| | Garden Route: Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George, Mossel Bay....
The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa, with the Klein Karoo being the inland areas surrounding Oudtshoorn. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme eastern reach of the Western Cape. It includes towns such as Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley.
The Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forest and offer hiking trails and eco-tourism activities. Nearly 300 species of birdlife are to be found in a variety of habitats ranging from fynbos to forest to wetlands.
Ten nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area as well as unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Various bays along the Garden Route are nurseries to the endangered Southern Right Whale which come there to calve in the winter and spring (July to December).
It has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest all-year-round rainfall areas in South Africa, most rain falling in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast.
Although the most popular exploration of the Garden Route is by car, it is also the site of Africa's last remaining passenger steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe.
There is much to be seen on the approximately four and a half hour drive from Cape Town. The town of Caledon lying amidst swaying fields of wheat is known for its Hot Water Spa, further east along the modern and well maintained N2 highway, the pleasant and historical town of Swellendam is a an ideal place to stop. One of the oldest towns in South Africa, Swellendam was established in 1743, it was even the Capital of a short lived republic between June and November 1795 when its burghers declared independence from the British. 
While in the area, a visit to Witsand, at the mouth of the Breede River which is navigable for about 64 km upstream, the estuary is home to some enormous Cob. Take a trip across the hand operated ferry at Malgas, and the southern tip of Africa, at Cape Agulhas is within easy reach. Long white beaches, excellent fishing and plenty of bird and marine life make Witsand a popular weekend destination for Capetonians. The next major town, and the start of the Garden Route proper is Mossel Bay, but along the way, stop over for coffee in Albertinia. Centre of the cultivation and processing of the aloe ferox, Albertinia is also convenient for those seeking the adrenalin rush of bungee jumping which is conducted daily from the old Gouritz River bridge.
In 1497 Vasco da Gama landed at the spot where the town of Mossel Bay now stands and traded a bull in exchange for three bracelets from the local inhabitants, he named the sheltered bay "Angra de Sao Bras". It remained the principal watering place for the Portuguese on the South African coast for a number of years. Bartholomeu Dias landed there in 1488, some fifteen years before the first European settlers landed in Table Bay. 
The present town was only founded 350 years after Da Gama bought his
bull, in 1848. Today an industrialized town and the centre of offshore
drilling oil and gas, much of the history still remains. Visit the old
Post Office Tree, an ancient milkwood tree, which had the distinction
of being South Africas first post office, in 1501, when the Portuguese
explorers of old used to hang mail from its branches. From the point at
Cape St Blaize (a corruption of Sao Bras) watch the waves crashing on
the rocks below, follow the St Blaize hiking trail or watch whales and
dolphins at play. Accommodation in Mossel Bay Click Here
The drive from Mossel Bay to George is a scenic journey along a modern double lane highway, through some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable, if time permits stop of in Klein Brak River (Little Brak River), or a little further along the road its sister town of Groot Brak River (Great Brak River), both popular and scenic holiday destinations. George itself is a pleasant, inland town and is both the principal town and geographical hub of the Garden Route, it is also a major business centre with the excellent accompanying infrastructure including air, road and rail links to the rest of the country. Set on the coastal plateau between the Outeniqua mountains and the Indian ocean, George has a mild climate throughout the year. 
From George the national road rejoins the coast at Wilderness, an area of beaches, lakes, rivers and mountains. A popular holiday resort, Wilderness is also a sought after retirement destination. The Outeniqua Choo-tjoe is the last operational steam train, and runs between George and Knysna, creating some spectacular photographic opportunities as it crosses the scenic Kaaimans River bridge. 
The route between Wilderness and Knysna winds between large lakes
and forested hills. The town of Sedgefield which lies along the route,
has as its symbol a tortoise, and locals like to boast that it is the
tortoise which sets the pace in their tranquil village. The largest
freshwater lake in the region, Groenvlei (sometimes called Lake
Pleasant) is home to some very large Black Bass and the hotel and
campsite along its banks is the venue for an annual competition which
draws anglers from all over the country.
Accommodation in Knysna
is plentiful, although often booked months in advance of long weekends,
school holidays, Easter and Christmas. There are an enormous number of
choices including hotels, guest houses, bed & breakfasts, camping
and caravan sites, one thing that they all have in common is astounding
natural beauty and proximity to beaches, lakes, forests and mountains. Click Here
Knysna is a town which grew as a result of its outstanding natural beauty, from the tranquil evergreen forests to the majestic splendour of the heads. The heads comprise two sandstone sentinels which stand guard over the entrance to the quiet lagoon. The heads have been the scene of many dramatic shipwrecks over the centuries, today continue to prove a challenge to experienced sea goers. 
When in the area why not try and spot the forest elephants, shy
creatures who live deep in the forest, or the rare and exceedingly
beautiful Knysna Loerie, visit the Knoetzie castles or visit the ghost
town of Millwood, all that remains of the gold-rush of 1887.
Plettenberg Bay
and Tsitsikama is the traditional end of the Garden Route. Plettenberg
Bay is a popular and trendy holiday destination for the upwardly
mobile, with excellent shops, restaurants and vibrant night life. The
natural beauty is beyond compare in this town where it is always
spring. The Robberg Nature Reserve is an untouched peninsula which juts
out into the sea, endless beaches, dolphins and the seasonal return of
the whales are additional attractions. Find Accommodation Click Here
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