For anyone with a love of walking, South Africa must surely be up there with the best destinations in the world. There is an almost endless list of places to see and things to do, so that for many it can be difficult to decide where to visit.

When it comes to holidays that involve walking, South Africa has a few gems to discover. One of the most beautiful and popular places is the Garden Route, this is a 200km stretch of spectacular coastline that hosts an incredible range of natural habitats. Coastlines, indigenous forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, splendid beaches, picturesque towns and a wide array of wildlife make this the ideal place to head to on a guided walk. Here’s a quick guide to what you need to know before you head here.

The Garden Route has many different starting locations, depending on who you ask. Some will tell you Witsand, and some say Albertinia. It is generally agreed that it ends in the indigenous Tstisikamma Forest. The landscape of the Garden Route is very different to that found in the rest of Africa, but for many this is precisely its charm. As well as the scenery, it has good infrastructure and plenty of cultural gems such as museums and art galleries, not to mention great restaurants. Here are some highlights that you may want to visit on your guided walk.

Main Towns on the Garden Route

There are a number of towns you may want to stop off in when you are walking. South Africa boasts two great towns along the Garden Route, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay is one of the most popular coastal resorts in the country, and although the area may not be the best place for safaris, it is unrivalled for spotting dolphins and whales from the shore. Southern Right whales, bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and killer whales can all be spotted from here.

Best Hiking Opportunities

When it comes to guided walking, South Africa boasts some truly magnificent options. For unrivalled hiking, you will want to head to Tsitsikamma National Park. This park is positioned along the Indian Ocean and is a magnificent natural spectacle. It has some of the most varied species of birdlife found anywhere in South Africa. For hiking fans, the 42km Otter Trail is regarded as one of the best in the country.

Another national park of interest where you can enjoy hiking is Wilderness National Park, which has a huge number of birds that live in its wetlands, as well as boasting spectacular lagoons, coastal stretches and mighty mountains.

Other Activities

Although the main activity will be walking, South Africa has many options for the more adventurous along the Garden Route. There are a host of sports and recreation activities to take part in, ranging from fishing, scuba diving, surfing and mountain biking; so whatever takes your fancy there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.

Author Bio: Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. Whilst walking South Africa with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Walking South Africa