This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Garden Route.
Garden Route, South Africa, is one of the most popular destinations for travelers in South Africa. It has something to offer for all kinds of visitors. It has some of the best beaches in South Africa and some beautiful hiking tracks, is home to the world’s highest bridge where you can bungee jump, and it is relatively safe compared to the rest of South Africa.
The Garden Route stretches over a distance of three hundred kilometers between Mossel Bay and Jeffrey’s Bay. The name Garden Route does not need much explanation -- it is the greenest area in South Africa and at the same time there are magnificent beaches, making it a popular destinations for both locals and foreigners. Some Garden Route, South Africa hostels advertise the Garden Route as their location, while others advertise the actual town where they are located. Remember that the distance between the most western and most eastern towns are three hundred kilometers, so you will want to choose your Garden Route, South Africa hostel carefully. Most travelers choose to stop at several towns on the Garden Route traveling from west to east or vice versa. The easiest way to get around is by car. Traveling by public transport is possible too. However, some towns or individual hostels are difficult to reach by public transport, so take this into consideration before booking your Garden Route, South Africa hostel.
In general, the western half of the Garden Route is home to the best beaches. Contrary to beaches in the West Cape, the water temperature is lovely in summer. Some beaches are more crowded, whereas others are pretty much abandoned. In the eastern half of the Garden Route there are more hiking opportunities, with Tsitsikamma National Park as one of the highlights. Other popular activities include whale watching, diving with sharks, and jumping the Bloukrans Bridge bungee. Some of the most popular Garden Route, South Africa hostels are in Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Nature’s Valley, Storms River, and Jeffrey’s Bay.
Written by local enthusiast for Garden Route hostels
Martin Straatman
