Stunning scenery, dramatic coastline, quaint towns with excellent cuisine and a huge variety of wildlife sum up the infamous Garden Route. Garden Route holiday itineraries are generally a mix of the Garden Route and Route 62. Here are just a few highlights along the way.
Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Little Karoo. You will be welcomed with hospitality which has become synonymous with the people of this region. The Klein Karoo is an oasis-like setting in a fertile valley cupped by the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges and originated as a settlement along the Grobbelaars Rivers which meanders southwards from the Swartberg. Driving the mountain passes along Route 62 in the surrounding area are an experience in themselves. From the town you can explore ancient limestone caves, hike a vast assortment of mountain trails, visit one of the many ostrich farms in the area or head out on a morning meerkat safari. Local cuisine includes Ostrich meat and eggs, cooked in a bewildering variety of ways to satisfy every taste.
Further along the Garden Route you will come across Knysna, a stunning coastal town that will lure you in with its natural beauty, rich history and vibrant cultural scenes. Located on the southern coast of the Western Cape, Kynsna is framed by the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The landscape in and around Knysna include lush forests, pristine beaches and the peaceful waters of the Knysna Lagoon, making it the perfect place for exploration and adventure. The iconic Knysna Heads are a must-visit with towering sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance to the lagoon. From here you'll have the most amazing viewpoints as you hike along the coastline.
If you don’t have time to include Kruger or one of the Eastern Cape game reserves into your itinerary, surprisingly, you can still get your safari fix along the garden route. Sanbona wildlife reserve, for example offer excellent luxury accommodation and Botlierskop Private Game Reserve allows you to visit for the day without staying overnight.
You generally don’t have to wait until you come across a nature reserve or national park to find beautiful scenery and a variety of outdoor activities but the Groot Swartberg Nature Reserve near Oudtshoorn is a stand out mountainous hiking destination, and the adjoined Garden Route and Tsitsikamma national parks east of Plettenberg Bay are full of lush green valleys and picturesque waterfalls leading down to dramatic clifftop scenery and unspoilt beaches.
Towards the end of the Garden Route is Plettenberg Bay, known as "Plett" by locals, a charming seaside town full of natural beauty. Plettenberg Bay has stunning beaches where you can sunbathe, swim or for the more adventurous, do some water sports. If you enjoy being in the outdoors then Plettenberg Bay is a playground of adventure, with so many activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding and much more! The town also has a vibrant culinary scene, with a slew of restaurants, cafes and eateries serving delicious seafood, farm-to-table and international cuisine. Enjoy fresh oysters at one of the many oyster bars along the bay, indulge in a seafood feast overlooking the ocean or take a picnic in one of the town's scenic parks.
TOP LUXURY HOTELS ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Plettenberg Bay | 5 star
St James of Knysna
Knysna | 5 star
Rosenhof Country House
Oudtshoorn | 5 star
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