Whether a resident of South Africa or visiting from abroad, it’s easy to overlook one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa known as the Garden Route. For the unfamiliar, the Garden Route is a 300 kilometre (190 miles) stretch of stunning coastline extending from Mossel Bay on the Western Cape to Tsitsikamma on the Eastern Cape. The route is filled by diverse vegetation, lakes, estuaries, stunning beaches, big game animals, and the mildest weather in all of South Africa and according to the Guinness Book for Records, the second mildest climate in the world (Hawaii winning the top spot).
The Garden Route is composed of quaint towns filled with amazing restaurants, vineyards, and of course, adventures! If you’re not keen on traveling abroad due to the coronavirus, you don’t need to venture far to discover one of the most beautiful areas in the entire world!
Allow us to help you plan the first stop of your Garden Route road trip itinerary. This is…
Your holiday road trip begins from Cape Town on the N4 highway between Mossel Bay and Storms River with spectacular stops in the towns of George, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Our Mossel Bay Itinerary will highlight the must-dos, the must-eats, and the must-stays for the beginning of your trip. Ready? Let’s go!
If you’re wishing to stay at a place that offers an amazing experience then look no further than the Indalu Game Reserve! This stunning place is located in a quiet valley on the outskirts of Mossel Bay and consists of two self-catering chalets. The reserve offers sight-seeing of four of the Big 5 and the opportunity to participate in guided walks with elephants (you read that correctly!) Other attractions include the Attakwaskloof Pass, the Mossel Bay Golf Club, and the Fransmanshoek Conservancy.
If you’re more interested in the beach over big game then put the Point Village Hotel on your list. This hotel is located metres from the stunning Indian Ocean and within 1 km from Mossel Bay harbour and town centre. Boat tours run regularly to Seal Island for whale watching!
Mossel Bay is set on a breathtaking peninsula offering year-round mild weather and a vast selection of adventure activities and unforgettable experiences. Families, singles, couples, young & old have a special place in their hearts for South Africa`s favorite town. We invite you to experience this memorable destination with us and hope to welcome you to our town soon!
If a spectacular ocean view with an amazing beach is something you’re after, then you may want to consider one of our favorite places to stay – The Diaz Hotel and Resort. The hotel is only 10 metres from the high-water mark putting you right on one of the best beaches on the Garden Route. Free Wi-Fi is available and offers superior rooms as well as a dormitory that can accommodate up to 60 students.
A beautiful bed and breakfast, the Linkside 2 Guest House is known for their attention to detail to ensure everything is perfect! The Linkside 2 is a first-class luxury accommodation offering 4 en suite bedrooms, private decks, mini bar and close to Pinnacle Point and Mossel Bay golf courses.
If looking for a place to stay with a personal touch and a focus on relaxation (along with an amazing English breakfast), then you may want to consider Betty’s Boutique Hotel. This beautiful hotel is located in an old limestone building constructed in 1903 and offers beautiful gardens, a swimming pool and many quiet nooks to catch a snooze or enjoy a good book. Guests rave about Betty’s.
The Mossel Bay Guest House offers amazing ocean views and comfortable rooms with three separate patios for sunbathing and watching the wildlife in the ocean. Known for its excellent service, you won’t be disappointed with this accommodation. The Mossel Bay Guest House offers free shuttle service to all of the nearby restaurants.
If on a budget, the Mossel Bay Backpackers is an outstanding hostel located in the center of town. You can’t beat the value as they offer guests a swimming pool, braai area, games, free WIFI all while being within walking distance to the best surf spots and restaurants. Hard to beat Mossel Bay Backpackers!
Mossel Bay is the perfect beach, bush and mountain destination. So when you plan your next holiday you do not need to choose, you can have both!
Route57 is owned by one of the world’s most recognized golfers, Louis Oosthuizen. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of him during the professional golf tour’s offseason. Despite its famous owner Route 57 holds its reputation for great food and ambiance. The restaurant is a beautifully restored building which was built in 1906 from sandstone. The restaurant specilzes in South African cuisine including fresh caught seafood. It’s hard to beat Route 57 for a special meal when visiting Mossel Bay!
If looking for something a bit more informal, there’s Kaai 4 which is known for its fresh-baked bread, Spitbraas, braaivleis, various potjiekos dishes and seafood.
If looking to pair amazing wine with some authentic Portuguese food, Reed Valley Wines should be at the top of your list. Prepare to be blown away by rissoles, Prego steak rolls, feijoadas, and pastel de nata to name a few of their famous dishes. Eating and drinking here will leave no regrets!
If the locals love it (and we all do), then you know it must be good. Corolla Ann’s is a diamond in the rough located in the CBD of Mossel Bay. The restaurant specializes in breakfast and lunch dishes with a unique meshing of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. All ingredients are sourced locally; this is a crowd favorite with all!
Every town has at least one great coffee shop and The Merchant Town is that place in Mossel Bay. If you want a great cup of coffee with a hearty breakfast, this is your breakfast destination. The flat white can’t be beat, but venture out and request “The Merchant Special” which is a marvelously-tasting cortado. Yum!!!
Mossel Bay is your go-to destination for all things adventure on the Garden Route of South Africa.
Mark this as something different! The Inverroche Gin School is exactly what it sounds like! Sip and sample various gins and learn more about this amazing spirit than you ever dreamed of knowing about! Visitors can also craft their own unique bottle of gin making this a fully interactive experience! Gin and food pairings are also offered daily! You’ll note from their reviews, this is a homerun when visiting Mossel Bay!
After you’ve seen the Garden Route and Mossel Bay from above, it’s time to go below the ocean’s surface to witness one of the most powerful creatures in the world – the magnificent Great White Shark! The White Pointer is synonymous with the Western Cape and White Shark Africa will not disappoint! This outfit is sensitive to the care of the shark and views the animal with respect and from the standpoint of education and not sensationalism. A memorable day is guaranteed!
If you’re looking for the top things do in Mossel Bay, it’s likely that this operation won’t show up high on the list, but it doesn’t make it any less worthy. If you’re into nature, you’ll love this rehab centre for penguins and seabirds. It’s run by heartfelt people and volunteers passionate about the special wildlife. You’ll enjoy your visit at SAPREC!
After the adults have been skydiving in the morning, bring the whole family to the Garden Route Sailing Academy! Few things in life are more freeing than sailing, and this company does a marvelous job of everything from teaching the basics to allowing experienced sailors to fly on high-performance catamarans. Guaranteed fun if there’s a little bit of wind!
Ocean adventure = Freaking Fast Wave Rider! Freaking Fast has been a Mossel Bay staple for years and not just for speed as their name implies.Freaking Fast offers whale safaris, parasailing, luxury boat trips and sunset cruises, tubing, eco-tours and even bicycle rental.
