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In some ways it seems hard to recognise the word "Garden" when applied to the section of coastline which takes in some 800+ kms of fynbos, mountainous hillsides, interspersed with long, sweeping expanses of fine sandy beach, as well as smaller inlets and coves.
I think that in the words "Garden" we are looking for a plethora of flowers, manicured lawns and cultivated correctness.
There is no doubt that you will find all this, but to me, it is the "other" things that make this such a spectacular piece of coastline.
Each kilometre covered throws up something different, such as the surfing in Jeffrey's Bay, where you'll be able to catch the famous Supertubes once described as "the most perfect wave in the world"; the magnificence of Tsitsikamma National Park where acclaimed hikes such as the Otter Trail hug the coastline from Storm's River Mouth to Nature's Valley or the radio-active hot springs in Montagu, where swimming in the renowned healing properties of the 43 degree water is guaranteed to relax the most exhausted of bodies.
Jewel in the crown is the small town of Knysna, nestling some 260 kms from Port Elizabeth and 500 kms from Cape Town.
Beginning life as a timber port and shipbuilding centre, Knysna is perched on the edge of a serene lagoon and surrounded by forests which have sustained the legacy of the timber industry with a number of excellent woodwork and furniture shops, the most famous of which is "Feathers".
The beautiful carvings of the indigenous birds, sea life and animals are a treasure to bring home, especially if you've seen the bird in point picking its way through the shallow waters with its bright yellow feet, such as the Egret! The lagoon appears so tranquil after the thundering sea forcing its way through the turbulent channel of "The Heads" - two great sandstone cliffs through which the sea roars, pounding the rocks on either side.
Although the volume of fresh sea water is relatively small it allows a stable, saline environment that accounts for remarkably diverse species to live within its gentle waters.
Salt marshes, eelgrass and swampy areas are exposed at low tide, producing almost all the food used by other organisms in the estuary, making it home to the unique Knysna seahorse, the delicate Pansy shell and at least 200 species of fish.
Beyond The Heads, dolphins accompany your seashore exploits and during the months of May to September Humpback and Southern Right whales can be seen off the coast.
Together with the colourful Knysna Loerie and the beautiful Narina Trogon, named after Narina, the Khoikhoi mistress of the French ornithologist Francois Le Vaillant, you have the makings of an extraordinary natural Eden for flora and fauna lovers.
What activities make an OK vacation into an exceptional one? Chances are that whatever your "thing" is, you will find here.
Events such as the Cape Epic, the magical and untamed African mountain bike race which is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world; the Knysna Oyster Festival - the best oyster festival ever;the Gastronimica Festival, which is all about food with cooking on the side, a unique integration and upbeat enjoyment of food, theatre, music and fashion make Knysna a Mecca at all times of the year and these are quite apart from the more traditional past times of cruising on the lagoon, forest trails, snorkelling and scuba diving.
One of our favourite spots is Noetzie beach, a long stretch of white sand hidden away and accessed through forests on the Pezula Hotel and Spa estate.
Climb down to see the quirky castles and experience one of the most peaceful and idyllic settings on the Garden Route.
It will be worth it to see the unusually coloured stone, the brilliant blue of the sky and the searing white of the sand.
Knysna is a must-see for every visitor to South Africa and certainly one place that shouldn't be missed on a Garden Route tour.
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