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South Africa's Garden Route is a rich tapestry of very large trees, freshwater lakes and deep gorges, spread out along the coast like a giant natural theme park. With some of the country's best beaches and a climate that is perfectly suited to playing outdoors, Garden Route holidays closely follow Cape Town holidays as being the most popular in South Africa. Whether you're paragliding over sandy white beaches, spotting dolphins and whales from the air or exploring the deep indigenous forests; it's a place where nature rules, and it does so beautifully.
The Garden Route in South Africa is legendary for its 'picture postcard' natural beauty. Our tour journeys across spectacular mountain passes and along a pristine coastline boasting some of South Africa's top coastal and golfing resorts. From Knysna's charming Waterfront and Nature Reserve, to ostriches and massive underground caves - the Garden Route will entertain young and old alike. During the months of July to November, our tour also visits Hermanus, a small hamlet that is world renowned for the best land based whale watching.
Great weather makes the Garden Route a year round destination, meaning that when to travel to the Garden Route is less important than what you do when you're there. Garden Route accommodation is plentiful in these parts with everything from seaside splendour to intimate guesthouses tucked away in the forest. There's something for all tastes and pockets, but you do want to pre-book in season as this region is extremely popular with South African families and international visitors. One of the best ways to experience Garden Route holidays is by driving yourself around this easily navigable area. The Garden Route has many places to visit but we have narrowed down the few most important spots in our highlights section
Download Holiday Packages along the Garden Route
Diamond collection
Magnificent Garden Route
Garden Route Getaways
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 HOW TO GET THERE |
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The Garden Route can be accessed by air from Johannesburg or Cape Town, and by road from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth. One of the best ways to experience Garden Route holidays is by driving yourself around this easily navigable area or take a luxury Garden Route experience that suits your needs. Another alternative is to try the Garden Route Splendour Tour that takes in Oudtshoorn and Kynsna
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CLIMATE |
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The Garden Route has a Mediterranean Maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas in South Africa. Most of the rains occurs in the winter months, brought on by the humid sea-winds from the Indian ocean. The Garden Route's temperate weather falls between two climatic regions of summer and winter rainfall so it rains mostly at night which keeps the area perennially green.
You can feel spring in the air by the end of August and into September. October can be quite mixed because just when you think summer has arrived, another cold front moves in. Summer is from November to March and days are warmer, with December to February seeing mid-summer daily temperatures of about 24-30ºC.
Temperatures start cooling down from about April (Autumn) but it can still be very pleasant until June. June, July and August are the winter months. The days may be bright and warm, but it gets cold in the evening.
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| SIGHTSEEING AND HIGHLIGHTS |
- Tsitsikamma - Meaning “Place of many waters”, this area is home to a spectacular Marine Reserve, ancient indigenous trees and the Cape’s lush Fynbos. The Tsitsikamma offers loads of exhilarating adventure activities, some of which are the most unique in the world!
- Natures Valley - At the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, isolated along the Tsitsikamma National Park, lies Platbos Reserve – the home of Plateau. Dedicated to the health and well-being of its guests and its environment alike, Plateau is a place of symbiosis.
- Plettenberg Bay - With its exceptional climate and natural seaside beauty, “Plett” offers the eco-tourist a wonderful opportunity to view various marine species and also visit several conservation projects.
- Knysna - This bustling town nestles on the banks of the beautiful Knysna estuary, surrounded by a natural paradise of indigenous forest, mountains and rugged coastline. Visitors are offered a unique holiday experience in nature’s playground of beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers
- George - Home of the Outeniqua Transport Museum and Choo Tjoe, George is the commercial hub of the Garden Route. Its bustling shops, national airport and road links to all major centres makes it a convenient base from which to explore the charms and attractions of the area
- Mossel Bay - This seaside town basks on a sun washed peninsula overlooking the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It is here that Bortholomew Dias landed in the 1400’s and found fresh water. This is a small town with a big heart and a rich history
- Oudtshoorn - This area is the ostrich capital of the world and nowhere else do they produce feathers of such fine quality. Surrounded by the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountains means that every road into this town follows a picturesque pass that presents the traveler with dramatic scenic beauty and unspoilt rural charm.
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