Garden Route – South Africa

Sprawled between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route in South Africa is a holiday paradise. Here, you can explore ancient forests, secluded beaches, hidden wine estates, and unique wildlife sanctuaries. It’s also one of the world’s greatest road trips, following 200 kilometres of winding tarmac from one picturesque town to the next.

Scenic Coastal Roads and Forest Adventures

Things to do in the Garden Route are varied. From bungee-jumping in Plettenberg Bay to treetop canopy tours in Tsitsikamma and lagoon cruises in the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Most visitors base themselves in Knysna, a foodie destination which languishes on a scenic lagoon. Plettenberg Bay, which is famous for its beaches, is another ideal base from which to launch your explorations.

The nearby town of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo is also worth visiting. While not officially part of the Garden Route, this quirky town is where to go to see incredible caves and geological formations plus some of the world’s biggest ostrich farms.

Best Time to Visit the Garden Route:

Garden Route holidays are rewarding any time of the year. Temperatures peak in the summer between November and April, but as this is a coastal climate, it can rain at any time, especially during June and July.