The Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch of coastal road on the south west tip of South Africa. Some of the key sights along the route include Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet, Oudtshoorn, Mossel and Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, and finally Port Elizabeth. The route offers several activities along the way, from hiking to whale watching, windsurfing, and exploring caves and deserted sandy beaches.

Destinations

Key sights to see

Hermanus

Hermanus is one of the towns on what is known as "the Whale Coast" part of the Garden Route. This rugged stretch of South African coastline snakes along the Atlantic Ocean with charming seaside villages, farms, coves and valleys. Visitors…

Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas is at the southern tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The area was given the name "Agulhas," meaning needles in Portuguese, because the compass needle points due north with no magnetic deviation. The town…

Oudtshoorn

Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, the charming town of Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. Tourists can visit numerous ostrich farms, sample ostrich meat and biltong, learn about the…

Knysna & Plettenberg Bay

Knsyna (pronounced ny-znah) is blessed with spectacular scenery, especially the Knsyna Lagoon, and the pristine beaches and forests that lay just beyond. A little further along lies Plettenberg Bay, which the Portuguese explorers called the 'Beautiful Bay' for its endless…

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, located along the shores of Nelson Mandela Bay, is colloquially called "the Friendly City." Established in 1820 as a British settlement, the city is known for its nearly 40 km of pristine beaches, great surfing spots and watersports…

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Shark Cage Diving

Experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with Great White Sharks at Gansbaai. Several tour operators offer Shark Cage diving tours in this area, popularly known as Shark Alley, due to the large number of Great White and…

Whale Watching, Hermanus

Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, has been recognized as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. It is the mating and breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale during the winter and spring months (from June to…

Horse Riding

Take a slow trot on horseback and enjoy the spectacular views of the coast line, or if you're a more experienced rider, ride one of the horses that are specially trained for riding on the beach, and feel the exhilaration…

Knysna Lagoon Cruises & Adventures

With five rivers flowing in and meeting with the Indian Ocean, Knsyna Lagoon is one of the most popular locations on the Garden Route. Visitors can enjoy several activities in the area including sunset cruises, private boat charters, kayak tours,…

Cango Caves Tour, Oudtshoorn

Located in the Swartberg Mountains, near the town of Oudtshoorn, the 20 million year old Cango Cave system consists of large underground caverns with fascinating limestone formations including stalactites and stalagmites, in a wide variety of colors. Cleopatra's needle which…

Accommodations

Great places to stay