The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most scenic routes. It is probably best known for the Coastal Route from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth with its stretch of pristine beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters and riverine forests. This stretch also takes in the picturesque towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. However the Garden Route does start in Cape Town giving you the opportunity to explore the Whale Route through Hermanus and Route 62 through the winelands. And most travellers like to finish it all off with a a Malaria Free Garden Route Safari in the Eastern Cape where you can spot the Big Five!
South Africa’s Garden Route stretches from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Cape Town in the Western Cape. It is necessary to know that The Garden Route is sandwiched between the mountains and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsisikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and Temperate Forest and offer hiking trails and eco tourism activities. Its pristine beaches, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers are an absolute holiday destination. It will drive you all the way to wooded shores of Tsitsikamma National Park.
The Coast from Mossel Bay to Tsisikamma National Park is more and more appreciated by the tourists. Named the Garden Route, this area is an authentic garden that is wild and pretty. I can discover the coast with forests and turquoise lagoons, beautiful meadows and with big mountains on the background. It is an incredible natural landscape, like we dream to see ‼‼ From Port Elizabeth, we crossed different cities like Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and Oudtshoom.
I saw that the Garden Route Safari Camp was ideally located between Port Elizabeth and Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route region. The adventure camp offers serenity or adventure depending on their mood, in a wonderful setting. This camp is close to great hiking trails, Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature's Valley and many great attractions. The camp is situated between the ocean and indigenous forest, giving you the best of both worlds. It is only a 2 hour drive along the N2 to the Nelson Mandela stadium and few minutes to a wonderful view on the Indian Ocean.
Along the coast, we stopped at the Tsitsikamma National Parkwhich is known for his podocarpe’s forests, one of the biggest trees of the World. It is also an old reserve which protects a rich ecosystem of lakes, dunes, beaches and coral reefs.
Then, we crossed Knysna town which is the most sea-side resort of the Garden Route. The Knysna Lagoon, linked to the ocean by a narrow channel, is surrounded by second homes and at some kilometers there, we can have a spectacular view on all the bay.
Finally, we arrived in the Little Karoo which is located 60 km to the north of George by the N10 road and the pass of Outeniqua. Oudtshoorn is the principal city of Little Karoo. The landscapes are totally different where the region is more dry and inhabited. This region is slightly away from the Garden Route which is more renowned. It is an ostrich breeding region where I can see numerous farms which are become tourist activities for a lot of people like an ostrich ride that I can taste. It was a funny experience but very difficult.
To conclude, this first experience on the Garden Route was fantastic and if you come here in South Africa, you have to visit it because it is unique and I advise you to do that and to choose The Garden Route Safari Camp for a real adventure trip.
The Garden Routes Safari Cape
The Garden Route and Little Karoo spans South Africa's Western Cape coastal belt from Witsands whale birthing haven in the west to Port Elizabeth.
The name Garden Route stems from the abundant greenery, forestry, coastal coves, unique stop-overs and mountainous regions. Over time roads, mountain passes and bridges setup to link these popular villages soon became known as the "Garden Route". It's all about an abundance of blue skies, white sand beaches, rolling oceans, dramatic mountain scenery, indigenous fynbos, ostrich antiques and local hospitality.
The Garden Routes Safari Cape is ideally situated between Knysna & Port Elizabeth in the heart of the Garden Route region. The adventure camp offers serenity or adventure depending on your mood. Close to great hiking trails, Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature's Valley and many great attractions. The camp is located between the ocean and and indigenous forest, giving you the best of both worlds. It is only a 2 hour drive along the N2 to the Nelson Mandela stadium.
The Garden Route South Africa Photos
The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Heidelberg in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighbouring Eastern Cape.
Watch Stunning South Africa : Garden Route: SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL video here