Travel in Garden Route
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The Garden Route in the Western Cape is one of South Africa's main tourist attractions and stretches between Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland.
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Regions
The central part of the Garden Route is formed by the coastline of the Indian ocean. To the north it is bordered by the little (Klein) Karoo, a semi-desert region.
Cities
- George: the largest town along the Route.
- Knysna: one of the most popular tourist destinations
- Storms River: the Gate to the Tsitsikamma National Park
- Plettenberg_Bay: Surfers Paradise
- Jeffreys Bay
- Oudtshoorn: the capital of the little (Klein) Karoo and once South Africa`s Ostrich capital
- Mossel Bay: this is where Bartolomeu Dias set foot ashore in 1488 and South Africa`s first post office was founded in 1500
- Swellendam: one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa
- The De Hoop Nature Reserve near Swellendam for whale spotting
- Montagu: houses more national monuments per capita than every other South African town and offers a relaxed atmosphere
Other destinations
- Tsitsikamma National Park: encloses one of the most beautiful coasts in South Africa between Storms River and Natures Valley
- Cango Caves: near Oudtshoorn
- Bontebok National Park: near Swellendam; not as spectacular as Krüger or Addo it offers enough for a nice day out.
- De Hoop Nature Reserve: Beautiful little reserve, perfect for spotting whales and hiking.
Understand
Get in
By plane:
South African Airways has regular flights to George. The nearest international airport is in Cape Town
By Road:
The Garden Route is easily reached from Cape Town in the West and Port Elizabeth in the East
By bus:
The main companies offer regular services along the Garden Route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The region is also on the Baz Bus route.
Get around
As local public transport between the towns is rare (except minibus services), the best way to tour the Route is by car.
Do
- visit Tsitsikamma National Park and hike the Otter trail
- take a ride on an Ostrich in Oudtshoorn or visit the nearby Cango caves
- do the surf in Plettenberg_Bay
- Do the world's highest bungee jump Bloukrans Bridge
Eat
As a main tourist destination there are many restaurant for every taste. Enjoy superb fish from the ocean and Knysa is the place to taste some oysters.
Sleep
There is no shortage of all kinds of accommodation but book ahead on weekends/ holiday.
Stay safe
Compared with the larger cities the towns along the Garden Route are quiet safe. As always use your common senses. Driving at night is never considered safe in South Africa so plan ahead.
Get out
- Go ahead for Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
- Jeffrey's Bay is a well-known for its surfing grounds.
External links
- Western Cape Tourism (http://www.tourismcapegardenroute.co.za)