Introduction to the Garden Route

The Garden Route is a spectacular 200km land and sea corridor along South Africa’s southern and eastern coastlines. This scenic stretch of land is boxed in between mountain ranges to the North and the Indian ocean to the South. The shoreline is dotted with lovely sandy beaches, bays and quaint sea-side villages and charming towns. Now add indigenous forests, rivers, lagoons, lakes, and nature reserves to the mix, and you start to get a sense of what the garden route is all about.

Some say the Garden Route starts at Cape Agulhas and other say Mossel Bay. It then stretches to Storms River in the East. Where exactly it starts and ends is not as important as what it offers.

It is a tourist paradise and offers all the amenities and activities you could wish for. There are many hotels, guest lodges and camp sites that cater to all tastes and budgets. In villages and towns, you will also find great restaurants, charming coffee shops, vibey bars, curio shops, supermarkets and speciality shops. And of course, there are many things to do and see along this beautiful route that offers fantastic marine and land-based attractions and activities.

Hikers can enjoy meandering trails and walks. Lagoons, rivers, beaches and bays are great for tanning, swimming and boating. And when you add in the moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters, you have a perfect holiday destination. Thrill seekers can partake in activities such fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, abseiling, para-gliding, bungee jumping and ziplining.

You can access the Garden route from major hubs such as Cape Town, George and Port Elizabeth. The route from Cape Town has many great places to explore even before you reach the actual Garden Route. These include the whale route and towns and attractions such as the Strand, Gordons Bay, Kleinmond, Hermanus, Gansbaai, Cape Agulhas, Arniston, and Still Bay. These coastal drives connect several quaint villages and charming towns all interspersed with natural beauty and awesome scenery.

Learn more about idyllic towns along the Garden Route.

Below are links to our popular Garden Route tours.