Western Cape Holidays
South Africa, Africa
The Garden Route is one of the most popular tourist routes in South Africa. Stretching from Mossel Bay to Storm’s River Mouth, the Garden Route has lush vegetation, some spectacular gorges and headlands, funky and lively holiday towns and numerous opportunities for sightseeing.
What to Do in Western Cape
The Garden Route one of the most 'European' bits of the country – if you want a more African feel, then continue north or east when you've finished the route – but it is definitely worth including this scenic region in your holiday itinerary.
Knysna is an excellent base. In the town itself, there’s a waterfront with bars and restaurants, and you can take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon and then a guided walk around the game reserve on the Heads of Knysna. Knysna is also famous for oysters and seafood.
Plettenberg Bay is also a great base, and a favourite of rich South Africans and celebrities – there’s a white, sandy beach where you can take boating trips, and some excellent pubs. Between and around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay there are lots of things to see and do, including craft workshops, Monkeyland and Birdland, and an elephant sanctuary where you can walk hand-in-trunk with little Dumbos – bring a hanky to wipe away the snotters afterwards!
George is a handsome town, with the region’s main airport – it’s also a terminus of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoo, South Africa’s only steam train, which runs between here and Knysna. Storm’s River Mouth is the location of a beautiful national park – scramble over the rocks, or walk out over the rope bridge. Inland from George, Outshoorn has an animal sanctuary where you can pat baby cheetahs or ride an ostrich.
Mossel Bay has a lovely sandy beach – send a postcard from the Post Office Tree, a communication hub for early mariners. Extreme sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do, from flying foxes at Storms River Mouth to the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge – the site also includes a bridge walk and a zip slide.
