South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It runs along the coast from Heidelberg in Western Cape to the Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park in Eastern Province. With a gorgeous climate (the second mildest in the world after Hawaii) and glorious towns, nature reserves and mountains, a trip along South Africa’s Garden Route is not to be missed.
1 Brenton on Sea
Encapsulated by the stunning flora rich Goukamma Nature Reserve, Brenton on Sea is one of South Africa’s Garden Route gems. A 500km drive from Cape Town brings you to the small coastal community, home to the Brenton Blue Butterfly Reserve and some of the most incredible, completely untouched rugged coastal sceneries in the world. Virtually deserted apart from a few discreet holiday homes, Brenton on Sea is a magical seaside hideaway in nature’s valley.
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2 Knysna
One of the legends of the Garden Route in South Africa, Knysna is famous the world over for its magnificent indigenous forests, incredible flora and fauna, marine life, sweeping coastline, golden beaches and the beautiful Kynsna lagoon. Home to the Knysna Elephant Park, the famous Tsitsikamma Forest and the Knysna Loerie to name but a few, this is a true ecological paradise with some of Mother Nature’s finest offerings.
3 Mossel Bay
With a stunning history dating back to the 1600s, Mossel Bay is an exciting coastal town surrounded by nature and popular among holiday makers. The birth place of the first South African Post Office, it is favoured for its excellent seafood, water sports, and beautiful weather as well as fishing and golf. The perfect South African Garden Route stopover every day of the year – you can even hit the beach in the middle of winter.
4 Sedgefield
Sedgefield is just without a doubt one of the most magnificent places along the Garden Route in South Africa. And it has everything – breathtaking beaches, breeze ruffled lakes and lagoons, golden sand dunes, rolling pine plantations as far as the eye can see, eco-friendly tree houses in the mountains, estuaries and fynbos galore and absolutely heaving with wildlife. Nature lovers are spoilt for choice beyond their wildest dreams and then some.
5 Vleesbaai
Tucked between bungee jumping famed Gouritz River and Stilbaai, around the corner from Vis Baai, Vleesbaai is a magical little area in the westerly area of the Garden Route in South Africa. The enchanting seaside village is located right where the river meets the sea, drenched in sun, heaving with seals, dolphins and whales and right on the doorstep of the Fransmanshoek Nature Reserve – and is considered one of the coast's best kept secrets.
6 Great Brak
This delightful island hideaway is home to a small town on the banks of the Brak River – Great Brak is the small island formed at the fork where the Brak River separates onto either side of island coming from the lagoon mouth. Find gorgeous picnic spots and stunning beaches, with incredible views, brilliant water sports and swimming in the lagoon itself. This is a popular retreat for city dwellers looking for a small recluse of a town to escape the pressures of the concrete jungle.
7 Plettenberg Bay
One of the most famous spots to stop off on the Garden Route in South Africa, Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as it is referred to, is a hugely popular holiday resort town with local South Africans and visitors alike, flocking to the popular town for the ultimate summer and winter holiday. Excellent surfing, beaches and a pleasure seeking hot spot, visitors can enjoy the crème da la crème of luxury on the beachfront.
These were just 7 of the fabulous stops along South Africa’s Garden Route. Whether you want gorgeous views and sublime beaches or wildlife and water sports, this is the place to be. Have you ever been?
