On the coast the daytime temperature seldom drops below 15 degrees and seldom gets higher than 30. Rain falls all year round on the Garden Route, supporting the largest indigenous forests in Southern Africa. The result is a lush temperate landscape.


  • Mossel Bay

    Halfway between Cape Town and PE, this coastal town marks the official beginning (or end) of the Garden Route. It’s set on a hill overlooking a small working harbour and bay. There’s a choice of beaches and adventure activities.
  • George

    The biggest town on the Garden Route, George is the administrative capital of the area. Close to Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay and Victoria Bay, it’s a convenient stop over point. There’s an airport and the Outeniqua Tjoe - Choo train comes puffing into the station every day.
  • Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn was home to rich feather barons until the turn of the century. The collapse of the feather industry meant the area had to find other attractions in order to survive. And boy, has it done a good job of that! You need daaaaays to “do” Oudtshoorn.
  • De Rust

    An interesting little one horse town.
  • Victoria Bay

    Victoria Bay is renowned as one of the world’s best surfing beaches and the waves here are often spectacular.
  • Wilderness

    This tiny village nestles in the green coastal hills, framed by the Touws River lagoon on one side and miles of superb beach on the other. The beautiful Wilderness National Park protects the unique eco-system that makes up the surroundings.
  • Sedgefield

    Straddling the N2 and in its turn surrounded by wetlands and sandwiched between the sea and the mountain, this is paraglider's paradise.
  • Buffels Bay

    This little coastal village lies just outside of Knysna and is a great place to relax and get closer to nature.
  • Knysna

    Knysna sprawls around a lagoon whose entrance is guarded by two rocky cliffs called The Heads. The hub of the Garden Route, this once sleepy village is now a bustling town.
  • Uniondale

    Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
  • Nature's Valley

    Situated at the end of the Groot River pass, Nature’s Valley is surrounded by mountain, lagoon, sea and forest.
  • Plettenberg Bay

    Named “Baia Formosa” (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese explorers - who were probably too awe-struck to be more inventive - Plettenberg Bay is now one of the Garden Route’s major destinations, primarily because the Portuguese weren’t far wrong.
  • Bloukrans

    The main attractions here are the Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungy jump and the beautiful surroundings
  • Stormsriver

    The major drawcard here is Mother Nature. And she’s a real Mother, but not the one you know. Wild, tempestuous, untamed, violent, calm, soothing, shouting, majestic and awe-inspiring if you can look past the hand of man.

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Garden Route

For many South Africans this is a piece of paradise they can discover on their own doorstep. Stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storm’s River Mouth, the Garden Route combines the best of Mother Nature with the best of first world creature comforts. Many travellers hit the N2 and just drive through peering out the window occasionally. We suggest that you stop somewhere interesting, get out and Go Exploring. You’ll find mind-numbing indigenous forests sheltering in valleys, untamed beauty in the coastal fynbos and repose in the meandering rivers that lead down to wild expanses of unspoilt beaches.

Backpacking on the Garden Route

The coastal plain of the Garden Route is backed by the Outeniqua Mountains which send rivers tumbling down their sides to meet the sea.

Rocky gorges make the mountains inaccessible, except to determined explorers, but the passes that negotiate the mountains are essential detours for travellers.

The lush and tangled forests that have survived are a reminder of the origin of their name – Outeniqua means the man laden with honey. Although the Khoi who named the land are gone the descendants of the 18th century woodcutters still live deep in the forest. You may see the bright flash of a Knysna loerie crossing the forest canopy or come across a clan of baboons occupying the centre of the road. More secretive animals are the last legendary Knysna elephants wandering unseen through undergrowth and the occasional (very elusive) leopard.

The forests give way to the ocean in all its incarnations – Mother Nature in a fury with wild waves crashing against rocks or lazy rivers and lagoons meandering into a perfect turquoise sea, beaches that are secluded coves or miles of magnificent sand. The rock pools and reefs harbour a multitude of miniature miracles, from scuttling hermit crabs to bright sea anemones.

Dolphins frolic in the waves all year long and the giant Southern Right whales come visiting in winter. There is plenty of adventure too - surf spots, great hiking trails, bungy jumping and all kinds of water sport from diving to deep-sea fishing.



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Interesting facts about the Garden Route

The highest land based bungy jump in the world is at Bloukrans Bridge near Stormsriver.

You can take a ride on an original steam train between George and Mossel Bay. The Outeniqua Tjoe-Choo runs every day except for Sundays and some public holidays.

An ostrich’s brain weighs less than its eyeballs.

Hiking Trails and history of the Garden Route

A brief history of the Garden Route

Get out those boots, get away from people and go hiking.

What to do

  • Bungy Bus

    Wanna bungeeeeee? But don't know how to get there? Get the Bungy Bus.