The Garden Route is one of the best destinations in South Africa. It lies to the east of Cape Town and is favoured by thousands of travellers every year. The Garden route is a particularly special experience in an area of spectacular natural beauty. It contains some of the best beaches in the country as well as awe inspiring mountains, rivers and 200km of lush forest. Tourism has grown in this region and now accommodates

The Garden Route is one of the best destinations in South Africa. It lies to the east of Cape Town and is favoured by thousands of travellers every year. The Garden route is a particularly special experience in an area of spectacular natural beauty. It contains some of the best beaches in the country as well as awe inspiring mountains, rivers and 200km of lush forest.

Tourism has grown in this region and now accommodates every type of traveller. For those who simply want to enjoy the serene and stunning surroundings, the area offers tranquil retreats in which to relax and get away from every day life. You can also go whale or dolphin watching for a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. For those who want to soak up some local culture, there are a multitude of arts and crafts galleries scattered around the region.

However the Garden Route is equally suited to those who are looking for an adventure holiday. The area offers a wide range of activities and specifically designed adventure tours. Water sports are big in the region, with many areas offering snorkelling, surfing, diving, kayaking, canoeing and rafting. In particular, there are many accredited diving schools from which to choose. In addition to this you can go paragliding, biking, hand-gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping and even Ostrich riding! More traditional outdoor activities are also popular. Tsitsikamma National Park has one of the best long distance hikes in all of South Africa. However, it is important to ensure that your travel insurance is set up to cover these adventure activities. You may in fact find you need specialist travel insurance to cover you in case of any problems.

As well as its wealth of activities, the Garden Route offers some fantastic food and drink to experience. The route is famous in particular, for its seafood. If you travel during July you will be able to make the Knysna Oyster Festival. You can even take a Knysna Oyster and Champagne Cruise for some added luxury. If your feeling brave you should also sample some famous Ostrich Meat.

Many also go on Safari when on the Garden Route. This makes an ideal area for safari, particularly with the family as it is a Malaria free zone. Although a safari in South Africa is now relatively safe, there are some risks associated with it. Make sure that you and your family have adequate travel insurance to cover your medical expenses should anything untoward occur. Suitable travel insurance will give you and your family peace of mind, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip.

The Garden route includes three main towns by the sea, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. You can often find tours here with access to an experienced tour guide who can give you detailed information on the area and its history. Knysna is one of the highlights of any Garden Route trip. It is a gorgeous town that offers a range of accommodation for every budget. Plettenberg Bay is famous for its stunning beach. Here, there are numerous luxury hotels for those who want their home comforts and top class service. There is also plenty of low cost accommodation for those on a budget. A recommended stop on the route is Wilderness National Park. This contains some of the most stunning scenery the area has to offer. It is home to over 250 different species of birds amongst other diverse wildlife.

It is relatively easy to get to the Garden Route. You can fly to Cape town with air fares being increasingly competitive. From here, a popular option is to rent a car and then drive to the Garden Route. This is about half a days drive. Make sure that in addition to your travel insurance, your car is properly insured as this will not be included under regular travel insurance.

If you want to explore South Africa on more of a budget, the Garden Route has excellent public transport and it is possible to travel the route in this way. The BazBus is a bus service that travels across the route, allowing you to get off and on as much as you like throughout the journey.

South Africa's Garden Route makes for a fabulous holiday destination. The region is stunning and has plenty to offer. Make sure you plan your trip beforehand to ensure you can fit everything in, obtain the correct travel insurance, be sure to try local delicacies and most importantly, relax and have fun!