This picturesque area receives its name from its wealth of lakes, rivers, lagoons, pristine beaches and lush green vegetation. Renowned for its mild climate, it attracts visitors year round, to enjoy adventure sports, nature trails and hikes, marvel at some of South Africa's most breathtaking mountain passes, or just simply to relax in unspoilt surroundings. 

The beautiful lagoon town of Knysna lies surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains and forests.  On its lagoon waterfront restaurants serve the oceanfresh oysters for which Knysna is famous.  Plettenberg Bay offers 18kms of wonderful sandy beaches, where you can see whales and dolphins in season, and views to the blue mountains of Tsitsikamma. 

Inland Oudtshoorn, in ostrich rearing country, offers the chance to see the impressive Cango Caves and a glimpse of rural life in the Karoo.

The Garden Route has a Mediterranean climate, with reasonably hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It has one of the highest rainfalls in South Africa. Most of the rains occurs during the winter months and mostly at night which keeps the area perennially green and ensuring towns such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are fantastic holiday towns to visit.

Summer is from November to March, with December to February seeing mid-summer daily temperatures of about 24-30ºC.

Temperatures start cooling down from about April (Autumn) but it can still be very pleasant until June. June, July and August are the winter months. The days may be bright and warm, but it gets cold in the evening
 

Local public transport between the towns is rare (except minibus services), so the best way to tour the Winelands is by car. You can hire a car all along the Garden Route, but be advised that you will be charged extra if you drop the car off somewhere else from where you have picked it up.