The Garden Route is South Africa's most important fynbos export area

The Garden Route has a well-developed touristindigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches.
infrastructure, making the region popular all year round.This natural wonderland is home to the largest and
The pont at Malgas is the only remaining pont in thesmallest of creatures, from the Knysna seahorse to
country, ferrying vehicles and livestock across thethe Knysna elephants, rare delicate butterflies and the
Breede River. Whale watching attracts tourists atendemic Knysna loerie, a colourful forest bird. Over
Witsand and Port Beaufort from June to November.200 species can be found in the abundant fynbos and
The area also has a few free-range ostrich farms.forest settings.
The Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve outsideKnysna is also famous for its delectable homegrown
Heidelberg comprises the popular Bushbuck Trail, aoysters, enjoyed with locally brewed beer in quaint
wilderness trail and two mountain-bike trails.pubs and restaurants. An eclectic mix of art galleries
Riversdale is one of South Africa's most importantshowcases the diversity of talent in the area. The
fynbos export areas. Other attractions include thearea also offers lagoon cruises, forest hikes, golf and
Julius Gordon Africana Museum.adventure sports. A visit to the Knysna Quays is a
At the historical Strandveld Architectural Heritage Sitemust.
at Still Bay, visitors can watch tame eels being fed.Plettenberg Bay is adventure country, offering
Ancient fish-traps can be seen at Morris Point and theboat-based whale watching, black water tubing, hiking,
harbor.and forest and cycling trails. Look-Out Beach is one of
At the aloe factories at Albertinia, aloe juices arethe Blue Flag beaches in South Africa.
extracted for medicine and high-quality skin-careThe Keurbooms River Nature Reserve at Plettenberg
products.Bay offers a canoeing trail, and the Robberg Nature
Nearby, bungee jumping on the Gourits River Gorge,Reserve is a treasure trove of land, marine, geological
hiking, mountain-biking and angling are popular pastimes.and archaelogical wealth.
At Mossel Bay, the Point, a well-liked area for surfers,The Tsitsikamma National Park offers many scenic
also features a natural pool formed by rock a popularwalks and trails, including the world-famous Otter Hiking
swimming place at low tide. The St Blaize trail startsTrail. It also boasts the only underwater trail in Africa.
here and it is the ideal spot to watch the whales andThe Park is South Africa's first proclaimed marine
dolphins at play in season. There is plenty to do inreserve.
Mossel Bay, such as sun tanning on the 24-km beach,There are several bungee-jumping spots in the area,
shark ping and hiking.including the highest bungee jump in the world at the
The harbour at Mossel Bay is one of the most modernBloukrans River Bridge. Other popular activities include
commercial and recreational harbours on the southernboat cruises, trout-fishing, whale watching, ping,
Cape coastline. The Information Canter at PetroSAsea-kayaking, gliding, golfing, abseiling and canoeing.
(formerly Mossgas) informs visitors about the projectKlein Karoo Kannaland - Otherside of the Outeniqua
and the production of synthetic fuels from MosselMountains:
Bay's offshore gas fields. Other attractions include theThe Klein Karoo Kannaland is a semi-desert area
Attequas Kloof Pass, Anglo-Boer/South African Warbroken by unexpected lush river valleys. Excellent
blockhouses and the Bartholomew Dias complex.wines and port are produced in the Calitzdorp and De
Great Brak River offers a historic village with manyRust areas.
opportunities for whale and dolphin watching along theOudtshoorn, the world's ostrich-feather capital, is the
extensive coast. Game farms hosting four of the Bigregion's main town. The Swartberg Nature Reserve
Five enrich the wild and bird life.and Pass are also worth a visit. The Klein Karoo
George is at the heart of the Garden Route and theNasionale Kunstefees is held in the town annually.
mecca of golf in the southern Cape, as it is home toSome 29 km from Oudtshoorn lie the remarkable
the renowned Fancourt Country Club and Golf EstateCango Caves, a series of spectacular subterranean
and various other acclaimed golf courses. Board thelimestone caverns. Bearing evidence of early San
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Train on its daily triphabitation, the 30-cave wonderland boasts magnificent
along the coastline between George and Knysnadripstone formations. Between 200 000 and 250 000
(except Sundays) at the Outeniqua Transportpeople visit the Caves annually.
Museum, where one can enjoy a variety ofAmalienstein and Zoar are historic mission stations
enterprises. Visitors can also board the Power Vanmidway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Visitors
here, and enjoy a glimpse of the Garden Routecan go on donkey-cart and hiking trails through
Botanical Garden.orchards and vineyards, while the Seweweekspoort is
The George Museum with its timber history as themeideal for mountain-biking, hiking, and protea and fynbos
offers ongoing exhibitions. The Montagu andadmirers.
Voortrekker Passes are national monuments, providingCalitzdorp boasts four wine estates, three of which
spectacular views of the Outeniqua Nature Reserve,are open to the public. The spring water of the
which offers several hiking trails.Calitzdorp Spa is rich in minerals and is reputed to
The George Airport, the Outeniqua Pass, the railwayhave medicinal properties. The Gamka Mountain
line and the N2 offer excellent access and makeReserve is home to the rare and endangered Cape
George the ideal hub from which to explore themountain zebra.
Garden Route and Little Karoo.De Rust lies at the southern entrance to Meiringspoort.
Victoria Bay and Wilderness are popular for their safeThe Meiringspoort Gorge extends 20 km through the
bathing and unspoilt nature. Wilderness is the westernSwartberg Mountain Range. Halfway through, a
gateway to the southern Cape lakes area. It's a naturebeautiful 69 m-high waterfall can be seen. Wine farms
lover's paradise, best known for its beaches, lakes,in the area are open to the public.
placid lagoon and lush indigenous forests. BirdLadysmith is home to the Towerkop Cheese Factory.
watchers flock to the Langvlei and Rondevlei BirdThere are various hiking trails, mountain-biking trails and
Sanctuaries in the Wilderness National Park, which host4x4 trails in the area. The Anysberg, Klein Karoo and
over 230 different bird species. Other activities includeTowerkop Nature Reserves can also be visited.
biking, abseiling, horse-riding, paragliding, scenic drives,Uniondale, on the main route between George and
canoeing, scuba ping and fishing.Graaff-Reinet, features the largest water-wheel in the
Sedgefield borders Swartvlei Lagoon, the largestcountry, the Old Watermill. Uniondale Poort is a scenic
natural inland saltwater lake in South Africa. Activitiesdrive linking Uniondale with Avontuur in the Langkloof
include beach horse-riding, hiking, angling andValley.
bird-watching.At Vanwyksdorp, visitors can see how fynbos is dried
Knysna has officially become South Africa's favouriteand packed for the export market. Donkey-cart rides
destination. What makes it unique is the fact that thetake visitors to Anglo-Boer/South African War grave
town nestles on the banks of an estuary, guarded bysites.
The Heads (two huge sandstone cliffs) surrounded byPlease come for a visit.