Exploring The Garden Route

May 11
07:09

2012

Adele Kendall

Adele Kendall

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The Garden Route is a diverse lush landscape dotted with lagoons, lakes, kloofs and rivers. The climate is mild, the beaches vast and the forests abun...

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The Garden Route is a diverse lush landscape dotted with lagoons,Exploring The Garden Route  Articles lakes, kloofs and rivers. The climate is mild, the beaches vast and the forests abundant. It includes towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Nature’s Valley and George and is regarded as the most beautiful area in South Africa.

The area is jam packed with things to do for all ages and types. George has an airport but driving from Cape Town is rewarding with all its picnic spots, attractions and viewpoints. 

Below are some highlights of the Garden Route

  • Ostrich farms – Oudtshoorn is South Africa’s ostrich capital and you can get up close and personal with the largest bird in the world when you visit any of the local farms. Most of the farms offer guided tours, ostrich rides and ostrich products.
  • Exploring Knysna – Knysna is by far the most popular town along the Garden Route with its many attractions. You can explore or fish the Knysna Lagoon by yacht or ferry and indulge in local oysters while sipping on locally brewed Mitchell’s beer at the many eateries at Knysna Waterfront, The Knysna Heads are known as the most striking feature along the entire Southern African coastline and is well worth a visit.
  • The Cango Caves – 29km from Oudtshoorn lies the underground wonderland of the Cango Caves. Inside the caves you can explore with easy walks or adventure caving offered by experienced guides. You will be faced with breath taking formations, ancient stalactites, decorative chambers, soaring columns and impressive stalagmites.
  • The Otter Trail – The Otter Trail is by far the most popular hiking trail in Africa. It takes 5 days to complete and follows 42.5kms of spectacular coastline from the Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Too far for you? There are an endless amount of shorter trails and day walks in Knysna Forest, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma as well as many coastline walks.
  • Treetop Canopy Tours – The Tsitsikamma Forest canopy is rich with magnificent indigenous flora, bird life and scenery. The fun and adventurous zip line consists of 10 slides and 10 platforms, the longest of which is 100m, which make its way through a forested valley.
  • Elephant Parks – Get up-close-and-personal with the worlds largest land mammal. There are 2 elephant parks in the Garden Route, the Addo Elephant Park and the Knysna Elephant Park. At Knysna Elephant Park you can even touch, feed and take photographs of these gentle giants and time spent in their presence will leave you in awe.

No matter what your idea of a holiday is, the Garden Route has something for everyone. The magnificent scenery alone makes this area well worth a visit.