The Garden Route - South Africa
The Garden Route is South Africa's most scenic routes and if your going to South Africa it should be part of your multi centre holidays. It's full of vast gorges, freshwater lakes and lush forests. It's most famous for the coastline from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth with it's never-ending expanse of breathtaking stretches of sand and lukewarm Indian Ocean waters. This stretch of coast also envelops some enchanting towns such as George and Knysna.
Mossel Bay - Although most of the tourist's start their Garden Route journey in Cape Town, this fishing town is the official start. In Contrast to other more famous towns along this route, Mossel Bay is surprisingly large. It has various shops, bars and restaurants to explore however if you like your seafood give the King Fisher Restaurant a try, it provides a really enjoyable evening. You could spend your days having a round of golf at the excellent cliff-top Pinnacle Point Golf Resort. You can also hike the various coastal trails or alternatively how do you fancy cage diving with Great White Sharks?
George - This is actually a city although the centre is quite small. The outskirts are quite industrial however when you get right in to the centre there are some interesting old buildings. Here you can visit an Ostrich farm, the famous Cango caves and visit the Cango Wildlife ranch where you can see cheetahs, Bengal tigers and rare white lions. When leaving George you will come across a small place called Wilderness, this serene part of the Garden Route has a never-ending expanse of rivers, lakes and beaches. It's an ideal place to relax and soak up the beauty of the area.
Knysna - This is the unofficial Garden Route capital; this small town is regarded as the Oyster town of South Africa. Remarkable seafood restaurants are dotted everywhere, along with numerous other restaurants and bars. The waterfront harbour provides a wide choice boutiques and shops to explore however if adventure is more your thing, the lush forests, lagoons and rivers offer a wealth of places to explore. The Elephant sanctuary is also well worth a visit.
Plettenberg Bay - This is a picturesque coastal retreat with numerous activities on offer. You can take part in golf, hike, canoe, water ski, fish, paraglide and horseback ride to name but a few. It has the most stunning beach and also provides a brilliant base from where you can explore all the nearby attractions. Firstly there's Plettenberg Game Reserve where you can see a wide variety of South Africa's indigenous wildlife. Birds of Eden and Monkeyland are both just a short drive away and are both well worth a visit. Tsitsikamma National park is also close by offering a range of activity sports such as zip wiring down waterfalls, canopy tours, you can even throw yourself off the Bloukrans Bridge (708ft) with a piece of elastic attached to your feet, known to be the Worlds tallest bungee jump. Another must see attraction is the Tenikwa Wildcat Sanctuary, a sanctuary helping injured cats back in to the wild. You can also get up close to the cheetahs and even take them for a walk!
Port Elizabeth - Known as 'The friendly city', Port Elizabeth just oozes relaxed hospitality. Whether you're browsing in shops, having a coffee, or walking on the beach you will never encounter that many people. There are the normal outdoor activities and watersport should you feel energetic, but after all the activities and sightseeing you've possibly seen along the Garden Route, this is the perfect place to simply relax.
The Garden Route is perfect for anybody wanting a self-drive or luxury holidays. The roads are all easy to drive and in good condition. The weather and scenery are second to none and there is a never ending supply of activities to keep you occupied in a beautiful and easily accessible country.
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