| "So where is the Garden Route?" you might ask. It's a | | | | tractor-trailer ride and a tasty lunch in a classy |
| 200km section of the South African coastline | | | | restaurant under the old milkwood trees. |
| stretching from the town of Mossel Bay to just the | | | | Quad biking, Mountain biking in Harkerville and Knysna |
| other side of the Tsitsikamma National Park. Just | | | | forests, Abseiling off the Knysna Heads, Canoeing on |
| recently I took some time out to revisit the Garden | | | | Knysna River, Hiking in the Knysna Forest |
| Route, this time to research what fun exciting things | | | | Plettenberg Bay - another bustling town to include on |
| one can do on the Garden Route. It's a fabulous | | | | your itinerary offering a huge selection of outdoor |
| destination and a definite "must see" for anybody | | | | activities, something for the whole family. Many children |
| visiting South Africa. To summarize the Garden Route, | | | | activities on offer as well. |
| I would call it "the outdoor adventure activities and golf | | | | Elephant Sanctuary - where you can walk with these |
| Mecca of South Africa!" I have put together some | | | | gentle giants and even ride one |
| suggestions here for your trip down the Garden Route. | | | | Birds of Eden - a magnificent display of birds from all |
| Scenic Drives: Well, there are a couple of lovely scenic | | | | over the world! |
| drives on the Garden Route and depending on how | | | | Monkeyland - fascinating and informative! |
| much time you have and where you are staying the | | | | Adventure activities such as Sea kayaking, Canoeing |
| night you could include these on your itinerary. | | | | up the Keurbooms River, Boat cruises to view marine |
| 1. Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort near Oudtshoorn | | | | life such as dolphins, seals and whales in season (Jul to |
| - a gorgeous day trip to be enjoyed with a picnic lunch | | | | Dec) |
| stop at a beautiful waterfall in Meiringspoort, dramatic | | | | Sky diving, Abseiling, Hiking in the Robberg Nature |
| mountain landscape and scenic vistas. | | | | Reserve, Bunji Jumping off Bloukrans Bridge (the |
| 2. Seven passes road, the original road between | | | | highest bunji jump in the world at 216m) |
| George and Knysna - dense indigenous forest, tannin | | | | Plett has become well known as the "polo mecca" of |
| rich black water rivers, steep gorges and a prolific bird | | | | South Africa. Exciting polo tournaments are being |
| life. | | | | played at Bitou House and Kurland during Easter, |
| 3. Montagu pass - traversing the majestic Outeniqua | | | | December and January with polo practices throughout |
| Mountains between George and Oudtshoorn, the | | | | the year. |
| original route built in 1848 with convict labour. | | | | Tsitsikamma National Park |
| Mossel Bay | | | | The Big Tree - largest Outeniqua Yellowwood tree in |
| Shark Cage Diving - an exhilarating experience I would | | | | the area with a circumference of 8.5m and a height of |
| recommend to anybody! Mossel Bay has the most | | | | 36m. This is one of the largest tree species we have |
| accessible great white shark experience in the world, | | | | in South Africa and of the most beautiful in my opinion. |
| offering a shorter more comfortable boat ride on | | | | Tree Top Canopy Tours - offering fun and |
| calmer waters than the competition at Gansbaai near | | | | adventurous cable sliding from one big tree to the next, |
| Cape Town. You will leave with a newfound respect | | | | a great way to be introduced to our beautiful |
| for these magnificent predators. | | | | indigenous forest and its little inhabitants! |
| Oudtshoorn - great place to visit especially if it's raining | | | | Hiking trails along the rugged coastline |
| everywhere else on the Garden Route. Oudtshoorn is | | | | Pristine Beaches |
| the capital of the Little Karoo which is classed as semi | | | | Of course don't forget that this entire stretch of |
| desert so you can count on the weather being pretty | | | | coastline has a myriad of gorgeous beaches, most of |
| good most of the year round. | | | | them having "blue flag" status. Heralds Bay, Glentana |
| Cango Caves - an underground wonderland with the | | | | and Victoria Bay near George, Wilderness beach, |
| most spectacular dripstone formations | | | | Buffels Bay, Noetsie Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Natures |
| Cango Ostrich Farm - learn about the ostrich farming | | | | Valley, all offering the warmer waters of the Indian |
| industry that made Oudtshoorn famous and take a | | | | Ocean and beautiful stretches of golden sand. This |
| ride on an ostrich! | | | | makes the Garden Route a superb summer |
| Cango Wildlife Ranch - a sanctuary to endangered | | | | destination! |
| wildlife species. Get up close and personal with a | | | | Golfing is a huge activity on the Garden Route with |
| cheetah or go diving with the crocs. | | | | some of the top golf course in the world based here |
| Wilderness - a tranquil seaside village offering an array | | | | such Fancourt Country Club Estate offering 4 courses |
| of outdoor activities such as Paragliding, Canoeing up | | | | built by Gary Player, our South African golf icon, |
| Touws River, Hiking trails through the enchanted | | | | George Golf Course, Simola Golf Estate, Pezula |
| indigenous forests, Kloofing and Abseiling. | | | | Champioship Golf Course offering the most |
| Knysna - a bustling happening little town with much to | | | | spectacular scenery, Knysna Golf Course and Goose |
| offer! | | | | Valley Golf Course in Plettenberg Bay. |
| I can recommend the 4 Hour Eco Experience at | | | | So all in all, a great destination to include on your |
| Featherbed Bay, which includes a boat ride across the | | | | itinerary when you come to visit our beautiful South |
| lagoon, a guided tour in the nature reserve, a | | | | Africa! |