The Garden Route is open for business.

That's the emphatic word from Craig Nancarrow, CEO of Knysna Tourism, who says that, despite the recent road closures in the area, tourism operators throughout the Garden Route are encouraging visitors not to delay or cancel their holiday plans.

"The roads are open, although motorists should expect delays," says Nancarrow.

The N2 at the Kaaiman's River Pass was closed to traffic last Thursday after mudslides and rock falls, sparked by heavy rain, damaged the road which was in the process of being upgraded. The Pass, which connects Wilderness and George, is a vital transport link for an area which relies heavily on tourism. Freight and bus companies travelling from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth have also been severely affected.

August is traditionally a quiet month for tourism in the Western Cape, which has limited the potential impact of the floods and road closures. "Although we're busy at the moment, luckily it's not our peak season," said Nancarrow, who added that their primary concern is that a medium-term plan is put in place ahead of the Garden Route's tourist high season from November to March.

According to Knysna tourism, visitors to the area should follow one of two routes when travelling between George and Humansdorp.

  • Kaaiman's River Pass
     Despite Gerhard Otto, disaster manager for the Eden municipality, saying on Friday that the Kaaiman’s Pass "is going to collapse — it's just a matter of when," the road was on Tuesday re-opened to traffic.

    However, the Pass is restricted to a single lane and is only open to vehicles weighing under five tons. Cars are being escorted through the pass by a traffic safety vehicle to ensure that drivers stick to the speed limit and to monitor the road for further signs of collapse. Traffic authorities have warned motorists to expect a 30-minute delay on the route, and that the Pass will be closed immediately if the road deteriorates further.

    The Saasveld alternative route via Hoekwil, which was allowing one lane of traffic through on a stop-go system, has since been closed to traffic.

    For further information on the Kaaiman's Pass, motorists can contact Basil Noordman of the local Traffic Department on 082 459 5946.

  • Route 62 via Langkloof
    Heavy duty vehicles and motorists travelling to Humansdorp and beyond are encouraged to follow the Route 62 via Langkloof. The detour, which is likely to add 30 minutes onto your journey time, is the scenic back-road to the coastal N2.

    From George, motorists should travel over the Outeniqua pass, and continue straight onto the N9 to Graaff Reinet. The R62 leaves the N9 approximately 70 kilometres after the Oudtshoorn turn-off. The road, via Joubertina and Kareedouw, follows a scenic route through the Langkloof before rejoining the N2 near Humansdorp. With spring blossoms turning the acres of fruit orchards a bright pink it's an attractive 'road-less-travelled' and well worth the slight detour!

    The Prince Alfred’s Pass which connects Route 62 with Knysna will be closed until Friday.

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