 Garden Route - South Africa
Tsitsikamma to Mossel Bay has been billed a ’Taste of Eden’. The Garden Route
has mystical forests, wetlands, immaculate beaches and narrow, snaking passes
that dissect imposing mountains.
What to see and do
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Adrenalin and adventure
The Garden Route can facilitate as many adrenalin fixes as the human body
can cope with. The Bloukrans Bungee is the highest in the world at 216m. The
Gouritz Bungee just outside Mossel Bay is a modest 65m high. Abseil above
raging waters at the Heads in Knysna or dive to the sunken ship, The Paquita.
Skydive in Plettenberg Bay or Mossel Bay. Head off to Storms River to do a
zipline adventure high above the ground in the forest canopy. Optionally there’s
quad-biking, horse riding, mountain biking and other less extreme activities.
If you’re on a budget, there’s plenty of free day walks and beaches....plenty
of beaches.
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The Whale Nursery
Witsand sees the largest migration of Southern Right whales into the bay
in winter. Whale moms-to-be journey here to calve where the newborns are sheltered
from the elements and sharks.
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The Heads & Knysna Lagoon
Knysna is tucked away between the Outeniqua Mountains and a
wide lagoon. 'The Heads', soaring monoliths, guard the bay and the treacherous
waters that lead to the ocean.
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Surfing
The Garden Route has a good selection of waves for pros and beginners. Mossel
Bay waves are famous for for their consistency. Victoria Bay is popular with
locals and Buffalo Bay has beach breaks for beginners.
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Tsitsikamma National Park
An 80km long coastal strip between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the
Storms River. The luxuriant forest is old, untouched and rich in plant life.
Antelope and monkeys can be spotted.
Garden Route tours and adrenalin activities
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George is nestled at the foot of the Outeniqua’s. From this junction town, you can head over the mountains to the Klein Karoo or along the Garden Route on the N2. A budget airline makes it cheap and easy to get to Joburg and Cape Town.
Backpacker hostels in George
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 Klein Brak is a tranquil lagoon-side village within short distance from Mossel Bay and a private game reserve. The town has a good swimming beach and boasts amazing bird and marine life.
Backpacker hostels in Klein Brak
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Knysna means the ‘place of the fern’ in Khoisan. Its dense, ancient forest is thought to hide the last remaining Cape Elephant. Knysna’s lagoon is a water-world playground. Buffalo Bay, outside town, is a secluded marine nature reserve.
Backpacker hostels in Knysna
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Mossel Bay overlooks the temperate Indian Ocean and miles of unspoilt beaches. Portuguese explorer, Bartholomew Diaz was the first European to land here in 1488. See a replica of his ship in the Diaz Museum.
Backpacker hostels in Mossel Bay
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The African version of San Tropez, Plettenberg Bay is blessed with mild weather
throughout the year. Bronzed goddesses worship the sun on golden beaches. Sunset
heralds the start of long nights revelling in sophisticated bars and clubs.
Backpacker hostels in Plettenberg Bay
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 The hub of adventure on the Garden Route. Stormsriver Village is close to the Tsitsikamma National Park and the Bloukrans Bungee. Zip-line operators will take you on an adventure along a waterfall or in the forest canopy.
Backpacker hostels in Stormsriver Village
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 The Crags gets its name from the sheer rock faces of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The area is lush, with streams, rivers and small pockets of forest. Visit nearby animal attractions or take a drive along the scenic Nature’s Valley Road.
Backpacker hostels in The Crags
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The long beaches and splendid dunes of Wilderness have attracted holidaymakers since the late 1800’s. Fresh water lakes and forests along the coastline from Wilderness to Knysna make for an interesting and scenic drive.
Backpacker hostels in Wilderness
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Witsand is the maternity ward and nursery for Southern Right Whales in the winter season. In 2006, 141 including 69 calves sheltered in St. Sebastian Bay. This tranquil little fishing village is a well-kept secret because it’s 30 kms off the N2. |
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Garden Route
