Things to do in Garden Route

The Garden Route is famous for road tripping, beach lounging and hiking opportunities, with hiking the phenomenal Otter Trail being arguably the best way to experience the region. The five-day trek stretches from the beautiful Storm's River estuary to the much-loved Nature's Valley and is highly recommended. Numerous shorter walking trails also traverse the coastal strip, and there are many picturesque campsites.

The National N2 Highway runs the length of the Garden Route. Travellers can simply stay on this highway and stop at most of the main towns and villages for which the route is known.

The N2 takes travellers from Cape Town past Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and the Bloukrans Bridge (famous for bungee jumping). It continues all the way up past Jeffrey's Bay to Port Elizabeth, though it's recommended that tourists leave the highway to explore some of the more unspoilt areas if they have the time.

The route is a fun pilgrimage for surfers, with Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Cape St Francis, and Jeffrey's Bay all providing spectacular surf breaks. Knysna and Nature's Valley are two of the highlights along the Garden Route and shouldn't be missed.

Tsitsikamma National Park photo

Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma is a word of the indigenous Khoi-San people meaning 'place of many waters'. It accurately describes the beautiful 50-mile (80km) stretch of coastline that makes up the …

Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma is a word of the indigenous Khoi-San people meaning 'place of many waters'. It accurately describes the beautiful 50-mile (80km) stretch of coastline that makes up the Tsitsikamma National Park. The park is Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve, and contains many attractions, including a giant Outeniqua yellowwood tree that is hundreds of years old. The region is crisscrossed by hiking trails, including the world-renowned Otter Trail (a five-day hike), which starts at Storm's River and runs along 25 miles (41km) of spectacular coastline to Nature's Valley. A number of private operators offer numerous adventure activities in the area, such as black-water rafting and abseiling, mountain bike tours and fishing trips. Visitors should make a point of crossing the Storms River Suspension Bridge, which hangs a mere seven metres above the swirling waters of the river as it merges with the Indian Ocean.

Website www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/

Knysna photo

Knysna

The beautiful town of Knysna is clustered around a vast tidal lagoon that opens to the sea through a narrow inlet guarded by two sandstone cliffs known as 'The Heads'. Arguably the…

Knysna

The beautiful town of Knysna is clustered around a vast tidal lagoon that opens to the sea through a narrow inlet guarded by two sandstone cliffs known as 'The Heads'. Arguably the most popular holiday hub of the Garden Route, Knysna draws more visitors than it can cope with, particularly during the peak summer holiday season. The town features some quaint Victorian houses, a modern commercial waterfront development, a lovely sandy beach at Leisure Isle on the east side of the lagoon, and some good shopping for local arts and crafts in the crowded town centre. There are some lovely scenic drives and walking trails through the remaining indigenous forests in the area, and sampling Knysna oysters and locally brewed Mitchell's beer while on holiday here is highly recommended.

Plettenberg Bay photo

Plettenberg Bay

The upmarket holiday town of Plettenberg Bay lies about 380 miles (600km) from Cape Town and 125 miles (200km) from Port Elizabeth, and was originally called Bahia Formosa (Beautif…

Plettenberg Bay

The upmarket holiday town of Plettenberg Bay lies about 380 miles (600km) from Cape Town and 125 miles (200km) from Port Elizabeth, and was originally called Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) by the early Portuguese explorers. It's still possible to see why it had this name despite the explosive development of luxury homes, hotels and a thriving town centre. The town, familiarly known as 'Plett', is a favourite holiday destination for South Africans and foreigners alike, with its unspoilt golden beaches, year-round Mediterranean climate, dramatic rocky Robberg Peninsula, and vibrant nightlife. The bay is a nursery for the endangered Southern Right Whales, which arrive each winter and spring to calve.

St Francis Bay photo

St Francis Bay

Located at the gateway to the Garden Route, St Francis Bay is a picturesque holiday village and one of South Africa's premier holiday destinations. It was first sighted in 1575 by …

St Francis Bay

Located at the gateway to the Garden Route, St Francis Bay is a picturesque holiday village and one of South Africa's premier holiday destinations. It was first sighted in 1575 by a Portuguese sailor who named the area St Francis, after the Patron Saint of Sailors. The Kromme River borders the one side of St Francis Bay and is navigable for six miles (10km) upstream from the river mouth. The river and river mouth are popular with fishermen, boaters, canoeists, windsurfers, kite surfers and marine creatures, which shelter in its waters. Linked to the river is a magnificent marina lined with white, thatched homes, some of which offer bed and breakfast accommodation. A sunset cruise along the canal is a must.

Mossel Bay photo

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is the largest city on the Garden Route and is situated roughly half way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is renowned as the Adventure Capital of the Garden Rout…

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is the largest city on the Garden Route and is situated roughly half way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is renowned as the Adventure Capital of the Garden Route and enjoys an ideal climate, with an average of 320 days of sunshine per year and a moderate winter. Mossel Bay was discovered by Bartholomew Dias in 1488. He was the first European to land in South Africa. Adventure junkies come to Mossel Bay for a range of activities in the immediate vicinity, such as shark cage diving, sand boarding the longest sand dune in South Africa, and safaris with the Big Five among other things. Mossel Bay is also well known for its wide selection of restaurants and excellent seafood.

Website www.mosselbay.net

Wilderness photo

Wilderness

Set on the Touws River estuary, the beautiful town of Wilderness is fast developing into a plethora of luxury holiday homes. The Wilderness National Park surrounds the destination …

Wilderness

Set on the Touws River estuary, the beautiful town of Wilderness is fast developing into a plethora of luxury holiday homes. The Wilderness National Park surrounds the destination and tempts paddlers with about nine miles (15km) of inland waterways. Park wardens offer some wonderful canoe trips and hiking trails, and numerous accommodation facilities are available. If relaxation is the priority, visitors will find an idyllic coastline, where lovely rock pools are exposed at low tide and long swathes of sand invite sunbathing. Swimmers should note that while the sea is pleasantly warm in summer, the coastline does receive some dangerous currents. Fortunately, lifeguards are almost always present on the main beach in season.

Nature's Valley photo

Nature's Valley

One of the most beautiful nooks of a decidedly beautiful country, Nature's Valley is an enchanting and relatively undiscovered holiday resort on the Garden Route. Located about 18 …

Nature's Valley

One of the most beautiful nooks of a decidedly beautiful country, Nature's Valley is an enchanting and relatively undiscovered holiday resort on the Garden Route. Located about 18 miles (29km) from Plettenberg Bay and surrounded by the Tsitsikamma National Forest, Nature's Valley is a gorgeously lush area of tall bearded trees, monkey ropes, and rich bird life. It also happens to sport one of the prettiest coastlines in the country. Featuring great weather all year round and a welcome lack of non-essential infrastructure, Nature's Valley is the perfect place to go for tourists who want to relax and rejuvenate in peace and quiet. There are plenty of scenic walks and hiking trails for adventure enthusiasts.

Oudtshoorn photo

Oudtshoorn

Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo and locally referred to as the Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn is a lovely town that makes a popular stop on any holiday in the Western Cape of So…

Oudtshoorn

Situated in the heart of the Little Karoo and locally referred to as the Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn is a lovely town that makes a popular stop on any holiday in the Western Cape of South Africa, especially along the scenic drive between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Surrounded by the majestic Swartberg Mountains, the landscape around Oudtshoorn is a patchwork of farms and forests that receives more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The area is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site, and the stunning displays of fynbos and other local flowers make for great holiday photos. Oudtshoorn is also the 'ostrich capital of the world', and several farms in the area offer tours and shows.