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The N2 Highway, running east from Mossel Bay towards Port Elizabeth, passes through some of the world’s most spectacular coastal scenery, known as the Garden Route. Nestled between sweeping mountain ranges and the sparkling Indian Ocean, the entire region is bursting with activities and attractions.
The journey begins in the seaside town of Mossel Bay, first discovered by Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias in 1488. A harbour town at heart, situated on a sunwashed peninsula, attractions here include the Dias Museum and the 500 year old Post Office Tree. You can choose to spend a lazy day relaxing on one of the many sandy beaches, or for the adrenaline junkies there is shark carge diving, bridge swinging, bungy jumping, parasailing and abseiling.
Contrasting sharply with the lush coast, the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn is the focal point of the ostrich industry, and is known as the ostrich capital of the world. Nowhere else are ostriches found in such great numbers, producing feathers of such fine quality. Ostrich show farms offer daily tours and demontrations, during which you will learn about these unique birds, their life cycle, and about how they are farmed.
The Cango Caves are the oldest and one of the most popular attractions in the area, a great natural wonder of the world. Three systems of spectacular limestone caverns have been discovered, and are filled with a wonderland of stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. Another attraction is the Cango Wildlife Ranch, home to more than 47 species of animals and reptiles. The ranch houses a cheetah-breeding centre, and offers interactions with cheetahs and various other animals.
George, the largest of the Garden Route towns, is reached by returning to the coast via the scenic Outeniqua Pass. The town is one of South Africa’s premier golfing destinations, and is home to the renowned Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate.
The tranquil beauty of Wilderness is a great source of inspiration, so it is not surprising that the town boasts many talented artists, as well as an art route and regular craft market. Wilderness also offers a variety of action-packed activities like hiking, paragliding, diving, horse riding, mountain biking, canoeing, abseiliing, surfing and much more.
The seaside town of Sedgefield, in the heart of the Lakes District, is known for its beautiful golden beaches and the variety of watersports it can offer. Walkers and bird lovers are also certain to see an abundance of fascinating fauna and flora, as they discover a network of fynbos, lakeside and forest trails.
Knysna, a town of supreme beauty, is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Garden Route.’ The town nestles on the banks of an estuary, and is surrounded by a lush paradise of indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. The town is also celebrated for its fresh oysters, and every year the annual Knysna Oyster Festival attracts hundreds of visitors.
This natural wonderland is home to the elusive Knysna elephants – last of the most southern elephants on the African continent, rare delicate butterflies, tiny sea horses and the famous Knysna loerie, a colourful forest bird.
Plettenberg Bay is a beach-lover’s paradise, where long stretches of soft sand give way to azure seas. This is a destination for the discerning tourist in search of spectacular scenery and excitement. It has 18 kilometres of unspoiled, gleaming beaches stretching either side of the town.
Plettenberg Bay has become known as an eco-tourist destination, offering a wide range of activities such as the highest bungy jump in the world at the Bloukrans Bridge, boat trips to see the majesticSouthern Right whales and dolphins, hiking on the Robberg Peninsula, Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, Birds of Eden freeflight aviary, the Knysna Elephant Park, sea kayaking and glider trips, to name only a few. The town is also becoming a polo mecca with Kurland and Bitou House offering exciting polo tournaments during December and Easter
Completing the Garden Route is the friendly city of Port Elizabeth – gateway to the malaria-free game reserves of the Eastern Cape.
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