1 Blyde River Canyon
2 Cape Peninsula
3 Drakensberg
4 The Garden Route
5 Golden Gate Highlands National Park
6 Kimberley's Big Hole
7 Kruger National Park
8 Namaqualand Flowers
9 Robben Island
10 Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
One of South Africa's greatest tourist attractions, the Garden Route runs along the coast of the southeastern Cape through forests, lakes and farmland.
The Western Cape's Garden Route extends along the coast from Mossel Bay in the west to the Tsitsikamma Forest in the east, with the Outeniqua Mountains forming the northern border of this popular holiday area.
Driving east on the N2 from Mossel Bay you pass a superb beach at Glentana before cutting inland through rolling green fields to the country town of George. From here the N2 leads on to the resort of Wilderness, set in the middle of an extensive lakeland and wetland system. Accommodation of all types is available here - caravans, houseboats, campsites, chalets, bed-and-breakfasts and holiday farms. Next is the lovely town of Knysna, lying along the shores of a large lagoon. Shop here for items made from indigenous hardwoods, and enjoy the locally produced beer and oysters. At the heart of the Garden Route is Plettenberg Bay ('Plett' for short), originally, and aptly, called Baia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) by the Portuguese. You can swim from golden beaches or take a boat trip to view dolphins, seals and whales. East of Plettenberg Bay, after crossing the soaring Bloukrans River Bridge, you come to the Tsitsikamma Forest, well worth making a detour to. Along this stretch are the famous 800-year-old, 37m-tall Big Tree (a giant yellowwood) and the coastal resorts of Nature's Valley and Storm's River Mouth. Adventure activities are available all along the Garden Route, including sea-kayaking, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and paragliding. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, try the world's highest bungee jump (175m at full stretch) from the Bloukrans River Bridge (expensive). The Garden Route is extremely popular with locals as well as tourists, so advance booking is essential during the high season, December to January.Address: Southeast coast of Western Cape
Air: Fly to George
Info: West Cape Tourism Board Address: Corner of Castle and Burg streets Phone: 021-426 5639; e-mail: info@capetourism.org.za Hours: Daily 8-6
Knysna
Info: 14 Main Street Phone: 044-382 5510; www.knysna-info.co.za Hours: Daily 8-6
Plettenberg Bay
Info: Shop 35, Melville Cnr Phone: 044-533 4065; e-mail: info@plettenbergbay.co.za Hours: Daily 8-5
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