Where to go in Garden Route

Drive east from Plettenberg Bay, past pretty-as-a-picture Keurboomstrand and the heart-stopping Bloukrans Bridge and bungee, and you’ll soon stumble across Tsitsikamma and the village of Storms River. Tsitsikamma is the name given to this section of the Garden Route National Park and encompassing deep ravines and dense forests, roiling rivers and a host of flora that looks as if it belongs on a movie set - think giant Outeniqua trees and orchids and lilies the size of small children - it’s nothing short of spectacular. The 80km coastline is just as remarkable and it’s not unusual to spot dolphins and whales from the shoreline whilst baboons and dassies run amok nearby. Storms River is a few minutes from the entrance to the park and although small, has made its name as a something of an activity hub. It’s here that you can book the zip-lining tree canopy activity, guided hikes, and kayaking tours. If you’d rather tackle Tsitsikamma alone, simply head through the gate and follow one of the well-marked hiking or walking trails; the viewpoint just over the 77-metre suspension bridge at the Storms River mouth is a favourite.

If you were under any doubt that Wilderness was astonishingly pretty and, well, tucked into the wilderness, let us set you straight. A world of dense forests, towering slopes and pretty lagoons on one side, and whiter-than-white sand pounded by a frothing ocean surf on the other, to stay here is to slow down, relax, and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer. The area is, in fact, renowned for its peace and tranquillity and the enclave certainly seems to have been absolved of stormy seas and windswept shorelines, making it ideal for long, wandering walks and hikes, mountain biking and windsurfing, or simply finding a pretty spot to sit down and just…be. The town centre is perhaps not as ‘wild’ as the name suggests, but when the coffee’s that good (we’re talking the Green Shed Roastery) and there’s an authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant in the vicinity, we’re quite happy to take a visit.

About 4 hours from Cape Town, and holding the oft-debated title of the ‘official’ start of the Garden Route, is Mossel Bay. A harbour town through and through, there’s something of an old-school seaside vibe around, with plenty of ice cream kiosks and fish and chip stands, lively restaurants, and the Point, a quaint promontory where afternoon strolls are mandatory. With a good range of places to stay ranging from budget to (relative) luxury, the town is popular with backpackers starting their Garden Route adventures, and surfers taking advantage of the gnarly waves. If you’re in town for a night or two, it’s one of the best spots along the Garden Route for shark cage diving, and if that’s your cup of tea, you might be interested in sky diving or sandboarding too. Otherwise, head to the beach, source a locally-distilled gin, and enjoy some R&R.

Founded in 1811, George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, surprisingly, the second largest in the Western Cape after Cape Town. Sitting smack bang between the Mother City and Port Elizabeth, it’s often considered the ‘capital’ of this treasured route and a good base for stocking up on supplies or from which to visit the star attractions further afield. The centre of the town, although sprinkled with a handful of pretty buildings, is functional more than anything and the real fun in George happens in the nearby golf resorts. Framed by the Outeniqua Mountains and surrounded by forests and lazy streams, they are luxurious and fun, and razzle-dazzle restaurants and spoiling spas are never far away. If you do enjoy a round or two, the courses are world-class and often play host to major events throughout the year, so you never know when you might find yourself practising your swing next to a PGA professional…