According to Webster's International Dictionary, the definition of amazing is ‘bewilderment arising from fear, surprise or wonder' and once you have visited the Garden Route, you too will be bewildered with wonder at its breath-taking natural beauty and shy, elusive inhabitants.
Magical, mystical land
It is a magical, mystical land where shadowy, near-extinct elephants browse undisturbed in an indigenous forest that, to this day, is still largely impenetrable and where some of the most distinctively coloured birds and butterflies ply their pollen.
It is a region where some of its occupants include the tiny Blue Duiker, a Bambi-like creature that measures only 35 centimetres at its highest point and weighs a miniscule 4 kg's, and the endangered Knysna Sea Horse that grows to 13 cm and is found exclusively in the lagoons of the area.
Diverse natural environments
It is a region that encompasses some of the most fertile arable land in the country yet at the same time is home to the Western Cape's semi-desert, the Little Karoo, where hardy succulents carve out an existence and Ostriches roam free.
It is also a burgeoning international tourist Mecca where luxurious five star hotels and lodges are commonplace and every activity under the sun has been harnessed for the intrepid traveller. Kloofing, blackwater tubing, kayaking and the tree-top canopy tour are but a handful of superior activities to enjoy whilst visiting the Garden Route.
It is an area that is effectively squeezed into a strip of land between the warm yet turbulent waters of the Indian Ocean and the lofty peaks of the Outeniqua Mountain range, so both beaches and mountain passes are within easy range.
Some of these mountain passes have been declared national monuments and the tales of their birth is hewn into the history books of the area. A quick sojourn from Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the world, over the awe-inspiring Swartberg Pass is a must for all visitors to the area. While near Oudtshoorn, pop into the Cango Caves where stalactites and stalagmites have been well-preserved for an eternity.
Robust economy
The Garden Route boasts a particularly robust economy and is the preferred holiday destination and full-time residence of the wealthy of South Africa. Well designed and managed golf estates abound, making this the avid golfers' Mecca while Plettenberg Bay is home to South Africa's polo players and ponies.
The area is also carefully managed and conservation is paramount. With the vast number of national parks, the Garden Route should retain its mystery and extraordinary beauty for many generations to come.
Source: www.articlesbase.com
Garden Route Tours & Safaris
