Between Mossel Bay and Storms River in South Africa, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline that features lakes, mountains, golden beaches, cliffs and dense native forests. The Garden Route has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, which makes the region popular throughout the year. round. The Malgas Bridge is the only remaining bridge in the country and carries vehicles and livestock across the Breede River. Whale watching attracts tourists in Witsand and Port Beaufort from June to November. The area also has some free-range ostrich farms.

The Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve outside Heidelberg includes the popular Bushbuck Trail, a Wilderness Trail and two mountain bike trails. Riversdale is one of the most important export areas for fynbos in South Africa. Other attractions include the Julius Gordon Africana Museum.

At the historic Strandveld Architectural Heritage Site in Still Bay, visitors can watch domesticated eels being fed. Old fish traps can be seen at Morris Point and the harbor. In the aloe factories in Albertinia, aloe juices are extracted for medicines and high-quality skin care products.

Nearby, bungee jumping in the Gourits River Gorge, hiking, mountain biking, and angling are popular pastimes. In Mossel Bay, The Point, an area popular with surfers, also features a natural rock pool, a popular spot for swimming at low tide. The St Blaize trail starts here and is the ideal spot for whale and dolphin watching in season. There’s plenty to do in Mossel Bay, including tanning on the 15-mile beach, shark hunting, and hiking.

The Port of Mossel Bay is one of the most modern commercial and recreational ports on the south coast of the Cape. The Information Canter at PetroSA (formerly Mossgas) informs visitors about the project and the production of synthetic fuels from the Mossel Bay offshore gas fields. Other attractions include the Attequas Kloof Pass, the Anglo-Boer-South African War Blockhouses and the Bartholomew Diaz Complex. Great Brak River offers a historic town with many opportunities to watch whales and dolphins along the long coastline. Game farms that are home to four of the Big Five enrich bird and wildlife.

George is in the heart of the Garden Route and the golf mecca of the Southern Cape, home to the renowned Fancourt Country Club and Golf Estate and several other acclaimed golf courses.

Climb aboard the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe on its daily journey along the coast between George and Knysna (except Sundays) at the Outeniqua Transportation Museum, where you can enjoy a variety of companies. Visitors can also board the Power Van here and enjoy a glimpse of the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

The George Museum with its history of wood as its theme offers ongoing exhibitions. The Montagu and Voortrekker Passes are national monuments and offer spectacular views of the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, which offers several hiking trails. George Airport, Outeniqua Pass, the railway and the N2 offer excellent access and make George the ideal hub from which to explore the Garden Route and the Little Karoo.

Victoria Bay and Wilderness are popular for their safe bathing and unspoiled nature. Wilderness is the western gateway to the southern Cape lakes area. It is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its beaches, lakes, placid lagoon and lush indigenous forests. Bird watchers flock to the Langvlei and Rondevlei bird sanctuaries in the Wilderness National Park, which are home to more than 230 different bird species. Other activities include cycling, abseiling, horse riding, paragliding, scenic walks, canoeing, diving and fishing.

Sedgefield borders the Swartvlei Lagoon, the largest natural inland saltwater lake in South Africa. Activities include horseback riding on the beach, hiking, angling, and bird watching. Knysna has officially become South Africa’s favorite destination. What makes it unique is the fact that the town is located on the banks of an estuary, guarded by The Heads (two huge sandstone cliffs) surrounded by indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches.

This natural wonderland is home to creatures bigger and smaller, from the Knysna seahorse to Knysna elephants, rare and delicate butterflies, and the endemic Knysna Loerie, a colorful forest bird. Over 200 species can be found in the abundant fynbos and forest environments. Knysna is also famous for its delicious home-grown oysters, which are enjoyed with local beer in quaint pubs and restaurants. An eclectic mix of art galleries showcases the diversity of talent in the area. The area also offers lagoon cruises, forest walks, golf, and adventure sports. A visit to Knysna Docks is a must.

Plettenberg Bay is adventure country offering whale watching from boats, blackwater tubing, hiking, and biking and forest trails. Look-Out Beach is one of the Blue Flag beaches in South Africa.

The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay offers a canoeing trail, and the Robberg Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of terrestrial, marine, geological and archaeological wealth.

Tsitsikamma National Park offers many scenic walks and trails, including the world famous Otter Trail. It also has the only underwater trail in Africa. The park is South Africa’s first proclaimed marine reserve. There are several places to bungee jump in the area, including the world’s highest bungee jump at the Bloukrans River Bridge. Other popular activities include boat cruises, trout fishing, whale watching, ping pong, sea kayaking, gliding, golf, rappelling, and canoeing.

Klein Karoo Kannaland:

The Klein Karoo Kannaland is a semi-desert area punctuated by unexpectedly lush river valleys. Excellent wines and ports are produced in the Calitzdorp and De Rust areas.

Oudtshoorn, the ostrich feather capital of the world, is the main city in the region. The nature reserve and the Swartberg pass are also worth a visit. The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees is held in the city annually. About 29 km from Oudtshoorn are the extraordinary Cango Caves, a series of spectacular underground limestone caverns. Housing evidence of ancient San occupation, this 30-cave wonderland boasts magnificent stalactite formations. Between 200,000 and 250,000 people visit the Caves annually.

Amalienstein and Zoar are historic mission stations halfway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Visitors can go by donkey cart and walk routes through orchards and vineyards, while Seweweekspoort is ideal for mountain biking, walking and admirers of protea and fynbos.

Calitzdorp has four wineries, three of which are open to the public. Calitzdorp Spa’s spring water is rich in minerals and is reputed to have medicinal properties. The Gamka Mountain Reserve is home to the rare and endangered Cape Mountain Zebra.

De Rust is located at the southern entrance to Meiringspoort. The Meiringspoort Gorge stretches 20 km through the Swartberg mountain range. Halfway through the route you can see a beautiful 69 m high waterfall. The wine estates in the area are open to the public.

Ladysmith is home to the Towerkop cheese factory. In the area there are several hiking trails, mountain bike trails and 4×4 trails. You can also visit the Anysberg, Klein Karoo and Towerkop nature reserves.

Uniondale, on the main route between George and Graaff-Reinet, boasts the largest waterwheel in the country, the Old Watermill. Uniondale Poort is a scenic drive linking Uniondale to Avontuur in the Langkloof Valley.

In Vanwyksdorp, visitors can see fynbos being dried and packaged for the export market. Donkey cart rides take visitors to South African Anglo-Boer War graves.

See more about the Garden Route [http://www.travelinsouthafrica.co.za]