The Garden Route

It’s the most unusual corner of Africa and it’s nature’s garden – which is why it’s called the Garden Route.It’s a loosely-defined area that stretches along the southern coast of South Africa from somewhere east of Cape Town to somewhere west of Port Elizabeth – and Mossel Bay lies right at its centre (exactly half-way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, to be precise).

And while we all argue about where the western and eastern boundaries of the Garden Route lie, we all agree on the northern and southern boundaries – the Cape fold mountains to the north and the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean to the south boundary.

Between the mountains and the sea, the Garden Route is South Africa’s favourite holiday destination – and Mossel Bay is the ideal base from which to explore it…

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The Klein Karoo

Garden Route The Klein Karoo is a fascinating semi-arid region north of the Outeniqua Mountains. The capital, Oudtshoorn, lies about 95 km from Mossel Bay.

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DISCOVER THE GARDEN ROUTE

GEORGE & KNYSNA

Follow the R102 to George; turn left at the T-junction onto York Street (George Central). Stop at the next T-junction to visit the George Museum (the history of the Knysna forests). Now follow Knysna Road to the Outeniqua Heritage Museum (transport, steam trains and the departure point for the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe – the country’s last scheduled steam service, it runs on a coastal line to Hartenbos).

Follow Knysna Road onto the N2 to Wilderness and the Wilderness National Park (birding, hiking and beaches). Continue via Sedgefield to Knysna for a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon or to explore the shops and galleries of the Waterfront. Return to Mossel Bay on the N2.

PLETTENBERG BAY & TSITSIKAMMA

Drive eastwards (towards George) along the N2 and through the Kaaimans Pass at Wilderness. Continue to, Sedgefield and Knysna. 30 km after Knysna, turn right into Plettenberg Bay – playground of the rich and famous (the town boasts a number of animal sanctuaries and no less than 15 nature reserves, some of which offer safari game drives).

Continue on the N2 to your adventure destination at Storms River Village (forest tours, abseiling, mountain biking, etc) and the unique marine reserve of the Tsitsikamma National Park (be sure to try the underwater snorkel trail if conditions allow). Return to Mossel Bay on the N2.

WITSAND & MALGAS

The area west of Mossel Bay is one of the most unique sections of the Cape Floral Kingdom and offers a wealth of outdoor adventures. And it’s particularly good for whale watching. Drive along the N2 towards Cape Town and stop at the Gouritz River Bridge for bungi jumping or bridge swinging.

Continue to Albertinia to visit an aloe factory (cosmetic, medicinal and food products). Pass Swellendam and turn left onto the R319 towards Bredasdorp. Turn left again to Malagas and cross the Breede River aboard South Africa’s last hand-drawn pont. Now turn right onto the R324 to Witsand and San Sebastian Bay, where as many as a hundred southern right whales can be seen on any one day in season (June to September).

Return to Mossel Bay on the R322 and the N2 via Heidelberg, Riversdale and Albertinia.

DISCOVER THE KLEIN KAROO

Take the R328 via Robinson’s Pass to Oudtshoorn. Visit the Cango Caves, an ostrich show farm and the absorbing CP Nel Museum (transport, geology, palaeontology, musical instruments and local history).

From Oudtshoorn drive via De Rust and through Meiringspoort – a natural cutting in the Swartberg Mountains. Turn left onto the R407 and follow the northern edge of the Swartberg range to the peaceful village of Prince Albert.

Return to Oudtshoorn via the Swartberg Pass (a gravel road) and leave the Klein Karoo via the Outeniqua Pass to George. Finally, follow the N2 back to Mossel Bay.

THE KLEIN KAROO WINE ROUTE

Drive westwards (towards Cape Town) on the N2. Bay Turn right onto the R327 to Herbertsdale and Die Poort Winery. Return to the N2 and travel via Albertinia to Riversdale. Turn right onto the R323 (the Garcia Pass) and right again at the T-junction with the R62 – the World’s Longest Wine Route.

Visit the Co-op at Ladysmith and drive via Amalienstein to Calitzdorp, South Africa’s Port Wine Capital (De Krans and Boplaas estates and Calitzdorp Co-op). Continue on the R62 to Oudtshoorn (Grundheim and Kango estates) and take the N12 to De Rust (Domien Doornkraal and Mons Ruber Estates).

Return to Mossel Bay on the R328 – the spectacular Robinson Pass.