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The Garden Route is one of the most beautiful regions of South Africa. Known to many throughout the world, this scenic paradise stretches along approximately 210kms of coastline with its bays, cliffs, beaches, lakes, dense forest and National Parks.
Officially starting about 300kms from Cape Town, the Garden Route includes beautiful towns such as George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. No holiday to the Western Cape would be complete without a few days along the Garden Route – easily accessible by self-drive from Cape Town (about 5 hours’ drive), or a short flight to George.
The region has become sought after not only for its natural beauty, but also for its adrenalin activities and variety of outdoor adventures. The lakes, forests, oceans and mountains provide much choice of activity for the true adventure seeker. Here you can enjoy everything from hiking in the mountains, fabulous championship golf courses, scuba-diving the ocean, mountain-biking trails, surfing, beach walks, ocean-sailing, canoeing, kloofing, horse-riding, kite-surfing, paragliding and on and on and on!
For those in seek of some added adrenalin rush, there’s the highest bungy jump in the world at Bloukrans Bridge or fun for the whole family on Treetop Ziplines even.
The most popular towns to base yourselves at while exploring the region, are Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Knysna is a picturesque town that spreads itself alongside the gorgeous Knysna Lagoon. It’s breath-takingly beautiful! The lagoon offers not only a lovely setting, but also many activities from guided lagoon cruises, canoeing, boating, diving, swimming and fishing. Stay at our gorgeous one bedroom penthouse or two bedroom apartment on Thesen Island.
Other attraction that bring visitors include the incredible golf courses including Pezula, Simola and nearby Fancourt (with a lovely spa and perfect for families) at George.
Plettenberg Bay is located a mere 40kms from Knysna and is a holiday-makers paradise with many locals spending long summer vacations. Stay at the 7 bedroom Lagoon View Villa or the 5 bedroom Villa on the Rocks.
Plett (as the locals call it), is surrounded by the majestic Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and has miles of white sandy beaches and clear, warm waters. You can enjoy long walks on the beach, refreshing swims in the ocean (a lot warmer to the Cape Town ocean at least!) and other great activities nearby including hiking, mountain-biking, boat-based whale and dolphin watching and more. In fact it’s not uncommon that you can see dolphin playing in the waves on a daily basis, just from the beach!
There are also many fabulous sporting events that take place throughout the year. The most popular being the Knysna Festival which hosts mountain-biking races, trail running marathons and canoeing races. The event runs concurrently with the famous Knysna Oyster Festival and lasts about 10 days – usually around the first weeks in July. It’s a fabulous, festive time to visit and loads of great activities to enjoy for all.
For an overview of everything on offer in this magical country, please see South Africa
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| From £2,790 for a family of three | |
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10 days of relaxation, pampering, rejuvenation for parents around Cape Town, while children are kept entertained and staying at some of the best Spa hotels in South Africa. More |
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| From £10,275 for a family of three | |
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Tour Cape Town, Garden Route and culminate in a safari on the incredible Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. |
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| From £2,625 per person | |
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Play some of the very best golf courses in South Africa based at the Fancourt - South Africa’s premier golf resort. More |
Seasons
Garden Route (Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay)
Summer-time in the Garden Route is typically warm with mild to chilly winters. Most rainfall occurs in winter but mostly at night, keeping the area perennially green and scenic. In fact winter along the Garden Route is often tempered by lovely sunny, wind-still days only getting chilly at night.
Best time to travel and what to do
Year-round! With its particularly mild, relatively warm and sunny climate, the Garden Route is accessible at any time of year. Summer is typically spent on the beaches of Plettenberg Bay or nearby, but with plentiful activities in the area, you’ll be busy enough in winter time too! Bungy-jumping, tree-top canopy tours, whale-watching, boating, kayaking and plenty of hiking or cycling trails for the adrenalin junkies, to elephant parks, bird & monkey sanctuaries, walking trails, lagoon cruises, or simply relaxing, there’s plenty to do for everyone!
Average temperatures (° celsius)
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fancourtgarden route, south africa room per night from £245 Fabulous golf and spa resort with a 'links' masterpiece where the Presidents Cup was fought out by Ernie Els and Tiger Woods in the fading light. One of three courses at Fancourt, and excellent accommodation options. view |
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thesen island penthousegarden route, south africa This is an absolutely gorgeous penthouse offering ultimate luxury, yet keeping a homely feel. We love it best for the views of the cool blue waters of the Knysna Lagoon and the panoramic mountain vistas beyond. It is truly spectacular! view |
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thesen apartmentgarden route, south africa This tastefully decorated, 2 bedroom villa is a perfect, homely destination for a family holiday along the Garden Route. Because it is located in the exclusive Thesen Island Security Estate on Knysna Lagoon, the apartment is truly ideal for families with young children. view |