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The Garden Route is one of the best places in South Africa, perhaps in the world, for a self drive holiday! With spectacular scenery, fantastic beaches and lots of interesting, fun things to do, as well as good roads, lots of places to stop and stay, and the reputation for being the safest area in South Africa, the Garden Route is ideal for a road trip.
There are also many wonderful group toursthat focus on the Garden Route or combine it with other parts of South Africa.
If you want to do it yourself, let us tailor-make your itinerary, whether it's 3 or 4 days or 10 days. We will recommend and book superb luxury accommodation, or quirky local places to stay, or budget self-catering if that's what you're looking for. We will also recommend things to do. We can suggest, and where appropriate, book :
game reserves
beaches
whale watching
wine tasting
ostriches,
caves
or golf
The Garden Route is particularly excellent for golf, with at least 10 top rated courses along its length. We can put together golf holidays that include rounds on the best courses. You just tell us what you want!
Knysna, the heart of the Garden Route, was our home for 20 years, so we know every inch of it. There is no one better placed to help you put together your Garden Route trip. And, as a UK company, we give you full ABTA and ATOL protection, as well as our local knowledge.
Contact us today to get started on your Garden Route experience!
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The Glories of the GARDEN ROUTE
If you're thinking about agroup tour, we have a fantastic tool that lets you select from thousands of top quality tours, not only in South Africa, but anywhere in the world. Just click on the link belowand type 'Garden Route' into the keyword field.
With such an unbelievable range of different eco-systems, activities and scenic splendours, it is no wonder that the garden Route is one of South Africa’s top international destinations.
HERMANUS
If it’s whales you want to see, Hermanus is the place to go! Tucked away, between Cape Town and Cape Agulhus, the southern tip of Africa, this perfect holiday town also offers fantastic wines, wonderful walks and, for anyone who wants to swim or sunbathe, a sheltered little beach.
SWELLENDAM
The agricultural centre of a a huge area of rolling farmland, the historic town of Swellendam nestles under the Langeberg Mountains.
OUDTSHOORN
You don’t know you’re an ostrich lover until you’ve been to Oudtshoorn! This town was built almost entirely on the economic base of these extraordinary birds. Also nestling under the majestic Swartberg mountains are the Cango Caves, a must for those who love caves.
KNYSNA
The jewel of the Garden Route sits beside the Knysna Lagoon, the most environmentally important estuarine area in South Africa, marked by the magnificent Knysna Heads. Around it are thousands of acres of ancient Afro-montane forests, the home of magnificent hardwood trees that have been used for furniture making for hundreds of years.
There is so much to do in Knysna....
Take a boat trip on the Lagoon
Take a deep sea trip out through the Heads to watch whales or to do some fishing
Play a round of golf at Pezula or Simola or the Knysna Golf Club
Take any one of many beautiful walks or longer hiking trips through the Knysna Forest
Ride a mountain bike through the forest
Paddle a kayak up the Knysna River
Visit the beach at Knoetzie or at Brenton on Sea
Surf or swim in the wonderful waves at Buffalo Bay
walk for miles on the beaches either side of Buffalo Bay
Take a township tour of the Knysna townships
Visit one of Knysna's fabulous restaurants
On a Saturday morning go to the Wild Oats Market in nearby Sedgefield
Go paragliding in Sedgefield
PLETTENBERG BAY
A little further east along the coast is the summer holiday playground of South Africa’s jetset. Plettenberg Bay boasts glorious beaches, superb restaurants, diving, fishing and whale watching. As well as all this, Plettenberg Bay has several exciting animal sanctuaries:
The Knysna Elephant Park
Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
Radical Raptors
The Wolf Sanctuary
PORT ELIZABETH
At the far end of the Garden Route is Port Elizabeth, in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Area, affectionately known as the windy city. With great beaches and superb access to nature reserves in the beautiful Eastern Cape this is an excellent base for a variety of holidays.
GOLF LOVER?
Many famous golf courses designed and used by golfing legends, such as Goose Valley, where the all-time great Gary Player has a property, Pinnacle Point, developed by Ernie Else, Fancourt, Pezula and Simola are situated along the Garden Route.
SURF’S UP!
Jeffry’s Bay is believed by many to be the best break in South Africa, but it’s not alone on the Garden Route. Seal Point, the Wild Side at Buffalo Bay, Victoria Bay and Mossel Bay all rock the surfers’ world. If it’s just the beach you are after there are plenty of quieter beaches too.
BEST FOR FAMILIES
The Buffalo Bay Beach is one of the safest beaches you could hope to find, with wonderful warm water and plenty of space; walk for 5kms along the beach to Brenton.
Take the paddlesteamer accross the Knysna Lagoon to Featherbed nature Reserve, go on a trailer ride to see the magnificent views and have a short walk back and a light meal. The children will have plenty to see and do.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch and the Safari Ostrich Farm in Oudtshoorn can keep the kids entertained for hours.
Kurland Hotel takes special trouble to ensure that its youngest visitors are well looked after.
BEST FOR COUPLES
The Garden Route is full of romantic getaways, exquisite restaurants and beautiful places. There are dozens of wedding venues and it is a haven for honeymooners. Some of the best get-aways for couples are
Emily Moon, for luxury suites and the fantastic restaurant,
Tsala Treetop Lodge
Tuiniqua Treetops.
THE WAGTAIL WOW
Walk the beach from Sedgefield to Buffalo Bay when the tide is going out! Miles and miles of beautiful white sand and hardly another person to be seen!
Spend a night or have a meal at Emily Moon River Lodge outside Plettenberg Bay, our personal favourite!
Do a horse safari on the Hopewell Conservation Estate, a pristine nature conservation area within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Area.
Contact us now to work out how to make the best use of your time in the Garden Route!
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Spectacular South Africa!
π 14 nights
π Book by 31/7/2023
βοΈ Flying from Heathrow. Other Airports Available.
The very best of South Africa in a beautifully planned traditional tour.
Cape Town including Winelands & Cape Peninsula tours
Garden Route, including Hermanus, Oudtshoorn(with the Cango Caves and a wine tasting), Knysna (with a cruise on the lagoon to Featherbed Bay), Plettenberg Bay (with an ocean cruise) & Tsitsikamma
Flights to Durban, and then on to Lake St Lucia and Zululand with superb game reserve accommodation
Eswatini
Mpumalanga, the Panorama Route, and plenty of time in the outstanding Kapama Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park Area
This will give you a beautiful comprehensive experience iof South Africa in a safe, relaxed holiday!
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Travel Time
From London with 1 Stop: 14 to 16 hours.
From London or Other Major Airports with 2 stops 18 to 23 hours.
Time Difference
At 12 o'clock in the UK it's 2 o'clock in George or 1 o'clock during daylight saving.
Weather
Take a look at this graph to see how the average temperatures and average rainfall in George, the biggest town in the Garden Route, compare with London!
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We've lived there!
Why Choose Us?
We are a family-owned, UK based local business.
You will deal with one travel consultant from your first call until the end of your holiday.
We offer independent and impartial advice.
We have in-depth personal knowledge & expert destination training.
We offer a totally bespoke service and are available at any time.
Through The Hays Travel Independence Group we have access to the world's best holiday providers.
Our prices are competitive with online prices.
We are passionate about responsible and sustainable tourism.
All holidays are ABTA & ATOL protected.
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