Unlike what the name implicates the Gardenroute is not a stretch of countryside with beautifully cultivated gardens. Tourists from all over the World would most probably not come here if this was the case. The stretch of coast roughly from Witsand or Mossel Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest/Storms River offers great natural beauty, amazing hiking trails and some game reserves.
When we take you to the Gardenroute we show you some of the better kept secrets – a few we keep to ourselves 😉
When you rent a car and drive from Cape Town to Hermanus you appreciate the beauty and take in the fresh air, but you will not see the hidden gems that will make your holiday in South Africa so special. This is why you booked with us.
Often on our trips the Gardenroute is just one part of the itinerary. I cannot stress enough, that this part of the country is very european in many ways and very good to ease into the African vibe.
The roads are good and driving is safe.
Where do the two oceans meet?
The southwesterly-most tip of the African continent is at Cape Point, dem Kap der Guten Hoffnung, but it isn’t here where the cold Benguela and the warmer Agulhas current meet. This is at Cape Agulhas, approximately 150kms southeast of Cape Town. The Agulhas gets so shocked by the cold Benguela that it turns back on itself. Of course there is no fixed line as this is water – mingling and shifting constantly. We only establish the mark at Cape Agulhas as this is where the Kelp forests that like colder water stop to grow.
Hiking and more
Absolutely stunning are the hikes that wait for you on the Gardenroute. The famous Otter trail being just one of many. Please talk to us should you wish to include a multi-day hike on your trip. From a few hours to a few weeks, there are many options. You can even hike in Krugerpark, but that’s a different part of the country ;-).
And then there are the Kayak opportunities and yoga classes you can attend as well. Maybe you would like to book a yoga-and-travel with us?
Wildlife on the Gardenroute
From Cape Agulhas it is not far to the marine protection area at De Hoop Nature Reserve. For that reason you have the best chances of seeing whales frolicking in the sea in this reserve. Southern Right whales, Humpback and Bryde’s whales come here between the end of May and November.
Africanrovers does not support Shark Cage Diving as we do not like this way of exposing an animal and firmly believe it is not for their good.
There are still Great Whites around although Port and Starbord, the two Orca’s that visit False Bay regularly really scared them off. The Great White sharks moved further east and can still be seen from Gansbaai all the way to Plettenberg Bay.
Nothing compares to Botswana. And the parks in the rest of South Africa do not compare to the Kruger National Park, BUT you can see the Big5 on the Gardenroute too. So if you are a wildlife enthusiast, please come to Botswana and Namibia with us. If you feel like the fauna of Africa is something that you should at least had a peek at: Addo, Sibuya, Kariega or Amathala will do.
There are seals you can snorkel or dive with in Simon’s Town and near the Twelve Apostles Hotel on the atlantic side of the peninsula. At Boulder’s in Simon’s Town and close to Betty’s Bay there are penguin colonies. If we hike Table Mountain on a quiet day we might see a Tahr. These animals are not indigenous to South Africa but the Himalayas and cause problems on Table Mountain.
For ornithologists or people who just love to see a colourful bird, the Gardenroute has a lot on offer. From the tiny sugarbirds to the Flamingos in the lagoons at Hermanus and elsewhere this part of the country is home to many species.