Fun in the Sun
Including well-known coastal towns such as Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route has an oceanic climate with mild to warm summer and mild winters. The average daytime temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) in winter to 28°C (82.4°F) in summer. Beautiful summer days, endless stretches of soft sandy beaches and azure waters provide the ideal environment for family fun in the sunshine.
Spend time with the children bumping over waves, surfing, 'boogey bordering' and building sand castles. The Garden Route is the perfect holiday destination to create happy memories of dripping ice creams, relaxed lazy days and happy smiles.
The Garden Route is a popular tourist route that stretches from the Heidelberg on the south-eastern coast of the Western Cape up to Storms River the border of the Eastern and Western Cape on the N2 coastal highway. Known for its magnificent and diverse vegetation, beautiful panoramic ocean views, lagoons, lakes and verdant green indigenous forests the Garden Route is home to an extensive array of activities and attractions that each member of the family; no matter what age, will enjoy.Whale and Dolphin Watching
The Garden Route incorporates a number of unique marine reserves that provide the ideal conditions for soft coral reefs and shelter for a variety of marine life including Dolphins and Seals and a plethora of birdlife both coastal species and other varieties.
There are also a number of sheltered bays along the coastline where Southern Right Whales come to calve their young during the months of winter and spring (July to December). As the come right into the bays visitors can enjoy exceptional sightings right from the land. A number of companies also offer boat tours out to view the graceful creatures.
Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
Located next to each other, 16 kilometres (10 miles)outside ofPlettenberg Bay, Birds of Eden and Monkeyland are popular tourist attractions where visitors can spend a few hours interacting with primates (at Monkeyland) and a variety of beautiful birds (at Birds of Eden).
Monkeyland is the world's first free-roaming primate sanctuary. Home to a multitude of different primate species, visitors to Monkeyland can take a guided tour; known as a Monkey Safari to view monkeys, gibbons, lemurs and other species while wandering through the sanctuary.
Brave the 128 metre canopy walk and be amazed at the grace and beauty of these fascinating creatures. Birds of Eden is a free flight bird sanctuary where over 220 species, more than 3 000 birds find their home. Spend time exploring the massive two hectare dome, taking in the beautiful ingidenous forest found within it.
Watch the amazement and enjoyment that your children have as they meet and spot the sanctuaries colourful inhabitants, from Blue Cranes and Flamingoes to Parrots, Toucans, Ibises and Loeries.
Oudtshoorn Adventures
Situated inland, 55 kilometres (34 miles) from the Garden Route's main town; George, Oudtshoorn is a popular tourism destination. Home to popular attractions such as the Cango Caves, the Cango Wildlife Ranch and a number of Ostrich Show Farms, Oudtshoorn welcomes families with open arms to spend time exploring its abundant activities and interesting landscape.
Big Five Game Viewing
Those visiting the Garden Route looking for a safari experience need not venture too far. Home to the Big Five and a wide variety of other African game animals, there are a number of safari game lodges along the coastline that visitors can explore.
Offering day tours or longer stays, visitors can board a 4X4 game viewing vehicle and embark on a guided game drive through the African bush to viewing wildlife such as Buffalo, Giraffe, Kudu and perhaps even Lion.
During your safari game drive your enthusiastic game ranger will teach you more about the wildlife you see, teaching both children and adults about the environment, the endangered species and the circle of life in the African bush.
