South Africa is home to a breathtaking stretch of southern coastal paradise called the Garden Route – A region that is renowned for its lush, evergreen forests, quaint towns, pristine beaches, rolling landscapes and an endless amount of activities to check off your bucket list.
Whether you are yearning for thrilling outdoor activities or simple tranquil escapes, the Garden Route holds unforgettable experiences and we are sharing what you can do when traveling this enchanting part of the world.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route extends from Witsand in the Western Cape to the border of Tsitsikamma Storms River in the Eastern Cape.
It includes towns such as Witsand, Heidelberg, Riversdale, Stilbaai, Albertinia, Gouritsmond, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Great Brak River, Little Brak River, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Nature’s Valley and George, the Garden Route’s largest city and main administrative centre.
Activities throughout the Garden Route
Knysna Elephant Park
Start off with seeing gentle giants in their natural habitat. Located near the town of Knysna, the Knysna Elephant Park is sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with rescued African elephants. You can interact with these magnificent animals, feed them, and learn about their natural behaviour. This is truly a phenomenal experience
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Tsitsikamma National Park
This coastal national park is a haven for adventure enthusiasts. The Tsitsikamma National Park is home to snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking to explore the rich underwater world or embark on a thrilling canopy tour through the indigenous forest. You could also take a quad bike tour though the park!
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Cango Caves
Located near the town of Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves are a mesmerising subterranean wonder. Explore the limestone chambers filled with extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites For the more adventurous folk, there are opportunities for crawling through tight spaces.
If you’re claustrophobic, skip the crawling tour.
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ALSO SEE: Eat your way through Knysna: 4 foodie-approved spots to visit
Garden Route Game Reserves
The Garden Route is not just about coastal beauty. You can also experience incredible wildlife safaris in private game reserves where you can see the Big Five and many other fascinating animals in their natural habitat:
- Gondwana Game Reserve
- Botlierskop Game Reserve
- Garden Route Game Reserve
- Featherbed Nature Reserve
- Goukamma Nature Reserve
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Sunset Cruises and Whale Watching
If you are visiting the Garden Route during the whale-watching season (June to November), head to Plettenberg Bay to witness the majestic southern right whales as they migrate along the coast. Several boat tours offer an up-close view of these magnificent creatures. You can also experience a number of sunset cruises like the iconic Big Benn or catamaran carters that, if the weather is perfect, will take you through the Knysna heads into the open ocean.
Other activities to check out along the Garden Route:
- A helicopter tour of Mossel Bay
- Swimming with seals in Robberg Nature Reserve
- A number of hiking trails
- Segway tour in Storms River Village
- Bloukraans Bungee Jumping – for all the thrill seekers
- Knysna Oyster Tour
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Feature Image: Supplied
