About 300km from Cape Town on the Cape South Coast, lies one of South Africa's richest botanical treasures, where you can lose yourself in nature amid the grandeur of giant Yellowwood or Milkwood trees in one of the indigenous forests. The scenic and tranquil areas of the region form a spectacular backdrop for a multitude of blooms, as the floral kingdom of this area is one of the most varied in the world. One of the most beautiful regions in South Africa, the Garden Route with its mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and pristine beaches, is a complete holiday destination, a place to restore your soul and revitalise your body and mind.

The Garden Route has a Mediterranean Maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas, most of which occurs in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian ocean. Any time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending if you enjoy a peaceful retreat during the winter months, or a bustling holiday destination during the summer.

Besides the beautiful scenery, activities are plentiful, examples are abseiling, boating, canoeing and yachting around Great Brak River, Sedgefield, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Witsand or Keurbooms River. If the adrenalin is still not surging, consider bridge and bungi-jumping, or black water rafting or tubing. If you do not feel like swimming at one of the wonderful beaches, or surfing, or fishing, take an airtrip to gain a different perspective to the majestic surroundings, with charters available in George, Knysna and Mossel Bay.

The region has numerous smaller villages which is worth exploring as it is rich in history, but also an opportunity to find unique crafts.

Mossel Bay

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round, enjoying 320 sunshine days per year, but also known as the historical capital of the Garden Route.
For all tourism related products in and around Mossel Bay, please contact Mossel Bay Marketing. They compile tailor-made tours for individuals and groups, with various activity packages available - for the adrenaline addict (adventure sports),holiday / beach or team-building packages. Packages include accommodation and restaurants. No package is too big or small.
13 Pinnacle Park, Heiderand, Heiderand
P O Box 1824, Mossel Bay, 6500
Tel: +27(0)44-693-0746, Fax: +27(0)44-693-0746, Mobile: +27(0)83-277-5112 or E-Mail:info@mossmark.co.za

George

George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa, situated in the beautiful Western Cape Province and is the Capital of the Southern Cape. George enjoys a very modern infrastructure with banks, conference facilities, businesses, major shopping chains, transport and sporting facilities, yet retaining its small town and country atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The town is at the centre of the Garden Route - ideal from where to explore the areas many variant and diverse scenic wonders and probably the most scenic way to explore the Garden Route is on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, which is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa. It runs daily (except Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route lake district. The section from Victoria Bay along the Cliffside and over the Kaaiman´s River viaduct to Wilderness is the highlight of the journey.
Tel +27 44 801 8288, Tel +27 44 801 8264, Fax +27 44 801 8286 or E-Mail: kobus.volschenk@transnet.net
WWW: http://www.onlinesources.co.za/chootjoe

Knysna

Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon. Two great sandstone cliffs, the Knysna Heads, guard the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. The Knysna Heads must be the most striking geological features along the entire southern African coastline. They flank a deep but potentially treacherous channel through which the sea pours in to flood the wide and breathtakingly pretty lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River. The Knysna Lagoon hosts an oyster hatchery. Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world.
The visitor to Knysna is spoilt for choice, there is something for every one to do. For the adventurous there is abseiling, scuba diving or quad-biking. For the nature lover there are the forests, the mountains and the nature reserves. For the shopper, there are interesting shops tucked away around every corner, and even for historians, as the region is steeped in history.
For cruises on the lagoon, or abseiling the Heads, contact The Featherbed Company, specialises in creating unforgettable experiences on the Knysna lagoon. Ferry trips, sailing, floating restaurants, fine dining and nature reserve.
Tel +27 44 3821693, Tel +27 44 3821697, Fax +27 44 3822373
E-Mail: bookings@featherbed.co.za
WWW: http://www.tiscover.co.za/featherbed

Plettenberg Bay

Fondly known as Plett, Plettenberg Bay will leave you energised from the moment of your arrival. Plett lies on South Africa's spectacular south coast 210 kms from Port Elizabeth and about 500 km from Cape Town. From Leisure to Nature-based activities, to historical tours, wildlife, food and drink, Plett is not short in any of these categories.
Travel a 14 km trail and experience unique and enterprising destinations on the Garden Route Coastline.
Pick up a Map or download it off the Web on www.cruisethecrags.co.za. and spend the day (or week) meandering through the following 16 exciting attractions:

The largest Free Flight Bird sanctuary and Primate sanctuary in Africa.
An adventurous Elephant experience.
A Snake sanctuary show casing many species.
The only Wine Farm this far East of the Western Cape.
The first Barnyard Theatre built in South Africa.
The largest producers of unique Raku pit fired Ceramics, using original techniques.
The finest Polo fields in the southern hemisphere offering exceptional Spa treatments.
A Community Upliftment programme producing Indigenous Crafts.
Outdoor Adventure Workshop venue and Camp.
Hand crafted Basins, Fabrics, Curios, Mohair Products, Beadwork, Basket Ware, African Artifacts and Artworks.
Farm Stall, Home made jams & pickles, Tea Gardens, Restaurants & Wine Bar.

Imagine ... The Tsitskamma Forest ... 30 meters above the ground. A new world unfolds as one gently glides on 10 slides to 10 platforms high up in Giant Trees.  Visit Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours.

Oudtshoorn

Squeeze into small spaces or straddle the back of an ostrich. Ostriches and the Cango Caves are synonymous when speaking about Oudtshoorn. Visit Cango´s ´Grand Hall´ and ´Botha's Hall´ - claustrophobics are, however, advised to keep a wide berth from the Caves. One of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. It is situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland. Regular guided tours daily.
Oudtshoorn has to be one of the most historically fascinating towns in South Africa. To this end, the CP Nel Museum is a fine example of stone masonry and here you can get the low-down on the history of the Cango Caves
Tel +27 44 2727410, Fax +27 44 2828001
E-Mail: reservations@cangocaves.co.za
Aside from the ostrich show farms, wildlife admirers can get their fix at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, which is home to a cosy collection of felines, the likes of lions, white tigers and cheetahs. Surrounding nature reserves hold smaller animal species.
Safari Ostrich Farm was established over 40 years ago in Oudsthoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.
As a breeding farm Safari produces thousands of ostriches, which can be seen in their various stages of development from day-old chicks hatching out, to adult breeding birds with their beautiful feathers.
Tel +27 44 2727311, Tel +27 44 2727312, Fax +27 44 2725896
E-Mail: safariostrich@mweb.co.za
WWW: www.safariostrich.co.za