Location and Climate
The Garden Route operates in between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains, and the Indian Ocean, which gives it fresh valley air as well as cool Indian Ocean winds. It stretches from Mossel Bay -Western Cape- right through to Storms River and covers towns such as George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Nature’s Valley, one of the greenest places in Africa, which even has a lake to offer paradise exploring tourists.
Being one of the coolest and greenest places in Africa, the Garden Route attracts every year a notable amount of interest from Westerners looking for an alternative to the hot and drylands of big five safaris.
Wildlife
Thanks to its plenty of forests and wetlands, the Garden Route benefits from a wonderful array of wildlife which holds nearly 280 species of birds, and wonderful selection of marine life such as whales, dolphins, seals and breathtaking coral reefs (even though you will be wearing your scuba gear to make sure they don’t take all of your breath away!).
Also, it is always expedient to experience the pleasures of the Garden Route combined with the ones of a safari, as Africa is the best place for wildlife and ‘big 5 safaris’. You might need to travel a little, but there is always an opportunity to go on a Safari in South Africa!
Activities
On top of the location, its climate, and wildlife, there is a little something for everyone on the Garden Route… For sports hobbyists, there are golf courses, safe swimming spots, polo, hiking, horse riding, surfing, diving and many more courageous activities you can undertake during your trip. For nature lovers, there are numerous rugged coastlines and green valleys that offer activities from whale/dolphin/seal watching to animal sanctuaries and nature reserves.
How to reach
The Garden Route’s vicinity to Cape Town and Port Elisabeth make it the perfect 4-5 day trip planned into a 2 week holiday to South Africa. If you are planning your holidays there, make sure you have included the Garden route into your itinerary. People who have been on the Garden Route quote it as one of the best encounters in South Africa; the ones that haven’t simply don’t know what they have abstained!
