For detailed information about the Garden Route, please visit capegardenroute.org. Alternatively,
   check out gardenroute.org. Below you will find information on the Garden Route as well as infor-
   mation about the towns and areas on the route.
   The towns and areas featured are the Eden Country Route, Mossel Bay, George, Lakes District,
   Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

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   The Garden Route is called thus because of its natural diversity. Beaches, inland lakes, forests,
   mountains plus a huge variety of wildlife makes the garden route one of the most popular tourist
   attractions in South Africa. Knysna, one of the towns on the garden route, has received the
   "Town of the Year" award more than once.

   The Garden Route lies mainly along a portion of the N2, one of South Africa's national roads. From
   Cape Town the N2 meanders eastwards along the coast, all the way into Natal, the province on the
   eastern border of South Africa.

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   You enter the Garden Route by crossing the Breede River at Malagas. Follow the N2 from Cape
   Town and the R316 to Bredasdorp. Malagas lies on the road between Bredasdorp and Askraal.
   After Malagas, turn right onto the R324 to Witsand on San Sebastian Bay. Endless beaches and
   close proximity to De Hoop Nature Reserve make Witsand a year-round destination. The Bay
   becomes South Africa's 'Whale Nursery' between May and November. You can do whale-watching
   from the shore and it isn't unusual to see more than 100 Southern Right Whales in a single day.

   By taking the R322, you drive inland to Heidelberg where numerous restored Victorian and Geor-
   gian buildings recreate the atmosphere of a more leisurely age. The Grootvaderbosch Nature
   Conservancy is excellent for viewing South Africa's indigenous fynbos - the unique Cape vegetation
   that is charaterised by proteas, restios, and bulbous plants that occur nowhere else on earth.
   Flower lovers should definately consider visiting Riversdale. Once there, enjoy various outdoor acti-
   vities, including unique guided tours of a fynbos export farm.

   From here you can choose to divert northwards through the scenic Garcia Pass into the Little Karoo
   or to head southwards to the coast and Stilbaai. This seaside town charms with its spectacular and
   unspolied natural beauty. Enjoy whale watching (in season), water sports, a visit to the Community
   Botanic Garden and Khoisan fish traps. Or meet the unique tame eels of Palinggat.

   Next you drive inland once more, eastwards towards Albertinia - the country's Aloe Capital. It is
   one of the world's main industrial suppliers of medicinal and cosmetic aloe sap - lies along the N2
   and has something for the wine-lover, eco-adventurer, adrenaline junkie and laid-back visitor
   alike. Experience bungy-jumping from the Gouritz River bridge, wine tasting or fynbos tours.