Gateway to this natural paradise is the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth, which has wide open beaches and an impressive promenade, wonderful examples of early Victorian architecture. It also has a huge nature reserve with riverside walks within shouting distance of the city centre.

Sadly, what nature provided in the form of indigenous yellowwood and iron wood forests along the Garden Route were mostly felled by settlers for the classic homesteads of the Cape. Today just 650m of the original forest survives, preserved for posterity in state forests such as the Tsitsikamma National Park. This incredibly beautiful 80-kilometre long coastal plateau juts out to sea for five kilometres, forming part of a unique diving trail. Above water, the park is alive with fynbos, wild orchids, lilies, otters, baboons, small buck and 280 bird species. Once noted for its 500 elephants, legend has it that just a single illusive old bull remains of the original herd after relentless hunting.

With its succession of bays, white sandy beaches, spectacular cliffs and tidal pools, it's hardly surprising that many of the country's premier coastal resorts are to be found here.
The Wilderness area, with its series of huge lakes and abundant wildlife, is a favourite destination for water sports, hikers and nature lovers. Sedgefield, a small village set on the Swartvlei lagoon, is particularly lovely.

Knysna is perhaps the most visually arresting resort, with its famous sandstone Heads guarding the sea entrance to its huge tidal lagoon, which is surrounded by deep green forests, marshes and stunning beaches. Knysna is the country's largest commercial oyster farming centre, and for 10 days every July, the Oyster Festival draws thousands of festive visitors.

The most magical way to arrive in Knysna is aboard the famous Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a narrow gauge steam train that chuffs through incredible coastal scenery from the nearby town of George, the highlight being crossing the broad Kaaimans River on a railway bridge.
For those who prefer to slug it out on foot, this region boasts some of the country?s best loved hiking trails, including the Otter Trail, a 41km, 5-day coastal hike from Storms River Mouth through cliff top scrub forest, fynbos and ferns to Nature's Valley near the up-market resort of Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy the Dolphin Trail. It is a 2-day, 3-night luxury hiking trail following the most breathtaking coastline.

Apart from its 12km stretch of white beach, Plett boasts one of the country's finest arts and crafts route, harnessing the talents of  goldsmiths, painters, potters and antique merchants.
From Mossel Bay, where Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias landed in 1488, you can take a sunset champagne cruise to Seal Island, and if it's close encounters you're after, shark cage diving is on offer.

Part of the semi-arid Karoo also falls within this route, in stark contrast to the lush coast. But it's not without its star attractions, most notably the famous Cango Caves, with their spectacular limestone formations and multi-coloured stalactites and stalagmites.
The nearby town of Oudtshoorn is ostrich country, its farms attracting tourists in their droves, a brave few of whom risk taking a ride on one of the strange bird's backs. Many
a Hollywood starlet's neck has been adorned with a boa of plumes harvested in this
dusty hamlet.