ideal for windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, angling and for diving. Around the town the Knysna Forest, South Africa’s largest remaining forest area is a great place to hike.
A popular day tour is a trip on the Outeniqua Choo Choo, a historical train pulled by a steam engine. The ride goes through breathtaking landscape with stunning views of fern-covered mountains, wide river plains, lagoons and miles of pristine beaches. The 3-hour ride starts in George, goes through Wilderness over the much photographed arch-bridge at the Kaaimans River and ends after crossing the lagoon in Knysna.
Garden Route Safari South Africa
The road inland takes you via spectacular mountain passes to the Little Karoo where the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn issue a challenge & offer a show. Learn everything worth knowing about ostriches and, if you are brave enough, ride one of the obstinate birds, or make a bet on who might win the ostrich race.
The nearby
Cango Caves
are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world and a great place for subterranean walks rich in Limestone.
The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km coastal strip between Nature’s Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. Hiking trails offer an experience of a unique plant and animal world with giant trees and ferns. Some indigenous Yellowwood trees still exist here, over 800 years old. This park is also home to some 200 different birds.
The Wilderness National Park is an ecologically unique landscape of rivers, lagoons, saltwater lakes and wetlands. The National Park is a paradise for the bird lover and is one of South Africa’s ecologically richest water bird habitats.
Plettenberg Bay was named after Governor Joachim von Plettenberg, who incorporated the bay under the administrative sovereignty of the Dutch-East India Trading Company in 1778. Nowadays Plett (as South Africans know it) is one of the more exclusive seaside resorts and boasts the most beautiful beaches of the Garden Route.
Things to do
Enjoy several nature reserves found in Garden route such as Rein coastal, Goukamma, Keurbooms, Robbeerf, Outeniqua and many others. There are also national parks and game reserves within garden route and are home to different primates, elephants, rhinos, giraffe, lions and many others. At Cango wildlife ranch, you’ll be at home with several snakes and reptiles.
Whale watching is spectacular along the coast of Garden route to Cape Agulhas. You could also try your hand at deep sea fishing at Plettenburg bay. Cycling and hiking is a fascination with the canopy of lush Tsitsikamma forest. Guided tours of the forests, specialist history & botanical tours are offered by a trusted
Garden route South Africa safari operator
. Golfing by the beach on Garden route safari is unique and relaxing by only affordable by prior booking.
If you love gambling, Garden route casino is open24/7 to meet your wealth making desires. Other interesting activities around garden route include Bungee jumping, diving, parasailing, surfing, canoeing on Knysan Lagoon and many other water sports. You could alternatively take helicopter rides over garden route for amazing Garden route overviews.
Garden route Hotels and accommodation
There are several options for Garden route overnight accommodation. Garden route game lodges are mostly preferred with excellent service and facilities. Some of the game lodges include Garden route game lodge,
Pletternberg Bay
game lodge, Buffelsdrift game lodge, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge and many others.
You’ll find Garden route hotels in Pletternberg bay offering luxury accommodation and facilities such as Tsala Treetop lodge, trogon House and forest spa, Hog hollow, Hunters Country lodge, Emily moon river lodge and several others. They all boast of iconic views of surrounding mountain backdrop, river coursing bay, the beach coast and thatched roof cottages.