The Garden Route

The Garden Route

The Garden Route is renowned for its dense and lush forests - the subcontinent's largest (and among its last) mountain forests - with extensive patches of stinkwood, giant yellowwood, ironwood, beech, assegai, candlewood, white elder and around 80 other hardwoods.Their dense canopies allow enough sunlight through to sustain a fantasia of fern, shrub, herb, lichen and moss.

The Garden Route's seasons are less pronounced than those of other regions, year round rainfall ensures there are always some plants in flower.

Spring: Flowering bulbs include freesias, uintjies and Moraea, watsonias, gladioli, ghaukum, the wart-stemmed and Outeniqua pincushions and also keurboom.

Summer: Blue lily (Agapanthus praecox), chincherinchees, woolly-flowered Lanaria lanata, wild garlic, the George lily, wild iris on forest floors, satyriums, and blue aristeas.

Autumn: The March lily, red hot pokers, small brown afrikander, pink-flowered orchid , bulbous pelargoniums, hibiscus, sorrel.

Winter: Narrow-leafed sugarbush, suurkanol, Mimetes pauciflorus, Erica chloroloma, yellow bietou and mauve-blue dune daisies.

The Garden route stretches for over 140 kilometers. Below is a list of the main towns along the route.

Witsand
The perfect halfway stop between Cape Town and Knysna, situated at the mouth of the Breede River, one of the most navigable rivers in South Africa.

Attractions: Some of the best estuarine fishing in the country, whale watching, bird watching, safe beaches, walking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and pony trails.

More Info : Witsand Tourism Bureau, Witsand
Tel: (028) 5371010 Fax: (028) 537 101l E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Riversdale
The "Floral Paradise of the Garden Route" offers excellent accommodation facilities and outdoor activities.

Attractions: Horseback safaris, fishing, 4x4 routes, walking and hiking routes, birding, rony trails and mountain biking

More Info: Riversdale Tourism Bureau , Van den Berg Street, Riversdale 6770 Tel: (028) 7138036 Fax: (028) 7133146  E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stilbaai
Aptly named "Destination of Dreams" , this is an unspoilt laid-back coastal jewel.

Attractions: Age-old fish traps, safe bathing, water sports, botanical garden and craft centre at Melkhoutfontein, Palinggat Residence (the oldest building in town) and its tame eels, surfing, rock, surf and deep sea angling, diving and birding.

More Info: Stilbaai Tourism Bureau , Langenhoven Street, Stilbaai 6674 Tel: 27 28  754 2602 , Fax: 27 28 754 2549
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Albertinia
A peaceful village in the foothills of the Langeberg mountains.

Attractions: Aloe factories, bungee jumping from the GouritsRiver bridge, coastal nature reserve with guided snorkelling, game viewing and birding.

More Info: Albertinia Tourism Bureau
Dennegeur Petrol Station, Station Street, Albertinia 6695
Tel/fax: 27 28 735 1000
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Mossel Bay

Sun-drenched north-facing beaches, historical architecture, museums, and outstanding seafood cuisine are just some of Mossel Bay's many offerings.

Attractions: Surfing, swimming and Cape St Blaze Cave at the Point, whale watching, walking and hiking routes, shark cage and scuba diving, and South Africa's first post office- a tree.

More Info: Mossel Bay Tourism Bureau , cnr Market and Church Street Mossel Bay 6500.  Tel:27 44 691 2202  Fax: (044) 690 3077
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Great Brak River
Great Brak River lies in a perfect Garden Route setting, with sandy beaches and mountain backdrops.

Attractions: Swimming, beach walks, birding, whale watching and game viewing.

More Info:Great Brak River Tourism Bureau
Belhambra House, 1 Charles Street, Great Brak River 6525
Tel: 27 44 620 3338 ,  Fax: 27 44 620 3176
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George
An ideal base from which to explore the region's diverse scenery and natural wonders.

Attractions: Safe bathing and fishing at Herolds Bay, surfing at Victoria and Buffalo Bays, walking and hiking trails in the Outeniqua mountains, spectacular moun- tain passes steeped in history, 4x4 routes, and the Ou.teniqua Choo- Tjoe steam train.

More Info: George Tourism Bureau . 124 York Street, George 6530
Tel: 27 44 801 9295/7  , Fax 27 44  873 5228
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Wilderness
A village with a difference on a spectacular section of the coast. The ideal holiday destination for all seasons.

Attractions: Hiking trails, Map of Africa viewpoint and paragliding site, canoeing, kayaking, birding, swimming, and whale watching.

More Info: Wilderness Eco-tourism Association , Leila's Lane, Wilderness 6560 Tel/fax: 27 44  877 0045
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Sedgefield
Quiet lakes and sandy beaches set around a sparkling bay offer the opportunity to enjoy the lakes and coastal wetlands.

Attractions: Diverse landscapes, beach walks, birding, canoeing and freshwater angling.
Sedgefield Tourism Bureau
cnr of Main and Parrot Street Sedgefield 6573
Tel: 27 44 343.2658
Fax: 27 44 343 2010
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Knysna
Forested mountains surrounding a glimmering lagoon. Delight i1 the numerous eco-adventures on offer.

Attractions: Giant yellowwoods, indige- nous forests, river cruises, abseiling, moun- tain biking, diving, horse trails, 4x4 routes, game farms and nature reserves. )I Knysna Tourism Bureau
40 Main Street, Knysna, 6570
Tel: 27 44 382 5510
Fax: 27 44 382 1646
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Plettenberg Bay
Natural beauty at its very best.

Attractions: Long white beaches, canoe and boating trips, walking and hiking trails, abseiling, parasailing, angling, boat and yacht trips, guided mountain biking trails, diving, horse trails, tractor rides in natural forest, two-seater glider flights, surfing and whale watching.

More Info: Plettenberg Bay Information Office
1 Victoria Cottage, Kloof Street Plettenberg Bay 6600
Tel: 27 44 533 4065  Fax: 27 44  533 4066
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Ladismith
An historic village with walking and hiking trails, mountain and rock climbing.

More Info : Ladismith Tourism Bureau, South Street, Ladismith 6655
Tel/Fax: 27 28  551 1378

Oudtshoorn
Host of the annual Klein Karoo Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn is also home to two of South Africa's biggest attractions  - ostrich farms and the Cango Caves.

Attractions: Hiking, mountain and rock climbing, 4x4 routes, spectacular mountain passes and rock formations, cliff jumping, cave crawling, abseiling, kayaking, moun- tain biking and rock art.

More Info : Oudtshoorn Tourism Bureau , Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn 6620  Tel: 27 44  279 2532  Fax: 27 44 272 8226
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De Rust
Situated en route to one of the most beauti- ful drives in southern Africa -the Meiringspoort Pass.

Attractions: Birding, walking and hiking !rails, flowers, fishing and kayaking.

More Info: De Rust Tourism Bureau 29 Schoeman Street, De Rust 6650 Tel/Fax: 27 44  241 2109
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Uniondale
A tranquil setting of magnificent mountains and apple orchards.

Attractions: Hiking trails, 4x4 routes, zebras in their natural habitat on Kammanassie mountain, rock art, trout fishing, game viewing and flowers.

More Info: Uniondale Tourism Bureau , 1 Show Street, Uniondale 6460
Tel: 27 44 752 1.266 Fax: 27 44 752 1588
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Copyright: South African Tourism