Garden Route
OVERVIEW
Dramatic headlands & Sandy beaches…
The Garden Route refers to a superb stretch of coast between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, called a garden because it is so lush and verdant.
It offers a spectacular coastline of dramatic headlands and golden sandy beaches. The soaring Outeniqua Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop. Whilst in between lie bird-filled lagoons and wetland lakes.
It’s a nature-lovers paradise, with a mix of unique Cape fynbos, indigenous forests of yellowwood trees, magnificent mountain passes, waterfalls and wooded ravines.
Garden Route holidays are perfect for those wanting to relax in beautiful surroundings. Or equally for those seeking adventure.
Sedgefield
Sedgefield, where Fynbos on Sea is situated lies bang in the middle of the Garden Route. It’s perfectly-situated for visits to the Little Karoo to the north and the Tsitsikamma rainforest to the east. Or you don’t have to go anywhere with the golden Swartvlei beach a ten minute drive away, the lake on your doorstep and extensive fynbos-covered terrain to cover on foot or by bike, right from the lodge.
All in all, choosing what activities to leave out may be the most difficult part of your stay.
Why we love it
Superb Coastline
Superb coastline with golden sandy beaches
Mountain Lakes
Famous for its beautiful lakes and mountain vistas
Varied Activities
Perfect for both active and more chilled visitors
Temperate Weather
Temperate summer climate so landscape remains lush and verdant
LoCATION
Getting to the Garden Route…
The Garden Route is well-connected to the rest of the country with regular flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to George in the West and Port Elizabeth in the East. If driving, the roads are well-maintained and a pleasure to drive.
It takes 5 hours to drive from Cape Town, but it’s an easy drive. Many guests like to stop off at either Hermanus or Swellendam en route. It is 3+ hour scenic drive from Port Elizabeth in the east.
The Garden Route is perfectly situated between Cape Town and the malaria-free game reserves of the Eastern Cape.
Closest Airport
George
Drive time from George
45
Minutes
3 hours from Port Elizabeth
Summer Season
Nov-Mar
Winter Season
May-Sept
Best Time to visit the Garden Route
Easy Summer days
The Garden Route broadly shares the Mediterranean climate of the rest of Cape. But it has a more temperate climate. Summer (rougly from mid November to mid March) is a wonderful time to visit, especially for sun-seekers aiming to escape the worst of the northern hemisphere winter. Plus, being by the coast, it rarely gets unbearably hot. (There could be a passing rain-shower it’s usually in the evening and night). Enjoy the fantastic golden beaches, lake and retreat into the shade of the indigenous rainforest.
Autumn
Mid March to mid May is also a great time to visit and it’s a great time to be active as the sun is not so hot. Plus, there are fewer visitors on the Garden Route.
Gentle Winter colours
This is the Garden Route “winter” and yes, it does feel a little wintery, with sweaters needed. But it’s a very gentle winter without super-cold temperatures. The Southern Right whales start to arrive from July onwards, and stay until early November.
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Verdant Spring
The spring (from Sept to mid November) is a lovely time to visit the Garden Route as the fynbos is flowering. But spring is a variable season. It could be sunny and warm, or there could be some rain. As it is not hot yet, it’s a great time for sight-seeing and being active such as hiking, mountain-biking or kayaking. Plus whale-watching is probably at its best during the spring months of September and October.
HIGHLIGHT 1
Coastline
Superb coastline with golden sandy beaches, cliffside walks and rocky headlands. Fynbos is only 10 mins drive from a secluded sandy beach.
HIGHLIGHT 2
Whale watching
Superb sightings of both Southern Right and Humpback whales which come in to our waters to breed from approx. July to mid November
HIGHLIGHT 3
Paradise for Active people
Temperate summer climate so landscape remains lush and verdant. Perfect for both active and more chilled visitors
Fynbos on Sea
Simbavati Safari
Cederberg Ridge
Simbavati Tanzania
