The Garden Route of South Africa is one of the most enchanting places to spend a holiday. You could see just a couple of the attractions along the way, or you could dedicate a whole week to the adventure, and really see all that this 200km stretch of coastline, mountains, towns, and forests has to offer those who visit it.
The Garden Route is a bit of paradise in an otherwise busy country, and when you visit here, you can easily feel as though you are travelling in a different part of the world. The vibe is very different to the rest of the country, but there’s one thing that is certain; this place is absolutely gorgeous.
If you are planning to embark on a Garden Route tour, here are a couple of facts that you should know about before you go.
- It’s all in the name
The Garden Route is basically one big beautiful, unkempt garden. Here you will find fynbos, proteas, all sort of indigenous trees and shrubs, each of which contribute to the unique beauty of this magical place. In fact, a lot of the plant life here can only be seen here and it contributes to making a special habitat for the wildlife seen in this part of the world.
- It has easy access
Of all of South Africa’s many attractions, this is without a doubt one of the easiest ones to find. And for the most part, you won’t have to pay an entry fee in order to see some of the best attractions that the area has to offer. In fact, some of the best sights can be seen right from the road. The easiest way to access the garden route is from the N2 highway which connects Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
- It’s between mountains and oceans
One of the main reasons why the area has such fantastic views is because it is situated between the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountain ranges to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. This means you can look forward to dramatic landscapes and plenty of interesting lookout points. This area and the way the Garden Route is situated has created a unique climate which is just perfect for the plant life found here.
- It is home to real safari type wildlife
The natural habitat created by the way in which the mountains and oceans come together has also resulted in the perfect climate for all types of wildlife. When you are travelling through the area, but especially through the national parks in the area, you can see elephants, bush pigs, reedbuck, caracal, blue duiker and baboons.
- It has a best time to visit
Although all year is a good time to enjoy a Garden Route tour, the best times to visit is once the winter has passed. This part of South Africa has a fairly rainy and miserable winter, so plan your visit for between October and March, when the weather is simply gorgeous.
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