The Wilderness National Park is an ecologically unique landscape of rivers, lagoons, saltwater lakes and wetlands.
The Garden Route, running along the South coast, begins in the west at Swellendam and ends at Humansdorp, within its bounds different regions offer the traveller nature, stylish eating & shopping as well as adventure.
The town of Knysna boasts a variety of shops & restaurants as well as a small waterfront district situated on the Knysna Lagoon. The Lagoon, which is surrounded by two impressive rocks called the Knysna Heads, is ideal for windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, angling and for diving. Around the town the Knysna Forest, South Africa’s largest remaining forest area is a great place to hike.
The Wilderness National Park is an ecologically unique landscape of rivers, lagoons, saltwater lakes and wetlands. The National Park is a paradise for the bird lover and is one of South Africa’s ecologically richest water bird habitats.
A popular day tour is a trip on the Outeniqua Choo Choo, a historical train pulled by a steam engine. The ride goes through breathtaking landscape with stunning views of fern-covered mountains, wide river plains, lagoons and miles of pristine beaches. The 3-hour ride starts in George, goes through Wilderness over the much photographed arch-bridge at the Kaaimans River and ends after crossing the lagoon in Knysna.
Garden Route Safari South Africa
The road inland takes you via spectacular mountain passes to the Little Karoo where the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn issue a challenge & offer a show. Learn everything worth knowing about ostriches and, if you are brave enough, ride one of the obstinate birds, or make a bet on who might win the ostrich race.
The nearby Cango Caves are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world and a great place for subterranean walks.
The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km coastal strip between Nature’s Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. Hiking trails offer an experience of a unique plant and animal world. Some indigenous Yellowwood trees still exist here, over 800 years old.
Plettenberg Bay was named after Governor Joachim von Plettenberg, who incorporated the bay under the administrative sovereignty of the Dutch-East India Trading Company in 1778. Nowadays Plett (as South Africans know it) is one of the more exclusive seaside resorts and boasts the most beautiful beaches of the Garden Route.
Ideas for Garden Route fun
* Abseiling
* Bird watching
* Black-water Tubing
* Bunji Jumping
* Canoeing / Kayaking / Sea kayaking
* Champagne Breakfasts or Champagne & oysters at sunset enjoyed at a scenic spot
* Diving
* Ocean Safaris to view dolphins, whales and sharks (shark cave dives)
* Deep sea and fly-fishing
* Ferry rides
* Micro-light and glider flights and training flights
* Guided tours of the forests, specialist history & botanical tours
* Hiking
* Horse riding
* Mountain Biking
* Outeniqua Choo-Choo,
* Paragliding & Parasailing
* Sailing
