Flights

return one way

Leaving From

Leaving on

Flying to

Returning on

Adults	Children	Infants

> 12 yrs	2-11 yrs	< 2 yrs
Important note: Don't forget kids under 12 must have an adult over the age of 16 travelling with them.

Hotels

By Region
By Date & Region
By Keyword

Check-in

Check-out

City

Rooms		Adults		Children

Cars

Pickup from

Pickup Date

Pickup Time

Deliver vehicle to me

Dropoff at

Dropoff Date

Dropoff Time

Collect vehicle from me

Optional Flight Details

Arrival flight no.

Departure flight no.

Package Deals »

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Depart from: Lanseria

Arrive at: Cape Town

2 nights from

R4512.00
pps

This deal includes your return flight (and all taxes), your car and your bed (and your meal too if you selected that option). Easy huh? More Info

Zululand Safari Lodge

Depart from: Lanseria

Arrive at: Durban

2 nights from

R2062.00
pps

This deal includes your return flight (and all taxes), your car and your bed (and your meal too if you selected that option). Easy huh? More Info

Alpine Heath Resort

Depart from: Johannesburg

Arrive at: Durban

2 nights from

R2412.00
pps

This deal includes your return flight (and all taxes), your car and your chalet (for best per person rate fill chalet). Easy huh? More Info

Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp

Depart from: Cape Town

Arrive at: Johannesburg

2 nights from

R3070.00
pps

This deal includes your return flight (and all taxes), your car and your bed (and your meal too if you selected that option). Easy huh? More Info

Ten rules to enjoy a GR vacay

Follow us on Twitter

By Athane Scholtz
December 8th, 2008

The ever-popular Garden Route is no place for sissies during the festive season - read these top ten tips before you head off for your end of year break.

1. Leave your laptop at home. You won’t believe how difficult it is to get network space when half the country’s airtime users are holidaying along the same 200km of coastline. And besides, it’s the only two weeks of the year that you will be resting – be a man, you can do it!

2. It rains on the Garden Route, that’s why it’s a garden. Lightning is rare so walking in the rain is an option, and wet hair is a fashion accessory this time of year. Bring things that the kids can do indoors – like finger board, puzzles, cards and family games. There are malls here but you are going to see the same people at Menlyn and Sandton City when you’re back home.

3. Accept that the corner café will become your number one supply store for everything from buckets and spades to plastic kites and paper dolls. Oh, and ice cream, pink milk, toffee lollies, chips, Coke and deep fried calamari in brown packets with lots of salt and vinegar

4. Learn how to use a book exchange. These small towns are populated by old people who supply these popular shops with the best seaside reading finds ever.

See great pics in the gallery

5. Do not jump lanes like you’re on the Ben Schoeman highway. There are no five-lane highways here and slipping in front of an unsuspecting CX number plate driver may land you in a lagoon or other appropriate wetland.

6. Dress like a beach bum, wet towels around the waist, slip slops and clothes bought on the side walk – beads, brightly printed African sun dresses, ankle chains and toe rings. You will not be wearing it again until next December.

7. Use the tourist information offices. They are well-informed and will gladly unload the season’s supply of brochures.

8. Join the activities offered on beaches, in resorts and in shopping centres. Don’t worry about your image, the holidays don’t count.

9. Stay safe – that goes for traffic, your possessions, alcohol consumption, sun and sex. This is Africa after all.

10. Be kind to locals. Although they appreciate your money, they do not survive on it for the remainder or the year and do not lie on the beach for the other 11 months while you suffocate in smoke – they also just want to have a great time with their kids in the sun.

Add new comment

Bookmark/Search this post with:

User Comments

Rule 5

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 13:44.

Previous Email should read Rule number 5

Rule number

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 13:43.

I think drivers should heed rule number as I heard from someone who had just had such an experience ,that's what happens in Mossel bay- Knysna area.
So make sure you watch where and when you jump lanes

Garden route holidays

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 09:00.

The unreasonable prices for accommodation it a great factor that will kill SA tourism.

Surviving the Garden Route

Submitted by Georgian on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 17:01.

What a load of rubbish! Firstly we are desperate for rain! We're in the worst drought in 132 years and only have water to last us for January,
please visitors save water!!! Also you don't have to shop at the "corner store", we have perfectly good shops and malls just like the rest of you,
sorry if I'm supposed to have a sense of humour about the article, but I can't help being protective over my home ground.

All road users

Submitted by Jacman on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 16:08.

I have been living in George for my whole life. I agree with all points on the list. Especialy the ones concerning road users. I ride a motorcycle and car. As both I always look out for biker in the car. Please people riding a bike isn't dangerous, it's the other drivers that are the most danger. Please take care on the roads and look out for all pedestrians and anyone not in a car.

Garden Route A to Z

Submitted by Royalty on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 14:03.

I concur with above but I must add especially on No. 3 that the prices don't come cheap at that corner store. So, save enough and be ready to take things easy. I was there in October and I must say, it was a blast so much so that it deserves a return trip soon!!!

You are on holiday.... take it easy and dress comfortably!!!

B and B Guests

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 11:18.

If you are a guest in a B and B or Guest house please be considerate to the owners. Should you require 24 hour concierge facilities--perhaps you would probably be better off at an hotel -- B and B s are private homes in which rooms are reserved for guests and as the title suggests --it is bed and breakfast---There is generally a hostess tray in each room-for a cup or 2 per day of tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are your own responsibility. The owners in my experience really do understand you are on holiday and most owners truly go the extra mile to make your break from work, a relaxing and memorable one-- but perhaps consider what your needs and expectations are before you make bookings -- I have noticed in my travels around the country that some guests have no idea about the services available at different establishments i.e. B and B, Guest House, Hotel etc--let alone any idea of basic good manners and they make it a 24 hour a day living hell for the most charming and welcoming of hosts. This is unpleasant for all the other guests who are sharing the facilities with these demanding unreasonable prima donnas
Do some research first and consider your needs before becoming a holiday Boor .

@@ No matter what you drive(CX

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 08:42.

CX SUV (an SUV from Kysna) GP SUV (an SUV from Gauteng) Careful not to jump to conclusions and throw your naming making you look like a fool

Rain?

Submitted by Chim on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 08:20.

Thats the problem! We need rain! Gautengers please bring your rain with you!!

@ No matter what you drive(CX

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 07:52.

you fool - CX is the knysna number plate registration not the type of car!

No matter what you drive (CX

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 21:31.

No matter what you drive (CX SUV, GP SUV or any other road vehicle) be considerate and make space for each other. Earlier on today I sat in a queue of 20 cars doing 80km/h behind someone (car type irrelevant) who's inferiority complex would not allow them to move over for the people behind them (its not a race, so dont worry if someone wants to get by you, we're not even planning on the same finish line :) ) Merry Christmas and have fun

Garden Route

Submitted by Mike on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 19:42.

Another point - leave early, give yourself plenty of time as the roads get very congested in a few bottlenecks (especially Knysna, Buffels Bay, Vic Bay). But there are MANY great, relatively empty beaches, even at this time of year.
But PLEASE, park in the right places....dont assume that when you arrive late that you can park illegally, block people in just because you have a new SUV......Actually they're a dime a dozen down here !! If you dont like to walk a long way, get up earlier !!

From a local

Submitted by Local on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 13:17.

Having lived in the Garden Route all my life I couldn't have said it better especially point 2. You really, really don't have to spend your whole holiday wandering around the mall. And please be extra careful on the N2, particularly along the Knysna Lagoon road where the current roadworks do make some areas extremely hazardous.