The Garden Route extends along the coastal strip between Heidelberg and the Eastern Cape border at Storms River Mouth, and incorporates all of the towns and resorts along the N2 highway and coast. To the North the Garden Route is bordered by three mountain ranges, the Langeberg, the Outeniqua and the Tsitsikamma mountains. The whole region is one of extreme natural beauty and many very popular resorts have become established along the route. Large parts of the Garden Route are controlled by the South African National Parks thus ensuring the preservation of this pristine area well into the future. Just east of George, lies the Wilderness National Park. This region attracts hundreds of bird species to it's wetlands.
In the extreme West of the Garden Route where the Breede River flows into the Indian Ocean is St Sebastion Bay, an annual breeding place for the Southern Right Whale, which can be seen between June and September from Whitesands. In 2005 more than 130 whales were seen in the nursery including more than 50 pairs of cows and their calfs.
The town of Riversdale lies on the N2 and has become known as the Floral Paradise of the Garden Route. The town is a mecca for nature lovers of all ages and especially for fynbos enthusiasts. From here you can hike, bike or take a horse trail. To the North of the town is the famous Sleeping Beauty Peak in the Langeberg, and a mountain pass leads you to the Klein Karoo. A little to the East of Riversdale is the small town of Albertinia named after a local preacher. The town is situated in a major sheep and wheat region and is well known as being South Africa's main producer of red and yellow ochre and of kaolin. There are two factories that process gel from the aloe based here.
Mossel Bay has a history dating back to the 15th Century and derives its name from the abundance of mussels found here. The town lies on a sunny peninsular just off the N2 and is half way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It was at Mossel Bay that the Portuguese navigator Bartomoleu Dias landed in 1488 to replenish his water supplies. History lovers can also see several block houses built by the British in the Outeniqua mountains during the Anglo-Boer War.
The Garden Route's next town is George which is harbours a wonderful museum which is mostly dedicated to wooden artifacts. There is a reconstructed woodcutter's cottage as well as wagons and carts and even old gramaphones. Herold's Bay is George's own beach resort and is just outside the town. Here there are good vantage points for whale and dolphin watching. A mountain pass leads from George into the Klein Karoo.
The Knysna National Lake Area, known as the Jewel of the Garden Route, there is a large lagoon bounded at its entrance by two sandstone heads and with a background of the mountains of the Outeniqua Nature Reserve. The lagoon is home to the famous Knysna Seahorse and the Pansy Shell. This beautiful town offers the visitor anything from fine shops and restaurants to hiking trails, and there are even three golf courses. The Knysna Elephant Park offers a unique chance to get see these magnificent animals that once lived in these forests.
Just along the coast from Knysna lies the popular resort town of Plettenberg Bay, known affectionately by many a visitor as 'Plett'. Standing out on the beach here is Beacon Island with its hotel. In the bay itself you can witness schools of common dolphin playing, as well as Bottlenosed and Humpback dolphins.
Several species of whale can be seen here - the Southern Right, the Humpback and Bryde's whales as well as Orca, the killer whale. This is the only place on Earth where the rare Beaked whale has been filmed. Boat based whale watching tours are available here. To the south of Plettenberg Bay lies the Robberg Nature Reserve, which has many short hikes through the coastal fynbos that dominates this peninsula.
At the Eastern end of the Garden Route you will find the Tsitsikamma National Park, a pristine indigenous forest that is home to Yellowwood, Stinkwood and Ironwood and many other tree species that are protected in this forest. The coastline here is quite spectacular with its natural gorges formed over millions of years. The 5 day Otter Trail that runs along this coast. Hikers are advised to book well in advance.
Sunshowers Plett is a modern, spacious and relaxing self-catering accommodation establishment in Plettenberg Bay. This 4-star rated guesthouse, along the Garden Route of South Africa – offers seaviews from the upper penthouse. All apartments a mere 75 st
At Rest provides self catering accommodation in Wilderness, Garden Route. Our charming self-catering log cabin at Pirates Creek, in the heart of the Garden Route in the Wilderness National Park, close to the beach. It is a popular weekend and holiday brea
Wishbone Waters is located in the rural farming area of The Crags, 3km from the N2. The house accommodates 8 easily, in 4 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. The main living and dining area is open-plan to the kitchen and is a large and sociable area...
Sedgefinkel offers self catering accommodation in Sedgefield on the Garden Route. This 6 sleeper self catering house is located in "the Island" area of Sedgefield.
Vasbyt Bo offers self catering apartment accommodation In Hartenbos in the Garden Route, Western Cape. This self catering 2nd floor apartment has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It's above the road level position ensures ocean views from living room, kitchen,
Sea Cottage 21 provides self catering accommodation in Diaz beach in Mossel Bay, Garden Route in the Western Cape. This three bedroom duplex unit is in a security complex on the Diaz Beach beachfront between Hartenbos and Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. T
Harties@Sea provides self catering accommodation in Hartenbos in the Garden Route, Western Cape. This beautiful cottage is situated in Hartenbos, home of ATKV, which is situated in the Mossel Bay Local Municipality, has its own entrance and private access
Bird Cottage offers self catering accommodation in Sedgefield in the Garden Route. Bird Cottage is spacious and comfortable with all mod-cons including an automatic washing machine. The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. Also a lounge/dining room with slee
At 29 Columba offers bed and breakfast accommodation and self catering accommodation in Great Brak River (Groot Brak Rivier) in the Cape's Garden Route. We are located in the quiet suburb of Southern Cross in Great Brak River (Groot Brak Rivier) which is
Gourikwa Reserve offers self catering cottages in a resort setting in Gouritsmond in the Mossel Bay area of the garden Route. Accommodation comprises of 30 self catering units of in various configurations such as 2 sleeper, 4 sleeper and 6 sleeper. We can
We offer comfortable accommodation in five historic buildings namely the "Police Station", "Post Office", "School", "House of Sin" and "Welsch House". These buildings date back to 1860 and once formed the heart of the bustling town of Herold...
This three bedroom house is set in a secluded area of the River Club, Plettenberg Bay. There is a great family atmosphere with a pool, tennis courts and squash courts on site...
Set in the charming Wilderness Village, overlooking the Wilderness Lagoon & sea, Wilderness Waters welcomes its visitors to stylish and well-appointed 4-star accommodation - all within walking distance of the golden beach, the fresh water lagoon, boutique
Ocean Watch Guest House is perfectly nestled against the coastal hillside of the beautiful Plettenberg Bay, an ideal spot to enjoy whale and dolphin watching.
Wegkruip offers beachfront self catering accommodation in Still Bay (Stilbaai) in the Garden Route. This self catering family holiday home (sleeps 12) is situated in cul-de-sac on the front dunes at Still Bay (Stilbaai), Western Cape, approximately 500 m
Dancing Dolphins offers self catering apartment accommodation in Vleesbaai in the Garden Route. Vleeisbaai is a seaside town a short drive south-west from Mossel Bay. This self catering flat (sleeps 4) is fully equipped and has two rooms - one with a doub
Elephant Rest is a private, self catering, tranquil getaway retreat experience. Situated on the edge of the awesome Lawnwood indigenous forest. Experience the peace and beauty of nature, abundant bird life, close to mountain biking, hikes, waterfalls, riv
Outeniqua View is a self catering flatlet in Hartenbos in the Garden Route, Western Cape. The self-catering unit which is only suitable for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) - consists of 1 bedroom with a queen bed and a lot of built-in cupboards (L
Oniro On Thesen offers self catering accommodation in Knysna, Garden Route. Located in Thesen Islands and designed for relaxed, easy indoor/outdoor living with large veranda with uninterrupted view of Knysna lagoon and wetlands. The ground floors and all
Osler Place offers a selection of self catering apartments in Still Bay (Stilbaai) in the Garden Route. Accommodation comprises of 6 fully furnished self-catering holiday apartments, each with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan kitchen & living room, pat