The Garden Route and Klein Karoo is one of the most beautiful and popular travel destinations in Southern Africa. The name “Garden Route” comes from the first settlers' movements towards the east coast, this fertile land matched the Voortrekkers idea of the Garden of Eden.
It begins in the West at Swellendam and ends at Humansdorp just before Port Elizabeth. It includes 21 towns from the Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo to the majestic Outeniqua Mountains in George. Through the beautiful lush Knysna forest to the coastal resorts of Plettenberg and Mossel Bay. The most interesting part stretches from Mossel Bay to the Storms River mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
View live images of Victoria Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in the Webcam Gallery.
Tsitsikamma is the Khoi-San word for a place of many waters and is the perfect description of this exquisite area. Along this stunning coast the Garden Route displays steep rocky cliffs alternating with white sandy beaches and dense evergreen mountain rain forests. The coast between Storms River and Kei River mouth in the Eastern Cape Province is called sunshine coast because of its favorable subtropical climate. Plettenberg Bay is the crown jewel of the Garden Route.
Many choices of accommodation are available in George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Sedgefield, De Rust, Great Brak River and the Klein Karoo. The accommodation ranges from self catering luxury villas to inexpensive Bed & Breakfasts. The Garden Route offers a vast number of activities spanning all budgets, Cango Caves, Outeniqua Power Van and choo tjoe steam train trip over the Kaaimans River in the Wilderness, Knysna Heads, Addo Elephant Park and Fancourt Hotel with its premier Gary player designed golf course which hosted the Presidents cup in 2003. Look at things to do in the Garden Route.