Imagine Africa Guidebooks

We have a selection of guidebooks to some of our most popular countries in Africa. Written by our specialists, they detail destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send this via a PDF to your email.

Garden Route Holidays

Running along the coast of the Western Cape, the Garden Route is a feast for the senses. With glorious year round temperatures and copious sandy beaches, the Garden Route is a road trip of a lifetime.

With windswept mountains to one side and the glistening Indian Ocean to the other the Garden Route is an overflowing cornucopia of vitality. An abundance of world-class wines and sea-fresh food; you will eat well, sleep well and be well.

An unforgettable ocean safari will serve up whales, great white sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins.

Hugely popular as a self-drive; bypass the big towns and focus on the smaller quirkier ones. Make an exception for Knysna to sample the exceptional seafood and specialty oysters. Raise the stakes and rent a classic car, we can even pop a picnic in the trunk!

Challenge an Africa specialist to design your tailor-made Garden Route holiday.

The Crags, South Africa

Hog Hollow has been an Imagine favourite for many years offering seclusion in one of the Garden Route’s most picturesque locations. Beautiful suites, attentive service and spectacular views make this one of the most in-demand places to stay in the area.

Hog Hollow Country Lodge

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

The Plettenberg is a stylish seafront hotel enjoying an unrivalled natural setting near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. The food at the Plettenberg is wonderful, and it is hard to imagine finer views anywhere along the Garden Route.

The Plettenberg

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Hunter’s Country House is an award-winning lodge near Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s famous Garden Route. Great for families, Hunter’s Country House is a peaceful retreat ideally placed for exploring the area’s mountains and golden beaches.

Hunter’s Country House

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Periwinkle Guest Lodge is a stylish, relaxed guesthouse overlooking Robberg Beach in South Africa’s Plettenberg Bay. Magnificent views complimented by superb service make Periwinkle Guest Lodge a perfect beach stopover when exploring the Garden Route.

Periwinkle Guest Lodge

Knysna, South Africa

Located on Thesen Island in the scenic Knysna Lagoon is The Turbine Boutique Hotel. A restored power station, this boutique hotel combines luxury and character to make it an exceptional stay with stunning panoramic views of the waterfront and beyond.

The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Set in the middle of the wide sweep of Robberg Beach in Plettenberg Bay, The Robberg Collection properties are found in a remarkable Garden Route setting. All Robberg properties are supremely comfortable and have first-class facilities.

The Robberg Collection

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Tsala Treetop Lodge is a spectacular contemporary treehouse retreat in the Tsitsikamma Forest between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna on the Garden Route. Peer out across the forest canopy, while enjoying Tsala Treetop’s South African hospitality.

Tsala Treetop Lodge

Garden Route, South Africa

Take this two to three hour kayak and lilo adventure in Tsitiskamma National Park where you’ll explore the Storms River Gorge, the tranquil pools and deep caves all in a kayak or whilst balancing on a lilo.

Kayak & Lilo in Tsitsikamma National Park

Garden Route, South Africa

Book a table and spend an evening at Emily Moon. This restaurant offers delicious meals and is situated just outside of the hustle and bustle of Plettenberg Bay with fantastic views over the river and the mountains in the distance.

Dine at Emily Moon

Garden Route, South Africa

The Cape Floral Region has the highest concentration of plant species in the world. Explore the fynbos and ancient gnarled milkwood forest of the Cape with expert guides and find out that South Africa has so much more to offer than you may have realised.

Fynbos Flower Safari

Garden Route, South Africa

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in the Southern Cape and is in the perfect location for anyone who wants to experience a one day, big game viewing experience along the Garden Route.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

Oudtshoorn, Little Karoo, South Africa

Visit the Cango Caves to experience the large underground limestone caves of the Klein Karoo. With towering stalagmite formations and dripstone caverns you'll be amazed at how big they are and learn about the legends of the cave.

Visit the Cango Caves

Garden Route, South Africa

Head up the Keurbooms River on a boat trip before grabbing a paddle board for an hour-long stand up paddle boarding experience with the lush and peaceful Kuerbooms Nature Reserve surrounding you. A perfect excursion for the whole family.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding on the Keurbooms River

Garden Route, South Africa

Take a walk along the Robberg Peninsula, an outcrop of land on the western side of Plettenberg Bay. The Peninsula is now a nature reserve and a marine protected area which makes for spectacular scenery, wildlife, flora and fauna.

Robberg Peninsula Walk

Garden Route, South Africa

Visit the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre at Plettenberg Bay and learn about the conservation efforts and rehabilitation work to help ensure the continuity of various endemic species. From a diverse variety of animals, both land and marine based.

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa

Monkeyland is a unique primate sanctuary that rehabilitates and frees previously caged primates. All of the monkeys here move about the forest freely and peacefully and allow you to view them as they would be seen in their natural habitat.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary

Garden Route, South Africa

Set at a terrifying 216 meters above the ground, the Bloukrans Bungee is one of the world's highest commercial bungee and definitely one for the thrill seekers! While looking out at the surrounding mountains take the plunge off the bridge.

Bloukrans River Bungee Jump