About the Garden Route
Sandwiched between the Tsistikamma Mountain range and the bold, majestic Indian Ocean, the Garden Route comprises one of the most exquisite stretches of coastline and includes a fairyland of Fynbos, flowers, ferns and bird life. This splendidly scenic route takes its name from the lush, natural vegetation and the abundant lakes and lagoons which can be found in the area.
The Garden Route has a rich history dating back to the Khoi and San tribes, commonly called Bushmen, who first noticed the wealth of the land and inhabited the area. The 17th and 18th centuries brought the arrival of European settlers and saw the beginning of this diverse area becoming residence to many a culture.
Besides its picturesque grandeur, the Garden Route has much to offer visitors by way of activity and adventure. This is a destination said to be one of the best boat-based whale watching areas in the world. Aquatic aficionado’s can take to the water and enjoy tubing and kloofing along the rivers, or get more daring and experience sailing, water sports and even shark cage diving. Land lovers can hike or bike through the scenic routes of the Tsitsikamma National Park, the ultimate trail and tour destination in a forest area of unsurpassed beauty. Take the family on a canopy tour and glide through the tree tops between platforms suspended 30m above the forest floor. Adventurers are spoilt for choice with further options of skydiving, quadbiking, canoeing, horseriding and bungee jumping. Just to breathe the fresh mountain, forest or ocean air is an awakening experience of its own.
For those more culturally disposed, one can appreciate the remarkable historic buildings and museums that bring the history of this region alive. Take pleasure in visiting the plentiful art and craft shops dotted around the towns, or visit the various venues that offer live music and an amiable atmosphere. The Garden Route also offers culinary delights in many of the quaint restaurants found along the way, most of them specialising in fresh seafood.
The starting point of the Garden Route is constantly contested between the towns of Witsand, Stilbaai and Albertinia, all claiming the origin of the route that winds its way for some 200km through George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and on to Plettenberg Bay. For travellers heading from Cape Town, a great detour before reaching your destination is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – a little piece of heaven on earth. Here one can enjoy opulent five-star comfort in natural and organic landscapes of ocean, flora and wildlife. Grootbos offers a kaleidoscope of natural arenas. The ocean playground offers aquatic activities and water-bound wonders – even a Marine Big 5 experience. Land-lovers can go on guided hikes, 4x4 trails, explore the terrain on horseback or experience a unique flower safari. All aspects of nature can be discovered at this magnificent an exclusive reserve.
The most popular manner of exploration of the Garden Route is by car, however, the last remaining passenger steam train in Africa, provides another distinctive and memorable way to view this lovely location. The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe offers passengers a unique and scenic 52-kilometre journey with incredible views of the Garden Route and Indian Ocean.
The Garden Route is a place of unparalleled beauty, where memories are made, experiences are created and later shared.
