Most visitors on a Garden Route holiday base themselves in Knysna, a quaint town that hosts the famous Knysna Oyster Festival every winter. With the Knysna Heads standing sentinel over the peaceful lagoon, Knysna is a picturesque Garden Route destination and an easy place to spend a few days.  

Not to be missed is Plettenberg Bay, which is famous for its endless stretch of beaches and unique wildlife sanctuaries and the Tsitsikamma Forest (where, legend has it, rate forest elephants still roam). Head to Storms River Village for access to adventure activities, and St Francis Bay for watersports. 

The Garden Route is also home to some of the best golf courses in South Africa, these being the three Gary Player designed courses of the Fancourt resort: the Links, Simola, and Pezula. 

In Knysna, take a cruise around the Knysna Heads to the Featherbed Private Nature Reserve, walk with elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park, and dine on fresh oysters at the Knysna Waterfront. 

Thrill seekers, jump the Bloukrans Bungee, walk the suspension bridge across the Storms River Mouth, or go ziplining from platform to platform on a tree canopy tour in the Tsitsikamma forest.  

The Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn are the most visited cave system in Africa. Marvel at the sights from the massive Botha’s Hall to the narrow Devil’s Chimney.  

With its temperate climate, the Garden Route is enjoyable any time of the year. Temperatures are highest between November and April, but as this is a coastal climate, it can rain at any time, especially during June and July.