9th October 2025

Discover George: The Hidden Gem of South Africa’s Garden Route

Discover George, South Africa’s best-kept secret on the Garden Route. From hiking the Outeniqua Mountains to surfing at Vic Bay and tasting wine at Herold Estate, this eco-tourism hotspot offers unforgettable outdoor adventures, rich culture, and great value for travelers - by Jacques Marais

A Secret Garden Route Gem

Magnificent mountain ranges, verdant indigenous forest and pristine beaches unfold along Africa’s southern tip, shaping a tourism destination like no other. The city of George - at the very heart of this ‘garden’ in the Garden Route - may just be its best-kept secret.

The early Khoi people who roamed the wild Outeniqua mountains were originally known as ‘the honey carriers’. These hunter-gatherer tribes free-ranged for centuries within this wild and fecund place, living in equilibrium with the intricate ecosystems shaping this primeval and diverse natural space.
Their tribal folklore, handed down over generations, alludes to many a myth and legend, paying homage to the pagan spirits that kept them from harm as they foraged amidst the daunting peaks. To this day, ancient rock paintings speak of their passing, and the name ‘Outeniqua’ is inextricably linked to their history.
These mountains remain an unexplored natural nirvana, where dark-water ravines cleave through entangled woodlands, while waterfalls foam and fizzle as they cascade down high cliffs. Heed the call of our mountain trails, and you are bound to discover paradise …

Into ‘The Garden’ …

The Garden Route slumbers peacefully along the southern Cape’s Indian Ocean shoreline, and is internationally renowned as one of South Africa’s prime tourism gems. The region is blessed with supreme natural splendour, and it is therefore no wonder that it has become a perennial favourite with visitors from around the globe.
Primary indigenous forest blankets vast swathes of the Outeniqua foothills, imparting a serene ambience to the area. Ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and other hardwood giants prosper within the temperate embrace of the nearby ocean, shaping a diverse variety of micro-habitats within which narina trogon, osprey, caracal and even Cape leopard thrive.
Venture beyond these verdant woods, and you will soon discover a range of other natural treasures along the Garden Route. Lose yourself along Goukamma’s hide-away beaches; paddle onto Sedgefield’s interconnected freshwater lakes; hike into the high, inland peaks, traversing their jagged skyscraper lines looming adjacent to the arid plains of the Karoo ...
A network of rushing rivers carves down from these ranges, flowing into dozens of pristine marine estuaries and coastal wetland areas. Together, these ecosystems shape an outdoor playground of note, with the bustling metropolis of George a mere 500km from Cape Town along the scenic N2 highway.
This is prime mountain biking, trekking and trail running territory, with a diverse range of fresh-air options on the outdoor menu. Anything goes, from surfing a Buffs wave, to fly-fishing the lakes, abseiling the craggy Knysna Heads, or kayaking the breathtaking coast.

You could choose to tag along with dolphins aboard a luxury yacht, or watch in awe from a cruise vessel as a dozen southern right whales lob-tail so close their spray drifts across the boat. Take off on a tandem paragliding flight for a bird’s eye view; do a horseback outride along a remote beach; tramp onto one of the world’s top multi-day hiking routes …

Go Do This!

Wine Tasting

The Herold Wines Estate is situated 700m above sea level, thus positioning their vineyards as some of the highest in SA. Unique terroir - enhanced by veiling mist, frost, snow, cool breezes and rain throughout the year - make for slow vine growth and superb character. Follow the Montagu Pass and drop in for a light lunch or wine tasting, or call ahead for a picnic basket - www.heroldwines.co.za

Go Wild(erness)

The Wilderness National Park consists of freshwater lakes, rivers, estuaries and 28km of beach. This diverse mixture of biomes attracts a wide diversity of birds, with 85 species recorded. Look out for Knysna touraco, half a dozen species of kingfisher, emerald forest hoopoe, paradise flycatcher and olive woodpecker - www.sanparks.org

Make Tracks

Outeniqua Nature Reserve offers hikers 10 outstanding hiking trails, amongst others, three overnight trails like Tierkop, the 117km Doring River Wilderness Trail (for seasoned hikers only) and the 35km Attakwas Trail. Don’t miss out on Tonnelbos, brimming with mountain streams, deciduous forests and giant tree ferns - www.capenature.co.za

Tackle a Pass

Montagu Pass is one of SA’s most iconic gravel passes and makes for a great day trip; you can decide whether to style it in a luxury off-road vehicle, or saddle up your gravel bike for the ride of a lifetime! Spectacular vistas, heaps of history and best of all: the view from up on high allows you to see from the Karoo to the coast - www.mountainpasses.co.za

Ride a Wave

There are a handful of Blue Flag beaches near George, but if you want to surf, there is only one place to be and that’s Vic Bay. The consistent break runs right off the point, making it one of the southern Cape’s favourite breaks - www.wavescape.co.za

Run the #MUT

Take on one of the southern hemisphere’s most iconic trail ru! The #MUT - also known as the ‘Mountain Ultra Trail’, presented by UTMB – boasts a weekend-long festival of running. First presented in 2018, the longest distance originally was 60km, but unprecedented growth has seen the event boom to include everything from ‘King of the Mountain’ races and fun runs, to a 42km marathon, 100km Ultra and 160km Miler - mut.utmb.world

And relax …

George has - for far too long, if you ask me - been a Plan B Garden Route destination. No longer, as this in-land city has thrived over the past decade, partly due to a post-pandemic resurgence in eco-tourism.

Endless gravel roads and singletrack – often linked to the legendary Outeniqua Hiking Trail system –offer unfettered access to these rugged peaks. Plus, there’s a young and dynamic trail community just waiting to welcome you with open arms, and all you have to bring is a smile and bucket-loads of stoke.

Yup, George can no longer be overlooked as a prime Garden Route destination, in its own right. There’s an airport for easy access, a thriving ‘café society’ foodie scene, local craft breweries and loads of history if you’re keen on some leisure time off the trails.

One thing: this is not just a one-night stand, so make sure you book for at least a week!

DIY TRAVEL PLANNER

When to go

George and the Garden Route is blessed with a sublime and temperate Mediterranean climate for most of the year. September to May is generally mild to warm, while July to August may bring occasional rain and cold weather (but it still beats Northern Hemisphere summer by a country mile)!

High Flyers

George Airport serves as an affordable air travel hub to tourists who want to visit the Garden Route. Connect directly from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Gqeberha; these local flights are all less than 2hrs long, with multiple carriers to choose from.

Hit the Road

The N2 Highway bisects the Cape to link Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town. George is situated centrally between these two cities, around 5hrs from Cape Town and 3hrs from Gqeberha. Rental agencies at all the major airports make car hire a cinch

Add Big 5

We know; when you come to Africa, you want to see the Big 5. So, here’s the deal: go local to a handful of wildlife parks, or tick off the Addo Elephant National Park, approximately 3hrs drive from George, for an African experience bar none in a malaria-free area. This is the only park in Africa offering the Big 7, with both whales and great white sharks added to the menu

Exchange Rate

Here’s the good news! Travellers from the USA, Europe or Great Britian can expect fantastic bang for their buck, with a good bottle of wine starting from well under £4 (or $5). The Garden Route is markedly cheaper than a major tourism destination such as Cape Town, especially when it comes to dining out or quality accommodation. The same goes for coffee, organic meat, seafood and other ‘luxuries’: you’ll be amazed what you’ll get for your dollars, pounds or euros!

GARDEN ROUTE FACTS

ECOLOGY

The ‘Cape Floristic Region’ rates as the richest and most biodiverse plant kingdom on Planet Earth, and travellers will immerse themselves within a mix of megadiverse fynbos and forest biomes. The Outeniqua ranges are home to southern Africa’s largest remaining indigenous forest, and brims with towering tree species. Two key biomes – ‘south Outeniqua sandstone fynbos’ and 'southern Afro-temperate forest' – together form a mosaic landscape internationally recognised as a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot.

CULTURE

South Africa prides itself on its multi-cultural population, and it comes as no surprise that our country’s constitution recognises 12 official languages. The mountains surrounding were home to Khoekhoe tribes until the arrival of European settlers in 1668. These First Nations people were known as ‘they who bear honey’, and this is also the meaning of ‘Outeniqua’ in their language.

DESTINATION

George is a key urban centre on SA’s Garden Route, and creates an adventure hub together with Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and a few smaller towns. Set within an epic mountain bowl (think a compact Banff!) brimming with peaks, wilderness trails and nature reserves, it unfolds along the sublime southern Cape coastline. Yup, the surf breaks and paddling is world-class, not to mention country hospitality of note, plus craft breweries, coffee roasteries, boutique wine estates and a world-renowned national park for the win.

REGION

There are a thousand things on any given Garden Route day. This strip of temperate forest stretches more than 300km along the Indian Ocean, and some call the African ‘Costa del Sol’ – but it is way, way greener and wilder. Trip into this Outeniqua trance zone on foot or on your bike; find your ozone stoke on a wave at Vic Bay; soar through the forest on a tree- top canopy tour; walk with elephants; or indulge in the cosmopolitan culture that makes this region one of the favourite holiday destinations on Planet Earth.

Jacques Marais is a respected outdoor journalist and photographer, known for his work with top travel and adventure magazines. He’s authored 13 books and is an accredited GETTY and GALLO photographer. His globally recognized work has earned awards from Sony Profoto and Red Bull Illume, and his passion for adventure takes him to remote landscapes around the world.