The Garden Route – South Africa

Activities

Along the Garden Route, travellers can sail on sparkling lagoons, hike through lush coastal forests sliced by rivers, explore caves and panoramic mountain passes, and bungee jump into a plunging gorge. Animal lovers will find plenty of attractions, from elephant experiences, cheetah encounters, and bird sanctuaries to ostrich farms and whale-watching trips. The most popular towns along the route are Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, but Mossel Bay is home to a fascinating museum complex, and George is the largest town and transport hub.

Ostrich Farm, Oudtshoorn

Infinite Blu, Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay, is a resort town through and through, with mountains, white sand and crystal-blue water making it one of the country’s top local tourist spots. As a result, things can get very busy, but the town retains a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The scenery to the east in particular is superb, with some of the best coast and indigenous forest in South Africa.

Knysna

Embracing an exquisitely beautiful lagoon and surrounded by ancient forests, Knysna is probably the most famous town on the Garden Route. Formerly the centre of the timber industry, supplying yellowwood and stinkwood for railway lines, shipping and house-building, it still has several shops specialising in woodwork and traditional furniture. The lagoon is popular with sailing enthusiasts, and there are plenty of boat trips on offer.

Hop aboard a ferry for a ride through the scenic highlights. See the Millwood Mines at Jubilee Creek, the site of a major gold rush in 1885 which also provides a picturesque spot for a picnic. Be sure to also try some local oysters during the renowned local oyster festival.

Knysna Catamaran Cruise, The Garden Route

Storms River Mouth, Humansdorp

Storms River Mouth

Storms River Mouth is one of the most amazing sights along the Garden Route. Cross the small beach and then follow a boardwalk as it meanders up and down through coastal forest, allowing views of the sea, coast and river mouth. The highlight is the 77m long suspension bridge crossing the Storms River Mouth, taking you to a pebble beach, before ascending steeply to a viewpoint over the coast – well worth the effort! One does not have to go to the viewpoint, but can return immediately via a circular route that takes one over 2 smaller suspension bridges before rejoining the boardwalk.

Eco-Boat Trips

Discover and learn more about the unsurpassable beauty and prolific marine life of Knysna and its surrounds on this informative boat trip that takes you from the calm, sheltered waters of the lagoon, through the world-renowned Knysna Heads to the open ocean to see the breathtaking coastline.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the skipper and crew of will reveal the stories and facts of this unusual and valuable marine environment, and explain why it should be treasured forever. This eco boat trip for the nature-lover is available year round in good weather conditions.

John Benn Boat Trip, Knysna

Elephant Sanctuary, Knysna

Knysna Elephant Sanctuary

The Knysna Elephant Park was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs.

Get up close and personal with these gentle giants, with a once in a lifetime experience at Knysna Elephant Sanctuary.

Old Nick Village

Shops, workshops and various events take place in a rambling 19th century Cape Farm complex surrounded by tall trees and over grown indigenous gardens. Expect the unexpected – a musical afternoon on the lawns, a special exhibition, an encounter with birds or the occasional Vervet monkey – gardens exploding with seasonal colour.

Children can run free on broad lawns and in the magical gardens where resident master crafters may be on hand to show how it’s done. We also love your well behaved dogs on leads! There are restrooms for the disabled with most stores and the restaurant accessible for wheelchairs.

Old Nick Village, Plettenburg Bay