The Garden Route, South Africa: The Complete Guide

The Garden Route runs along the South African coast from Mossel Bay in the west to the Storms River in the east, a distance of approximately 125 miles.

You can drive your rental car from one end to the other in 2.5 hours, but most visitors prefer to spread the trip over several days.

This gives you time to explore the route's many treasures along the way, from pristine beaches and patches of emerald forest to quaint coastal towns and rolling mountain ranges.

Imagine stopping at a local farm stand to sample homemade cheeses, bread, and biltong.

Imagine stopping at a roadside lookout to see whales frolicking just a few hundred yards offshore. Go bungee jumping, walk alongside an elephant, or mark rare endemic birds off your life list.

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These are just some of the experiences that await you on the majestic Garden Route!

Mossel Bay

Located 240 miles east of Cape Town, Mossel Bay marks the western boundary of the Garden Route.

While the presence of a major gas-to-oil refinery gives the port city a slightly industrial feel, its laid-back waterfront is full of old-school charm.

Mossel Bay is famous for being the place where the first Europeans landed on South African soil in 1488.

In the Dias Museum Complex, you can see a life-size replica of the ship of the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias; and the Post Office Tree, which became the country's first post office in 1500.

Other Mossel Bay highlights include the beautiful Santos Beach with its vast golden sands and the century-old Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse. XIX.

Climb to the last to enjoy an incredible panoramic view. Mossel Bay is also a great destination for water sports, from surfing and diving to whale watching and cage diving with great white sharks.

George

A 35-minute drive east of Mossel Bay takes you along the coast and then a little inland to George.

It is the largest city on the Garden Route and the second largest in the Western Cape province. Championship golf courses are arguably George's greatest claim of fame.

These include the stunning Ernie Els designed Oubaai Golf Course and Gary Player's three courses at the Fancourt hotel.

Wherever you go, the Outeniqua Mountains provide a stunning setting for your George adventures. They are also the inspiration for a number of exciting outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and paragliding.

If you don't feel like being too active but still want to immerse yourself in the local scenery, drive to the beautiful Montagu Pass.

George's other top attractions include Herold Wine Estate and the Outeniqua Transportation Museum, with its impressive collection of steam trains and vintage cars.

Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay (known locally as Vic Bay) is only 15 minutes from downtown George, but it deserves its own spot on this list for a number of reasons.

First of all, it is incredibly beautiful. The narrow bay is a perfect crescent flanked by cliffs, with azure waters and a wide strip of pristine yellow sand.

Stop along the way or book a night in one of the seaside cabanas and spend a relaxing afternoon lounging on the grass, sunbathing, fishing, or swimming in the tidal-protected pool.

Groups of dolphins are often seen surfing the bottom line, and in winter (June to November) both right and humpback whales can be seen from the shore as they pass on their annual migration along the shoreline.

Vic Bay is also one of the best surf spots in South Africa, with a constant breaking point on the right that operates year-round thanks to the cove's unique topography.

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