The Garden Route of South Africa

The Garden Route of South Africa is the ultimate destination for nature lovers seeking spectacular natural surroundings, breathtaking panoramas and exciting hiking opportunities.

The Garden Route will take you along splendid beaches, charming villages and ancient forests. Your options are practically endless when taking this route and how long or how far you will go entirely depends on which places you personally find interesting. The area is so beautiful and appealing and you can continue a very long way exploring this enchanting South African destination.

Hiking is the best form of transport when exploring the Garden Route. It offers three of the best hiking trails in the country. Top on the list is the popular Otter Trail that is a must on any serious hiker’s bucket list. It is only about 27 miles long and will take at most 5 days to finish but it is not an entirely easy hike. There are challenges along the way as you cross rivers, climb steep cliff tops and navigate your way down rocky and rugged terrain.

Start from the scenic Storms River Mouth and follow the blue otter marks until you reach the gorgeous Nature Valley in Tsitsikamma National Park. You will pass by plenty of truly exhilarating landscapes so make sure to take it all in and take photos. Since you will be hiking along the dramatic coastline, stop and rest every once in a while and look out for whales or dolphins putting on shows in the distance.

If you do not have time to explore the area on foot but don’t want to be deprived of the view, you can always take a similar trip on board the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe. It runs between George and Mossel Bay, much shorter but you will still get to cross rivers without getting wet while being accompanied all the time by the spectacular sights and the dramatic coastline.

Another alternative is to just pick a particular area along the Garden Route, drive or hire someone to drive you there and enjoy the rest of your holiday amidst stunning natural beauty. Those looking for a tranquil retreat will find the unspoiled beaches and beautiful scenery of Great Brak a delight.

You can also go further to the village of Gouritsmond where you can spend the day on a rewarding fishing trip or go bungee jumping from the bridge of the Gourits River. You can also enjoy the Tsitsikamma from above the trees by taking on a canopy cable tour to zip your way across the forest.

Those who are not big on adrenalin-pumping adventures can try a relaxing canoeing trip around the Knysna Lagoon or dine aboard a Paddle Cruiser in the area. You can also visit the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary and the Birds of Eden Sanctuary.

If you are itching for a fantastic round of golf, there are several delightful courses to choose from such as the four golf courses of Fancourt, the signature Oubaai Golf Course or the links course at Mossel Bay.

Or, you can simply pick a beach of your choice, work on your tan, cool off with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the wonderful view of the ocean before you.

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