Things to Know Before You Book Your Garden Route Accommodation

The Garden Route, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, is a popular tourist destination in South Africa offering forests, mountains, long stretches of beaches and an endless list of tourist activities.

Accommodation options are also seemingly endless, with options ranging from self-catering budget holiday apartments and chalets in the nature reserves dotted along the coastline, to luxury five-star hotels and mansions located on the beach.

Some of the most popular towns on the Garden Route include George, located at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, Knysna, famous for its oysters and indigenous forest, and Plettenberg Bay, with long stretches of white sand and millionaires' mansions along the beach.

One hotel to consider when booking your accommodation is the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort in Plettenberg Bay, offering one of the best spots for whale- and dolphin-watching. The Resort is a world famous landmark, built on a high ridge of rock overlooking the Indian Ocean, with spectacular views of the surrounding forests, beaches and mountains.

It is also advisable to consider the long list of things to do when you pick your Garden Route accommodation. Options range from hiking, swimming, bird-watching, fishing, game drives and scenic road trips to scuba diving, abseiling and bungee jumping.

For travellers who want to explore the indigenous forests and unique Cape Fynbos, a number of eco-tourism options are available. It is also worth noting that a number of bays along the Route nurse the endangered Southern Right Whale, which come here to calve in July to December, when choosing your Garden Route accommodation.

The Garden Route has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers and mild to chilly winters, making it a year-round destination. Most rain falls in the winter months. George, the hub of the Garden Route, is located a scenic 438 km drive from Cape Town, or less than two hours by plane from Johannesburg.