George is seen as the gateway to the Garden Route, one of South Africa most popular and scenic stretches. The coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty and lies on the south-eastern coast of South Africa, stretching all the way to the Storms River. The route includes major towns like Mosselbay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. In between these major centres smaller coastal towns are home to many South Africans summer holiday homes.
The area has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the nicest all-year-round rainfall areas in South Africa, most rain falling in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast.
The Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forests and Nearly 300 species of birdlife are to be found in this area. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber -coloured rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing
The delightful town of George graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. As on crosses the Outeniqua Mountain and into the Klein Karoo guests will reach the Ostrich Capitol of South Africa, Oudtshoorn. George is also home to one of South Africa’s finest Golfing Estate and includes the world famous Links Course, previous host of the President Cup.
Knysna is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands. These are popularly known as the "The Heads", and have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. Knysna's port could provide shelter for up to 50 ships, and the region's abundant timber was exported from this bay as early as 1787. The town hosts the annual Oyster Festival in July; an event that attracts large numbers of visitors from far afield.
The Garden Route includes various hiking trails with the Otter Trail being the most famous, canopy walks, various animal sanctuaries, the Tsitsikamma Forest, fishing, golfing and some fine beaches. |
