Garden Route
A pristine wilderness stretching 300 km from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route is an idyllic seaside holiday destination for visitors to South Africa. This popular stretch of coastline is renowned for its stunning scenery and array of activities – from hiking and relaxed beach days to exploring lush indigenous forests and seeing local wildlife. For those seeking laid-back luxury in a private setting, our villa along the Garden Route is the perfect space to relax and unwind in style.
Coastal Paradise
Glorious Garden Route
Garden Route
Temperate Climate
The Garden Route has a maritime Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas in South Africa, most of which falls in the winter months from May to September.
Discover the Garden Route
The best way to see the Garden Route is on a self-drive holiday. Although the Garden Route is a defined area between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, many of our guests leave from Cape Town and end in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), often going onto a Big 5 safari in the Kruger National Park or Madikwe Game Reserve. For guests wanting to wrap up Cape Town and the Garden Route in a few days, the best way to do so is by private charter.
A few of the ‘must-see’ attractions along the way include whale watching in Hermanus – specifically between June and November. Wine tasting along the Hermanus wine route is also a must for boutique wineries, small-scale vineyards and an off-the beaten track feeling. Mossel Bay is the place to be for white-knuckle adrenaline activities including sand boarding and some of the best shark cage diving in the world.
For sensational spa treatments and a round of golf you won’t quickly forget, head to Fancourt in George. Highlights include a heated Roman bath, tepidarium, couple’s room and a hydrotherapy room. Families on the road might consider a stop at Redberry Farm to pick strawberries with their little ones or an afternoon at Noetzie Beach – one of the most beautiful stops along the Garden Route with castellated stone castles built into the forested hillside above.
In Knysna, take a cruise around the famous Knysna Heads or walk with giants at Knysna Elephant Park. Between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay there are numerous wildlife and bird sanctuaries to visit – the most popular including Birds of Eden and Monkeyland. Outdoor enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a hike in Nature’s Valley which offers a taste of the world-famous Otter Trail, a tough 5-day trek through some of the Garden Route’s most stunning coastline.
Celebrate the official end of the Garden Route with a walk along the swing bridge at Storm’s River. Daredevils can also opt to take on the world’s highest bungee at Bloukraans, ziplining tree canopy tours through the incredible Tsitsikamma Forest or go ‘kloofing’ down a series of canyons spotting waterfalls along the way. Finish your Garden Route experience in Port Elizabeth and head onto your next destination.
On Oyster
On Oyster is our seven-suite beach villa located in a small seaside village between Cape Town and Knysna, just a 30-minute drive south of Mossel Bay. The villa has breathtaking ocean views on an untouched beach that stretches for miles – a family-friendly venue for complete tranquility and a perfect base from which to explore all that the Garden Route has to offer.
