The Garden Route has always been a favourite for backpacker
travellers. The ease with which a traveller can get around
the Garden Route and the variety of hostels make the Garden
Route a desireable backpacking destination.
Introduction
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
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.
The Whale Nursery |
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The Heads & Knysna
Lagoon |
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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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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 |
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Tsitsikamma National Park |
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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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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. |
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Tour Operators
Where to stay
 Witsand
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.
 Mossel
Bay
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.
 George
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.
 Wilderness
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.
 Knysna
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.
 Plettenberg
Bay
The African version of San Tropez, Plett 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.
 The
Crags
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.
 Stormsriver
Village
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.
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