6 Places You Need to Stop Off on Your Garden Route Honeymoon

JOURNAL > AFRICA > 6 Places You Need to Stop Off on Your Garden Route Honeymoon

Stretching over 200 km from Cape Town to the Storms River Mouth, the stunning Garden Route coastline is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa. The dense vegetation and natural beauty of the route attracts adventurers, dreamers and romantics from all over the world.

No wonder then, that the Garden Route is one of the top destinations in South Africa for couples wanting a unique and unforgettable honeymoon.

If the Garden Route is included in your honeymoon plans, then here are six places you need to stop off for an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

1. Wine Tasting At Packwood Estate

The cool wet winters and temperate summers make the Garden Route a fantastic region for producing some of South Africa’s best wines. If you want to try a selection of hand-crafted, award-winning wines and bubbly in a romantic setting, you can’t get much better than Packwood Estate Winery near Plettenberg Bay.

Enjoy their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir accompanied by delicious cheeses from their dairy, while soaking up the stunning views of the lush green estate, magnificent mountains and the distant ocean.

2. Cango Caves

At the head of the beautiful Cango Valley lies the magical underground wonderland of the Cango Caves. Here you’ll find incredible dripstone caverns, vast halls and towering rock formations that will take your breath away. Visit the Bridal Chamber and Fairyland Chamber on a heritage tour of the caves. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous head (or crawl) further underground to explore the Devil’s Chimney after squeezing tightly through the aptly named Tunnel of Love!

3. Watch the Dolphins from Robberg Beach

With miles and miles of golden white sand perfect for a romantic stroll, Robberg beach is one of the most beautiful on the Garden Route coastline. It’s also the perfect vantage point for watching dolphins leaping in the surf. Humpback whales can also be seen in the winter months.

4. Seafood with a view at the Plettenberg

Offering stunning views of the ocean, The Plettenburg overlooking Plettenburg Bay is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sun set. Then feast alfresco on the freshest seafood on the outdoor terrace of this beautiful and romantic restaurant. The kitchen prides itself on serving local sustainable seafood dishes and fresh, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers.

5. A Keurbooms River Trip

Hire a canoe or small boat and take the Keurbooms River trail, seven km of gentle flowing river in a stunning setting. Stop off at any of the tiny white beaches on the way, and enjoy a bottle of wine and a romantic picnic in total isolation.

Suspended Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park

6. Tsitsikamma National Park

Discover ancient forests, craggy coastlines and spectacular fauna in the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park, which includes the stunning Storms River mouth, the most northern stop on the Garden Route trail.

Keep an eye out for South Africa’s rarest bird, the African Black Oystercatcher, or you may even spot the tiny Blue Duiker antelope, which is also endangered.