The Garden Route runs along one of the most beautiful and scenic coastlines in South Africa. The area extends from Mossel Bay in the west, to the Storms River in the east, including the towns of Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Natures Valley. The climate is maritime, meaning moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters making it pleasant all year round.  We should experience all-year-round rainfall with most rain falling in the winter months. The humid sea-winds coming in from the warm Indian Ocean rise and release their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast. We are fortunate in that this stretch experiences the most hours of sunshine and the least wind of all the coastal regions of South Africa.

The Route lies between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forest and offer wonderful 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, and wetlands.

Ten nature reserves protect the varied ecosystems of the area ensuring this amazing area will continue to remain pristine. Unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life are there to be enjoyed. 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).

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.