The Garden Route

The Garden Route of South Africa, a 300km-long stretch of lush garden on the country’s south-west coast, runs from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River mouth in the Eastern Cape.

It is, as the name suggests, an area of staggering natural beauty. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains run down into indigenous forest before reaching long stretches of unspoilt, dramatic coastline. The diverse topography supports an abundant variety of flora and fauna. The Cape Floral Kingdom, home to one-third of the world’s plant species, stretches into the Garden Route.

The area is a popular road trip destination and has many natural and cultural experiences for local and international visitors.

Arty Knysna, located almost in the middle of the Garden Route on the N2, is perhaps the region’s most popular town. Knysna is just over a five-hour drive from Cape Town while the small regional airport of George is an hour away.

With acres of ocean, beach, mountain and river to explore, heading outdoors is the best way to explore the Garden Route. Take your pick from the golden sand beaches of Plett, the overgrown forests in Tsitsikamma, the Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua Mountains that overlook George and Rheenendal.